What is UX writing? Indeed, the quality of a product’s copy has a huge effect on the user experience. UX writing includes every kind of text that displays on the user interface.
The main aim of UX writing is to settle communication between users and a digital product.
Great news! UX writers are being hired globally. With a steady flow of new websites, apps, and bots, there’s a high demand for people who can write copy for these digital products.
Curious about a career in UX writing? We have great tips to guide you. Keep reading to unwrap the free gift.
What does UX stand for?
UX simply stands for User Experience. This is the interaction and experience users have with a company’s products and services.
If you work in tech, it’s likely that you’ve heard of UX writing.
What is UX Writing?
UX writing is the practice of creating written content which is directly used in user interfaces to guide users within a product and help them interact with it.
Also, you can say UX writing is a tool that supports UI design and improves user engagement in web and mobile products. In fact, the aim of UX writing is to support the overall UX design by providing the right words.
UX writing is a relatively new field in the world of user experience design. So, if you’ve got a knack for words and a keen interest in creating great user experiences, it could be just the career path for you.
Every efficient UX writing should be clear, concise, consistent, and actionable.
You can tread this: The Beginner’s Guide to Writing a Corporate Video Script [Free Template]
Who is a UX Writer?
A UX writer is someone who writes the words we read or hear when we use a digital product. A UX writer’s goal is primarily to help and guide the user.
Whereas a copywriter’s job is to help sell a product, a UX writer does more than that.
Copy created by UX writers is also known as microcopy. A microcopy is simply the small components of text which serve as hints for users.
This includes buttons and menu copy, error messages, security notes, terms, and conditions, hover texts, alerts and notifications, as well as any kind of instructions on product usage.
In the world of product design, getting a UX writer is very important. In fact, putting it correctly, all UX writers are content strategists. But, not all content strategists can be UX writers.
What Does a UX Writer Do?
A UX writer primary focus on how to create clear, concise, and user-friendly text that guides users through different interactions and helps them achieve their goals while using a digital product. Here are some key aspects of what a UX writer does:
- Interface Text: A UX writer writes and refines the text that appears in user interfaces, including buttons, labels, menu items, tooltips, and error messages. The goal is to provide information that is easily understood and guides users through their interactions.
- User Guidance: They develop instructional and guidance content to assist users in understanding how to use various features and functionalities. This includes onboarding sequences, user guides, and tutorials.
- Clarity and Consistency: A UX writer ensures that the language used in the interface is clear, consistent, and aligned with the brand voice and tone.
- Collaboration: They works closely with cross-functional teams, including designers, product managers, developers, and researchers, to understand user needs and integrate appropriate language into the design and functionality of the product.
- User Research: Conducts or collaborates with user researchers to gather insights into user behaviors, preferences, and pain points. This research informs the creation of content that addresses the specific needs and expectations of the target audience.
- Content Testing and Iteration: Also, they participates in usability testing and gathers feedback on the effectiveness of the written content. Uses insights from testing to iterate and improve the language for better user comprehension and satisfaction.
- Microcopy: UX writer writes microcopy, which refers to small, contextual snippets of text that guide users through specific tasks, such as form fields, buttons, and error messages.
- Accessibility: They ensures that the written content is accessible to users with different abilities and disabilities, considering factors such as readability, language simplicity, and adherence to accessibility standards.
What skills do you need as a UX writer?
If we look at a product from the users’ perspective, we’ll see how useful small copy hints are for them. Hence, you can’t just become a UX writer without having the essential skills.
Every UX Writer should:
- Have good writing skills: If you don’t have a writing background, it’s a great idea to start by evaluating your writing skills and considering if you need to develop them.
Remember, UX writing will teach you to see words as part of the design. So, you do need to have sharp writing skills. - Be open-minded: As a UX writer, you should learn to give room to understand others’ points of view.
- Be curious and agile: Always ask the product and design team questions to understand the process. This will help you to stay up to date with trends and news.
- Have communication skills: Many people think a writer is an isolated person. However, a UX writer always gets in touch with his peers. Thus, as a UX writer, you need to be a good communicator.
- Have lots of patience: While communicating with your team members in regards to the UX writing needed for a product, learn to be patient with them while you communicate your thoughts.
- Be very aware: Don’t forget the main job of a UX writer which is to acquire a deep and thorough understanding of the user and often conduct UX research.
- Have a content strategy: UX writing without a content strategy is just guesswork. So, as a UX writer, having a content strategy is a key and vital skill you must have.
- Be data-driven: As a UX writer, you should be able to track data, understanding how to gain insights from it, and creating actions based on that information. It’s not enough to just understand what the numbers mean.
Also, read this: Best B2B Copywriting Tips for Higher Conversions in 2024
Difference Between UX Writing and Copywriting
While both UX writing and copywriting involve crafting written content, they serve different purposes and operate in distinct contexts. UX writing is about enhancing the user experience within digital products, while copywriting focuses on persuasive communication to drive specific actions in marketing and promotional materials.
UX writing and copywriting are clear roles, each serving a specific purpose in the realm of content creation. Here are the key differences between UX writing and copywriting:
Focus and Purpose
- UX Writing: This is primarily concerned with the user experience within digital products and interfaces. The goal is to guide users through an application or website with clear, concise, and helpful text that facilitates seamless interactions.
- Copywriting: Focuses on creating persuasive and compelling content to drive specific actions or responses. It is often used in marketing materials, advertisements, and promotional content.
Context
- UX Writing: Aims to enhance the usability of a product by providing users with information, instructions, and feedback at key touchpoints. Also, It focuses on microcopy, which includes labels, buttons, error messages, and other interface elements.
- Copywriting: This works in broader marketing contexts, crafting messages to capture attention, evoke emotions, and persuade users to take a particular action, such as making a purchase or signing up for a service.
Tone and Style
- UX Writing: Prioritizes clarity, simplicity, and user-centric language. The tone is often neutral and instructional, with an emphasis on helping users complete tasks or understand functionalities.
- Copywriting: Involves more creativity and often uses persuasive language, emotional appeals, and brand personality to engage and motivate the audience.
Placement
- UX Writing: Integrated directly into the user interface (UI) of a digital product, appearing in areas such as buttons, tooltips, form fields, and error messages.
- Copywriting: Found in various marketing channels, including websites, advertisements, social media, email campaigns, and more.
Measurable Goals
- UX Writing: Success is often measured by the clarity of communication, user task completion rates, and the overall improvement of the user experience.
- Copywriting: Success is measured by conversion rates, click-through rates, and other key performance indicators related to the desired user action.
What is Microcopy in UX Writing
Microcopy in UX writing refers to the small, concise snippets of text that are strategically placed within a user interface to guide, instruct, and provide feedback to users. These snippets are often brief and directly tied to specific interactions or tasks within a digital product.
Furthermore, microcopy plays an important role in enhancing the overall user experience by offering clarity, reducing confusion, and helping users navigate through different elements of a website or application.
See also: What Is Speech Writing? Best Tips And Jobs In 2024
Examples of Microcopy in UX Writing
Here are some examples of microcopy in UX writing:
- Form Labels and Placeholder Text: Microcopy is used to provide clear instructions and examples within form fields, guiding users on what information is expected.
- Buttons and Calls to Action: The text on buttons, such as “Submit,” “Continue,” or “Buy Now,” is considered microcopy. Also, it should be concise and action-oriented to encourage users to click.
- Error Messages: When users encounter errors, microcopy is employed to explain the issue and provide guidance on how to correct it. Clear and friendly error messages contribute to a positive user experience.
- Tooltips and Help Text: Microcopy is often utilized in tooltips or help text to offer additional information about specific features or functionalities when users hover over or click on certain elements.
- Confirmation Messages: After completing an action, like submitting a form or making a purchase, microcopy is used in confirmation messages to reassure users that their action was successful.
- Empty States: Microcopy also helps explain what users should do when they encounter empty states, such as an empty shopping cart or an inbox with no messages.
How much do UX Writers make?
With the demand for UX writers growing exponentially writers need to understand what the market looks like, and what that means in terms of compensation.
As a UX writer, you can earn up to six figures as your salary. However, that depends on your location and the company you work with. For instance, the UX writers who work with Google earn $124,968/yr. Awesome, right?
Well, the average base pay of a UX writer, according to glassdoor is $85,277 annually.
How do I become a UX writer?
Given the rate at which UX writing is growing today, companies are set to hire thousands of UX writers in the next few years. To do this effectively, you must acquire a deep and thorough understanding of the user and often conduct UX research.
Perhaps, you are wondering how to start your journey as a UX writer. All it takes for you to start is to start.
Therefore, there are many resources/courses available online for aspiring UX writers. Keep reading to take advantage of these courses.
You can also check out these resources:
- Free UX writing resources
- Microcopy and UX writing discussion group on Facebook
- Strategic Writing for UX by Torrey Podmajersky
- UX Podcast by James Royal-Lawson and Per Axbom
- Content Design Podcast by Vanessa Barlow
UX writing courses
If you’re new to the field, but you’ve already developed some knowledge and you’re ready to take on something more rigorous and immersive, we recommend that you take a course that provides you with hands-on experience and mentoring.
Here are some courses that will help you get started on this amazing UX writing journey.
1. UX Writing at Berghs School of Communication
Cost: $3,800
Duration: 12 weeks, online
You can check this: 10 Tips for Hiring a Medical Writer with the best Qualifications
2. Laura Luck’s 5-Day UX Writing course
Cost: Free
Duration: 5 days, online via email
3. UX Writing Fundamentals with UX Writers Collective
Cost: $895
Duration: 8-10 weeks, online
4. UX Writing Academy at UX Writing Hub
Cost: $2500
Duration: 4 months, online.
5. UX Writing with Kinneret Yifrah
Cost: $199.99
Duration: 2 hours, online.
UX writing Jobs
Given the rate at which UX writing is growing today, companies are set to hire thousands of UX writers in the next few years.
One of the big debates in UX writing right now is the sheer number of job titles, and what they mean. The fun fact about this is that all of these jobs are paid really well.
Here’s a list of job titles under UX writing:
- UX writer
- UX Writing Manager
- Content Strategist
- Content Designer
- Lead UX Writer
- Senior UX Writer
Check here or here to apply for UX writing jobs.
Also, check this: How To Become A Freelance Writer With No Experience
UX writing tips
#1. Be clear and conversational
Your UX copy must resonate with a large and varied audience. Aim to make your writing feel like a conversation that users are having with someone they know.
In fact, as a user experience writer, your UX copy should be human and authentic. The worst feedback you can get as a UX writer is that your writing is not clear to the users.
#2. Be concise
You don’t need to write ambigious and big words. As a UX writer, keeping your copy simple and short is sexy and attractive. An easy way to shorten your sentences is to avoid so-called expletives.
#3. Stay positive
Try not to start your description/copy with a negative statement. The users definitely won’t find it pleasing.
#4. Be research and data driven
Step into users’ shoes. If you want to create a useful copy, you need to understand where users need help. User research assists to learn the target audience and knowing their specialties you can assume what hints people need.
#5. Be creative
Your copy doesn’t have to be boring. You can add some polite jokes where it is necessary. It breaks tension which may appear if users do something wrong and encourage them to stick around.
#6. Add images
You can use photos as well as custom illustrations which will strengthen the right message of a copy.
#7. Reflect brand voice.
Don’t forget that the instructions that a product gives to users are always perceived as the voice of a brand. So, before you write a copy, you need to learn about brand’s mission and goals for the product you are working on.
Read also: 10 Best Paid Copywriting Internship In 2024
FAQs
UX writing is the practice of creating written content which is directly used in user interfaces to guide users within a product and help them interact with it.
A UX writer is someone who writes the words we read or hear when we use a digital product. A UX writer’s goal is primarily to help and guide the user.
The responsibilities of a UX writer involve a range of tasks aimed at improving the overall user experience within digital products. Here are some key responsibilities of a UX Writer
– A UX writer develop clear and concise text for various elements of the user interface, including buttons, labels, tooltips, error messages, and other interactive components.
– Create instructional content and user guidance materials to help users understand how to navigate through the product, use features, and accomplish tasks effectively.
– Conduct or contribute to user research efforts to understand user needs, behaviors, and pain points.
– They work closely with designers, product managers, developers, and other stakeholders to integrate written content seamlessly into the design and functionality of the product…
To become a UX writer, a strong foundation in writing, understanding user behavior, and adaptability to design changes are essential. Building a portfolio and networking within the industry can also enhance opportunities.
Also, a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as English, Communications, Journalism, Creative Writing, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related discipline can be beneficial.
Here are tools and resources that collectively support UX writers in their tasks, from collaborating with teams and conducting research to crafting and implementing effective content within digital products.
– Google Docs and Google Drive
– Figma
– Trello, Asana, or Jira
– Grammarly and Hemingway Editor
– UserZoom, UserTesting, or Lookback
– Smartling, PhraseApp, or Crowdin
– Git and GitHub
– AP Stylebook, Chicago Manual of Style, or Brand-specific Style Guides
– Balsamiq or Adobe XD
– Also, Coursera, Udemy, UX writing-specific courses, etc
Conclusion
The main aim of UX writing is to settle communication between users and a digital product. Everything you need to know about UX writing has been outlined and explained in this article.
UX writers are being hired globally. With a steady flow of new websites, apps, and bots, there’s a high demand for people who can write copy for these digital products. You too can be hired today with the help of the tips I gave.
Cheers to being the next big UX writer!