As the digital world gets more complex, businesses are turning to UX writing to improve the user experience.
According to various reports, the demand for UX Writers and Content Designers is rising and holds a promising future.
Lately, I have been receiving many messages on LinkedIn looking for advice from people looking to start their UX writing careers.
I got acquainted with UX writing about five years ago when I wrote copy for the UI of an app while working with various aspects of content at a startup. Back then, I had no idea it was called UX writing.
Over time, when we sought to improve the app’s experience, I discovered the term and have been delving deep into it ever since.
I understand it’s challenging to figure out how to start your UX writing journey. As an emerging field, it still lacks a defined path, unlike more established areas such as UI/UX designing.
Looking to become a UX Writer or hone your UX writing skills?
Here I compile the best resources that will give you a jumpstart into this discipline. We’ll also peek into the fundamentals to solidify your skill sets.
What is UX writing?
First things first, what is UX writing all about?
UX writing is an often overlooked yet vital tool for creating a great user experience across user interfaces – particularly websites and apps.
It helps users understand what they should do, why they should do it, and how to do it. It not only helps users navigate an interface but also encourages them to take action—making a purchase, downloading an app, or signing up for a service.
As UX writers, our job is to craft both functional and engaging copy, ensuring that the user’s journey on the website or app is seamless and enjoyable.
Much UX writing includes microcopy like headlines, error messages, button texts, empty states, etc. It can also include longer and descriptive texts such as FAQs, instruction manuals, and even different website sections.
Is it any different from copywriting?
Let’s find out.
Copywriting vs. UX writing
The main difference between UX writing and copywriting is that the former focuses on creating user-centric experiences. At the same time, the latter is more concerned with marketing and selling a product or service.
The other differences pretty much stem from this.
Copywriters focus on attracting customers and may use catchy phrases, slogans, clever wordplay, and other tactics to persuade people to do something.
UX writing has a functional purpose in shaping how users interact with products and services. So, UX writers will focus on functionality, usability, clarity, conciseness, and ease of understanding.
Another difference between UX writing and copywriting is that what works for one might not work for the other.
UX writers need to focus on creating an intuitive user journey that guides users through an app or website in a way that makes sense for them. Copywriters have more freedom when creating creative campaigns but must ensure their messages are consistent with the brand identity of the product or service.
Nevertheless, both fields overlap as well. For example, both consider the target audience, the brand’s message, voice and tone, and overall business objectives.
Lastly, UX writers should have an understanding of user-centric design principles and concepts, which a copywriter need not have.
Let’s look at some of the critical areas you should know as a UX writer.
Concepts to familiarize yourself with
As user experience is at the core of UX writing, you should have a broad understanding of UX fundamentals and processes. You will be working closely with UI/UX designers and other stakeholders.
As the job requires a strategic approach, understanding content strategy is also critical. You should also have writing skills and know the best practices to create effective copywriting.
Here’s a list of some terms you will frequently deal with.
- User Experience: User Experience (UX) is a user’s overall experience while interacting with a product or service. It consists of all aspects of a user’s interaction with a product or service, including its usability, accessibility, visual design, content, and overall satisfaction.
- User-centered Design: A design approach that puts the user at the center of the design process, considering their needs, goals, and preferences. It involves understanding the user’s context, behaviors, and expectations and using this information to create products or experiences that are useful, usable, and desirable.
- Content Design: The process of creating and structuring content that is user-centered, relevant, and engaging content. It involves researching, planning, and creating content that meets user needs and aligns with business objectives.
- Content Strategy: Content strategy involves planning, developing, and managing content across channels and platforms. UX writers should be familiar with content strategy concepts like voice and tone, messaging frameworks, and content audits.
- User Psychology: The study of how users think, feel, and behave when interacting with digital products and services. It involves understanding the cognitive and emotional processes influencing user behavior and using this knowledge to create UX copy that meets their needs and expectations.
- User Research: The process of gathering information about users’ needs, behaviors, and preferences through various methods such as surveys, interviews, and observation. It helps you understand the target audience and design content that meets their needs and expectations.
- User Persona: A fictional representation of a user group created based on user research data. It includes demographic, psychographic, and behavioral characteristics that help UX writers to create targeted and personalized content for different user groups.
- User Flow & User Journey: The path a user takes through a website or application, from the entry point to the desired outcome. User flow refers to the steps a user takes to complete a specific task, while user journey describes the overall experience of using a product or service.
- Wireframing: The process of creating a visual representation of a website or application’s structure and functionality using simple shapes, icons, and placeholder content. It maps out the user interface, user experience, and copy before the actual design and development process begins.
- Information Architecture: It refers to the structure and organization of content on a website or app. You should be versed in the basics of information architecture, including how to write effective labels, headings, and other content that supports the overall structure of the product.
- Microcopy: Microcopy refers to the small chunks of text used throughout a website or app to guide users and provide feedback. UX writers should be skilled at writing effective, concise, clear, and engaging microcopy.
- Localization: The process of adapting content and design to meet a particular market or audience’s linguistic, cultural, and regulatory requirements. It involves translating content, adapting visuals, and addressing local customs and sensitivities.
- Voice & Tone: The style, personality, and emotional qualities of a brand’s communication, including its written content. Voice refers to the overall character of the brand, while tone refers to the emotional state or attitude conveyed in a specific message or piece of content.
- Usability: The degree to which a product or service can be used by its target audience to achieve specific goals with efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction. It involves assessing a product or service’s ease of use, learnability, and memorability.
- Accessibility: The extent to which a product or service can be used by people with disabilities, including visual, auditory, physical, and cognitive impairments. It involves designing products and content that are perceivable, operable, and understandable for all users.
- Copy Testing: The process of evaluating the effectiveness of written content, such as marketing messages, product descriptions, or website copy. It involves testing different content versions to determine which resonates best with the target audience.
- Dark Pattern: A user interface design intended to deceive or manipulate users into taking actions they would not otherwise take. These patterns are often used to promote sales, collect data, or trick users into agreeing to terms and conditions. In your UX writing, you should avoid using dark patterns, which can harm users’ trust and confidence in a product or service.
Resources to learn UX writing
With the basics covered, let’s now jump into the resources that can help you get into the action – learn UX writing and improve your skills.
1. UX Writing Hub’s Free Course – A Taste of UX Writing
Before you dive deep into a discipline, an overview of its curriculum can set you off to the right start.
UX Writing Hub is a great place to find a structured approach to UX writing, particularly its free course. This course sets the tone with a brief yet comprehensive picture of UX writing, from process to best practices and even AI tools.
As a course-taker, I can vouch for how helpful this course is in shaping your learning journey. Not to mention, it has some excellent takeaways, even if you’re already in the game.
If you’re seeking formal training, they have certificate programs as well.
Moreover, the UX Writing Hub blog can give you useful insights into the different aspects of UX writing and content design, along with practical stuff related to UX writing jobs.
2. Daily UX Writing Challenge
To get hands-on with UX writing, Daily UX Writing is the place to be. It is a free 15-day course that sends daily prompts to your inbox for practicing.
They also have a random microcopy generator on their website if you wish to practice further.
You can post your work in their Facebook group for peer review. You may even publish them on Medium or your blog to showcase your skills.
As a newbie, your work with these prompts can be good material for your UX writing portfolio.
However, these prompts are often specific to one screen or one scenario. You will generally deal with the entire user flow in real-world situations. Also, adhering to brand message, voice and tone, and such nuances will also come into the picture.
The best way to maximize value from these prompts is to go beyond and imagine the possible user flow while executing these prompts. While showcasing your work, added details will add far more value.
Also, I have found the Facebook group less active. Instead, you may ask for feedback from an experienced UX writer in your professional network.
3. NN/g
Understanding UX as a whole is vital to improving your UX writing skills.
NN/g or Nielsen Norman Group is a leading UX research and consulting firm that offers a range of resources on UX, including articles, videos, reports, and training courses.
They cover topics like content strategy, design process, psychology, testing, and more that can help you better understand UX and apply it to your work.
Moreover, they also share tips and guidelines for writing for user interfaces, which will help you refine your writing and think from the user’s perspective.
4. Smashing Magazine
While Smashing Magazine primarily caters to designers and developers, it is another excellent resource for UX writers to get familiar with the technical side of content, such as HTML and responsive design.
Under its UX category, you will find some brilliant articles about UX design, process, writing, content design, etc.
You will also find some in-depth pieces under the accessibility, usability, and best practices sections.
As a UX writer, you will likely deliver your work over Figma or such design software. You will also find some useful guides to working with these tools.
5. UX Collective
UX Collective is another great publication to learn about the different sides of user experience.
A community-driven platform, it curates articles on the topics surrounding UX, product design, and visual design.
Along with fundamentals, case studies, and best practices, you will also find opinions about the latest trends and technology in the field – a lot of which can also apply to UX writing.
They also have a free guide on UX design. It’s a great read and, indeed, an eye-pleasing one.
6. UX Planet
Another Medium publication, UX Planet, is an excellent resource for everything user experience.
It has some handy pieces to help you learn about UX as a beginner, which will help solidify your UX writing base as well.
They have some fantastic articles about user research and overall user experience. You may notice many pieces to be older than 5 years, but still, they are pretty relevant.
7. Laws of UX
While targeted to designers, Laws of UX is a gem for understanding user experience principles and user psychology.
Since content design is a part of (in fact synonymous with) UX writing, a look at these principles will help you create effective UX copy, considering how users behave and use digital interfaces.
The best part is the website is designed to simplify these concepts and present them in a visually engaging manner. So, you’re in for a treat.
8. Good Microcopy
If you want to see UX writing in action or seek inspiration, head to Good Microcopy. It is a curated list of microcopies from the web.
Going through these will help you understand what makes for a good microcopy or UI text and, thus, improve your UX writing.
You might find the examples to be a bit outdated. However, there won’t be a shortage of useful insights.
To sum up
UX writing is gaining a significant foothold for good. There is no better time to learn and build your career in this field than now.
The best part about UX writing is it’s an open field to explore with endless freedom to chart your own path.
With a solid foundation and a commitment to learning, you can build a successful career in UX writing and contribute to creating meaningful and valuable experiences for users.
I hope this article helps you set off in the right direction and adds value to your journey.
For more helpful pieces on UX writing and related topics, keep visiting Contentphilic.
