Creating UX writing training for designers
Speaking at the UX Writers Conference on October 6, 2020 was my first conference presentation. I’d only spoken at a few content-related meetups before being asked to contribute to this event.
Password uxwriter-oct20
Resources
UX writing checklists
UX Writing Overview
Focus your effort on the content that users read the most
Page/screen titles
Button text
Text links
Error messages
Follow UX writing principles
User first
Clear
Concise
Useful
Consistent
Use brand vocabulary and terms
Otherwise choose simple words that a child in grade 6 should understand.
Use brand voice and tone
We’re conversational but always clear.
We’re empathetic to our users’ emotions, whether celebrating a new phone or helping them pay a bill.
We’re confident we have the right information and answers.
We’re serious because we provide a network and products our users depend on.
We’re personalized when appropriate to reflect and grow our relationship with users.
Use active voice most of the time
Check for passive voice by adding “by monkeys” to the end of a sentence. For example, “Your bill was paid by monkeys.” can be rewritten “You paid your bill.”
Some error messages should use passive voice to avoid blame. For example, “The card has been declined. Try another payment method.”
Consider the context
Even if you’re “only” writing an interstitial, what happens before and after it? If you’re “only” writing a text link, does it appear with other links? Try to align your choices (or push for larger improvements)!
UX Writing Top 11 Tips
Lead with the benefit, then explain what the customers need to do or learn to get it.
2. Content isn’t repeated. Support content shouldn’t repeat exactly what the title says.
3. Sentences are short. No unnecessary words.
4. Customers are the focus.
Use your discount code not We’ve given you a discount code
5. Replace jargon and fancy words with the shortest, simplest words.
Letters and numbers not alphanumeric
6. Don’t use American English idioms, metaphors or cliches.
Wait not Sit tight
7. Use active voice as much as possible.
You paid your bill not Your bill was paid
8. Headings and buttons are in sentence case.
Edit account settings not Edit Account Settings
9. Buttons follow a verb + noun pattern.
Add device not Add a device
10. Use the same nouns and verbs.
Remove not Remove then Delete
11. Link text describes where it leads.
Join the reward program not Click here for the reward program
Sharing work
Make a recording with Quicktime or your preferred video tool. It can be 30 seconds walking through a few selections or several minutes explaining a new flow.
Recommended reading
Strategic Writing for UX by Torrey Podmajersky
Writing is Designing by Michael Metts and Andy Welfle
Content Design by Sarah Richards
Recommended podcasts
The Manuscript
#10: Beyond ‘fixing the words’
Writers in Tech
from UX Writing Hub
22 episodes
Writers in Silicon Valley
by Patrick Stafford
16 episodes
The Content Design Podcast
by Vanessa Barlow
17 episodes