What is UX Writing?

UX Writing is the copy or the wordings you see on a website. The information written by UX Writers is to guide users while using the website, such as giving information on what is the next action the user should take and describing to the user how to execute the action. For example, highlighting the log-in error and how to insert details in a correct manner.
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The information is important to ensure a good user experience from the start till the end of using the website. A UX Writer writes copy that reflects the company’s image and tone of voice. Our mentor Fara Ruby Addina a UX Writer at Tokopedia in Indonesia , describes UX Writing as the way the product communicates to its users.

There are several aspects of UX Writing that should be paid attention to:

what kind of digital product it is
our positioning to the users
who the users are

Fara shares a simple analogy on UX Writing, “ It’s the way we as students speak to our teachers is different to the way we speak to our classmates at school. School is analogous to a kind of digital product. “We as students” have to consider our positioning when talking to our teachers and classmates. Teachers or classmates are our users.”

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The Principles of UX Writing

Inform in a clear and concise manner.
The copy should be straightforward and easily understood by the users. Proofread your copies, if you need to think about the meaning of the copy for more than a few seconds, the copy needs to be amended to achieve an instant understanding. Share the draft copy with your team to test whether they understand the meaning and how they feel about the copy.

Inform the next steps or solutions to users.
Guide the users on the next actions they need to take to ensure a smooth experience and achieve the goal of using the product. For example, when shopping online, the end goal is that the user is able to purchase the product successfully without experiencing any hiccups.
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Be responsible
Inform the users of the results of their choices. Using similar shopping online examples, occasionally upon checking out, there will be a voucher section or a deduct from points section.

Explain to the customers through your copy the results of their choices. For example, display the discount they will get if they chose the voucher option and display the number of points the customers will have left if they choose to use the shopping points.

Be responsible and be transparent. Your users will appreciate it if you inform them before they make a decision on which button to click.

The difference between UX Writing and Copywriting

‍Most of us are already familiar with copywriting. You know the sentences that bait you into buying other shoes, games, or that viral food that has been the topic across the town. Copywriting plays an important role in marketing. A ‘smart’ or some may say sneaky strategy to change the wants and needs while triggering the audience's emotions.

“Imagine the crispy, golden-brown chicken with creamy cheese sauce…” This copywriting could really make your tummy rumbling, and the next thing you know, you are queuing for the chicken.

Fara explains that both UX Writing and Copywriting have similarities and differences. “Well, I kind of disagree with some references that state UX writing is user-oriented and copywriting is sales-oriented. They are both sales-oriented, but with different approaches to our users. UX writing deals with how to make our users understand and feel convenient using our digital products so they can proceed with transactions, whereas copywriting is about persuading our users to try and buy our products.”

‍The two core skills needed to be a UX Writer

Basic Writing skill
Basic writing skills such as grammar (depending on the language you are writing), sentence structure, proofreading, editing, rewriting, correct spelling are essentials to master.
Critical Thinking skill
Your writing depends on the company’s brand identity and the company’s product. Set the tone of your writing according to the context. You cannot insert too much humor in a corporate website unless that is the direction the company wants to go for. Using slang on baby products websites just does not seem right. For example, “This baby pacifier is just lit for everyday use!”

No, no just don’t do that.

Recommended resources for those who just started learning about UX Writing

Books:

Microcopy the Complete Guide by Kinneret Yifrah

Writing is Designing by Michael J. Metts & Andy Welfle

Podcasts (on Spotify):

Writers in Tech by Yuval Keshtcher

Warung Copy by Edwin Mohammad (in Indonesian)

If you are interested,you can click this link and listen to the 18 Must-Subscribe UX Design Podcasts in 2021.

Blogs:

If you would like to be a UX Writer, Fara suggested for you ask these questions before jumping into UX Writing:

Why do I want to be a UX writer?
What makes me think that I will be capable of UX writing?
Am I resilient enough if someday I find obstacles throughout my UX writing career?
Am I ready to learn skills outside UX writing that will support my UX writing career?

The answers might vary for each individual, but make sure that you’re not just following the trend. - Fara

Read more on Fara’s Medium article here.

Contributor:‍
Fara Ruby Addina (ADPList Mentor)
UX Writer at Tokopedia
ADPList Profile: https://adplist.org/mentors/fara-ruby-addina
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/fararubyaddina/‍

Editor and Writer:
Farah Radzi
Content Marketer and Writer at ADPList
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/famr/‍