When I began learning about UX Writing, I understood the significance of how words influence our actions and guide us to a better user experience. It’s truly frustrating to click on a button, expecting to reach a specific page or get a certain result, only to receive something completely different. This complicates usability, and that’s precisely what we aim to avoid.
Here, I am going to list 4 steps that helped me create better experiences through writing:
1: Understand the user and the context
Before starting to write, it’s important to understand the goals, target audience, user needs, circumstances, and all the relevant information to create a compelling copy.
To do this, analysing competitors helps you understand the terminological conventions they use and the terms the audience is accustomed to. Not only that, but it also reveals opportunities for improving your interface.Another insightful thing I learned from an article is to ask questions about the interface. For example: When I click on this button, what action will be performed? What is the user expected to fill in this field?What is the main objective of this product? Shopping? Getting in touch? Booking an appointment?
https://medium.com/blibli-product-group/my-3-steps-in-ux-writing-process-888e8b381d6b
2: Internalize the tone of voice
Understanding who you are writing for and absorbing the brand’s tone of voice and personality is essential to maintain interface and product awareness, as well as to connect with your audience.
To achieve this, I like to write the brand’s phrases and texts on paper, repeating exactly how they communicate. Through this exercise, you’ll internalize the tone of voice, making it easier to create copies.
3: Brainstorming
Now that we’ve covered the previous steps, it’s time to create. I typically begin by seeking inspiration, exploring websites, apps, or case studies related to similar products.
Next, I draft the copies and test them in wireframes to visualize and consider how they fit together.
4: Testing and iteration
Testing the copies is a crucial step to confirm if the writing is genuinely clear, concise, and effective. After all, we design for the users, not for ourselves. Usability testing allows us to comprehend interactions, gather feedback, and then make necessary adjustments to enhance the user experience.
UX Writing at first glance may seem simple, because it needs to be simple, but it is a process that demands a lot of attention, it is through what is written that will determine the user’s actions and their experience.
Take time to practice, create fictional screens, improve existing ones that you have had some difficulty with, try to collaborate with other professionals, seek feedback and understand which writing process works best for you.
Written by: Larissa Arnold
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