Is UX Writing Boring?
Somewhere around 2014 I encountered the term “microcopy” (the predecessor to “UX writing”) for the first time, and—not gonna lie—let’s just say it didn’t have me jumping out of my seat with excitement.
At the time I was writing a lot of different types of content, like web copy and blog posts, and I didn’t really understand the point of writing buttons and tooltips. Isn’t that… kinda boring? And how much time could it possibly fill (or money could it possibly pay)?
In the years since, I’ve discovered that UX writing flexes my brain muscles more than almost anything else I’ve ever done and keeps me constantly on my toes—in other words, anything but boring.
Here’s why:
1. You get a behind-the-scenes view of new products and technologies.
UX copy is a fundamental part of digital products. You have to have a deep understanding of an app or platform before you can write anything for it. That means that everything that happens in the development of that product (and its industry in general)—you’re watching it.
You see so much of what makes an app—before a user ever lays eyes on it. And once it does hit the users’ hands (fingers 😏), you have a critical role in evaluating their experience and fine-tuning the product based on what you learn. Think of it as a backstage pass to the awesome new things that are being developed.
2. It’s like a puzzle.
UX writing is often about communicating something concisely within an allotted space, all while using the right tone of voice and writing for the exact scenario at hand. And it’s not just about that single screen you just wrote… The flow and the user journey are central, and as a UX writer, it’s your job to make sure the language is cohesive and makes sense for the whole experience. So, who’s up for a challenge?
3. You really get to step into users’ shoes.
As a UX writer, your mind will be full of questions like:
What are the users trying to do?
What are they thinking about?
What are they worried about?
What will excite them?
What might make them stop and hesitate?
What outcome are they seeking?
You’re writing for real human users who are reading, clicking, filling out, tapping, and so on, and it’s your job to write the words that will move them through all of that smoothly, happily (hopefully), and without any frustration. You get to tap into what really makes people tick, so you can craft the most user-friendly, helpful experience. Sounds pretty dreamy, doesn’t it?
4. You get to work with a team.
Good products are the product (ha!) of teams, not individuals. As a UX writer, you’ll be working regularly with designers, product managers, and maybe even marketers and developers. You’ll work together to bring the product from rough concept to actual tappable/clickable interface. If you’re a freelance UX writer, you get the perfect balance of interactive team time and quiet alone time as you wrangle a three-part message into a five-word title, for example.
5. You're not just writing; you're designing.
UX writing isn’t just about dumping words in a blank document. Every word or string you write has to fit into the design and make sense for the way the user will interact with the user interface. You have impact on the layout, formatting, and placement of the words you write—and it’s fascinating to see how the same word can work differently when used on a different screen within a different context, or how consistency in language across screens can help guide users and let them feel safe.
6. You get to craft a product's voice and define how a company talks to its users.
Brand voice is what makes users connect to a company and feel that they can trust the product and trust the brand. Products need to be trustworthy and are most successful when they are consistent and allow the user to feel “seen.”
All this is done through a product’s look and also through its voice: How does it talk? What kind of language does it use? As a UX writer, it’s your job to make these decisions (in collaboration with the rest of the product team) and shape the way the product sounds and the personality that it conveys.
7. You know people are going to read your words.
Apps are a ubiquitous part of our lives. We use them all day, every day. When they work well and help us accomplish what we need to get done, they almost embed themselves into our lives, to the point that we can’t imagine life without them (I can think of a few apps like that!).
But to use an app properly, users have to read the words (or at least scan them). It’s not like choosing to read a blog post or not. The experience depends on the words. Amusingly, if the experience is smooth (because the product and design work well and the words are clear and effective), users probably won’t even notice or remember the words. And when they don’t—that’s a sign of good UX writing!
So is UX writing boring?
Not if you:
Care about people
Like a good challenge
Are curious about technology
Love playing with words
Want to impact brands, products, and industries
Are you interested in transitioning into UX writing? Join the waitlist for UX to Success: UX Writing for Freelance Writers.
