If you are an expert at creating well-constructed dialog and have insane writing, strong spelling, punctuation, and grammar skills, becoming a UX writer might be a great career choice for you.
User experience (UX) writers create written content for user websites that work seamlessly with the user interface and enhance the user experience. UX writers have to get into the minds of users, determine what they want, and develop strategies for content that cater to those wants while making the experience intuitive and easy to use.
UX writers must have excellent collaboration skills as they work with design teams, product managers, and front-end developers. They create all the text for a site, including buttons, pages, and error messages. The ability to write clearly, present the intended message concisely, and be consistent with company objectives and goals is required. UX writers need to keep up with trends and competitor websites, as well as the needs and wants of the customer or end-user. Strong verbal communication and presentation skills are needed to excel as a UX writer as they present findings to the development team and stakeholders. This is a great career for you if you fit all of these skills.
Sample job description
UX writers are responsible for writing content for apps, products, and web experiences. They have to think like end-users and consumers and come up with a strategy that is intuitive, easy to understand, and in line with the goals of the product. UX writers must have superb writing and editing skills, be excellent collaborators, and be able to work independently in a fast-paced environment. [Your Company Name] is hiring an experienced UX writer to take our business to the next level. If you have experience writing clear and concise content for web/mobile products, emails, landing pages, or editorial content, you might be a perfect fit for a role as a UX writer at our company!
Typical duties and responsibilities
- Conduct competitive analyses of other websites that operate in the same space
- Prepare customer analysis based on target demographics and initial transactions
- Participate in creating a content development strategy
- Coordinate with the UI design team on issues like navigation, page routing, product page design, etc.
- Track usability goals and prepare reports for senior management
- Develop mockups for the development and design teams
- Conduct usability tests on each independent type of page on the website and create a report showcasing the findings
Education and experience
- Bachelor’s degree in computer design, development, engineering, or a related field required
Required skills and qualifications
- Superior knowledge of Adobe products
- Excellent computer skills
- Experience preparing detailed competitive and consumer analyses
- Ability to be flexible and work long hours
Preferred qualifications
- Strong strategic, creative, and conceptual abilities as demonstrated by an outstanding portfolio
- Adept at synthesizing quantitative and qualitative data to guide editorial recommendations and content
- Empathetic and critical thinker
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and Keynote
- Excellent communicator with strong presentation skills
- Have the drive and acuity to effectively handle pressure and responsibility
Typical work environment
UX writers typically work in an office setting working on their computers to research and write content. They work on computers researching and writing content. These writers might have to work additional hours to meet project deadlines. Some UX writers can work remotely.
Typical hours
The typical work hours for a UX writer are usually from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. Additional work hours can be commonplace when approaching project deadlines. Freelance UX writers can generally set their own working hours.
Available certifications
Many institutions offer certifications to help UX writers improve their skills and knowledge. Here are some of the top certifications for UX writers:
- UX Writing Fundamentals Certification – This self-paced certification course, offered by the UX Content Collective, gives individuals a deeper understanding of essential design and writing best practices, team collaboration, and deliverables. Lessons include working with voice and tone, writing for UI components, creative UX writing, and working with teams. Each lesson comes with practice work that is submitted for grading. After completing all the lessons, you must pass the final exam to earn certification.
- UX Writing Academy certificate – The UX Writing Academy training program offers expert instruction, one-on-one career coaching, live weekly meetings, and real-world experience for those looking to become UX writers. Students learn how to create apps and websites, using words to create impactful digital experiences that give users value. This 6-month program contains 4 phases: The UX Writing Boot Camp, UX Writing Research, Content-First Product Design, and Real Industry Project where students will work with a real company under the guidance of a UX mentor.
Career path
A UX writer needs to have a bachelor’s degree. Majors like computer design, development, engineering, or a related field are preferred, but some UX writers come from a general copywriting background. Students are encouraged to pursue internships with technology companies while they are in college to gain some real-world experience in the field.
UX writers need to learn to think from the point of view of a variety of users to make sure their content is easy to understand for anyone who might use the product. A little technical knowledge is also helpful to speak the language of the rest of the product development team, as well as awareness of how and where the content they’re creating will be used.
UX writers can move up into a role such as product manager. In that role, they would oversee and guide the entire development process of a product, creating more than just the content and strategy, but also the goals and functionality of the product.
US, Bureau of Labor Statistics’ job outlook
SOC Code: 15-1257
| 2020 Employment | 199,400 |
| Projected Employment in 2030 | 224,900 |
| Projected 2020-2030 Percentage Shift | 13% increase |
| Projected 2020-2030 Numeric Shift | 25,500 increase |
Position trends
UX writers need to keep up with the latest trends and study how users interact with websites and software. According to the technical education website Career Foundry, storytelling is one of several trends UX designers and writers should be aware of in the coming years. More companies are using storytelling principles in their design and content of the user experience. It can humanize brands and products, making them more compelling for users.
UX writing itself is a relatively new trend in the UX design field. More companies are seeing the value of content that creates an engaging experience for users and hiring professionals to focus on the strategy and creation of a product’s content from the very beginning.
Many industry thought leaders say the best UX writing creates a seamless experience for users. It also should be incisive and easy to understand. For many companies, the content part of the UX should also convey the company’s particular brand voice, story, and identity.