UX Writing Jobs are Hot in 2022
Introduction: What is UX Writing?
UX stands for User eXperience and UX writing is a field of UX design.
UX designers work on the usability and user experience of an app or website, while UX writers focus on how it sounds.
This type of writing is essential to UX design because people don’t use products that aren’t easy to use — and no one likes using products that they don’t understand.
That’s why UX writers focus on a product’s copy, or text, and its tone. They try to write GUI text and descriptive copy in plain language —this includes everything from the user onboarding to error messages to help content.
UX Writing Skills Needed
UX writing is one of those jobs that requires you to wear many hats: UX writers work closely with UX designers and product managers to make sure they stay within brand guidelines and UX goals while simultaneously writing copy that’s clear and concise.
UX writing is really about making the UX design process better, making it easier for people to learn how to use things—and encouraging them to do so. It’s a serious and necessary effort to minimize confusion and information chaos. It aims at maximizing the correct understanding of how gadgets and systems work and thus maximizing user satisfaction. At its core, it has a very positive and healthy mission.
This type of writing goes beyond typical copywriting because it involves research, strategy, and an understanding of what users need when they use a digital interface. UX writers are often the first people to try new products out in order to make sure that they are easy to use.
As you shall see later on in this article, that’s why UX writers are making a lot of money these days, creating a very lucrative technical communications niche for those who are attentive to user expectations.
Technical Skills Needed for UX Writing
On a more technical level, a good UX writer needs to
- be clear, accurate, and as brief as possible,
- write in plain English without any fancy words and phrases,
- structure the text elements with a logical hierarchy,
- order the procedural steps in a linear sequence with one step naturally following the other, and
- meet the user expectations.
Example
For example, if there is a button on a screen that the user is expected to push in certain situations, what should the label of the button read?
- Actuate?
- Push?
- Press?
- Click?
- OK?
- Select?
- Done?
A good UX writer decides which choice leads to confusion and frustration and which label leads to the satisfied user making the right choice without thinking too much, the way all Apple devices are designed, for example.
(BTW, I hope you’ll never ever label a button “Actuate.” I’ve seen some engineers and managers prefer “actuate” to all the other good choices out there. Please don’t do it because that’s not how average users talk in daily life. It’s just a horrible pompous word to assign to any button.)
Golden Rule of UX Writing
The golden rule in UX writing or UX design is this:
DON’T MAKE ME THINK!
If the users are scratching their heads and thinking about what’s going on or what will be the consequence of their action, then you’ve lost the battle as a UX writer. Try to make your buttons, links, instructions, etc. so obvious that they should not need any brainstorming or a Ph.D. degree.
ALSO SEE:
| UX Copywriting Principles |
The Various Types of UX Writer Positions
UX Writer is a job description that is becoming more and more popular as the digital market continues to grow. In this article, we will explore the various types of UX Writer positions and why they are important to the industry.
UX writing jobs include
- UX copywriters,
- UX content strategists,
- UX technical writers,
- UX researchers,
- and more —
which means UX writing jobs are available across many specialties. UX writers work with UX designers, researchers, product managers and developers to make the UX experience better for everyone.
3 Main UX Writing Jobs
Content Creator
The first type of UX writing role is an experienced content creator. This person creates all kinds of content, from blog posts to video scripts, for a company’s website or app.
Technical Writer
The second type is a technical writer. This person creates manuals and instructions for a company’s products, services, and features so that customers can use them effectively.
Content Strategist
The third type of UX Writer position is a content strategist. They create persuasive copy for web pages or other online marketing material that persuades potential customers to buy or sign up for a product or service on the company’s server.
The skills needed to be a successful UX writer
Being a UX writer is about more than just writing words. UX writers must be able to:
- Research and understand an audience, the product and the brand
- Write UX copy that delights the users and meets business objectives
- Edit UX copy collaboratively on short timelines with often uncooperative subject matter experts (SMEs)
- Work across UX, product and content teams to develop a UX voice and promote UX writing best practices
- Collaborate with designers to ensure UX copy complements visual design
- Effectively participate in cross-functional UX, product and marketing activities to bring UX copy from idea to launch.
How Much Do UX Writers Make?
The average UX writer salary in the USA in 2021 was $114,250 per year or $58.59 per hour” according to Talent.com. “The average UX writer salary in the USA is $114,250 per year or $58.59 per hour. Entry level positions start at $88,075 per year while most experienced workers make up to $165,750 per year.”
In terms of regions in the United States, UX writers are paid highest in California with an average salary of $139,425. California is followed by Texas ($121,063) and New York ($120,900).
Compare these numbers to what the Software Development Engineers ($115,000) and Systems Engineers ($102,702) made in 2021 (according to Talent.com) and you’d conclude that UX writers are doing pretty good these days.
According to 2021 figures provided by glassdoor.com, UX writers made an average of $112,726 a year.
Highest paid UX writer worked for Google ($134,010), followed by Ridecell ($114K – $125K), and Best Buy ($43 – $47 hourly). UX writers working for Meta (Facebook and Instagram’s parent company) made between $126K and $137K a year.
According to ZipRecruiter, UX writers made as high as $165,000 in 2021, with an average of $80,863 a year for an Entry Level UX Writer.
Companies that Hire UX Writers
I have compiled a few job feeds for those searching for a UX Writer position in the United States. Happy hunting!
Conclusion
UX writing is a great career option for those who are looking to make an impact on the world by crafting experiences for consumers.
This article provided some tips on how to find your dream job in UX writing, as well as some insight on what it means to work in this field.
There are many different types of UX writers with various specialties, so it may take some time to find something that suits your unique skillset.
However, the result is certainly worth the effort since the demand for UX writing and design has an upward trend as reflected in the $100K-plus salaries that senior UX writers are making today.
MORE INFO
| UX Copywriting Principles |
| UX Writing Jobs are Hot in 2022 |
| The Ultimate Guide to UX UI Design Job Definitions |
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