These slides accompanied Patrick Stafford's presentation at UX Australia 2018, describing the connections between UX writing and journalism - and how organisations can develop critical skills from journalism to complement design.

1. ux copy
and
journalism
Patrick Stafford
@pdstafford
patrick@staffordcontent.com

2. advice on how to write
tips on the best words to use
an easy way to stick copy in design
warning:
this talk is not...

3. research >
writing
#01

5. 1. NOT ALLOWED :( 2. TOO BUSY :(
3. NO MONEY :( 4. DON'T CARE...???
Not enough knowledge, time,
willpower...
Cultural problems, not enough
integration between research
and content
A larger structural issue in the
organisation
Yikes
why don't UX writers get involved in research?

6. question time...

7. What story are you telling?
Personas
Surveys
Case studies
Usability testing
Product telemetry

8. #01 UX writers in research
Have UX writers create copy for prototypes and wireframes
Get writers involved in sketching
Hold dedicated user testing just for copy

9. create a
culture of
editors#02

10. 1. UX WRITERS DON'T
SUBMIT TO OTHER
WRITERS
2. FEEDBACK IS
VISUALLY-ORIENTED,
NOT COPY-ORIENTED
3. EXPRESSION OF
CRITIQUE IS SLOPPY
4. TONE OF VOICE
BECOMES THE
FALLBACK
the four steps of UX editorial failure

11. #02 get some editors
Don't hire people precious about their words
Drafts - so many
You need to become aware of the editorial advice you
are qualified to give
Create a collective of writers to give feedback - either
formal, informal, large or small

12. length is
less
important
than clarity
#03

13. "As with other areas of
user experience, content
has to survive a cost–
benefit analysis on the
part of users..."
Nielsen Norman Group

14. (noun)
long copy can...
answer objections...
tell a story...
establish tone...

15. example time!

16. #03 clarity > length
Cost/benefits analysis > paragraph or sentence length
Start thinking with content-led design - your writers should
be familiar with dev. restrictions
Think creatively within the realm of legibility

17. piss off
your
sources#04

18. 1. USERS 2. STAKEHOLDERS
3. DATA/ANALYTICS 4. PRODUCT USAGE
who are your sources?

20. #04 piss off your sources
Use your sources and treat them well
Beware writers who don't think about sources
Don't be afraid to annoy them
Your sources can lie - #FAKENEWS

21. #05
become an
expert

22. Patrick Stafford
@pdstafford
patrick@staffordcontent.com
questions?