As a technical writer, I sometimes do some UX writing for the software products I work on. I decided to look into UX writing as another service I could offer, so took the daily UX challenge at https://www.dailyuxwriting.com.
Here's the day 10 (of 15) challenge.
Scenario
The user is trying to view a website to help them buy a car. But, the content can’t load without the user’s location. They need to enter their ZIP code and first name.
Challenge
Ask them where they live and who they are without sounding like you're unnecessarily mining their data.
Headline: 25 characters
Body: 45 characters
Button: 15 characters
My answer
I don't think there are enough characters to try and explain how the site uses the user's personal data. So instead, I've emphasised that the site is designed to help them find a car near them and have only asked for their first name and zip code/post code. In reality, I'd make that zip code or post code depending on the region the site is used in. So the information that we ask for is quite generic and shouldn't make the user feel like they are providing detailed information. Obviously, we need to know their location for the search, and then as we only ask for the first name, this makes it seem like it is just so that we can address them by name on the site. When they start the search, if they find a car they like, I'd expect them to provide more contact details at that stage.
Looking for a UX writer?
Do you need a UX writer for your project? I'd love to hear from you. I've worked in software teams for most of my career as a technical writer and have trained as a content designer and copywriter too. I know about user journeys, work flows, and user-centred content. Microcopy, long form content, I can do it all.
Craig Wright is an experienced technical writer based in Chesterfield, UK. Â He hates writing about himself in the third person, so I shall stop now.
Always interested in new content writing opportunities. Remote working preferred.
