Empowering UX Writers Through Effective Editing
UX writing is an essential component of any product, as it ensures that users have a seamless experience navigating through the interface. To produce high-quality content, UX writers need a solid editing process that empowers them to grow and improve their work.
Inspired by UX Writer and Team Lead at Wix, Dan Savery Raz’s insightful presentation at WORDS 2023, this article delves into the key points from his talk on empowering UX writers through effective editing practices. As a seasoned editor and mentor, Dan shares valuable insights and techniques that can transform the editing process, fostering collaboration and growth among writers and their mentors.
One of the core principles Dan emphasizes is the importance of a two-way conversation between the editor and the writer. By asking questions rather than merely dictating changes, editors can encourage writers to think critically about their work, ultimately helping them improve their craft. This approach ensures that writers feel supported and understood, rather than criticized or undermined.
Dan also stresses the value of investing time in the editing process, iterating on multiple versions of the content to arrive at the best possible outcome. Through this iterative approach, editors not only help writers refine their work but also teach them how to effectively edit their own content. By owning their work and embracing the editing process, writers can become more confident and self-sufficient in their craft.
Drawing on a quote from Zadie Smith, a renowned fiction writer, Dan highlights the essence of effective editing: “The secret to editing your work is simple: you need to become its reader instead of its writer.” By replacing “reader” with “user,” this wisdom holds true for UX writers and editors as well: “The secret to editing your work is simple: you need to become its user instead of its writer.” This perspective shift is crucial for editors and UX writers to consistently prioritize the user’s needs and experiences in their work.
In addition to these foundational principles, Dan provides insights on how to create a supportive environment for writers and editors. He recommends implementing a one-on-one mentoring program, where editors and writers can align on style guides and editing preferences. This personalized approach helps maintain consistency across different projects and ensures that writers receive tailored feedback that addresses their unique strengths and challenges.
Furthermore, Dan advocates for the use of collaborative tools like Figma to streamline the editing process and facilitate effective communication between writers, editors, and other team members. By using such tools, teams can easily track content iterations and collaborate on refining the user experience.
Key Takeaways:
- Encourage open discussion and collaboration: Foster a healthy relationship between editors and writers by encouraging open discussions and bouncing ideas off each other. This collaborative approach ensures that both parties understand each other’s perspectives and can work together to produce the best content.
- Use questions when editing: Instead of simply telling the writer what to change, ask questions that will help them reflect on their work and make the necessary adjustments. This approach promotes a sense of ownership and encourages writers to take responsibility for their content.
- Refer to the style guide: Aligning content with the company’s style guide is crucial for maintaining a consistent voice across the product. Editors should refer to the guide during the editing process to ensure that the content meets the established guidelines.
- Be mindful of context and legacy content: Editors should always be aware of the context in which the content will be used and consider any legacy content that may influence the user experience. This awareness will help them make informed decisions when editing the content.
- Work on multiple versions: Encourage writers to create multiple versions of their content to explore different approaches and ideas. This practice helps them refine their writing and arrive at the most effective copy for their users.
The Role of Mentoring in Nurturing Talent:
Mentoring is an invaluable aspect of the editing process, as it helps writers grow and improve their skills. A good mentor can provide positive feedback, encouragement, and guidance, empowering writers to take ownership of their work and make informed decisions. By teaching writers to edit themselves, mentors help them develop their skills and confidence, ultimately adding value to the team.
AI and the Future of UX Writing:
While AI has made significant strides in generating long-form content, UX writing requires a more nuanced approach that goes beyond algorithms. UX writers must demonstrate analytical thinking, teamwork, logic, empathy, and adaptability — qualities that are difficult to replicate in AI. Furthermore, AI cannot serve as a mentor, sharing personal experiences and empowering writers to grow. Thus, human input remains crucial in the world of UX writing.
In summary, Dan Savery Raz’s talk at WORDS 2023 sheds light on the vital role that editing plays in empowering UX writers. By fostering a collaborative and supportive editing environment, editors can help writers grow in their craft, ultimately creating better user experiences and driving product success.
