Learn more about UX Writing

“I want to learn more about UX Writing. Can you recommend something?” This is the question I hear the most. That’s why I prepared a list of books, articles, podcasts, videos, and guidelines that I found useful in improving my own UX Writing skills.

Here it is. Check it out!

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Books

“Letting Go of the Words: Writing Web Content that Works” by Janice (Ginny) Redish

Teaches you how to create web content that your users will love. It contains many useful real-life examples and case studies. It also focuses on content strategy, processes, and tactics.

“Microcopy. The Complete Guide” by Kinneret Yifrah

Contains everything that you may need to start writing good microcopy. It explains the fundamentals, gives practical tips and real-life examples.

“Microcopy: Discover How Tiny Bits of Text Make Tasty Apps and Websites” by Niaw de Leon

Also contains a lot of practical tips and reminders. It tells you what you should pay attention to. Everything from a user perspective.

“Nicely Said: Writing for the Web with Style and Purpose” by Nicole Fenton and Kate Kiefer Lee

Helps you write better. It shows you best practices for different types of communication. It focuses on the process of writing.

“Content Strategy for the Web” by Kristina Halvorson and Melissa Rach

Gives you an overview of content strategy: what it is, why it is important, how to make it work. It’s all about the essentials of content strategy. Perfect for beginners.

“Information Architecture: For the Web and Beyond” by Louis Rosenfeld, Peter Morville, and Jorge Arango

Often called the “polar bear” book and is considered a “bible” of Information Architecture. It contains everything you need to know about this topic.

“Content Everywhere: Strategy and Structure for Future-Ready Content” by Sara Wachter-Boettcher

Focuses on content and how to make it more meaningful and responsive. It forces you to look at your content in a different way and rethink its purpose.

Articles

“UX Writing: Make Your Product Speak Effectively” by Anastasiia Marushevska

Explains what UX Writing is. With a bunch of useful examples.

“How to design words” by John Saito

Shows how to make your copy easier to read.

“How to improve your design process with copy docs” by Andrea Drugay

Tells you how to document your copy.

“Scannability: Principle and Practice” by Devan Goldstein

Explains why and how to make your content more scannable.

“User Assistance: Writing for a High-Context Culture” by Mike Hughes

Focuses on how to give useful guidance to users in the context of user interfaces.

“How to Bring Your Product to Life with UX Writing” by Margaret Kelsey

Explains what and how to write to make your digital product easy and fun to use.

“Take the Time to Use Fewer Words” by Torrey Podmajersky

Shows that you don’t have to explain every single thing.

Podcasts

“Content as Conversation” from “UX Radio”

Janice (Ginny) Redish tells you about her passion towards language and content. Lots of great stories and tips.

“The role of writing in experience design” from “Inside Intercom”

John Saito talks about the role of a UX Writer and the importance of words in a design process.

“The Content Strategy Podcast”

Kristina Halvorson talks with her guests about digital content and strategy.

“UI Breakfast”

Jane Portman talks with her guests about different aspects of designing digital products.

Videos

“How Words Can Make Your Product Stand Out”

Maggie Stanphill, Allison Rung, and Juliana Appenrodt show how words can impact your users’ choices.

“Words and the design process”

Biz Sanford talks about designing digital products and creating copy along the way.

“Designing the conversation: Don’t forget your online forms”

Sara Walsh tells you everything you should know about designing online forms.

“Inclusive UX copy: Making words work for everyone”

Ada Powers talks about being inclusive and choosing words with diversity in mind.

“Bridging the gap between UX, design and content”

Lauren Pope talks about the strength of collaboration and teaming with your UX Writer.

Guidelines

“Content Style Guide” by Mailchimp

Contains lots of useful advice, great examples, and writing tips on different types of communication.

“Material design: Writing” by Google

Contains a comprehensive list of dos and don’ts. Very practical.

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I draw inspiration from different sources. It may be a book about art. It may be a podcast explaining the world that surrounds us. Everything that makes you think helps you become a better writer.

And the last piece of advice:
Read a lot. Listen a lot. Watch a lot. Write a lot.