You might not even notice the words — good UX writing can be nearly invisible when it’s working well.

UX writing, or user experience writing, is a relatively new discipline that’s growing fast. From young tech startups hiring their first UX writer to legacy software companies expanding their teams, there’s an increasing need to hire skilled writers to craft content for software and apps.

A few years ago, I made the transition to a full-time UX content role. With a background in journalism, a few years under my belt as a copywriter for tech startups and five years running my own content strategy consultancy, I found a happy home on the user experience team for the Firefox browser. I knew from my own experience that the path to landing a UX writing job is rarely straightforward. So last year, I became a mentor for UX Coffee Hours, where I offer virtual coffee chats with anyone who’s interested in becoming a UX writer. What follows are answers to some of the most common questions I receive from mentees about breaking into this field.

What is UX writing?

A UX writer crafts the words that appear within software interfaces. The purpose of UX writing is to help people use the product in front of them, with minimal frustration. The words themselves are often referred to as microcopy because the copy is short: error messages, form fields and navigation labels. 

Anyone who works as a UX writer will tell you that the job entails so much more than writing short copy. It requires being strategic and relentlessly inquisitive. UX writers own the content strategy, development and delivery for an entire end-to-end experience. They collaborate closely with other disciplines like design, research, engineering and product management. 

To do this job well, a UX writer must be able to:

• Gather requirements from stakeholders to understand business goals
• Work collaboratively with user experience designers and researchers
• Develop a technical understanding of how a product works
• Use data and research to inform their writing (and run relevant research themselves)
• Develop documentation and rationale for decisions
• Finalize copy with partners in localization and legal
• Create and maintain content guidelines 

How long has UX writing been around?

Though someone was always writing the words on interfaces, UX writing has emerged as a dedicated role in the last five to seven years. As a young discipline, the job titles themselves are actively evolving. You’ll find postings for “UX writer,” “content designer,” “product writer” and “UX content strategist.” 

Because the role is relatively new, UX writers have different duties depending on how their company defines their responsibilities. Some UX writers may also pitch in on marketing copy, internal communications or help center content. 

What’s the difference between copywriting and UX writing?

UX writing is easily confused with digital copywriting. While both require strong communication skills and a deep passion for the craft of writing, the jobs themselves are quite different.

Copywriting serves a sales or marketing function. The goal of a copywriter is to bring people in the door. Their end game might be to entice someone to download an app, create an account or sign up for a service. A marketing copywriter may prioritize clever, punchy writing to capture someone’s attention and pique their interest.

UX writers act as guides once people start engaging with a product. This is where the “user” comes in. We start with what they are trying to do. Our role is not to convince or sell.

UX writers help people use the product in the most efficient way possible — all while providing a consistent voice and the appropriate tone for the context. Marketing and user experience writers should work together as much as possible to align their content guidelines so the end experience is as cohesive as possible.

What skills do you need to be a UX writer?

The most effective UX writers have a unique blend of hard and soft skills.

A background in communications, journalism or copywriting can be a helpful base, though not required. You’ll also find many UX writers who studied poetry, literature or theater. 

Strong writing skills

You must be a word nerd at heart who has solid writing chops. While we are sticklers for grammar and consistency, a UX writer also knows when to bend the rules in service of clarity.

Similar to technical writers, UX writers are well-versed in translating complex concepts into plain language.

Systems thinking

UX writers need to think high-level and holistically.

While you may write a specific error message or button label, similar types of copy surface in other areas of the software product. You need to think about the connections and interdependence betweens all types of interface copy.

Design thinking

To guide people through an experience, you’ll need an understanding of how visuals and copy work together.

Sometimes the best UX writing involves removing words and recommending a change to the design instead. Words don’t exist in a vacuum in UX writing. 

Proactive problem solving

UX writers operate in ambiguous environments, often with imperfect information.

Being naturally curious and proactive helps. You need to seek out answers from a wide range of other functions in the organization, including technical-minded engineers, business-oriented product managers and visual designers.

Internal communication

UX writers excel at over-communication.

Your job might not be well understood by other people at your company. Knowing that, you’ll need to champion your own work and make the unseen work you do as visible as you can. This includes everything from creating documentation that helps align your team to evangelizing your work to those outside your team. 

Collaboration and relationship building

Even if you’re the lone UX writer at a company, you rarely work alone.

You often pair with a UX designer to develop the content and design together. Other partners in your process may include legal, localization and customer support. You should also expect to receive input from stakeholders and product owners.

You’ll need to be comfortable accepting feedback and advocating for your decisions. 

How much do UX writers make?

UX writer salaries depend largely on your level of experience, the market and the company you work for. Salaries at new tech startups are lower than large, established companies. 

Associate-level positions can begin around $60,000 and range upwards of $150,000 for senior-level roles.

UX writers working in high cost-of-living markets such as San Francisco and New York can command more, as can those who earn lucrative positions at tech giants such as Facebook and Google.

Some companies also offer stock or equity as part of their compensation package. 

How do I become a UX writer?

You’ll need to build a portfolio to apply to UX writing jobs. 

Always focus on quality over quantity — hiring managers would rather see a few in-depth case studies than several surface-level ones.

Be sure to include before and after images of your work, as well as how you arrived at your final copy decisions. Hiring managers want to understand your thought process and rationale. They especially want to know any data or research you incorporated along the way. 

That begs the question: How do I build a portfolio? You can do this in a variety of ways:

• Partner with students enrolled in UX design bootcamps to co-create your portfolio. They’ll need to design sample case studies. Usually they have to write the copy themselves. You can lead the copy development while they do the design.
  
• Pay close attention to the UX writing you see every day. You can build a case study by improving something you already use. Take screenshots of an end-to-end workflow, such as verifying your account or resetting your password. Every step of the way, identify what you would write differently to improve it and why. 
• Volunteer to write the copy for a bootstrapped startup. Many new apps begin with just one or two developers. They’re great at writing code, but not always so great at writing UX copy. Get involved in your local technology scene to see if you can find someone who could use your help. You can then use this work in your portfolio. 
• If you’re in a communications role, look for opportunities to do UX writing at your current job, even if they are minimal. If you raise your hand to write error messages, believe me, the engineering team will love you. 

Great places to start learning more about UX writing include The Writers of Silicon Valley podcast; the Working in Content resources section; the UX writers conference, Button; and the Content + UX Slack community. 

Lastly, start learning more about user experience design and research. You’ll find countless books, blog posts, meetups, book clubs and local communities.

Developing your understanding of the user experience discipline at large will make you a stronger candidate when you’re ready to apply for UX writing jobs.

Photo by freestocks.org from Pexels

The most successful freelance writers are not those who can write the best copy or even write the fastest. The most successful freelance writers are those who know how to manage their time to get the most quality work done. (Agree? Click to tweet this idea.)

As a freelance writer who works on the side of a full-time job, I know there are only so many hours in my day. If I can’t make my mornings, nights and weekends the most productive they can be, I’m not just wasting my precious free time — I’m also not getting paid.

Below are four lessons I’ve learned the hard way that have ultimately helped me make the most of my time and be more productive in my freelance writing business.

1. Accept that you are not a writing machine

Just because there are 24 hours a day doesn’t mean you can use every single one of them to focus on writing for clients. As a human, you need time to sleep. And eat. And occasionally watch trashy TV. (“Occasionally” being the key word.)

Since I’m a driven and motivated person, sometimes it’s hard for me to accept that I do not operate like a machine. But I’ve learned when I’m mentally exhausted, my resistance to distractions weakens. Pinterest beckons. The dishwasher needs to be unloaded. I wonder what snacks are in the fridge. Three hours later, I’m frustrated because I thought this blog post would only take me an hour.

Through experiences like these, I’ve accepted that I am not a writing machine.

I am a human who writes, and I need to be fully energized and focused to do my best work. That means it’s okay to close my laptop for an hour or two while I go for a run or cook dinner. Oftentimes, I will finish my assignment faster on my return because by turning off my brain from writing for a bit, I regain my focus.

2. Log your time right this very minute

Some clients pay a flat fee per project. But if you’re getting paid hourly, it’s up to you to keep track of how much time something takes.

Keeping track of exactly how much time you spend on a particular client can be tough, especially if you’re jumping between projects. But it’s absolutely necessary to track your time to ensure you’re properly compensated for your work. If you try to rely on your memory at month’s end, it’s likely you could under report your time — and undercut your own paycheck.

I save myself a lot of time and stress if I log my time right after I complete a task. Even if it’s only 30 minutes, those minutes add up! I find that if I stay on top of my time sheets, I report my time more accurately — and ultimately get paid more — than if I try to guestimate at the end of the month when invoices are due.

3. Save the best assignments for last

Even though writing may be your passion, it’s still work. And like with any job, some projects are more exciting than others.

Even if you love all your clients, you’ll always have a favorite. When you have two projects to complete, it’s tempting to start on the one you like more first. But at the end of the day, you need to finish both.

I’ve found I’m more efficient in completing all my freelance work if I start with the task I want to work on the least. I’m then more motivated to complete that less-fun task so I can get to the fun stuff faster.

If your time is mostly dedicated to writing for one client, there might be certain tasks that are more enjoyable than others. For example, I like writing blog posts much more than I enjoy finding the right images for them. If I find an image at the end, it seems like even more of a drag because I already did the fun part. But if I find the image first, the writing is more enjoyable because a task I don’t particularly enjoy is already done.

4. When the going gets tough, envision your best self

While being your own freelance boss can be rewarding, it’s hard to be your own boss AND employee.

You have to self-delegate — and self-motivate — to get your work done. If you spend too much time online window shopping this week, you don’t get paid. Of course, you strive for efficiency, but a blank page can be daunting. It’s so much easier to spend just 10 more minutes on Facebook before you get started.

When my motivation is lacking, I try to think about who my best self is and what that person wants to accomplish. Often this is just the kick in the butt I need to stop procrastinating and get back to work. Do I want to be the freelance writer who is great at pinning delicious recipes I will likely never even try? Or do I want to be the freelancer whose writing brings new customers to a product and client I believe in?

By refocusing on my goals and how my best self wants to run my business, I am more motivated to sit my butt in the chair and get back to writing. I know I can always shop later.

It takes practice, trial and error to figure out how to best manage your own time as a freelance writer. You may find you’re more productive at certain times than at others. The good news is that you’re in complete control. Whether you’re a morning person, afternoon person or middle-of-the-night person, you have a freedom most employees do not: control of your own working hours.

So just as you take control of how much you charge and what clients you accept, take control of how you manage your time. Your productivity — and your bank account — will thank you.

What tricks do you use to manage your time?

You’re ready to make money as a freelance blogger and land blogging jobs. You’re just not sure how to do it.

The good news is that other people have done it. These bloggers have made more than a buck or two by freelance blogging, which proves that it’s possible! You can make your living — and then some — in this field.

How to prove your worth as a freelance blogger

It’s time to learn from the best in the biz. We talked with successful writers who make money from freelance blogging to see what worked for them. Follow their tips to get started on your successful freelance blogging career.

Here’s how to make money from freelance blogging.

1. Find your niche

If you’re a jack of all trades, master of none, you won’t make much money freelance blogging. Why not?

Because you won’t stand out as an expert on anything.

“You can demand higher rates if you are a subject matter expert. Your niche will help here – tremendously.”
— Marya Jan of Writing Happiness

2. Start your own blog

Since you’re just starting out, you probably don’t have a writing portfolio. If you have nothing to entice clients to hire you, why would they? They’ll go with someone who already has some experience, which leaves you back at square one.

But if you have your own blog and can submit samples of your own posts, you’ll be able to prove to clients off-the-bat that you’re hireable. (If you want guidance on this, here’s our step-by-step guide to starting a blog.)

“If you want to become a successful freelance blogger then you should create a successful blog. It doesn’t have to be the next Mashable (when I landed my first job my blog was attracting just forty visitors per day), but a successful blog is practical evidence of your abilities.”
— Tom Ewer of Leaving Work Behind

3. Keep blogging on your own

Once you start landing freelance blogging gigs, it’s important to keep up your personal blog — even though you aren’t paying yourself to do so. Focus on growing your community and providing relevant content. The next step is finding a way to monetize your personal blog so it can become another revenue stream.

“Once you’ve built up a following, you can also sell e-books, courses, and other products to your readers — or market yourself as a writer in your industry.”
— Linda Formichelli, formerly of The Renegade Writer

4. Blog only for readers you want

You want to be a freelance blogger so you can have the freedom to work from wherever — ideally from a sunny beach while sipping a Mai Tai. Although that isn’t a realistic vision of what it really means to be a freelance blogger, keep that vision in mind anyway. The idea is that a flexible job gives you freedom.

If you’re working for a difficult client or writing a blog post on something you couldn’t care less about, it doesn’t matter how beautiful that beach is or how delicious that Mai Tai tastes. You’ll be miserable.

“Every project you say “yes” to means you have less room to say “yes” to another project. So make sure everything on your plate is something you really want and can handle.”
— Kelly Gurnett of Cordelia Calls It Quits

5. Seek out regular clients

Time is money, and every time you start working with a new client, you’ll have to spend (sometimes unpaid) time getting to know the client, their expectations and their style. With long-term clients, you’ll have a more steady income and can even negotiate a higher rate down the road.

“I work with a handful of long terms clients and spend next to no time on marketing and administration. It is highly rewarding to know that the vast majority of the work I do on my freelance business is directly earning me money. My hourly rate really is my hourly rate.”
— Tom Ewer of Leaving Work Behind

6. Speed up

Simply put, the faster you type, the more blog posts you can crank out and the more money you can make. So if you can’t type quickly or you make a lot of typing errors, get to work on improving your speed and become a more efficient typist.

“It may sound trivial, but it really isn’t. If you are interested in writing for a living, learning to type faster is effectively a business investment.”
— Tom Ewer of Leaving Work Behind

7. Blog for free

Wait, isn’t this a post about making money as a freelance blogger? Hear me out.

Do you want to get your name out there and in front of clients who have potential to pay a lot? Do you want to prove you’re an awesome writer without having to beg clients to give you a chance? Writing for free is your answer to all of the above. Writing for free is how you make money down the road.

“Writing for free helps you gain visibility and develop a network of people who will actually pay for something you offer, so long as you’re smart enough to monetize that opportunity.”
— Alexis Grant, founder of The Write Life

8. Be prepared to write quite a lot — and then quite a lot more

Yes, freelance blogging is a cushy work-from-your-couch job that doesn’t even require wearing pants. That doesn’t mean it’s easy. It’s still hard work.

Freelance blogging can be a bit of a grind. So if you think this is about resting on your laurels, think again.

“Yes, this isn’t that moonshot way of earning that so many are dreaming of, where you monetize your own blog and make six figures on autopilot. This is an everyday, working-class sort of way to earn from blogging. Simply helping publications and companies communicate powerfully with their readers and customers.”
— Carol Tice of Make a Living Writing

9. When the time is right, increase your rates

When you land your first freelance blogging gig, it’s likely not going to pay lucratively. That’s okay. But as you gain more experience and know your clients want to keep you around, it’s time to raise your rates and start making more money.

“Look, as a freelancer, there’s no boss giving you an appraisal and deciding that it’s time to beef up your paycheck. That’s up to you. Most experienced freelancers I know will raise their rates every year or so (unless the economy is tanking). If nothing else, raise your rate according to the rate of inflation. If you don’t, you’re effectively losing money.”
— Mridu Khullar Relph of MriduKhullar.com

10. Step the f*ck up

You don’t know if you’re good enough. You don’t have tons of experience. You don’t really know what you’re doing.

Enough with the excuses.

If you want to be a successful freelance blogger, then you need to adjust your attitude, clean your slate of all those excuses and get started already. Because one thing is for sure. Your freelance blogging “career” will continue to make you zilch for the rest of your life if you don’t start somewhere.

“Deciding that you simply don’t have the confidence to talk to people about your freelance blogging services, or to apply for an advertised gig, is like deciding that you’re too shy to call emergency services when someone’s lying wounded at your feet. Excusing yourself from freelance blogging because you don’t know where to begin is like excusing yourself from eating cake because you don’t know where to slice it.”
— Sophie Lizard of Be a Freelance Blogger

How have you developed your freelance blogging career?