If you ask me to name a few Disney fairytale protagonists, Snow White is likely to be one of the names that come to mind. It’s no surprise that Snow White is a famous character: she’s fierce, a survivor, and can talk to animals. She has major clout. However, she lacks the skills to be an excellent UX writer. She doesn’t understand the key features of good UX writing, such as voice and tone. Her evil stepmother, on the other hand, is a woman of many talents.
Let’s imagine that Snow White’s story doesn’t have an ending. Let’s say we
stop at the scene where Snow White takes the apple from the old woman (who
is actually her stepmother in disguise). You’ll notice that Snow White
doesn’t understand the nuance and context behind the old woman’s offer. If
you don’t understand voice and tone, you won’t be able to sell anything, not
even the Hope Diamond. This raises the question: what is voice and tone, and
why is it important for building your story brand?
“Rhiannon Jones, a content
designer, cites that every brand is a two way
communication. It is easy to look at brands as a dialogue between the
product and user. ”
Therefore, it is important for a brand to have a cohesive and uniform voice
throughout its narrative. Voice can be defined as who you are, which never
changes. The only thing which changes is the tone. The changes in tone allow
for the product to adapt to different scenarios. Think of the stepmother:
observe what she sells and how she sells.
Unlike the Disney film, after the failed attempt of the huntsman, the evil
stepmother tries to kill Snow White not once, but three times. First, she
ties a corset too tight, making her pass out; the second time, she sells her
a poisonous comb - both times the dwarfs are able to save Snow White.
Despite repeated warnings from the dwarfs, Snow eats the red glossy
poisonous apple and collapses. After a careful reading of the story, the
reader sees how the stepmother transforms herself into an old woman with a
bent back.
It is interesting to see how vulnerability and empathy convince Snow White
to buy tools for her own murder. When selling any product, it is important
to map the emotional state of the users (angry, confused, neutral, etc.) and
create a corresponding tone (warm, empathetic, friendly, straightforward,
pleasant, etc.). The voice or identity of the stepmother never changes -
which is sinister and evil. As herself, the stepmother knows that Snow White
will not meet her.
Therefore, what she changes is the tone - through her appearance as an old
woman, the stepmother comes across as empathetic, defenseless, and
unfortunate. This allows Snow White to change her attitude towards the old
woman, let down her guard, and accept tools which she doesn’t need.
Voice and tone can make or break a product while marketing your brand. While
the Stepmother never changes her brand of evil, she can change her tone to
make it more client and user-friendly. If you want to become a good UX
writer, realize the voice and tone of the copy. You can learn much from
villains of fairytales as they are charismatic, adaptable, and witty. Better
yet, hire Snow White’s stepmother for your product as she can sell anything.
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FAQ
Q. What is UX writing?
UX writing is the craft of creating clear, concise, and engaging copy for user interfaces. UX writers work with designers and developers to create the text that users see and interact with in digital products, such as websites and apps. The goal of UX writing is to make sure that users can understand and use the product or service easily and effectively.
Q. What is the difference between a UX writer and a copywriter?
A UX writer is responsible for creating the text that users see on a website or app. This text can include anything from navigation labels to error messages. A copywriter, on the other hand, is responsible for creating the text that is used to market a product or service. This text can include anything from advertising slogans to product descriptions.
Q. What are the benefits of having a UX writer on a team?
UX writers help to improve the user experience of products and services by crafting clear, concise, and persuasive copy. This can make it easier for users to understand and interact with a product or service, which can lead to increased satisfaction, reduced errors, increased engagement, and improved brand image.
Q.What are the key takeaways from the blog post?
UX writers need to be user-centered, data-driven, and collaborative. They need to put the needs of the user first, collect data about user behavior, and work closely with designers, developers, and other stakeholders to create a user experience that is both effective and engaging.
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