10 struggles and advice to a junior UX writer
Advice to junior UX writers that also write in a non-native language.
1- Double-check everything: I'm Brazilian, and my mother tongue is Portuguese. Learning Portuguese by itself was not easy, full of different ways to conjugate a verb, prepositions… our grammar is out of this word! When I started studying English, with much simple grammar, I thought 'Oh, this is going to be easier '. And wasn't. I double-check what I write to my boss, to my colleagues, and what I write in a product or text. My life is double-checking everything.
2- Theory is not enough: we need to practice! But how? Try writing by yourself, read a lot of any literature, learn what people say 'on the street', watch tv shows (reality shows are a big help), and ask for someone to help you.
3- Find a mentor: this person will help to develop and improve your portfolio, and can give you tips and insights. I book mentorship sessions on ADPList with the best UX writers in the world. They are prepared to help. Don't be shy, go and ask for help.
4- Fight against imposter syndrome: this is a daily job. And gosh, it is exhausting sometimes, I know. But find someone to vent and life will be easier, I promise.
5- Remind yourself that 'you are a junior': it is an exercise in humility to remember that you are in a learning process. In my case, I changed my career from water to wine. And I've been studying, laughing, crying, being happy, being frustrated, practising writing and asking for help. It is a roller-coaster.
6- Get into UX groups: exchange knowledge. And if don't have anything to add (or you think you don't have), observe and learn with others.
7- Talk to other teams: learn from them. You can learn their vocabulary, jargon, routine and work. It is always fruitful.
8- Growth takes place outside your comfort zone: take risks, and learn something outside the UX writing world too.
9- Have a hobby: don't overthink your career. Things take time. I keep repeating it to myself, and I want you to repeat it with me: Things take time.
10- Drink water and eat well: you cannot be a good writer if you are not healthy.
Do you have any other topic to add here? Tell me in the comments, and share your struggles with us.
