Learn how to write for mobile devices using six UX writing principles and tips that will help you create clear, concise, and engaging content for your audience.

Mobile screens are thin and long. Therefore your writing needs to be: → Short → Clear → Snappy One great way is to break big sentences up. Even if that means breaking the rules of grammar. (Like I just did there) A few of my favourite ways to do this are: → Break long sentences into bullet points → Play with formatting methods → Avoid unnecessary words → Using simple words → Being clear It works!

How do you write for mobile devices?

Mobile devices are everywhere, and so is the content that people consume on them. But writing for mobile is not the same as writing for desktop or print. You need to consider the limitations and opportunities of the small screen, the user's context and goals, and the best practices of UX writing. In this article, you will learn how to write for mobile devices using six principles and tips that will help you create clear, concise, and engaging content.

1 Know your audience

Before you start writing, you need to understand who you are writing for, what they want to achieve, and how they use their mobile devices. Research your target users, their needs, preferences, and behaviors, and use personas and scenarios to guide your writing decisions. Write for the user's context, not yours. For example, if you are writing a travel app, think about how the user would use it in different situations, such as planning a trip, booking a flight, or checking in at the airport.

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Anurag Ghosh

Figuring Out Life | College Student | BCA
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It's about a symbiotic dance between concise messaging and captivating content. I begin with a punchy subject line that intrigues, paving the way for a seamless journey through succinct yet impactful copy. Each word is a strategic choice, ensuring it resonates effortlessly on the smaller screen. The key to creating an authentic connection with mobile users is understanding their fleeting attention.

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2 Keep it short and simple

Mobile users have limited time and attention, and they often scan rather than read. That means you need to keep your content short and simple, using clear and concise language, active voice, and simple sentences and paragraphs. Avoid jargon, fluff, and unnecessary words, and break up your text into bite-sized chunks that are easy to digest. Use headings, subheadings, bullet points, and white space to organize your content and make it scannable.

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Luke Redhead

Helping you get more clients (without having to be salesy or working 12+ hours a day). It's possible. And I'll show you how.
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Mobile screens are thin and long. Therefore your writing needs to be: → Short → Clear → Snappy One great way is to break big sentences up. Even if that means breaking the rules of grammar. (Like I just did there) A few of my favourite ways to do this are: → Break long sentences into bullet points → Play with formatting methods → Avoid unnecessary words → Using simple words → Being clear It works!

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3 Optimize for readability

Mobile screens are small and vary in size, resolution, and orientation. You need to make sure that your content is readable and adaptable to different devices and settings. Use a legible font size and style, contrast your text with the background, and align your text to the left. Use responsive design to adjust your layout and elements to fit different screen sizes and orientations. Test your content on different devices and browsers to ensure that it looks good and works well.

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4 Write for action

Mobile users are goal-oriented and want to complete tasks quickly and easily. You need to write for action, using clear and specific calls to action, buttons, and links that guide the user to the next step. Use verbs and nouns that describe the action and the outcome, such as "Sign up" or "Buy now". Avoid vague or generic terms, such as "Submit" or "Continue". Use microcopy, such as labels, instructions, and feedback, to help the user navigate and interact with your content.

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5 Be consistent and coherent

Mobile users expect consistency and coherence in your content, both within and across your platforms and channels. You need to use a consistent tone, voice, and style that matches your brand and your audience. You also need to use consistent terminology, formatting, and conventions that follow the standards and best practices of mobile writing. For example, use abbreviations, symbols, and emojis appropriately and sparingly, and follow the rules of grammar, punctuation, and capitalization.

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6 Test and iterate

Mobile writing is not a one-time activity, but a continuous process of testing and improving your content based on user feedback and data. You need to test your content with real users, using methods such as usability testing, A/B testing, surveys, and analytics. You also need to iterate your content based on the results, making changes and updates as needed. Mobile writing is an ongoing learning and optimization process that requires flexibility and creativity.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you write for mobile devices?

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1 Know your audience

2 Keep it short and simple

3 Optimize for readability

4 Write for action

5 Be consistent and coherent

6 Test and iterate

7 Here’s what else to consider

Digital Copywriting

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