Product writing is the practice of choosing the right words for a digital product or website in order to make it useful and accessible to an intended audience.

It incorporates principles from UX writing, content design, and content strategy to thoughtfully consider user needs and behaviors as well as common interaction patterns. But where these roles typically work within a UX or design team, product writing embeds directly in a product team or works horizontally across different departments.

Product writing for growth still centers on the person using a product, but focuses a bit more on data-driven writing choices that help acquire, onboard, and retain customers. It often utilizes growth experimentation frameworks like A/B testing, and is best suited for dedicated growth teams or product-led growth companies.

Copywriting and marketing writing are separate functions that exist outside of product writing, though they share some principles and can be great partners to work alongside a product writer.

Some companies treat communication as an afterthought. But the negative impacts of sloppy, complicated, jargon-filled content are big.

• People leave websites in seconds if they don't quickly and easily see what they're looking for
• Complicated interfaces keep people from ever experiencing your product's value
• Unclear guidance leads to costly customer support requests
• Inconsistent language or styling looks unprofessional and can erode trust in your brand

Product writing simplifies and organizes information to make it easy for prospective customers to scan, see the value of a product, and make decisions that lead to recurring revenue for your business.

Product writing can benefit companies of all sizes, even if just on a temporary, seasonal, or part-time basis.

Your company may not have a budget for comprehensive writing support.
Your design organization might not be ready for a full-time in-house UX writing or content design role, let alone strategic long-term development of a content design team as part of a mature design practice.

But good communication doesn't have to be an all or nothing decision.
‍
An early investment in the quality of your product's words will set a foundation for something more significant later on, and your product can get immediate value from writing support.

Product writers can work with all kinds of teams, including design, research, marketing, product, engineering, copywriting, customer support, legal, trust and safety, and more. (I've found working directly with product managers to be the most efficient, but cross-functional collaboration works great too.)
‍
I also work with agencies, or even individuals who want support in their work.