What’s the best UX writing course?
It all depends on you.
A quick disclaimer: I'm currently a mentor at the UX Writing Academy. That said, I donate my mentorship earnings to charity, so it’s not like they’re paying my bills.
Whether it’s in professional groups on LinkedIn or Facebook, or as a mentor at ADPList, I talk to a lot of folks who are thinking about getting into UX writing. So the question of UX writing courses comes up a lot. People wonder what course is best, and if they need to take a certification course in order to break into the field.
The short answer is: No! Employers couldn't care less about your certificate. What they DO care about is your ability to actually do the job.
The longer answer is that it really depends on you and how you learn best. As with any type of new skill (especially when you’re learning online), you’ll need to commit to it and be proactive about it. Don’t flash back to your high school days of coasting through, looking for an easy A. Put in the work and do all the reading and you’ll see results no matter where/how you choose to learn.
Self-taught
There's a wealth of free knowledge all over the internet if you have the patience and know where to look. Even on Medium you can find a TON of stuff about UX and UX writing. There are also many wonderful books on the subject.
Pros:
- It’s affordable, or even free
- Learn at your own pace
Cons:
- You’ll have to come up with your own ways to practice
- If you want to network, you’ll have to do that on your own too
- No feedback from teachers or other UX professionals
Who should do it?
Being self-taught might be for you if:
- Your budget and time are limited
- You like the idea of building your own curriculum
- You’re not overly intimidated by the idea of networking
- You already have some experience as a writer, UXer, or in a related field
- You’re comfortable experimenting with new technologies (like Figma)
UX Writing Hub
The UX Writing Hub offers a few different formats for learning. They even have a free course if you want to dip your toes in before making a big commitment.
UX Writing Academy
The UX Writing Hub’s flagship course takes 6 months to complete (you can still work full-time and/or take care of kids at the same time) and offers a comprehensive training program that'll get you ready for your first job.
Pros:
- Understand the basics of UX design
- Learn about user research and testing
- Practice using popular tools like Figma, Miro, and Airtable
- Get detailed feedback on your work
- Meet with your mentor 1:1 up to 5 times
- Slack space for networking and job opportunities
- Build a portfolio with at least 2 unique case studies
- Work as an intern at a real company and gain professional experience you can use in your portfolio and on your resume
Cons:
- It’s pricier than some other options
- It takes 6 months
Who should do it?
The UX Writing Academy might be for you if:
- You want to develop a personal relationship with a mentor and get detailed feedback on your work
- You learn better in a structured environment
- You don’t want to do much additional reading or take supplementary courses
- You need work to showcase in a portfolio
UX Content Collective
UXCC has several courses available to hone your skills as a UX writer. The introductory course on UX Writing Fundamentals offers a gateway into the field for beginners. They also have other courses that can supplement it with topics like Microcopy, Content Research & Testing, Chatbot Design, Accessibility, and more.
UX Writing Fundamentals
It’s a self-paced course that you can complete in anywhere from 4 days to 40 years. It’s designed as an introduction to UX writing, so it doesn’t go super deep in any of the topics. But, it'll help you build a solid foundation to grow from.
Pros:
- Learn at your own pace
- Get feedback on your work
- Create examples you can show in your portfolio
- Practice using Figma
- Slack space for networking and job opportunities
- Cheaper than some competitors
Cons:
- Everyone gets the same final — you can use it in your portfolio, but you’ll need to get creative with your case study so you stand out to recruiters
- You’ll need to password protect your portfolio if you use their materials
- To really learn the trade, you’ll need to do some supplemental learning. If you add up all the UXCC classes, it ends up being pretty expensive.
Who should do it?
The UX Content Collective’s Fundamentals course could be for you if:
- You want to power through and finish quickly
- You want to take a long time to finish with no pressure or deadlines
- You’ll do a lot of outside reading and/or take supplemental courses
- You have (or will do) another case study for your portfolio outside of this course
This is in no way a comprehensive list of all the ways you can learn UX Writing — these are just the methods I have personal experience with. There are loads of other courses out there. The key is to find one (or a combination of them!) that fits your learning style.
