Writing best practices
Helpful tips and habits for writing better content that supports clarity, consistency, and great user experiences.
Writing best practices
These best practices help you improve the quality of your writing — whether you're creating UI labels, onboarding flows, help content, or alerts.
Unlike guidelines (the rules), best practices are suggestions that help you write like Tendoo: clear, helpful, and human.
🔍 1. Write for Scanning
Most users skim. Make content easy to read at a glance:
- Use short paragraphs
- Start with the most important information
- Use bullet points and numbered lists
✅ Do:
- Save your changes
- Upload your profile photo
- Choose a display name💬 2. Read It Out Loud
If it sounds awkward when spoken, it’s probably awkward in the UI.
✅ Clear: “This folder is empty.” 🚫 Clunky: “There are currently no files inside of this folder.”
✂️ 3. Edit Ruthlessly
The first draft is never the final draft.
- Remove extra words
- Combine repetitive lines
- Tighten your message without losing clarity
✅ “Invite teammates” 🚫 “You can invite your teammates to join this project”
🧠 4. Think Like a User
Ask: What does the user need to know right now?
Good writing:
- Answers their immediate question
- Guides their next step
- Avoids showing system information they don’t care about
🌎 5. Plan for Translation
If your text will be translated:
- Avoid slang, idioms, and culture-specific references
- Write in short, simple sentences
- Use consistent wording and terminology
✅ “Your download is starting…” 🚫 “You’re all set — your stuff is flying your way!”
🚦 6. Use Empty States to Help
Empty states aren’t dead ends — they’re opportunities to help people act.
✅ “You haven’t added any tasks yet. Create your first task to get started.”
🔁 7. Repeat Patterns with Purpose
Use familiar words for familiar actions. It makes the product easier to learn.
✅ Use “Continue” on every next step ✅ Use “Save” instead of mixing “Confirm,” “Update,” and “Done”
Related
Writing well takes practice. These tips help you make thoughtful decisions that respect the user’s time and attention — and create a more consistent experience across Tendoo.