The Brief

Handshake is a payment app designed for freelancer and business owners to collaborate on a paid project. Apps are a convenient way to send and receive payment without a slew of required paperwork. My challenge was to create a warm, friendly voice and tone using parallel construction across both user flows.

The User

The primary users (freelancers) and secondary users (business owners) need a way to collaborate on projects in a faster, simpler, and more transparent way. Freelancers are the primary users and driving force behind this service as they provide the work needed by the clients.

The Work

Note: Edits made in orange text.o.

Slide 31

Process

For the solo student project I conducted a brief competitive analysis for Upwork and Fiverr to extract their strengths, weaknesses, brand personality, and tone. I wrote a list of common words and phrases freelancers used. Compiling these notes, I focused on creating clear, simple copy without the warm and friendly voice. My first step in writing copy is to examine the previous content as both a freelancer and business owner. As I edit what needs to be improved, I ask myself: Is the text scannable? Is the content answering the user’s biggest question at this point? I keep asking myself these questions until I reach the last screen. Before finalizing a line of copy, I would conduct Google searches and my course notes to view examples of notable microcopy with a warm, friendly voice that guides, entertains, and removes obstacles for users.

Content Tests

Upon receiving feedback I completed several iterations of the UI text before approval. I added hint text to inform users as they completed form fields and tooltips to guide users. I added microcopy to payment pages to reassure users they would not be charged yet, and wrote CTAs and titles using parallel construction. During the first round of edits, preventing cognitive burden by simplifying language was primary. Then, I clarified the language using voice and tone to sound friendly and human.