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Ultimate content publication checklist
28 steps to cover everything from proofreading to readability. Wipe the sweat off your brow and publish your thing.
I’m a UX Writer…
(or a Content Designer, if you prefer — our field is so obsessed with words that we can’t even agree on what to call ourselves),
…and I love my job. At the same time, I hate it. It has gifted me with both impostor syndrome and OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder).
Take this story, for example. I’m about to share a checklist that’s been my go-to for about a year. It’s helped me improve the quality of what I publish, but I’m still worried it won’t be perfect. This is why the “Threatened Swan” is on the cover. It’s so scared of the dog on the left that it pooped itself.
The scariest (and most exciting) part of my job is letting go. Well, heck, here goes nothing.
— What is this checklist about?
It’s all about content — whether it’s text, images, or videos — that’s about to go live. Whether it’s an article on Medium, a new modal window on a website, or a piece of someone’s portfolio, this checklist helps make sure everything’s ready to be seen.
— Who is it for?
UX writers, content designers, conversational designers, copywriters, content strategists, UX/UI designers, product designers, product managers — and pretty much everyone else (clear, readable content never hurts).
— What does it cover?
- Run-of-the-mill, orthographically and grammatically correct copy
- Readability and accessibility of the content
- Inclusivity of the content
- “Decorations” like links and calls-to-action
- Tone and voice of the content
- Findability of the content (what good is a text that no one will see?)
I tried to make each point brief so it reads like a real checklist. At the end, you can find links to the best content guides out there.
