# Use your words: the importance of clear writing in product development

DevFeed: [Use your words: the importance of clear writing in product development](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/use-your-words-the-importance-of-clear-writing-in-product-development-12053.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://incident.io/blog/use-your-words-the-importance-of-clear-writing-product-development>)

Author: Sophie Koonin

Published: 2022-02-08T00:00:00Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [The incident.io Blog](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/the-incident-io-blog.md>)

Topics: [Forms](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/forms.md>), [Slack](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/slack.md>), [Web](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/web.md>), [dashboards](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/dashboards.md>)

Tags: [code](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/code.md>), [development](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/development.md>), [guide](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/guide.md>), [how-to](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/how-to.md>), [incident](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/incident.md>), [incident-channel](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/incident-channel.md>), [incident-management](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/incident-management.md>), [incident-response](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/incident-response.md>), [outage](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/outage.md>), [post-mortem](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/post-mortem.md>), [product-development](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/product-development.md>), [slack](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/slack.md>), [slack-incident](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/slack-incident.md>), [web](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/web.md>), [writing](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/writing.md>)

## AI overview

The article explains why clear product copy matters, especially at startups where engineers may also handle product management, QA, support, design, and copywriting. It discusses writing concise labels and messages, maintaining a consistent tone across Slack and web interfaces, and incorporating product-writing guidance into onboarding. Clear, timely wording is particularly important during incidents.

## Source excerpt

Good copy can be the difference between a decent product and a great one. Our engineer Sophie explains how copywriting is a central part of product development - and at startups, it's often an engineer's job.