What are the most common mistakes when writing product manuals?

Escribir un manual de producto puede ser una de las tareas más desafiantes. Si bien a simple vista suele tratarse de simples textos instructivos cuya finalidad es configurar, armar o saber utilizar un producto, presentan el gran desafío de ser claros, accesibles para todo el mundo y coherentes. Para mejorar la claridad, es indispensable editar el texto para decir lo mismo con la menor cantidad de palabras posible y, al mismo tiempo, debe dar una idea rápida y sencilla sobre qué hacer a cada momento. Los gráficos pueden ayudar como soporte para facilitar la comprensión. También deberían incluirse preguntas frecuentes y revisar cuáles de estas respuestas podrían omitirse para formar parte del cuerpo del texto desde un comienzo.

- taking yourself too seriously, stick to what consumers care about - getting drowned in jargons - getting too creative that you stop making sense - feeling bound to write like your competitor

People generally read product manuals in two instances. 1. When they're first setting up a device. 2. When something has gone wrong. In both instances, readers may be wound up or otherwise in a hurry. Which means clarity is what they need most. English is a language with a LOT of word choices. And it's also a language used by a lot of people as a second language. Be sure to use the words your readers are most likely to know.

Often, product experts are 'too close' to the material to explain it simply and clearly. Ensure you have some naive readers in the development of technical manuals and writing. Have them candidly point out where something isn't clear.

People don't wanna hear technical jargon. With exceptions, not only is it not understood, it is more importantly not wanted. Always put yourself in the shoes of a reader or, in this case, the user. The point of a product manual is not to show off and let the user know you know your stuff, because they absolutely don't care, it is to make things simple. Also, keep it brief. It's a product manual, not a novel.

When creating product manuals for a device manufacturer, my first task was reviewing the content (plain language) and the sequence the information is presented in - the logical syntax. The order is by far the most important, and considering the logic of the order should be based on the major reasons for using the manual, For us it was - - Setup - Daily maintenance - Error messages/issue diagnosis By incorporating those things into the first part of the manual and making referencing them easy, we were able to ensure the user could access what they needed, when they needed it.

Effective communication often falters due to a lack of structure, not just in product manuals. Structure involves employing headings, subheadings, lists, tables, and diagrams to enhance readability. Common issues include overwhelming or insufficient information, illogical sequencing, and inconsistent formatting. To enhance structure, maintain a clear and consistent layout, organize content into sections, employ bullet points and numbered steps, and incorporate visuals for better comprehension. This approach benefits communication in various contexts beyond product manuals.

Think of your manual not just as a text document, but as a visual experience. A lot of people are visual learners, so the layout and structure of your manual matter as much as the words themselves. Is your manual more like a well-composed painting that guides the eye, or is it a daunting brick wall of text? (No offense to brick walls, they have their charm.)

Give readers an opportunity to 'POI' your manual: Preview a topic by adding headings Overview a topic with a short summary Inview a topic with detailed descriptions/ instructions

Maintaining accuracy is a critical aspect of effective communication, not limited to product manuals. Accuracy entails offering correct, comprehensive, and current information aligned with product specifications. Errors may arise from outdated or incorrect data, insufficient testing, or neglecting proofreading. To enhance accuracy, rely on reliable sources, verify information, conduct thorough testing, and meticulously proofread for spelling, grammar, and punctuation. This commitment to precision is vital in any communication to ensure the trustworthiness and reliability of the conveyed information.

Accuracy in product manuals isn't a one-and-done deal. It's a commitment to keeping pace with your evolving product. As products change, so should the manuals. It's not just about getting it right the first time; it's about setting up a process to regularly revisit and update your content. Think of it as having a 'check-up' routine for your manual, just like you'd have for the product itself.

Consider time of publication and how often information can be updated. You may want to guide readers to a link with real-time info or reference your research date when highlighting a topic.

Relevance begins by considering who is supposed to read the manual in question. Consumers will - obviously - know less about the product than the engineering team that created it, while Engineers don't know what purpose the product actually serves for the customer. Therefore, it's imperative to run the copy past a set of unbiased potential users, collect the findings in focus groups and reverse-engineer the copy from there.

When choosing a topic to include, ask yourself, so what? Does the information answer a question, appeal to a demand, clarify a concern? If so, so what? How can you summarise the point for the simplest understanding?

Imagine giving someone directions to a treasure but using only latitude and longitude coordinates - it's accurate but not helpful for most. The most common mistake is making these manuals excessively technical and jargon-heavy, like a textbook written for experts rather than users. Manuals often lack engaging visuals and relatable language, making the adventure of using a new product feel like decoding an ancient, cryptic manuscript. They should instead be like a friendly guide in a foreign city, clear, welcoming, and helpful.

I think it's good to consider tone or brand voice, but not as useful as having image or illustrative demonstrations. Show the user exactly what you are talking about using clear examples. If it's a furniture, show pictures of a step by step of putting it together. If it's an appliance, illustrate how to connect it or getting it started etc. Visuals are more functional and save you a lot of words in a manual. The bonus is they can be understood by anybody, no matter what language they speak. That's how I was able to use most product manuals written in Arabic, Chinese and Spanish.

Manuals don't have to be robotic or stiff. Use it as an opportunity to form a deeper connection with the reader (who is already interested in what you're sharing). Let your brand's personality shine through by writing in a style that is reflective of an in-person interaction with you. Perhaps a bit quirky, perhaps, highly informative and friendly.

You’ll know a good product manual when you see one! I’ve read tons of manuals in my lifetime and so many of them read like they are written in a mystical language ???? I mean- if I can’t get past the first page of the manual without searching YouTube for a video with answers- then what’s the point? I appreciate product manuals that are written with simple and clear instructions, as well as visual explanations. If there are links to online resources for additional helpful tips- even better. I’ll never forget the car kayak rack manual ?? My husband and I struggled with that manual- YouTube videos saved us though- luckily our kayak didn’t go flying onto the highway…

Jargon. Buzzwords. And long-winded sentences. When it comes to a product manual, the primary objective your audience has is to get through it as fast as possible, in the most simple way. So make sure you: 1. Keep it short and simple. 2. Leave jargon at the door. 3. Write like you would to a 8 year old. 4. Use visuals to convey complex ideas.

Consider a self-ordering menu and a hungry patron with nut-allergy! Can you guess where this is going? You need to ensure that the hungry patron walks out satisfied and happy than on an ambulance after a call to emergency! The same applies to product manuals and the most common mistakes are A. Assuming every intended reader of the same kind B. Usage of self-introduced jargons C. Not having any first hand exposure of what you are writing about