Release notes are one of the key ways to communicate changes about your product or service to your customers or users. They keep everybody in the loop about the updates you make, show them what to expect, and allow them to provide feedback.
But writing effective release notes can be difficult. What should you include and what should you leave out? How much detail do you need and how technical should you get?
Here are seven tips to consider when writing release notes that your users will love:
1. Make Them Attractive
Good design is the key to good engagement. Make sure your release notes are visually appealing and easy to read. Use bullet points, headings, and plenty of white space to make them more inviting. Also, use an appropriate font for readability. You can use Craft’s free release notes template to get started quickly and share your easy-to-read, good-looking release notes immediately.
2. Be Concise
Your users will appreciate it if you keep your release notes short and to the point. Avoid long-winded explanations, and focus on the most important points. Your goal should be to communicate the key changes you’ve made and why they are important. You can see real examples of Craft's release notes here.
3. Don’t Oversell
Don’t get carried away in your enthusiasm for the changes you’ve made. Keep it simple and don’t go overboard with promises that may ultimately be difficult to keep. Your users will appreciate honesty and openness, rather than big claims that are not delivered.
4. Update Frequently
Keep your release notes up to date and as frequent as possible. This will help keep your users informed on the progress you’re making and also allow them to provide feedback. Regular release notes also show users that your product is continually being improved at a fast rate, increasing their excitement and confidence.
5. Keep the Technical to a Minimum
Avoid using technical language and acronyms in your release notes. Though you may have some more technically-minded users amongst your customer base, focus on the features and benefits of the changes and how they will benefit people, and talk about them in easy-to-understand language.
6. Use Images
If you can, include images or videos that show off the changes you’ve made in your release notes. Images break up your text, are easy on the eye, and are often a quicker way to communicate the changes you’ve made compared to lots of words. You can see examples of how Craft communicates new features in videos on the Craft YouTube channel.
7. Ask for Feedback
Don’t forget to give your users the opportunity to provide feedback. This will help you gauge what your users like and don’t like and ensure you are headed in the right direction with your product. It’s also a great way to build a community.
Summary
These tips can help make your release notes more engaging and visually appealing, allowing users to easily digest the important changes and provide feedback. Good release notes are a great way to keep users in the loop and ensure your product is headed in the right direction.