The shift from text to speech

You’ve probably noticed it—asking Siri for directions or telling Alexa to play your favorite song feels more like chatting with a friend than reading a manual. This shift from text to speech isn’t just a trend; it’s a fundamental change in how we communicate with machines. And for writers, it’s a whole new ballgame.

Writing for voice isn’t like crafting a blog post or a tweet. It’s more like scripting a conversation—think dialogue for a play or a podcast. The words have to flow naturally when spoken aloud because users aren’t skimming; they’re listening in the moment. That means shorter sentences, a conversational tone, and clarity over cleverness. It’s less “Click here to proceed” and more “Ready to keep going?” You’re not just delivering info—you’re making the exchange feel effortless.

Then there’s the personality factor. Voice interfaces like Alexa or Google Assistant aren’t blank slates; they’ve got character. Alexa’s calm and collected, Siri’s got a dash of sass. As writers, we’ve got to keep that vibe consistent, like staying in character for a role. Context matters too—where’s the user? Driving? Cooking? Your words need to fit their world, not just the tech.

This shift says something bigger about us. We’re craving interactions that feel human, not mechanical. It’s intimate, almost primal—leaning on sound over sight. So, as we step into this auditory future, here’s the challenge: how will our words shape the way we connect with the world? Writing for voice isn’t just about communication—it’s about conversation.