7 tips for writing better sticky notes
How to write clearly on tiny squares of paper
1. Write legibly
Make sure your handwriting is easily understandable. Write in CAPITAL LETTERS. It might take a little while longer to write, but is totally worth the time. Remember, everything we write on a sticky is a message we want to communicate to other people. So make sure they can read it!
2. Use a thick permanent marker
Try to avoid having thin pens or pencils in the workshop. Why? Because of visibility. In most workshops, people gather around a wall of sticky notes to both present and discuss. As a consequence, your participants will need to be able to read from a distance. I prefer pens that are 0.8–1. mm thick and has a dark color.
There is also another reason for why we want people to stand up during the workshop. Research has actually shown that when people stand up in a meeting, the session is more productive.
3. Add context to the sticky
Also, try to write in a way so the meaning behind the post-it is easy to understand later. Most likely you or someone else will need to decipher the content after the workshop, and then you’ll probably have forgotten what the person wanted to express with the note.
4. One point per sticky
A thick pen also limits how much you can write on a sticky, forcing you to be concise and to the point. Which brings me to the next point — one idea per sticky note.
If an idea can’t fit on one sticky note, then it’s too complex. Break it down.
This will also make it easier to group and sort the different stickies later in the process. 🎉
5. Pull down, not across
This might seem like nitpicking, but pulling off the sticky in the right direction will make such a difference later when your adding the post-it to a wall. Pull downwards for the flattest stickies. This will make them stick better to the wall, and increase readability since they won’t curl upwards.
6. Open new packages by squeezing it
One brand of sticky notes that has really understood it’s users is 3M. Their post-it’s has a perforation along the middle that makes it so easy to open a new pack of stickies. And the little pop sound it makes is so satisfying!
7. Color coordinate
The color pallette of the sticky notes can also be a powerful tool. For example, you can use the different colors to make it easier to scan the wall of post-it’s. You can use the different colors to visualize the different parts of a workshop. Or you can visualize different themes and findings from interviews and user testing.
Also, try to avoid the stickies with darker colors.
In short, remember to:
- Write legibly
- Use a thick permanent marker
- Add context to the sticky
- One point per sticky
- Pull down, not across
- Open new packages by squeezing it
- Color coordinate
