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Why Your Small Business Needs a Strong Brand Voice (And How to Create One)

Why-Your-Small-Business-Needs-a-Strong-Brand-Voice-And-How-to-Create-One-1

As a small business owner, you've probably heard the term "brand voice" thrown around, but what does it mean? And more importantly, why should you care? Well, think of your brand voice as your business's personality. It's how you "speak" to your customers, show up in the world, and the vibe you give off in everything from social media posts to emails.

Creating an effective and consistent brand voice for your small business is not as complicated as it might seem. The work you do at this stage can help you as you create content, reply to emails, or handle general communication with your audience in a way that represents your brand. Hear me out:

It Builds Trust with Your Audience

People are more likely to trust brands that feel familiar and reliable. Having a consistent voice across your marketing channels creates that sense of trust. Whether your brand is fun and lighthearted or professional and authoritative, sticking to a consistent tone helps customers know what to expect from you.

It Helps You Stand Out

In a crowded marketplace, it's easy for your business to get lost in the noise. Your brand voice is one way to stand out from the competition. Are you quirky and humorous? Calm and collected? Your voice is part of what makes your business unique, and customers are drawn to that authenticity.

It Makes Content Creation Easier

When you know your brand voice, creating content becomes much easier. You'll have a clear direction for everything from your social media captions to your website copy. No more second-guessing whether something "sounds like you"—you'll have guidelines to keep everything consistent.

This is when I ask you to take out some paper or open a blank document. Please write down your thoughts on the below questions, then review them. Is that how you want to sound? What would you change? What vocabulary are you using? Does your brand ask a long list of rhetorical questions? That's up to you to decide! Here are some questions to start scratching the surface:

  • Who is your audience? Who are you speaking to? Understanding your target audience's preferences, motivations, and how they approach content can help you connect to your target audience in the way that resonates the most.
  • What's your personality? Is your brand playful, serious, or somewhere in between? Do you tell jokes? What kind? Are you direct and informative? Pinpoint three to five adjectives that describe your brand personality and build from there.
  • What are your vibes? Outline the tone, style, and key messages you want to convey. This can include specific words or phrases that reflect your brand's values.
  • How will you communicate?: Your voice should be recognizable, no matter where your audience encounters you—whether on Instagram, your website or in emails. Understanding how you'll apply your voice to various channels allows for better consistency relevant to each medium.

The Scoop

What's [insert your business's name here]'s voice? What does it sound like? Try some of these thought starters to get the creative juices flowing, and write down what you decide. Share your vision with your team and make adjustments as needed.

Remember, if creating a brand voice feels overwhelming, I offer Brand Voice Development services and would be happy to help you with this important step!

Chat soon!

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