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:
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!
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