Are you struggling to find your brand voice? Or maybe you haven’t even thought about it before, but using a consistent brand voice across mediums and platforms is crucial so your audiences can recognize you. Plus, it elevates your brand, boosts your marketing efforts and lends authority to what you’re saying.
Recently, I filmed a video series on this subject after being inspired while prepping for a podcast appearance. (If you haven’t watched my appearance on the Vector Art podcast yet, check it out!)
So, how do you find your brand voice? Here’s where to start:
🤔 Change your mindset. Most businesses and brands are still in broadcasting mode today instead of joining the conversation with their target audiences. Instead of broadcasting information, think of your content as a conversation, with communication going both ways. Focus on your target audiences and what they want from you. What content would they find valuable? How can you improve their lives or help them go about their day?
👥 Know your audience. Do you know who you’re talking to? Learn everything you can about your target audience (or ideal customer)—their challenges, what brings them joy, how they live and work—and tailor your content to them. Talk to them online and off to better understand what they are looking for, and ask for their feedback. This is also where social listening plays a key role; pay attention to what your audience is doing and saying while they go about their lives. Every communication and touchpoint with your audience should help build trust and relationships, so it’s imperative to understand who they are.
🫵 Watch your tone. It matters. Your tone is a critical part of your brand voice, and it’s often overlooked. Are you friendly and conversational? Or formal and professional? Start determining your brand’s personality and tone by focusing on what you do. Your industry can provide guidelines for how you communicate. Then, look at your marketing efforts as a whole. What type of image do you portray? What type of customer experience do you offer? (If you’re not sure, ask your customers.) Use a consistent tone of voice across your marketing efforts while matching your personality and/or company culture. Your audience shouldn’t be surprised to meet you in person or visit your company. 😯
Let’s get personal… about going corporate. People say don’t go corporate like it’s a bad thing, but in business, there are benefits. Creating a corporate brand lets your customers (and competitors) know you’re serious and committed long-term. Legitimize your business and elevate your brand by transforming from a freelancer into an entrepreneur and a small business owner. Having a corporate brand does not prevent you from building a personal brand or incorporating yourself, as the founder, into your brand story. And contrary to what you’ve seen or heard, corporate brands do not have to be dry, formal or boring…. 😴
👩💼 Be human first, always. You can still use AI to help you navigate the creation process, polish your project or take your idea from a thought to reality. But don’t outsource your creativity, your critical thinking or your point of view to technology.
So, how can you be human first in your content and marketing?
🫶 Share your brand values and show them in action
😎 Show your personality!
👥 Shout out your team or collaborators
💬 Engage with your community members and showcase user-generated content
🗣️ Answer questions and respond to suggestions
🤝 Build relationships with thoughtful comments
Remember, in our AI-fueled world, human-led marketing wins. 🙌🏼
Ready to find your brand voice? Watch our 5-part series on YouTube, or reach out to develop your brand voice or build your brand together.
Your brand guide (and voice coach),
Jaime
Let’s chat (about finding your brand voice, your marketing needs or what you’re listening to):
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