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What is a brand voice and how do you create one?

Written by Tom Wengler | Dec 10, 2022 3:37:09 PM

Developing a brand voice involves defining the tone and style that your business will use to communicate with its audience. This can include elements such as the language, tone, and personality that you use in your messaging, as well as the overall aesthetic and feel of your brand.

To develop a brand voice, you will need to take the following steps:

  1. Identify your target audience: The first step in developing a brand voice is to identify your target audience and understand their needs and preferences. This will help you create a voice that resonates with your audience and connects with them on a personal level.

  2. Define your brand values and message: Your brand voice should be aligned with your brand values and message. Take some time to define the core values and message that your brand stands for, and consider how you can use your brand voice to communicate these values and messages to your audience.

  3. Create a brand voice guide: Once you have a clear understanding of your target audience and brand values, you can create a brand voice guide that defines the specific language, tone, and personality that your brand will use in its messaging. This guide should be a reference for all team members who are responsible for creating content and communicating with your audience.

  4. Use your brand voice consistently: Finally, it's important to use your brand voice consistently across all channels and platforms, including your website, social media, and other marketing materials. This will help create a cohesive and consistent experience for your audience and reinforce your brand identity.

By following these steps, you can develop a brand voice that is authentic, engaging, and resonates with your audience. This will help you build trust and credibility with your audience and differentiate your brand from your competitors.

Examples of Brand Voices

Here are a few examples of brand voices:

  1. Friendly and conversational: This brand voice uses a friendly and informal tone, as if the brand is speaking directly to the audience in a conversational manner. This can help create a sense of familiarity and connection with the audience, and make the brand feel approachable and relatable.

  2. Professional and authoritative: This brand voice uses a more formal and professional tone, and focuses on conveying expertise and credibility. This can be effective for businesses that want to establish themselves as leaders in their industry and position themselves as trusted sources of information.

  3. Playful and humorous: This brand voice uses a playful and humorous tone, and incorporates humor and wit into its messaging. This can help the brand stand out and differentiate itself from competitors, and can also make the brand more memorable and engaging.

  4. Bold and confident: This brand voice uses a bold and confident tone, and emphasizes the brand's strength and leadership. This can be effective for businesses that want to position themselves as trailblazers in their industry and inspire confidence in their audience.

  5. Emotional and heartfelt: This brand voice uses an emotional and heartfelt tone, and focuses on creating a deep connection with the audience by evoking emotions and appealing to their values and beliefs. This can be effective for businesses that want to create a strong emotional bond with their audience and inspire loyalty and engagement.

 

Here are a few examples of companies with an authoritative brand voice:

  1. Google: Google's brand voice is professional and authoritative, and focuses on conveying expertise and credibility. The brand uses a straightforward and informative tone in its messaging, and presents itself as a trusted source of information and knowledge.

  2. IBM: IBM's brand voice is also professional and authoritative, and focuses on highlighting the company's leadership and innovation in the tech industry. The brand uses a confident and forward-thinking tone in its messaging, and positions itself as a pioneer in the field.

  3. McKinsey & Company: McKinsey & Company's brand voice is highly professional and authoritative, and focuses on conveying expertise and thought leadership. The brand uses a formal and informative tone in its messaging, and presents itself as a trusted advisor to businesses and organizations.

  4. Deloitte: Deloitte's brand voice is professional and authoritative, and focuses on highlighting the company's expertise and experience in the consulting and professional services industry. The brand uses a confident and knowledgeable tone in its messaging, and positions itself as a trusted partner for businesses and organizations.

  5. KPMG: KPMG's brand voice is also professional and authoritative, and focuses on highlighting the company's expertise and leadership in the accounting and consulting industry. The brand uses a straightforward and informative tone in its messaging, and presents itself as a trusted advisor to businesses and organizations.