What is Brand Voice?

List 3-5 adjectives that describe how you want to sound (e.g., friendly, expert, straightforward). Then note what you're NOT (e.g., not stuffy, not salesy). Document examples and non-examples. Your voice should reflect your brand's personality and resonate with your audience.

For small businesses where you ARE the brand, yes, authenticity matters. For businesses meant to grow beyond you, develop a brand voice that could work with future team members. Document it so others can replicate it.

Create a brand voice guide with specific examples, do's and don'ts, and word lists. Train anyone who writes for your business. Review content before publishing. Consistency takes intentional effort, especially with multiple writers.

Tone can adjust (more casual on social media, more formal in proposals) but core voice stays consistent. Think of it like how you speak differently at a party vs. a business meeting, still you, just adapted to context.

Strong brand voice improves engagement metrics (time on page, return visits) which can indirectly help SEO. It also makes content memorable, encouraging shares and links. AI search may increasingly favor distinctive, authoritative voices.