The Difference Between Brand Voice, Tone, and Style
Use Subtle Messaging Shifts to Make Your Brand Stand Out
@nikulinayana // Unsplash.com
When you’re building a new brand or rebranding your existing company, the lingo can be overwhelming. You hear people say, “It’s important to have a unique voice,” or, “Your tone can make or break your message.”
But did you know terms like Voice, Tone, and Style are subtly different subjects? Mastering all three can give your brand the impact it needs to stand out. They are the heart of your brand.
Find Your Brand Voice
Your voice is who you are. It’s the foundation that informs how you speak. It’s what people hear when you talk to them. It’s the first thing you should consider when creating any sort of message – your “north star”. If your message doesn’t fit your voice, you’re going to confuse your target. Learn more about how to structure your brand voice in my blog Three Easy Steps to Developing Your Brand Voice.
Master Your Brand Tone
Your tone is the subtle shift in how you sound depending on your media or message. Think about it – you’re probably already doing this in your everyday life. On social media, your captions are short, snappy, and clever. When you write an email, you make sure the message is clear, concise, and professional.
It’s the same for your brand. Defining how you speak in these situations can make all the difference. Try it – you’ll be surprised at how cohesive your brand message sounds, without being obnoxiously repetitive across channels.
Define Your Brand Style
When we talk about copywriting, Style is the real nitty gritty. Half the fun of writing in marketing and advertising is that (most of the time) you get to bend the rules. Style encompasses your mechanics, punctuation, grammar, and vocabulary. This is where you answer questions like, “Do we use emojis?”, “Are we OK with acronyms?”, and “How much of our target’s lexicon should we incorporate in order to sound authentic?” Do what it takes to stand out without turning your message into a confusing mess.
I like to think of style as the CAPTCHA of copywriting. Stick to the rules too strictly and you’ll sound like a robot. Choose what sounds more human and you’re creating connections.
Interested in learning more? I’m happy to chat – book your free, no-pressure consultation today and let’s level up your brand.
I’m Kyle Reinsfelder, a freelance copywriter from St. Louis. I’m proud to bring my clients and budding copywriters the tools they need to take their brand voice development to the next level. By cementing a solid foundation for your brand, we can move forward developing content across media with confidence!