Happy Tuesday All!

Today I will delve into the importance of your brands tone of voice.

Brand consultants always bang on about it.

But why?

When it comes to branding, the tone of voice you choose can be a defining factor in how your audience perceives you. Having the right tone of voice can help you to create a strong and recognisable brand that resonates with people.

Tone of voice is the attitude, personality, and emotion that is conveyed through the written or spoken words of a person. It can be used to convey a range of emotions, from serious and professional to lighthearted and humorous. Tone of voice reflects a person’s attitude and can be used to create a connection between the speaker and the person they’re speaking to.

Famous Brands and their TOV

1. Nike: Inspirational and motivational
2. Apple: Innovative and modern
3. Coca-Cola: Fun and playful
4. McDonald's: Welcoming and friendly
5. Starbucks: Relaxed and inviting
6. Walmart: Affordable and accessible
7. Amazon: Honest and trustworthy
8. Disney: Magical and exciting
9. Google: Smart and intelligent

When it comes to tone of voice, it’s important to be mindful of the words used and the attitude they convey. For example, using words like “please” and “thank you” can make a person seem more polite and respectful. Whereas using words like “whatever” can make a person seem apathetic and uninterested. It’s important to be aware of the tone of voice used so as to not be misunderstood or come across as rude - unless your brand is rude...

or you're brand is gen z... then language is a construct of your mind and anything can mean anything.

Brands who have f*ed up their tone (in the past!)

1. Burger King: Burger King's tone of voice was criticised for its overly aggressive and often sarcastic language, which didn't always convey the right message.
2. KFC: KFC's tone of voice was often seen as overly corporate and lacking in personality, which failed to engage with customers.
3. Microsoft: Microsoft's tone of voice has been criticised for failing to capture the company's innovative spirit and being too generic.

Have you booked your 1-2-1 consultancy session with me?

How to find your brands tone of voice

The first step in deciding on the right tone for your brand is to define the core values of your brand. These values will help to inform what kind of tone you should be using. Once you have those values in place, it’s important to think about who your target audience is and what kind of tone would fit them best. Are your customers looking for something serious and professional, or do they prefer something more fun and casual?

Once you have your target audience in mind, you can start to think about the different types of tones you could use for your brand. For example, if you’re targeting a professional audience, you could choose a more formal tone that speaks to their needs. On the other hand, if you’re targeting a younger, more casual audience, you could choose a more playful and lighthearted tone.

The next step is to consider the different channels you’ll be using to communicate with your audience. Each channel may require a different tone of voice depending on the context. For example, a more professional tone may be appropriate for a website, while a more casual tone may be better suited for social media.

Finally, it’s important to remember that your tone of voice should be consistent across all channels. This will help to create a recognisable brand and ensure that your message is properly conveyed no matter where it’s seen.

Overall, choosing the right tone of voice for your brand can be the difference between success and failure. It’s important to give careful consideration to the tone you choose and make sure it resonates with your target audience. With the right tone of voice, you can create a strong and recognisable brand that your customers will remember.

What's your Tone of Voice?