If you’re copywriting for your personal brand, it’s crucial to tap into your unique voice. Our voice is what gives our potential clients and customers a feel for who we are and what it will be like to work with us. It’s also an early elimination tool that provides those prospects with an out if they feel we aren’t right for them.
Finding our voice is challenging for many of us entrepreneurs. Why? Because we don’t tend to be conscious of our own voices until we’re forced to be. And, we’re typically too close to our brands.
To connect with your voice, you’ll need to step outside yourself in a big way. Intense self-observation is a must if you really want to know your voice. Here are a few ways to make that happen.
Free-write with zero filter
We’re used to thinking about our readers when we write. “What will they think? How will I come across? Am I going to offend someone?” But now is not the time for self-editing. It’s time to spew all over the page. (It’s okay; you can delete it or burn it when you’re done.)
Open a blank document on your computer (or grab your notebook) and set a timer. Start writing, and don’t stop until your timer goes off. If you’re not done when the timer goes off, reset it and keep going. There are no rules here. Write about:
- Your passion (your big WHY)
- Your super powers
- Your brand and your goals for the client experience
No-filter writing gives you a chance to express unconscious thoughts and feelings. This can serve to strengthen your voice.
Record yourself speaking
Verbally brain-dump, then listen back to the recording. You’ll pick up on quirky words and phrases you regularly use, but may not be conscious of. These are fair game to incorporate into your brand language.
If recording yourself alone feels awkward or forced, get a friend to help. Have a conversation about your business and the work you do. They can ask leading questions or prompt you along the way. Choose someone you can be authentic and vulnerable with. You can refine your message later.
If you’ve done some public speaking, now is a good time to listen to the recordings. Even though they’re more refined than a brain-dump, these will give you useful insights as you glean ideas.
Ask for input on your drafts
Stepping outside yourself means you need to ask others for their insights. A third party can provide perspective, clarity, and direction. Once you’ve completed a draft, ask a close colleague or mentor to take a look. Ask them questions like:
- Does this sound like me? Why or why not?
- What can I tweak to strengthen it?
- Is there something big I’m missing that I need to incorporate?
- If you didn’t know me/my brand, would this copy give you a feel for what I’m/my brand is like?
Remember, finding and cultivating your voice is a process!
Nailing down your brand voice isn’t a one-and-done deal; it’s an ongoing process. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to “get it right” on the first try.
And once you’ve arrived at a voice you’re comfortable with, don’t expect to stay comfortable forever. Your business is a work in progress, just like you are.
Your brand voice will to evolve over time. But the beauty of it is, as a business owner, you’ve got time to continually develop it. You have the freedom to refresh and rebrand when the time is right, and you’re likely to do it more than once over the years.
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you feel stuck. Feedback can help you get on the right track. If you don’t know who to ask, build or join a community that will help you succeed, and commit to being a work in progress. We’re all in this together.
About the Author
Haley Walden
Haley Walden Copywriting/Editor & Author
Copy Writing and Editing
Haley Walden is a copywriter, editor, and author who helps businesses and authors effectively articulate their established brand stories. She had a knack for emulating voice, a keen eye for detail, and will stop at nothing to give her clients the cleanest, most concise final draft possible.
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