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Your Brand Voice: From Silence to Story

  • Writer: Cora Sage
    Cora Sage
  • Mar 2, 2025
  • 3 min read
one megaphone

Have you ever sat down to write about your business and felt... stuck? That moment when you know exactly what you do, but the words to describe it just won't come?


Don't worry – you're not alone. In fact, you're in excellent company.


I remember staring at my first website's "About" page for hours, trying to sound "professional" while completely losing my authentic voice in the process. Now, after helping other entrepreneurs find their brand voice, I've developed a simple framework that makes this process both easier and more authentic.


Why Brand Voice Matters

Before we dive into the how, let's talk about why.

Your brand voice isn't just about words – it's about connection.

It's the difference between:

"We provide innovative solutions for optimal business growth."

and

"We help women entrepreneurs turn their expertise into profitable online courses, without the tech headaches."


See the difference? The second one speaks directly to its audience, addresses a specific pain point, and feels human.


The 3-Step Framework


After applying it with real clients, I've distilled brand voice development into three essential steps. I call it the ARC (Authenticate, Refine, and Contextualize) framework:


Step 1: Authenticate

First, we need to find your natural voice. No corporate jargon, no "thought leadership" buzzwords. Just you, being authentically you.

Exercise: ☕️ The Coffee Shop Test

Imagine explaining what you do to a friend over coffee. Record yourself (yes, actually record yourself) answering these questions:

  • What do you love most about what you do?

  • What problem do you solve for people?

  • Why did you choose this path?

Transcribe your answers. This is your authentic voice in its natural habitat.


Step 2: Refine

Now, we'll shape that authentic voice into something that consistently represents your brand.

Create Your Voice Chart:

table with "Dimension", "You are", and "You are not"
Example of Voice Chart

💡 Pro Tip:

Choose 3-4 key phrases that embody your voice. For example:

  • "Let's simplify this..."

  • "Here's what I've learned..."

  • "Think of it this way..."

📝 Dimensions Legend:

  • Tone: Emotional quality

  • Energy: Force and momentum

  • Language: Word choice and clarity

  • Expertise: Knowledge presentation


Step 3: Contextualize

This is where we adapt your voice for different situations while maintaining its core essence.

Context Matrix:

  • Social Media: Lighter, more conversational

  • Blog Posts: Educational but engaging

  • Emails: Personal and direct

  • Website: Professional but warm



Example: Emma's Journey

Let me share how this worked for Emma, a financial advisor who struggled to stand out in a crowded market.

Before the Framework: "I provide comprehensive financial planning services to help clients achieve their monetary goals."

After Authenticating: [☕️ From her coffee shop recording] "I help women entrepreneurs understand their numbers so they can make confident decisions about their money and business."

After Refining: Voice Chart developed:

table with Emma's Voice Chart example
Emma's Voice Chart

After Contextualizing:

  • Social: "Money talk Tuesday! Let's bust some investing myths..."

  • Blog: "The 5 Numbers Every Woman Entrepreneur Needs to Know (And Why)"

  • Email: "I noticed something in your business numbers that we should talk about..."


Result? Emma's client inquiries increased in the first month after implementing her new brand voice.



⚠️ Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  1. The Jargon Trap • Instead of "Leveraging innovative methodologies..." • Try: "Using proven strategies..."

  2. The Personality Overdose • Instead of "Hey girl, hey! Ready to slay your business goals?!" • Try: "Ready to transform your business? Let's talk."

  3. The Formal Wall • Instead of: "Upon receipt of your inquiry..." • Try: "Thanks for reaching out..."



Practical Implementation

Create Your Voice Guide

  1. Core Voice Attributes:

    • List 3-5 key characteristics

    • Provide examples of each in action

  2. Do's and Don'ts:

    • Words to use

    • Words to avoid

    • Tone guidelines for different channels

  3. Templates for Common Communications:

    • Email responses

    • Social media posts

    • Blog post structures



Your Next Steps

  1. Record Your ☕️ Coffee Shop Talk

    • Use your phone's voice memo app

    • Speak naturally about your work

    • Transcribe and highlight phrases that feel right

  2. Create Your Voice Chart

    • Use the template provided

    • Test it with sample content

    • Get feedback from your ideal clients

  3. Build Your Context Matrix

    • List all your communication channels

    • Adapt your voice for each

    • Create example posts


Remember, your brand voice will evolve as you grow – exactly as it should.


Share your progress! I'd love to hear your before and after examples in the comments.


Cora ✨

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