Let’s be real—your message might be fire, but if the delivery is off? Nobody’s catching it.
In today’s scroll-and-skim world, your brand voice isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s crucial. When consulting with clients, I ask about their preferred communication style. Are you laid back? Are you more of a “just the facts!” type? The reason is that a consistent voice across all of your platforms boosts recognition and loyalty.
Brand voice is what gets you noticed: 90% of people expect a consistent brand experience across all platforms; the problem is that fewer than half of businesses can say that they deliver it. (Tailor Brands) That’s a massive gap… and a massive opportunity.
If your messaging feels like it’s all over the place, don’t worry—you’re not broken, you’re just unbranded. And today, we’re fixing that with a bold, clear, and aligned brand voice that sounds like you and resonates with your audience. Let’s dig in.
The Problem: “My messaging feels inconsistent.”
Ever feel like your brand is suffering from an identity crisis?
One day your Instagram captions are witty and fun. The next, your email reads like a legal document. Your website sounds like one person wrote it, your blog another—and your social media? Let’s just say it’s got multiple personalities.
If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. Being inconsistent can cause your brand to get lost in the shuffle, and you will confuse your audience—and a confused audience doesn’t stick around for long. Whether you’re just starting out or trying to evolve your brand, a scattered voice can make your business feel less trustworthy, less memorable, and less you.
The Solution: Steps to Develop a Cohesive and Authentic Brand Voice
Let’s clean that up, shall we?
Here are five no-fluff steps to create a cohesive and authentic brand voice that actually sounds like you—and better yet, speaks to the people you’re trying to reach.
Step 1: Define Your Brand Personality
If your brand were a person, how would she talk? What would she wear? What’s her vibe? Is she bold and cheeky? Calm and nurturing? Smart and sassy?
Take a beat to write down 3–5 adjectives that describe your brand’s personality.
Try This: Use words your ideal client would actually connect with.
Being authentic and consistent across all platforms, you’ll have better brand recall. (Sprout Social)
Step 2: Know Who You’re Talking To
You’re not talking to “everyone.” You’re talking to your people. You want to use a form of communication that’s true to you, because authenticity isn’t a trend – it’s a strategy with soul, it elevates your voice. For more information on the topic, check out “Authenticity Sells” from the Problem & Solution Series blog.
Think about your ideal audience:
- What keeps them up at night?
- What do they care about?
- How do they speak?
- What kind of humor or tone lands best?
Speak their language—not in a fake way, but in a “we see each other” kind of way. If your dream client ran across your content, would they recognize you? The goal is that they know you before they see your name. This should be at the top of your marketing strategy.
Real Talk: 60% of consumers say relatable language is what gets them to engage with a brand. (HubSpot)
Step 3: Create Brand Voice Guidelines
Think of this like your brand’s cheat sheet. It should cover:
- Tone (Are you conversational, authoritative, funny?)
- Vocabulary (Words you do and don’t use)
- Grammar/style preferences (Oxford comma? Emoji-friendly?)
- Signature phrases or taglines
Write it down and use it across ALL content—your website, podcast, socials, emails, all of it. This will keep your brand voice consistent and recognizable.
Step 4: Audit and Align Your Current Messaging
Look at what you’ve already put out into the world. Where is the voice off-brand? Where does it shine?
Clean up what’s off-brand and make a plan to bring everything in line moving forward.
For example, if your Instagram portrays you as a fun-loving health coach but your Facebook comes across as a no-nonsense drill sergeant, it could be a bit confusing. This is where brand gaps can cause potential clients to not sign up for your courses. So, let’s fix that.
Try This: Conduct a brand audit to spot and fix any inconsistencies with your brand’s intended voice. This could be changing your verbiage or updating your images. It’s a simple yet effective way to keep your brand’s message clear and authentic!
Step 5: Be Consistent, But Not Robotic
Authenticity doesn’t mean rigidity. You don’t have to sound like a robot to be consistent. Let your brand voice breathe and evolve, just like you do—but keep that core vibe steady.
Because when your audience knows what to expect, they start to trust you. And trust? That’s the key to conversions, referrals, and loyalty.
Creating a Brand Voice That Speaks to Your Audience
You don’t need to be “perfect” with your brand voice—you just need to be clear. The more your audience hears you in your messaging, the more they’ll lean in.
So if your brand voice has been a little all over the place, this is your sign to rein it in. Remember to be authentic, intentional, and consistent. And most of all—be YOU.
If you found value in this post, then subscribe to the Problem & Solution Series blog. Also, don’t forget to tune in to The Jameela Adams Experience podcast, where we discuss topics for both new and seasoned entrepreneurs.
Resources: 51 Branding Statistics You Need to Know (Tailor Brands), Brand Trust: What it is and why it matters (Sprout Social), Marketing Statistics Every Team Needs to Grow in 2025 (HubSpot)
