What writing techniques can you use to create a strong corporate voice?

1 Define your voice

Before you start writing, you need to have a clear idea of what your voice is and what it is not. Think about the tone, style, and language that suit your brand and your audience. Are you formal or casual? Serious or humorous? Professional or friendly? You can use a voice chart or a voice statement to capture the essence of your voice and guide your writing decisions. For example, a voice statement could be: "Our voice is confident, helpful, and respectful. We use simple and clear words to explain complex topics. We avoid jargon, slang, and clichés."

3 Use active voice

One of the easiest ways to make your writing more lively and impactful is to use active voice instead of passive voice. Active voice means that the subject of the sentence performs the action, while passive voice means that the subject of the sentence receives the action. For example, "We launched a new product" is active voice, while "A new product was launched by us" is passive voice. Active voice makes your writing more clear, concise, and confident. It also helps you avoid ambiguity and confusion, and shows that you take responsibility for your actions.

4 Be specific and concrete

Another way to make your writing more effective and memorable is to be specific and concrete rather than vague and abstract. Specific and concrete words refer to things that can be seen, heard, touched, or measured, while vague and abstract words refer to things that are general, broad, or intangible. For example, "We increased our sales by 15%" is specific and concrete, while "We improved our performance" is vague and abstract. Specific and concrete words help you communicate your message more clearly, accurately, and persuasively. They also help you create vivid images and stories that appeal to your audience's emotions and senses.

5 Edit and proofread

The final and most important technique to create a strong corporate voice is to edit and proofread your writing. Editing means checking your writing for clarity, coherence, consistency, and correctness. Proofreading means checking your writing for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting errors. Editing and proofreading help you polish your writing and ensure that it meets your quality standards and your audience's expectations. They also help you avoid mistakes that can damage your reputation and credibility. You can use tools, checklists, or feedback to help you edit and proofread your writing effectively.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?