How can your tone of voice build relationships with stakeholders?

Tone matters because it lasts. It’s what makes communications a two-way street. Folks may not have the time to absorb your message chapter and verse, but they can quickly form a perception of how it makes them feel. And that perception can quickly become reality. What you say–’getting the wording right’–matters, but how you’re saying it often matters even more. Start with that in your process. Ask yourself, “what are we going for here?” Think of tone as a springboard–not a straitjacket.

Your tone matters because it conveys an attitude, good or bad. Your tone will make someone feel like they want to interact with you again or the exact opposite. Our goal should always be inclusive and kind, no matter the audience.

Absolutely, your tone of voice serves as the bridge between your message and the reader's perception. It's not merely about words; it's about cultivating a connection through the nuanced orchestration of tone. Aligning your tone to resonate with the reader's emotions, values, and expectations is a powerful strategy. This approach taps into scalable consumer psychology and neuroscience, delving into the intricacies of human connection.

PR is a cross-functional discipline. This indicates that when coming up with the hard moment of tone choice, any good PR professional must connect with branding and marketing departments to ensure tone consistency (not to mention HR). That choice will also depend on the project you're working on that connects ultimately to the company culture, and that can reflect its values. This shows maturity to any audience and helps you answer questions on how you should act and position the company when facing different issues.

I believe that it is more important to use a tone of voice that is not self-referential. It's important to use clear words and provide examples to help understand specific technologies, based on my experience. Always strive to be original!