June 19, 2006

6+1: Writing Voice the Sound of Your Brand

published this at 10:23 am

Yeah, I Hear You

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Ever notice when you read some writers’ work, that you can almost hear them? I don’t just mean that they write conversationally. I mean that, well, you can almost hear the pitch of a voice, a twinkle in an eye.

How do some writers do that? How do they become real in your mind while you read?

It’s the writer’s voice.

A Writer’s Voice

A writer’s voice is in part the words a writer choses, but it’s more than that. Voice is the way a writer puts words together and offers them to readers. Here are some ways to ensure that your voice comes through when you write..

A message has much more meaning when the voice telling it has these qualities.

The folks I read most are those whose voice draws me in and keeps me. Their voice becomes where I can place my thoughts while I read.

There’s only one you. Go ahead use your voice. Your writing voice is the sound of your brand. It’s a powerful tool for connecting with readers. The sound of your voice sticks your words in their heads. It’s intangible blog business branding.

How do you know when your voice is coming through?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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Filed under Branding, Marketing /Sales / Social Media, Productivity, Successful Blog, Writing | 13 Comments »


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13 Comments to “6+1: Writing Voice the Sound of Your Brand”

  1. June 19th, 2006 at 11:42 am
    shirley buxton said

    Good morning, Liz. Thank you for this essay on Voice–I’ll take notice of every point. I find your writing helpful and fun to read.

    blessings,

    shirley

  2. June 19th, 2006 at 12:10 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Good morning, Shirley.
    I’m always delighted to see you drop by.
    Did you ever post the answer to question 2? I don’t want to miss giving you the link.

    I’m delighted you like what I do with writing here, especially that you find it fun. If you’re not having fun. We’re both not doing something right. That’s how I look at most things. :)

  3. June 19th, 2006 at 1:44 pm
    Tim said

    I can always tell when my personal ‘writer’s voice’ is coming out because I don’t have to think about what I’m writing. It all flows out with my thoughts and thats where wmy W-V originates. If you’re trying to hard, you’re not using your voice.

  4. June 19th, 2006 at 3:11 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Tim,
    Yeah, that would seem to be a really good sign. If you know your topic really well and you feel yourself comfortably talking about it. That sure sets you up to be in the writing in your own voice without “over-thinking.” That’s insightful how you say that. :)

  5. June 19th, 2006 at 3:36 pm
    ann michael said

    On the opposite side, you can always tell when your voice isn’t coming through. Ever read something you’re working on and it just doesn’t sound right? The words are all there – the concept is there – but it’s just not working! When I have things like that I throw them in the unpublished file and come back to them later. I often find that I didn’t agree with my point to begin with or that something was missing – those posts often end up going in a completely different direction.

  6. June 19th, 2006 at 3:41 pm
    ME Strauss said

    What a great point, Ann.
    Yeah I’ve done that. Putting it aside is a great way to deal with it.

    Sometimes I don’t know when I’m too tired to write.
    Or as you said,I’ve also had times when I don’t agree with what I’m saying, but don’t realize it.

    Both times I’m just pounding out keys.

    THAT’s when I think that people misunderstand my meaning or hear me as being “meaner” than I mean to be.
    After all i am the nice one. :)

  7. June 19th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
    shirley buxton said

    Yes, Liz. I did post the answer, although I’m thinking it was question 7–not sure and don’t know where that post is. The question was: What word made you scribble on your screen with crayons. I posted the answer as the 8th comment on my post: Finch Feeding on Sock.

    I have been groveling in self-pity because you seemed not to have taken notice of my perfect answer…but I suppose I will be over it now, since you have spoken to me…and it’s such work to grovel.

    My post on 100 Bloggers (don’t know how to do html in a comment) will make you smile…and cause you to congratulate me. :)

  8. June 19th, 2006 at 4:26 pm
    shirley buxton said

    You probably need this address in order to rush right over there: http://100bloggers.com

  9. June 19th, 2006 at 4:40 pm
    ME Strauss said

    AHHHH Shirley, You put the answer in YOUR comments. That\’s why I didn\’t see it.

    I was looking in MY comments and not in yours. There you go. That explains what happened. You indeed will get your link. I am so glad I asked about it.

  10. June 20th, 2006 at 7:36 am
    Christine Kane said

    I love the idea of “the sound of your brand.” It allows for the truth behind good branding…which comes out of authenticity more than “thinking something up.” I’m a songwriter, and so I’m constantly challenging myself to find new ways of doing things within my own voice. (And I deal with lots of music biz people who are very into the branding thing.) I really love your blog, by the way. I’m one of your quiet readers in the background!

  11. June 20th, 2006 at 7:42 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Christine,
    Welcome! I often write with music and always with my headphones on.

    Your comment is insightful on so many levels . . . the sound of authenticity is a musician and a writers idea. I often talk about the “music” of the language. I guess that’s the place where the two meet.

    Thank you for your nice words, too. Believe me. They mean so very much. You’re not a quiet stranger anymore. Now you’re a friend and a contributor — quiet again or not so. :)

  12. March 16th, 2008 at 5:36 am
    .: Designers who Blog: Design, Illustration, Photography, Web, Advertising, Branding … » Blog Archive » Learn to Write: Part 5: Online Writing Tips: Individual articles said

    [...] Successful Blog: A Writers Voice [...]

  13. June 28th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
    Personal Branding online, build a brand, writers voice said

    [...] related to the concept of an author’s ‘voice’. Once you know what the brand is, you know what sort of ‘voice’ you need to develop in your [...]

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