When I was a kid, I loved reading books on creative writing. And there were a few things those books always covered. Stuff like: Show don’t tell. Character development. Story arc and plot structure. And how to find your unique writing voice.
Which is what this post is all about.
If you’re not used to writing, you might seize up when faced with a blank page. And when that happens, it’s tempting to turn to someone else’s writing and try to sound like them. Or, worse, fob the job off onto AI.
Instead, with a little bit of practice and these basic guidelines, you’ll be able to find your own blogging voice. This is important because it’s the writing style you’ll use to connect with clients. They should be able to recognize your blog posts, social media posts, website copy, and emails as all having the same basic feel, even when you’re writing about different topics. Your voice is part of your brand, so it’s worth learning how to find it and use it comfortably.
To do that, there are a few things you’ll want to determine.
First things first.
Who’s Doing the Talking?
Me or we?
First person singular means you’re writing with pronouns like I, me, and my. This can be a good choice for solopreneurs or business owners who want people to associate one specific face with their brand. First person singular often feels a little more casual and personal. This doesn’t mean you can’t go for a very professional tone while using first person. You definitely can, but your writing will also carry a kind of “it’s just you and me sitting down for a chat” kind of feel.
First person plural means you’re using pronouns that imply a group: we, us, our. If you’re writing for a team or larger business (or just want to convey that impression), then first person plural can be the way to go. Plural often conveys a greater sense of authority than singular. It’s like you’re saying, “Multiple great minds are in agreement on this.”
And of course, if you’re just dying to channel your inner Queen Victoria with the royal we, first person plural is your answer.
That’s the nitty-gritty stuff. You want to choose singular or plural and then stick with it to keep your brand consistent and stop clients from getting confused. More important than the technical stuff though, is your personal style. To find that, you’ll want to consider:
Your Natural Voice
How do you actually talk to people? If you’re not sure, ask a friend or family member to help you out. (We’re often more attuned to other people’s speaking styles than our own.)
Another way to figure this out is to think about what people come to you for. Are you the friend they seek out when they need a laugh? When life is falling apart and they need to hear that it’s all going to be okay? When they need some honest advice? This can clue you in to your natural voice.
Even if you want to convey a bit of a different impression with your professional voice than you do with your natural voice, you still want to take your natural voice into account. Especially if you’re in a profession where you meet with people personally (or even over the phone). This is because you want to be seen as genuine. If you use a bunch of Southernisms in your writing and then people meet you and find out you’re really from California, complete with valley girl accent…it’s going to come as a bit of a shock, and maybe even shake their trust in you.
So, take your natural voice into account and don’t shy away from infusing your writing with those highbrow professorial words, that warm maternal tone, or that generous peppering of wry humor. Whatever makes it sound like you.
Your Ideal Client
You’ve taken your own personality into account. Now, what about the personality of the person you’re speaking to? Who is that ideal client you’re trying to attract?
Most of us moderate our speaking style a bit depending on who we’re talking to. This doesn’t mean we’re no longer speaking in our own voice. It just means we have a few flavors to our voice that we can switch between for different situations. Which flavor is right for your blog?
Think about the kind of person you’re hoping to serve with your business. What writing style would really speak to them? Are they looking for no-nonsense, down to earth advice? A sense of reassurance as they navigate a tricky situation?
You can definitely mix styles a bit. There’s nothing that says you can’t be both no-nonsense and reassuring. You simply want to think about your ideal client, identify their pain points, and use a writing style that will help them feel like you are a part of their tribe.
Your Blog Space
An easy way to kind of blend all this advice together is to think about your blog as a physical space that you get to welcome people into. You’re welcoming them into your home on the web. What do you want them to feel when they step into that space?
This is one of the best things about a blog. Social media has its place, but when you use it you’re doing a lot of competing with other businesses and dealing with the ever-shifting algorithms of Facebook and Instagram. Let’s face it, scrolling through posts on social media is a lot like window shopping from a moving train. It’s fast and furious, and unless you have something that can bring people to a screeching halt, you’re really just trying to wave at them from the screen and remind them of your existence.
Your blog, on the other hand, is all you. It’s your space. Your shop, if you will. And when people come in, you want them to be glad they stopped. So, again, what do you want them to feel?
If you had a physical space, what would you want it to look like?
Lots of natural light and greenery? This kind of atmosphere could convey a sense of being soothed and reassured. So maybe you go for a warm, laidback tone on your blog.
Maybe your idea of the perfect office includes sleek, ergonomic furniture in white and chrome, with a few modern art sculptures. This environment conveys high-end professionalism and a sense of having THE answer for everything. If that’s the right office space for you and your clients, then an authoritative or even technical style might be a great choice for your blog.
Think about creating a blogspace that will convey how you help people and how they’ll feel when they come to you, and choose your blogging voice accordingly.
I’ve Lost My Voice and I Can’t Blog Now
Developing your blogging voice takes time and practice. And so does rediscovering it if you’ve been out of the blogging scene for a while. If you’re struggling, be patient with yourself and know that it’s completely normal. Try one of these strategies:
Spend Some Time Reading
Books, blogs, essays, it doesn’t really matter. Just give yourself some exposure to written language and draw inspiration from the writing styles of others. If you want to, you can even make notes of what you like or don’t like and use this to guide you towards a writing style that resonates with you.
Write a Few Blog Posts for Your Eyes Only
Sometimes just taking the pressure off yourself to create something read-worthy allows you to open up and let the words flow more easily. Just practice the art of writing without feeling like you have to share it with anyone.
Talk It Out
If you’re someone for whom talking feels easier than writing, sit down and do an audio recording of what you’d like to include in your next blog post. Once you type this up, you’ll have a road map of where you’re going. All you really have to do is edit.
Outsource Your Blog
If you find that you just really don’t enjoy blogging or don’t have the time for it, get someone else to do it for you. I love writing and I also know the value of having a unique blogging voice, which is why I spend time exploring your website and social media posts to get a feel for how you write—and then recreate it in the customized blog posts I write for you. If you need help writing or editing your posts, just ask!
