When I first started writing in the corporate world, I left no noun un-modified, no adjective unturned. My supervisor had to tell me to make my copy a little less…flowery. Of course, I was offended. I was 22 and I wanted to make the press release about the latest innovation in paper toweling sound like “me.”
I was, I thought, cultivating my “voice.”
The fact of the matter is, I don’t overuse adjectives in my everyday speech. So my attempts to sound like “me” were somewhat misguided.
Finding your voice — your unique writing style — in business is important, especially because you want to establish an authentic relationship with your audience.
So, how do you find your voice?
Here are 6 tips for authentic writing:
- Write the way you talk. Seriously. Don’t over-think it. Don’t edit yourself. Just let it flow.
- Tell a personal story. The juicier the better. Be vulnerable.
- Invite your reader into your vision. Write a paragraph that starts with “picture this…”
- Ask people what you sound like and take some notes on what they say
- Write directly to the one person you imagine as your ideal audience member
- Pay attention to how easily the writing is coming. If it’s like pulling teeth, you’re trying too hard and it probably isn’t going to sound like you
Which one will you try first? Do you have any tricks for authentic writing to share? Want to call out anyone whose writing style you particularly like? Let me know in the comments below.
