Hey friend,
I’ve been hearing this question a lot. So it’s time to offer actionable support.
Question:
I’m launching a new online subscription based service and want to start the whole thing with a new type of language to its subscribers. My question is, is there a tone I would try to find myself or get help finding the language I’m looking for? How do I find my tone?
Answer:
You already have your style and tone, now write it and publish it already.
I’d love to tell you to go find your style by taking a walkabout in the Australian Outback by yourself…
… or venture off to Mexico and take some Péyoté with a Shaman to reveal your spirit animal and online voice. (I’m sure they add that feature now right?)
Better yet, you can do what i did… take a vow of silence for 30 days. Did that in Pittsburgh and found my voice in the first week (though I did have to wait 21 more days to use).
All those ideas are fun (to me) and will inevitably lead you to your voice, but the lesson is underwhelming.
You don’t find your style and tone, it’s already inside you.
In my email branding work, my clients have this same challenge, and they don’t even know I’m pulling out their style and tone on our first call.
What’s my covert secret?
All I do is listen.
Writing is about listening skills and how well you observe your feelings as you experience the world around you.
As a leader, you need to listen to your own, uninhibited voice. It’s the only voice that matters since you’re the expert on your topic.
Listen to the voice you have when you’re working with the people you serve.
Focus on the moments that resonate with your audience the most. Sessions that give birth to “Aha!” moments and real action on their part.
What do you say in private emails, in person, on a consult, during a call or Skype sessions.
The words you say, expressions you choose, and how you say it, are your language. That’s your inimitable style, and your unique tone.
That’s the voice that moves people, so it’s the voice you need to study and put in your marketing.
How do you capture it so you start writing it in daily emails?
You talk…
… and record.
Record yourself talking about your reader and why you care for him or her so much. Discuss a specific thing you want to teach that reader, and why it’ll be empowering.
Save that recording.
Play it back. You can also have it transcribed, and it’ll be written for you.
Listen to (or read) what you said.
You’re now seeing your style and tone take shape.
Practice these exercises to see for yourself.
What you find you may not like, but it doesn’t change the fact that your voice was with you all the time, and that you have all the style people will enjoy.
Or… you can take a vow of silence with me for 30 days haha.
Clients will hate you for it, but your work will improve 100x (no exaggeration).
Be well,
Max!
P.S. What are you up to next Tuesday friend?
I’m hosting Strategy Sessions all day to help coaches, authors and experts tackle marketing challenges like this in 60 minutes or less.
Only 10 spots available. First come, first serve.
When you’re ready to see real transformation in record time, and have the solid game plan that produces results in days not weeks, sign up to earn more.
Talk with you Tuesday!