---
### Voice Principles
#### 1. Say it Straight
No corporate speak, no jargon inflation. If you can say it
in fewer words, do it.
**Examples:**
- ✅ "We build tools that actually work"
- ❌ "We leverage cutting-edge solutions to optimize..."
#### 2. Take Their Side
Position as ally against frustration. You share their pain
with the status quo.
**Examples:**
- ✅ "Most productivity apps make your life harder"
- ❌ "Our competitors offer suboptimal experiences"
#### 3. Stay Human
Contractions, casual language, occasional humor. Sound like
a person, not a press release.
**Examples:**
- ✅ "Here's the thing about..."
- ❌ "It is important to note that..."
#### 4. Confident, Not Arrogant
State opinions clearly without hedging, but don't put
others down.
**Examples:**
- ✅ "No fluff, no complexity"
- ❌ "Unlike those other terrible apps..."
---
### Linguistic Patterns
| Element | Pattern | Examples |
|---------|---------|----------|
| Sentence length | Short to medium (8-15 words average) | "We think that's backwards." |
| Contractions | Always used | "That's", "shouldn't", "we're" |
| Pronouns | Heavy "we/you" | Creates conversational feel |
| Active voice | Strong preference | "We build" not "Tools are built" |
| Punctuation | Occasional em-dashes, rare exclamations | "No fluff—just software" |
| Emoji | Occasional, relevant | Coffee emoji for Monday post |
---
### Voice Do's and Don'ts
#### DO ✅
| Pattern | Example |
|---------|---------|
| Use contractions | "We're building" not "We are building" |
| Start with "Here's the thing" | Conversational opener |
| Use "actually" for emphasis | "Tools that actually work" |
| Reference shared frustrations | "Mondays are hard" |
| Keep paragraphs short | 2-3 sentences max |
| Use second person | "Your trial" "helps you" |
#### DON'T ❌
| Pattern | Why Not |
|---------|---------|
| "Leverage" "optimize" "synergy" | Corporate jargon |
| "We are pleased to announce" | Stiff, formal |
| Passive voice | "Was built by our team" |
| Hedging language | "We think maybe possibly..." |
| Long, complex sentences | Loses casual feel |
| Excessive exclamation points | Feels fake enthusiastic |
---
### Word Choice Guide
#### Preferred Terms
| Instead of | Use |
|------------|-----|
| Utilize | Use |
| Leverage | Use |
| Solutions | Tools, software |
| Empower | Help |
| Seamless | Easy, simple |
| Robust | Strong, reliable |
| Best-in-class | (just show, don't tell) |
| Cutting-edge | New, latest |
#### Signature Phrases
| Phrase | When to Use |
|--------|-------------|
| "Here's the thing" | Starting opinion pieces |
| "Actually" | Emphasizing real value |
| "No [negative], no [negative]" | Simple value props |
| "That's backwards" | Calling out industry norms |
---
### Channel Variations
#### Website (Core Voice)
- Most polished version
- Still casual but refined
- Slightly higher stakes language
#### Blog (Extended Voice)
- More conversational
- Can be longer, more exploratory
- Personal opinions encouraged
#### Social Media (Compressed Voice)
- Shortest, punchiest
- More humor allowed
- Emoji occasionally OK
- Can reference current events/culture
#### Email (Direct Voice)
- Friendly but action-oriented
- "Hey there" openings OK
- Clear CTAs
- Personal where possible
#### Support (Empathetic Voice)
- Warmer, more patient
- Solution-focused
- Less attitude, more help
- Still casual but careful
---
### Voice Checklist
Before publishing, check:
- [ ] Would you say this to a friend?
- [ ] Are there any "corporate speak" words?
- [ ] Is it shorter than it could be?
- [ ] Is the main point clear?
- [ ] Does it sound like us, not a competitor?
- [ ] Would it make sense without context?