3 Tips for Polishing Your Writing Voice to Improve Your Website

When it comes to writing website copy, most people find it a challenge. Well, usually not just a challenge….more like something that results in someone (you) storming away from the computer, infuriated at the impossibility of the task, convinced it’s something you simply can’t do, and ultimately causing you to create a boring “about” page, dull product descriptions, and a snore-worthy blog.

The problem with ignoring this issue is that, though you may not realize it, the copy on your website is just as important as the visuals you use to communicate who you are as a brand.

It doesn’t have to be this way.  The real issue here is that you haven’t polished your “voice”.  Notice I didn’t say “found your voice”.  That’s because you have it, you’ve never lost it, there’s nothing to be found. You just need to learn how to take that voice in your person and put it on the paper.

3 Tips for Polishing Your Writing Voice to Improve Your Website Copy

Be Observant

Keep a notebook or journal of words and phrases that make you smile; verbs that have oomph, funny phrases, and clever language that you use on a daily basis.  You’re probably not paying attention to this normally because, it’s just who you are.  And that’s the whole point.  After doing this for a little while, you start to see your personality presenting itself on the paper.  It’s this personality that you want to display in your website copy. Why? Because people buy from people.

Be Honest

When you are ready to start writing all the different components of your website or when you sit down to pen your blogging masterpiece, do this first: write everything exactly how you want to say it, no holding back. Write as if you we’re talking to your best friend, use all your normal sarcasm or funny little quips, drop the f-bombs if that’s who you are, whatever.

Then, go back and edit without losing the personality. Really, your editing will be mostly about making sure what you wrote makes sense (oh, and probably toning down those f-bombs).  Because sometimes when we’re talking to our best friends, there are automatic assumptions made about what they do and don’t know about you and your brand. Make sure your message is clear but don’t remove the flavor you’ve added.

Be Real

When it comes to this personality “flavor”, just go for it! Go nuts! Don’t be afraid to let your sense of humor really surface and your passion for life and work to bubble up.  Allow yourself to reveal your imperfections, put your quirks on full display because nobody’s perfect and everybody appreciates those who can admit it.

Challenge:

The inspiration for this article came from my realization that I too, need to get on the ball with this.  I’m spending the next couple of weeks re-writing the copy on the site, thinking about how I approach blogging, and getting serious about bringing my (and therefore StartUp FASHION’s) voice to “paper”. Who else is up for the challenge?