Same same, but different.
In the fiercely competitive landscape where brands often offer similar products or services, a distinctive brand voice becomes a potent weapon for differentiation. It’s the beacon that guides consumers through the sea of sameness, helping brands stand out amidst the clutter.
Just like you get a sense of a brand through the way it looks, you can also understand a brand through the way it speaks. Take Nike for example, Nike utilises its brand voice to communicate its essence: empowerment, determination, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Through powerful slogans like “Just Do It,” Nike transcends mere sportswear and becomes a beacon of inspiration for athletes worldwide. Imagine for a minute if Nike focused on product features instead. Would Nike still be known as a powerful, bold innovator?
A distinctive brand voice also serves as the glue that binds all levels of communication together. Car advertising, for instance, is notorious for exhibiting divergent brand voices. At the brand level, companies may emphasize luxury, performance, or reliability, crafting aspirational narratives to captivate consumers. However, at the retail level, the focus often shifts to price promotions and sales pitches, creating a jarring disconnect in the brand experience. Contrastingly, brands like Oatly have mastered the art of maintaining a consistent brand voice across various types of advertising and multiple mediums. Whether it’s a witty billboard, an engaging social media post, or a heartfelt TV commercial, Oatly’s brand voice remains unmistakably authentic, quirky, and irreverent. This consistency cultivates trust and familiarity with consumers, reinforcing the brand’s identity and values across diverse touchpoints.
Moreover, a compelling brand voice can transform mundane products into coveted experiences. Take Dollar Shave Club, for example. In a market saturated with razor options, Dollar Shave Club’s irreverent and humorous brand voice disrupts the status quo, resonating with consumers tired of traditional grooming advertisements.
In brief, voice is how we speak. Messaging is what we say. Brand voice is how we say what we say.
A distinctive brand voice is not just a marketing tactic; it’s a strategic imperative for brands looking to cut through the noise and capture consumer attention. By infusing personality, authenticity, and emotion into their messaging, brands can create meaningful connections with consumers, fostering loyalty and driving growth in an increasingly competitive landscape.