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Finding Your Organization's Authentic Voice

Right now we are wrapping up a brand strategy project. As part of the research, we did a competitive audit, comparing competitors' websites to our client's.

Can you tell these apart?

Here's some samples of copy we found on competitors' home pages:

Agency A
As one of the nation's largest uniformed guard service providers, we attribute our success to continually investing in security program design and support, offering above-average security officer wages, providing superior background screening, training and supervision, and the most responsive customer service in the industry.

Agency B
Our customers tell us that it's our quality-based, results-oriented approach that continues to set Agency B apart from the competition. What's at the core of our success? It's a blend of quality people, industry-leading training, and dedication to customer service–all of which are supported and facilitated by state-of-the-art technology, as well as a national and local management presence.

Agency C
The experienced security professionals at Agency C know that your peace of mind is priceless. Our hands-on approach and attention to detail is second to none. Since we are locally based, we are able to provide the personalized service our clients have come to expect.

The problem

Can you tell them apart? I can't. But not only are they saying similar things -- but they are saying these things in the same way, the same voice.

The voice that you hear when you read these excerpts are bureaucratic, stilted and detached. They don't sound like a real person is writing to you.

Finding your voice

Branding is how your audience feels about you -- so if your communications sound like these samples, you are missing an opportunity to connect with your audience. And if what you have to say is like everyone else in your sector, your audience won't remember who you are.

The rewrite

We've rewritten one of the samples with an authentic voice:
Protection and peace of mind. That's what you get when you partner with Agency C. Local, empowered management delivers the personal service you need, when you need it—courtesy of our 24-hour call center. Find out why we have a client retention rate that exceeds 95%. (Hint: It starts with our screening and selection systems, which surpass state requirements.)

Better? I think so.

The Authentic Voice is:
• Motivating and passionate
• Personal -- engages the reader directly
• Is about the audience

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FACT OF THE MONTH
Chocolate syrup was used for blood in the famous 45 second shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock's movie, Psycho, which actually took 7 days to shoot.

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LevinsonBlock News
We are starting an annual report for our new client PSCH, a growing regional human services agency based in Queens.

White paper shows how content marketing can build your brand
Drop us an email here, and we'll send you our new white paper on how to build trust and use social media to engage your audience.

About LevinsonBlock
WHO WE ARE: LevinsonBlock LLC is marketing and design firm that has specialized in healthcare, businesses and non profits for over 20 years. We make complex messages simple and simple messages stronger. Visit us here.
WHAT WE DO: brand strategy and branding; persuasive content; print (such as annual reports, event promotion, periodicals); and usability-focused websites. If you have marketing questions or a topic you would like us to address in a future issue, email us here!
 

Thanks for reading!
Peter
LevinsonBlock LLC
718 438-2563
peterl@levinsonblock.com
www.levinsonblock.com
Vist us on LinkedIn
Fact of the Month courtesy Paul Michael Neuman; www.froggypumpkin.com

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