Write your copy in a tone that resonates with your audience

Yes, I wrote my entire website in the first person with a conversational tone. Contrary to popular belief, tone does not correlate to correctness. Remember how most of us wrote essays in school? Conversational web copy isn’t any less correct than those if it aligns with your brand.

Why I like to start a conversation.

I want you to feel like we are chatting over coffee when you read my copy.

I chose to be conversational to be closer with you! My ideal audience. My online community. I feel like I’m talking to friends. I like to write the way I speak. I also like to keep sentences quick and snappy, while informative.

I believe it is possible to balance personality and professionalism. At the same time, I hope you never find a spelling or grammatical error anywhere in my corner of the web.

Write for your people.

Your people; your tribe; your target audience; your ideal customer. If your ideal customer appreciates a more refined tone, write your website copy to appeal to that need. If your ideal customer appreciates a well-timed F-bomb, go ahead and include a few in your copy! The tone of your copy should be relative to your business, your brand, yourself, and your people.

The hard fact to swallow is that not everyone is your target audience. Some people won’t like you or the words you write. That’s okay, though. That just means you aren’t writing for them.

Prioritize clarity.

Regardless of the tone you choose for your website, always prioritize clarity. For some, conversational styles ensure clarity. For others, the detail of an essay does the same. Remember: Clarity extends from the root of your message, through to the choice of individual words.

As always, if you’re feeling flustered, leave your questions in the comments below!