In branding, the saying holds true: “You are what you say you are.” Your brand voice is the heartbeat of your identity—it tells the world who you are, who you serve, and what you stand for. But here’s the secret: not every founder starts with a perfectly polished voice.

Finding or refining your brand voice is a journey of discovery and growth. As your brand evolves, your voice may change too—and that’s okay. What matters most is crafting a voice that resonates authentically with your audience and reflects your brand’s purpose.

Here’s a practical guide, with actionable steps and inspiration from CentreStage’s journey, to help you discover and refine your brand voice:

1. Know Your Target Audience

Your brand’s voice exists to connect. But connection starts with understanding. Ask yourself:

• Who are we talking to?
• What motivates them?
• What kind of language resonates with them?

For example, if your audience craves inspiration, your tone should uplift. If they value expertise, your voice should sound confident and reliable. Craft your messaging to reflect their aspirations, struggles, and values.

Action Step:

Write a mini-profile of your ideal customer, including their preferences, struggles, and values. Tailor your tone to meet their needs.

2. Understand Your Brand Inside-Out

Your brand’s voice should echo its core strengths and purpose. What makes your brand unique? How do these qualities serve your audience?

For CentreStage, finding its voice meant identifying the intersection between creativity and strategy. The result? A tone that’s both innovative and grounded, helping clients achieve their goals without compromising originality.

Action Step:

Write down 3-5 qualities that make your brand special. Use them as a compass for shaping your brand’s voice.

3. Define Your Vision, Mission, and Values

Your brand voice should consistently align with your vision, mission, and values. These elements act as your brand’s compass, keeping your messaging grounded and intentional.

For example, CentreStage’s mission to empower individuals and organizations to tell compelling stories influences its tone—encouraging, supportive, and insightful.

Action Step:

Write or revisit your vision, mission, and core values. Then evaluate if your current messaging reflects them.

4. Practice Brand Journaling

Brand journaling is an invaluable tool for documenting your brand’s growth. Use it to track pivotal moments, client feedback, and stories that embody your brand values. These reflections can shape your voice by grounding it in authenticity.

Example from CentreStage:

Journaling about a key client success story revealed the brand’s voice as a “trusted mentor”—one that balances creativity with practical solutions.

Action Step:

Start a brand journal. Document wins, challenges, and moments of alignment with your brand’s mission. Look for patterns that define your voice.

5. Identify Key Descriptors

To ensure consistency in tone and personality, choose 3-5 adjectives that describe your brand. For instance, CentreStage’s descriptors include “approachable,” “creative,” and “strategic.”

Action Step:

Brainstorm words that reflect your brand’s personality. Ask team members for input and narrow down to 3-5 that feel authentic.

The CentreStage Story:

CentreStage’s brand voice journey wasn’t instant—it emerged through self-reflection, customer insights, and journaling pivotal moments. By identifying its desire to blend creativity and strategy, CentreStage cultivated a tone that’s equal parts innovative and approachable, positioning it as a leader in storytelling and reputation management.

Final Thought:

Finding your brand voice is a process—one that requires intentionality, awareness, and patience. Your voice evolves as your brand grows, but staying rooted in purpose ensures it always resonates.

Ready to refine your brand voice? Follow us for more practical branding insights, or join our upcoming workshop where we’ll guide you through crafting a voice that’s uniquely yours. Because your brand deserves to be heard, authentically and powerfully.