Brand Voice vs. Brand Image - Why the Differences are Important
There's a definitive distinction between your brand voice and your brand image. For many small businesses and nonprofits, these lines can become blurred. However, it is vital to the growth of your brand that you have clarity in each of these areas. Brand image and brand voice are often viewed as one in the same, and this mistake can stunt the growth of your brand.
Brand Image
Your brand image is what your target audience sees when they view your brand. These are all of the things that make up your image like brand colors, logos, etc. It is easy to confuse brand image with your brand voice because they are both representatives of how your brand communicates with your target audience.
Brand Voice
Brand voice, however, is how you communicate your brand message to your target audience. It's the way you interact and engage with your audience. We define brand voice through copy, business cards, letterhead, and so much more. Ultimately, your brand voice should be able to communicate WHO your brand is without even seeing your brand name. A successfully defined brand voice will be able to deliver your message across various platforms.
Communicating your brand messaging is vital to a successful social media marketing strategy. Without a precise definition of what your brand voice is your target audience will end up confused on the messaging that you are attempting to communicate with them online. Cultivating a successful brand voice requires that you are consistent across all platforms and clear on what your brand does and does not represent. The voice should flow through all marketing strategies and connect directly back to the core values and mission of the brand. This flow is especially crucial for Nonprofits because they are often, if not always, mission-driven.
Without a consistent brand voice, your nonprofit or small business will struggle to obtain results and reach your social media marketing goals. Your brand voice makes up much up your brand personality as does your brand image. However, brand voice reaches beyond visuals and is connected mostly to content. Having clarity on your brand voice will aid in curating and creating content across platforms that remains consistent to who your brand is and what it represents.
