Brand Voice Prompt: Define a Consistent Tone

This brand voice prompt builds a tone-of-voice guide with personality traits, vocabulary rules, and examples. Fill in brand details, paste into AI.

The prompt

Role:
Act as a brand strategist specializing in verbal identity for consumer brands.

Context:
The brand is [BRAND_NAME] in the [INDUSTRY] industry, serving [TARGET_AUDIENCE]. Core values: [BRAND_VALUES]. Sample of current copy: [EXAMPLE_COPY]. A competitor tone to differentiate from: [COMPETITOR_TONE].

Task:
1. Define 3-4 voice personality traits (e.g., confident but never arrogant), each with a one-line explanation.
2. Build a vocabulary list: 10 words or phrases to use, 10 to avoid, each with a one-line reason.
3. Write 3 do/don't pairs: rewrite a bland sentence in the brand voice, then show the off-brand version.
4. Draft a 5-rule quick-reference card a copywriter can pin above a desk.
5. Show how the voice flexes across 3 contexts: website hero, support reply, social post.

Format:
- Voice traits (trait: explanation)
- Use / Avoid word lists
- Do / Don't examples (3 pairs)
- Quick-reference card (5 rules)
- Voice flex examples (3 contexts)

Constraints:
- Traits must be specific enough to settle real disagreements; vague traits like "friendly" are rejected.
- Every don't example must violate exactly one stated rule.
- The full guide must stay under 400 words.

Variables to fill in

Replace each [variable] in the prompt with your own details:

[BRAND_NAME] [INDUSTRY] [TARGET_AUDIENCE] [BRAND_VALUES] [EXAMPLE_COPY] [COMPETITOR_TONE]

Example input

BRAND_NAME: NorthPeak; INDUSTRY: outdoor gear; TARGET_AUDIENCE: weekend hikers aged 25-40; BRAND_VALUES: durability, honesty, adventure; EXAMPLE_COPY: Our jackets keep you dry. Guaranteed.; COMPETITOR_TONE: extreme, adrenaline-heavy

How to use this prompt

Copy the prompt. Fill in brand details and one real copy sample. Paste into any AI tool, then share the resulting guide with every writer and agency.

Tips for the best results

Tip: Paste the finished guide into future prompts as context for perfectly on-brand output.
Tip: Revisit the avoid-list quarterly — brand voice drifts as teams grow.
Tip: Test the guide by rewriting one old email; if nothing changes, the traits are too vague.