Many businesses start blogs without a real plan. After all, it's easy to do and you just need to start writing. But actually, there's some serious planning involved and one of the major decisions to make is the voice of your blog. A good blog needs a clear and consistent voice that is communicated on every page. Consistency helps you create a brand and this is what builds trust with your customers.

 

The Elements of a Blog Voice

What does 'blog voice' mean? It sounds simple but it's made up of a number of different elements including personality, beliefs, tone, style, and type of content. Some questions to ask include:

• Is your blog going to be strictly factual or opinionated?
• What values will it speak to?
• Is the tone going to be casual and friendly or more professional?
• Are you going to focus on recent news items, write reviews or offer how-to information?

Personality is an especially important consideration because your blog can't be dull and formal. The human aspect has to come through. It needs to be engaging and speak to emotions as well as simply giving the reader information.

 

Your Ideal Reader

The best way to determine all the elements of your voice is to picture your perfect reader. Who do you expect to become a fan of your blog? If you can imagine this person clearly, you can write posts to them that resonate perfectly. It may take a bit of market research. Find out which demographics are important parts of your niche. Find out what they like and dislike. Learn about how they feel, what they want out of life, and how they see themselves. Some people even draw a physical picture of their ideal reader and look at it whenever they write!

 

Your Blog's Image

Now that you've got a clear image of your blog reader in mind, the next step is to create an image for your blog that appeals to them. Consider not only your reader but also your business's unique selling proposition. The key question to ask yourself here is – 'How is my blog different than other similar blogs in my industry?'

The answer to this question lies in the specific niche you choose for your blog. One of the biggest mistakes bloggers make is trying to be everything to everyone. The truth is that no niche is too specific (unless it’s a market of one person). You need to carve out a unique place for yourself in the blogosphere that will set your blog apart.

 

Finding Your Voice

Finding a voice for your writing is something all writers must do. If you're going to blog, you've got to consider yourself a writer, even if you don't have the training, experience or writing chops. Take some time to read different blogs to see how the voice differs. Some write in a very personal style, some are humorous or slightly outrageous, some write posts that are short and to the point. Find your own way of writing that you enjoy and that resonates with your readers.