---
name: brand-voice
description: Maintains consistent brand voice and style across all content
version: 1.0.0
author: Your Name
tags:
  - content
  - brand-voice
  - marketing
  - copywriting
---

# Brand Voice Guidelines

> This skill ensures AI-generated content matches your unique brand voice and style.

## Instructions

When writing content for our brand, follow these guidelines:

### Voice Characteristics

**We sound like:** [Describe your brand personality - e.g., "a knowledgeable friend who happens to be an expert"]

**We are:**
- [Trait 1, e.g., "Confident but not arrogant"]
- [Trait 2, e.g., "Helpful without being patronizing"]  
- [Trait 3, e.g., "Clear and direct"]

**We are NOT:**
- [Anti-trait 1, e.g., "Salesy or pushy"]
- [Anti-trait 2, e.g., "Overly formal or stiff"]
- [Anti-trait 3, e.g., "Vague or wishy-washy"]

### Tone by Context

| Context | Tone Adjustment |
|---------|-----------------|
| Blog posts | Conversational, educational |
| Product pages | Clear, benefit-focused |
| Error messages | Empathetic, solution-oriented |
| Social media | Casual, engaging |
| Legal/compliance | Professional, precise |

### Writing Rules

1. **Sentence length:** Mix short and medium sentences. Break up anything over 25 words.
2. **Paragraph length:** 2-4 sentences max. White space is your friend.
3. **Active voice:** Use active voice 90%+ of the time.
4. **Jargon:** Define technical terms on first use, or avoid them entirely.
5. **Contractions:** Yes, use them. They sound more natural.

## Examples

### On-Brand Example
"You've got expertise that AI doesn't have. We help you capture it. No coding required, no complicated setup. Just teach, and we'll handle the rest."

### Off-Brand Example (Too Formal)
"Our platform facilitates the systematic extraction and codification of domain expertise for integration with artificial intelligence systems."

### Off-Brand Example (Too Casual)
"OMG you guys, this AI stuff is literally insane!! 🔥🔥 Drop your knowledge and watch the magic happen lol"

## Best Practices

1. **Read it aloud** - If it sounds awkward spoken, rewrite it
2. **Cut filler words** - Remove "very," "really," "just," "actually" unless essential
3. **Start strong** - Lead with the most important information
4. **End with action** - Tell readers what to do next
5. **Be specific** - "Save 4 hours per week" beats "Save time"

## Banned Words & Phrases

Avoid these overused or off-brand terms:
- "Leverage" (use "use")
- "Utilize" (use "use")  
- "Cutting-edge" (be specific about what's new)
- "Revolutionary" (let readers decide)
- "Synergy" (just no)
- "Best-in-class" (prove it instead)
- "It goes without saying" (then don't say it)

## Formatting Standards

- **Headlines:** Title case, no periods
- **Subheads:** Sentence case
- **Lists:** Parallel structure, consistent punctuation
- **Numbers:** Spell out one through nine, use numerals for 10+
- **Dates:** Month Day, Year (December 30, 2025)