Finding your authentic {brand} voice, even after years of rejection sensitivity and people pleasing (Sensitive Biz part 3 of 3)
Post writing, content creation, copywriting...use this guide to help you find your voice (literally and figuratively) đ HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR YOUR BUSINESS, PART THREE
Make sure to check out my first post and second post in the đ HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR YOUR BUSINESS series if you havenât yet:
Communicating clearly and authentically definitely isnât always easy.
Creativity blocks, procrastination, fear of being seen, freezing when you want to be more visible, and miscommunications galore⌠It can be a lot to hold and manage.
As a trained copywriter and nervous system specialist, I hope this guide can help you find your voice (literally and figuratively) so that your words resonate especially for those who truly need to hear them.
Anddd as a people pleaser and perfectionist, I hope this can also help you feel a little less alone if you also feel like you struggle to find your own authentic voice like I sometimes do.
So, hereâs a peak into my holistic, embodied process to help you discover your authentic brand voice.
This is a 3-step outlined process, but please donât worry about doing it perfectly.
Rely most on your intuition first and foremost.
Always a disclaimer and open invitation from me (not that you need it) to do whatâs right and best for you â¤ď¸
1ď¸âŁ PART ONE: Mind and gut check
Spectrum of emotions and experiences to allow: intuition, resistance, procrastinationâŚthese are all typical and ok!
Building on the aesthetics and word choices you chose in my last post all about uncovering your visual brand, take a minute to journal (or even better, record yourself a voice note!) on these Qs:
Describe the metaphorical ONE person youâd like your messages and posts to speak to (your most amazing, aligned client)
How do they talk?
What do they care most about?
What are their values?
How do you want your client to feel when theyâre reading your posts, visiting your website, and working with you?
First, record, list, or write down as many feelings/words as you can think of in a minute
Then go back through your list and intentionally select 3-5 of these that best represent how youâd love them to feel, how you think they would love to feel, and in general seem resonant and in alignment with your business values.
After you do this exercise yourself, it can be helpful to ask aligned past clients to list a few of these words as well (or take a peak at any reviews or positive feedback youâve received) and note where there is any overlap - these are important words to keep in mind!
2ď¸âŁ PART TWO: Regulating and practicing expression
Spectrum of emotions and experiences to allow: fear of rejection, hypervigilance, miscommunications, vulnerability, groundedness, hope, excitement
As an occupational therapist specializing in working with: 1. people recovering from stroke and 2. sensitive and neurodivergent adults, I canât not bring some nervous system stuff into something as simple as finding your brand voice, right?!
Letâs start with how the vagus nerve can affect your literal voice (youâve maybe heard of it? Iâm going to be a very millennial hipster right now and tell you I knew about the awesomeness and dare I say *magic* of the vagus nerve before it was cool hahaha)
A really quick note about WHY the vagus nerve is actually so important:
The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve (cranial nerve 10), meaning that it originates straight from the brain/brainstem (vs. other types of nerves in your body like your peripheral nerves that travel to/from your spinal cord and not your brain directly).
Because of the direct connection to the brain, cranial nerves are often the quickest communicators between your brain/body and their feedback can have the biggest (positive or negative) impact on your central nervous system.
The vagus nerve is also an important part of your parasympathetic nervous system, meaning the parts of the brain that manage and control automatic or involuntary function, like your heart, breathing, blood pressure, immune system, and digestion.
BUT! Thatâs not all.
The vagus nerve also has a large role to play in your feelings, physical sensations, movement AND can directly impact your voice.
One of my favorite half-science, half-woo facts about the vagus nerve is that it innervates (connects) your brain to your heart and your larynx (voice box). And then it also innervates your gut.
Itâs like your vagus nerve connects your
gut feelings, heartsong, and authentic voice.
When one part is off, they will all be affected.
So, anywayâŚa maybe too long of an explanation just to support and explain this next simple exercise suggestion I have for you (but I had fun!)âŚ
First, start humming.
Humming is a great way to naturally stimulate the vagus nerve without any fancy equipment or exercises and is generally a gentle approach for most people.
Hum your favorite song or just random tones or songs you make up.
Or, my personal favorite: try humming as low of a note as you can, all the way up the scale to as high as you can, then gradually back down to the low note.
Feel yourself relaxing, vibrating, and becoming more resonant, literally.
Allow any feelings of knocking things âloose,â deep processing, or calm wash over you.
âĄď¸ Now try your voice out!
Whatâs the main message of your business/brand? Write or speak a quick sentence expressing this like youâre talking to your audience.
Reflect: Does this feel like you? What specific words/phrases do or donât sound like you?
Would this phrase resonate with my audience? Why or why not?
Rewrite as needed, make sure to speak it out loud at least once to test how it feels.
Refer back to your emotion word choices you found in step one and check in on the consistency between this sample sentence/phrase and these words.
Ok, perfect.
Hereâs a brand voice pocket guide gift to help put everything together. You can refer back to it as you start writing more and playing around with your brand voice:
Let this be a âliving document.â You donât have to get it perfect right now.
Your brand voice will absolutely grow with you. The more you write, the clearer and more resonant it can get.
3ď¸âŁ PART THREE: Refinement and alignment
Spectrum of emotions and experiences to allow: play, growth, curiosity, allowing, unfolding, acceptance
As you grow your solid foundation and understanding of your authentic brand voice (and get some more actual practice writing and using your voice!), itâs great to continue to refine and become even more clear, creative, and expressive.
Here are a few extra voice note/journalling prompts for you to dive even deeper and tap into your brand voice magic:
What are 3 things that differentiate your business from your competitorsâ businesses? How can you be even more intentional about your word choices to clearly reflect these differences?
If your most dreamy, aligned client woke up at 3 am, ruminating on a struggle or tough thought, what would you love to say to comfort them?
What are the messages you wish you could whisper in the ears of your community or clients that could genuinely make a positive shift in their beliefs and mindset?
Speaking in a consistent, resonant way is important to help your community feel safe (because of consistency and knowing what to expect) and feel seen (because they can relate to your shared education and embodied experiences).
But, like most things in business, growth, and successâŚdone is truly better than perfect.
Start right now and keep allowing progress as it happens and as you intentionally grow and change (personally and professionally).
Hope you got a lot of value from this final installment of my Gentle Biz mini course. Make sure to subscribe and keep an eye out for some juicy bonus lessons coming soon!
If this post was helpful to you, Iâd love if you could leave a âĽď¸ or a comment to let me know. I would appreciate it so much.
Want more guidance and hands-on support for discovering your aligned brand voice and writing your most authentic, magnetic copy?
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Have a wonderful week.
Sending lots of love,
Katie is a neuro occupational therapist, nervous system specialist, entrepreneur, and web designer helping highly sensitive aspiring entrepreneurs feel safe being seen online and build aligned, embodied business success.
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This is so awesome Katie!