Skill v1.0.0
currentAutomated scan100/100version: "1.0.0" name: brand-voice-learner description: Analyze existing brand content to extract voice patterns, create voice guidelines, and ensure consistent brand expression license: MIT metadata: author: ClawFu version: 1.0.0 mcp-server: "@clawfu/mcp-skills"
Brand Voice Learner
Analyze existing brand content to extract voice characteristics, create actionable voice guidelines, and ensure consistent brand expression across all communications.
When to Use This Skill
- Creating brand voice guidelines
- Onboarding new writers
- Auditing voice consistency
- Adapting voice for channels
- Training AI writing tools
Methodology Foundation
Based on NN/g voice research and content strategy best practices, combining:
- Linguistic pattern analysis
- Voice dimension mapping
- Guidelines development
- Consistency measurement
What Claude Does vs What You Decide
| Claude Does | You Decide | |
|---|---|---|
| Analyzes existing content | Content sources to analyze | |
| Extracts voice patterns | Voice evolution direction | |
| Creates voice guidelines | Approval of guidelines | |
| Identifies inconsistencies | Exception handling | |
| Suggests voice examples | Final voice choices |
Instructions
Step 1: Gather Voice Samples
Content to Analyze:
| Source | Purpose | |
|---|---|---|
| Website copy | Core brand voice | |
| Blog posts | Extended voice | |
| Social media | Casual variation | |
| Email campaigns | Direct communication | |
| Product UI | Functional voice | |
| Customer support | Empathetic voice |
Sample Requirements:
- Minimum 10-15 pieces
- Variety of contexts
- Include best examples
- Cover different tones
Step 2: Analyze Voice Dimensions
Voice Dimension Framework:
| Dimension | Spectrum | |
|---|---|---|
| Formality | Casual ←→ Formal | |
| Personality | Serious ←→ Playful | |
| Directness | Indirect ←→ Direct | |
| Enthusiasm | Reserved ←→ Enthusiastic | |
| Technical | Simple ←→ Technical | |
| Warmth | Distant ←→ Warm |
Step 3: Extract Patterns
Linguistic Elements:
| Element | What to Identify | |
|---|---|---|
| Sentence length | Short, medium, long | |
| Word choice | Common, specialized, branded | |
| Contractions | Used, avoided, mixed | |
| Active/passive | Preference | |
| Pronouns | We/you/they patterns | |
| Punctuation | Exclamations, ellipses, etc. |
Step 4: Document Guidelines
Guidelines Structure:
- Voice principles (3-5)
- Dimension scores
- Do/Don't examples
- Channel variations
- Word lists
Step 5: Create Consistency Tools
Tools to Create:
- Voice checklist
- Example library
- Word/phrase dictionary
- Channel guidelines
Examples
Example 1: Complete Voice Analysis
Input:
Analyze brand voice from these samples:Website: "We build tools that actually work. No fluff, no complexity—just software that helps you get stuff done."Blog: "Here's the thing about productivity apps: most of them makeyour life harder, not easier. We think that's backwards."Email: "Hey there! Your trial is almost over. Before you go, we wantedto make sure you saw everything [Product] can do."Social: "Mondays are hard. Your software shouldn't be. ☕"
Output:
## Brand Voice Analysis### Voice Summary**Overall Character:** Confident, casual, anti-corporateYour brand sounds like a smart friend who's direct and relatable—someone who gets frustrated by the same things your customers doand isn't afraid to call out industry BS.---### Voice Dimensions
Formality [===|======] Casual (3/10) Personality [======|===] Playful (7/10) Directness [========|=] Very Direct (9/10) Enthusiasm [=====|====] Moderate (6/10) Technical [====|=====] Accessible (4/10) Warmth [======|===] Warm (7/10)
---### Voice Principles#### 1. Say it StraightNo corporate speak, no jargon inflation. If you can say itin fewer words, do it.**Examples:**- ✅ "We build tools that actually work"- ❌ "We leverage cutting-edge solutions to optimize..."#### 2. Take Their SidePosition as ally against frustration. You share their painwith the status quo.**Examples:**- ✅ "Most productivity apps make your life harder"- ❌ "Our competitors offer suboptimal experiences"#### 3. Stay HumanContractions, casual language, occasional humor. Sound likea person, not a press release.**Examples:**- ✅ "Here's the thing about..."- ❌ "It is important to note that..."#### 4. Confident, Not ArrogantState opinions clearly without hedging, but don't putothers down.**Examples:**- ✅ "No fluff, no complexity"- ❌ "Unlike those other terrible apps..."---### Linguistic Patterns| Element | Pattern | Examples ||---------|---------|----------|| Sentence length | Short to medium (8-15 words average) | "We think that's backwards." || Contractions | Always used | "That's", "shouldn't", "we're" || Pronouns | Heavy "we/you" | Creates conversational feel || Active voice | Strong preference | "We build" not "Tools are built" || Punctuation | Occasional em-dashes, rare exclamations | "No fluff—just software" || Emoji | Occasional, relevant | Coffee emoji for Monday post |---### Voice Do's and Don'ts#### DO ✅| Pattern | Example ||---------|---------|| Use contractions | "We're building" not "We are building" || Start with "Here's the thing" | Conversational opener || Use "actually" for emphasis | "Tools that actually work" || Reference shared frustrations | "Mondays are hard" || Keep paragraphs short | 2-3 sentences max || Use second person | "Your trial" "helps you" |#### DON'T ❌| Pattern | Why Not ||---------|---------|| "Leverage" "optimize" "synergy" | Corporate jargon || "We are pleased to announce" | Stiff, formal || Passive voice | "Was built by our team" || Hedging language | "We think maybe possibly..." || Long, complex sentences | Loses casual feel || Excessive exclamation points | Feels fake enthusiastic |---### Word Choice Guide#### Preferred Terms| Instead of | Use ||------------|-----|| Utilize | Use || Leverage | Use || Solutions | Tools, software || Empower | Help || Seamless | Easy, simple || Robust | Strong, reliable || Best-in-class | (just show, don't tell) || Cutting-edge | New, latest |#### Signature Phrases| Phrase | When to Use ||--------|-------------|| "Here's the thing" | Starting opinion pieces || "Actually" | Emphasizing real value || "No [negative], no [negative]" | Simple value props || "That's backwards" | Calling out industry norms |---### Channel Variations#### Website (Core Voice)- Most polished version- Still casual but refined- Slightly higher stakes language#### Blog (Extended Voice)- More conversational- Can be longer, more exploratory- Personal opinions encouraged#### Social Media (Compressed Voice)- Shortest, punchiest- More humor allowed- Emoji occasionally OK- Can reference current events/culture#### Email (Direct Voice)- Friendly but action-oriented- "Hey there" openings OK- Clear CTAs- Personal where possible#### Support (Empathetic Voice)- Warmer, more patient- Solution-focused- Less attitude, more help- Still casual but careful---### Voice ChecklistBefore publishing, check:- [ ] Would you say this to a friend?- [ ] Are there any "corporate speak" words?- [ ] Is it shorter than it could be?- [ ] Is the main point clear?- [ ] Does it sound like us, not a competitor?- [ ] Would it make sense without context?
Example 2: Quick Voice Audit
Input:
Does this match our voice?"We are delighted to inform you that your request has beenprocessed and the desired outcome has been achieved."
Output:
## Voice Audit### Verdict: ❌ Does Not Match---### Issues Found| Problem | Example | Should Be ||---------|---------|-----------|| Too formal | "We are delighted" | "Great news!" || Passive voice | "has been processed" | "We processed" || Corporate speak | "desired outcome" | "what you wanted" || Stiff structure | Full sentence | Shorter, direct |---### Rewritten**Original:**> "We are delighted to inform you that your request has been> processed and the desired outcome has been achieved."**On-brand version:**> "Good news! We've taken care of your request—you're all set."**Even more casual:**> "Done! Your request went through. You're good to go."---### What Went WrongThis sounds like a corporate auto-reply, not your brand.It has:- No contractions- Passive voice- Formal phrasing- No personalityYour brand would sound like a helpful friend delivering good news,not a legal notice.
Skill Boundaries
What This Skill Does Well
- Analyzing existing content
- Extracting voice patterns
- Creating guidelines
- Auditing consistency
What This Skill Cannot Do
- Create voice from scratch
- Know your brand strategy
- Access all your content
- Replace brand judgment
Iteration Guide
Follow-up Prompts:
- "Rewrite this in our brand voice"
- "Create voice variations for [channel]"
- "Audit these samples for consistency"
- "Add to our word/phrase dictionary"
References
- NN/g Voice and Tone Guidelines
- Content Strategy Alliance
- Mailchimp Voice and Tone
- Buffer Brand Voice Guide
Related Skills
brand-strategy- Overall brand developmentcopywriting-ogilvy- Writing craftstorytelling-storybrand- Narrative voice
Skill Metadata
- Domain: Branding / Content
- Complexity: Intermediate
- Mode: cyborg
- Time to Value: 2-4 hours for full guidelines
- Prerequisites: Content samples, brand context