You’ve been getting serious about your side hustle, private practice, or solopreneur journey, and, naturally, your social media algorithms are throwing all sorts of small business services your way. Every other post is a marketing girlie telling you about her super value-packed offer. A 30-minute scroll later, you’re convinced that you’re not a legit business unless you’ve invested in web design, web copy services, branding, business coaching, etc. And because you’re dead set on quitting your soul-sucking 9-5 once and for all, you’re ready to listen to them.
And sure, investing in the whole kahuna of digital business assets will undoubtedly catapult your business from the “side hustle” category to the “full-time dream job” category in a jiffy. But let’s be real—most of us don’t have the $$$ to invest in ALL the things at once. So where do you start? What’s the difference between brand voice and web copy services and which one does your business need most right now? Is it both? Neither?
What is Brand Voice in Copywriting?
Your brand voice is your business’s unique personality or energy. It’s how your brand shows up in the world and the distinct qualities that get anyone scrolling IG to instantly know when it’s you from the first sentence (and emoji).
Your brand voice is typically developed through deliverables called Brand Voice Guides or Brand Messaging Guides, which can also be thought of as your brand’s character development.
Your brand voice guide answers questions like:
- How does your brand walk, talk, and flaunt?
- What are their go-to phrases?
- Do they love a triple exclamation mark, or are they that calm, cool, and demure friend that frequents the alien emoji?
Okay, But Do I Really Need a Brand Voice Guide?
Honestly, nope. I’ve worked with clients who are pretty clear on their brand voice and confidently manage their marketing without ever needing one.
However, being clear on your brand voice doesn’t mean you’ll be a pro at translating that voice into clear and effective web copy.
And that’s because we all have our strengths! Some copywriters also design their logos and websites, but lord knows that could not be me.
However, I am a firm believer in the fact that investing in a brand voice guide will save you money for years to come.
Signs You May Need A Brand Voice Service
- You’ve been in business for 1-3 years and are still refining your offers
- You’re actively engaging with your community but feel like your messaging is *all over the place*
- You’re DIY-ing your copy marketing but want a clear framework to guide your communication
- You’re not quite ready for a full website investment but want to build strong foundations
- You’re investing in a web copy service and want a comprehensive guide to help you launch like a badass and inspire your content for months to come.
- You’re feeling disconnected from your current brand voice or struggling to separate your personal voice from your brand’s
- You’re pivoting your business and need a fresh new voice to match your new offers
- You’re rebranding and your current vibe doesn’t match your new visual identity
What You Get With a Brand Voice Kit:
Everyone’s brand voice service is a little different, so I can’t speak for everyone, but this is what mine includes:
- 1-3 core Tarot archetypes that align with your business values
- Detailed tone of voice guidelines
- Your brand’s core values, mission, and vision
- Taglines, elevator pitch, and mini bios
- A compelling brand story
- A comprehensive style guide
- On-brand word bank
- Content prompts & ideas for your chosen platforms
If this sounds like exactly what you need, send me an inquiry to start giving your brand the digital avatar it deserves.
Now, Let’s Talk Web Copy Services
Unlike Brand Voice Guides, which I believe are optional, website copy services are a MUST. I don’t care if you write your website copy or hire a professional to do it for you—I’m just telling you it’s gotta be done!
Your website copy determines the journey that you take your site visitors on when they visit your digital world. It’s typically the first off-social-media impression your ideal clients get of you, so you want to make it count.
It’s also where the serious followers go to learn more about your prices, services, and approach, so you want to make it as easy as possible for them to do that.
Can I Just Get ChatGPT to Write My Website Copy?
No. Hell no. Absolutely not, please! And I’m not just saying this to get you to book my copy service. I’m saying it out of love for you and your beautiful offers.
There are some things that generative AI does well, like giving you ideas for how to structure your next blog post, ideas for how to repurpose your content, or even helping decide what to cook for dinner with the 6 random items you have in the fridge.
Writing your web copy is not on that list.
Writing of most kinds is not on that list (resumés and cover letters excluded!).
One of the most important functions of your web copy is to make your ideal clients feel like they’ve entered your digital chat room. Like they’re having a convo with you, without having a convo with you. And no matter how hard the AI bots try (I’ve made them try really hard), they just can’t pull it off.
AND I guarantee the time you spend writing out those prompts to try and get the AI to *get* you would be better spent writing your own copy, sending a brain dump to a copywriter, or booking a copy audit service.
Signs You’re Ready For Web Copy Services
- You have a solid understanding of your business purpose and ideal clients.
- Your offers are crystal clear and well-tested with clients, but don’t have a digital home where potential clients can learn about them and get pricing.
- You avoid giving clients your cute little business card because you’re scared they’ll actually visit your (outdated AF) website.
- You’re ready to invest in all the elements of a professional website (including design, branding, and photos).
- You’re tired of answering the same 5 questions in your DMs and wish you had a place to send folks that would do the explaining for you.
- You have branding, photos, and a clear ~vibe~, but no idea how to translate it into compelling web copy that doesn’t sound like a cheesy sales brochure.
What You Get With a Done-For-You Website Copy Service
Most web copy services on the market include these essential pieces:
- SEO research and on-page keyword integration
- 5-7 pages of copy that speaks directly to your dream clients
- Compelling calls-to-action that send visitors to the right pages (i.e., Shop, Services, Contact)
- Meta descriptions and tags for back-end SEO
- A layout guide for your web designer
- 2-3 rounds of revisions
My Full (Moon) Web Copy Service includes up to 5 pages of copy, along with a 60-minute onboarding call and a 45-minute review call to go over your copy and make any necessary changes. If the lights in your head are going off as you read this, inquire to start chatting all things ethical web copy with me.
The Real ROI on Brand Voice and Web Copy Services
I know—we live in capitalism, so naturally, you want the cold hard facts about what both of these investments mean for your business bank account. So let’s get practical about what you can expect to invest and get back from each service.
Brand Voice Kit Investment
- A more accessible entry point
- Perfect for businesses not ready for a done-for-you copy investment
- Sets you up for DIY success
- Saves money on future marketing efforts
- Saves you time explaining a bunch of stuff about your brand every time you have to fill out a questionnaire for a service provider.
- Saves you time onboarding new team members, and ensures they keep your brand messaging consistent.
- Prevents costly rebranding or website rewrites down the line
- ROI depends on how you use it
Website Copy Investment
- Higher investment point
- Ready for immediate implementation
- Provides you with a sales asset that works while you sleep
- Requires additional investments to maximize its potential (design, branding, photos)
- Professional, done-for-you service that saves you the stress of waking up in the middle of the night and wondering if your web copy is doing what it needs to do.
- Built-in SEO and conversion strategy
- ROI depends on your greater marketing ecosystem & funnels (how many people you are actively sending to your site through social media, email, in-person networking, etc.)
With both services, the ROI greatly depends on what you do with it. Each one requires some form of input and energy from you to really make the most of it as a sales asset. However, web copy has a more immediate ROI than a brand voice guide because it’s a ready-to-use asset that can start converting warm followers into inquiries upon implementation.
Plot Twist: Sometimes You Need Both!
While these services can be great on their own, they also work beautifully together. Many clients start with a Brand Voice Kit and then upgrade to website copy services once they’re ready for that ~next step~.
Why? Because meeting your brand voice often gets you even more excited about the web copy process than you were before. Plus, having a developed brand voice makes the website copywriting process even more powerful and aligned.
You might even get web copy services at the same time as a brand voice guide to ensure that you launch your website with consistency and flair across all channels, showing your community that you really are *THAT B*TCH* (and you’re here to stay).
Do I Need Website Copywriting Services or Brand Voice? A Quick Self-Assessment
Ask yourself these questions to determine which service might be right for you:
1. Where am I in my business journey?
- Just starting out or still evolving? → Brand Voice Kit
- Established and ready to scale? → Website Copy Services
- Rebranding or pivoting with new offers? → Both Services
- Pre-launch or idea phase? → Neither (focus on validating your business idea first)
2. What’s my immediate need?
- Clear, consistent messaging across all platforms? → Brand Voice Kit
- A professional sales asset that converts? → Website Copy Services
- Launch a complete brand presence with maximum impact? → Both Services
- Still defining core offerings and target market? → Neither (focus on market research first)
3. What’s my budget looking like?
- Need a more accessible investment? → Brand Voice Kit
- Ready for a comprehensive website investment? → Website Copy Services
- Have resources for full brand development? → Both Services
- Limited startup funds? → Neither (DIY with free web copy resources for now)
4. What’s your comfort level with DIY copywriting?
- Happy to write your own copy with guidance? → Brand Voice Kit
- Prefer to have it done for you while you keep living your life? → Website Copy Services
- Want comprehensive support and guidance? → Both Services
- Confident in your writing and brand clarity? → Neither (you might just need a copy audit)
Time Freedom and Creative Living Could Be One Right Investment Away
Building your dream business isn’t about investing in everything at once—it’s about choosing the right support at the right time. Whether you’re ready to develop your brand’s voice or create your dream website, I’m here to help you communicate your magic with clarity and authenticity.
Still figuring out your next step? Check out these resources:
- Why a Brand Voice Guide Will Save You Money Long-Term
- 9 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Hiring A Website Copywriter
- How to Write Website Copy: A Website Copywriting Guide for Small Businesses
Your business deserves to be heard—and you deserve the freedom to create it on your own terms. If you’re ready to make that happen, let’s connect! Reach out by filling out an inquiry form.Have questions about either service? Drop them in the comments below or slide into my DMs on Instagram @the.word.witch.copy.
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