Successful brands are created through cohesion across all touchpoints. Crafting an engaging look and feel to catch consumers’ attention must be complemented with a tone of voice that resonates with your audience. From key callouts and brand stories on packaging to longer-form writing opportunities like emails and websites, all copy across your brand should present a harmonious message.
All successful brands start with a brand strategy that informs your design, positioning, and messaging. Strategy research and decisions should result in a strong understanding of your brand’s key messaging . A brand strategy will help define your brand’s point of difference and primary benefits – everything that sets your brand apart. Use this to better understand your brand and to help guide design and copywriting.
Once you’ve established an overarching strategy for your brand, it’s time to hone in on your brand personality. This entails defining adjectives that describe the personality of your brand. A children’s brand might be accessible, fun, happy, wholesome, and trusted. A luxury skincare brand might define their personality as scientific, aspirational, upscale, and modern. Deciding on these words will help you cement your brand’s personality and set you up to develop copy that’s appropriate for your audience.
Having defined your brand personality, you are now in the perfect position to understand how it will influence your tone of voice. You should consider your target audience and what they will respond to. In the previous example of a children’s brand, a casual but trusted tone in which familiar words and phrases are used will help to inspire trust and comfort in a consumer buying for their child. For the luxury skincare brand, upscale values might translate to messages about treating yourself while the scientific focus might result in using statistics to back up claims.
What you say is just as important as how you say it. That’s why when choosing your messaging, it’s imperative that you focus on your brand’s pillars – the key points of difference and benefits defined in your initial strategy. This focus will promote your brand’s unique positioning, aligning your product with key features that will be associated with the brand. Centering your message on what best characterizes your brand allows you to broadcast your brand’s value to consumers. They will be attracted to what you have to say just as much as the tone of voice in which you say it.
Finally, it’s important to tailor your content to the platform where it will be read. While your tone of voice should remain consistent across all materials, slight variations in length or formality may be appropriate. For example, due to the space constraints of a package, your message might be shorter on the shelf than on your website or in email communications (link to Packaging: From Shelf to Screen). Messaging on social media is often slightly more casual than elsewhere because of the way in which it’s consumed. Together, all content should align to create a cohesive, thoughtful tone that amplifies your overall brand.
Nothing should be created in isolation. When it comes to copy, you can make sure it’s amazing, but it won’t truly sing without a design that helps to elevate it. Font choices and colors should underscore and flatter the message, fitting seamlessly together. Words and phrases can be emphasized by bolding them, changing their size, or highlighting them with a color change. The decision to write in sentence case might lend itself to a formal style, while bold can come across as edgy, and all lowercase may be perfect for a casual brand. Designers and copywriters must work hand in hand to develop a brand with a cohesive look, feel, and tone of voice. A successful brand can’t be built without collaboration across teams.
Branding, Strategy
From key callouts and brand stories on packaging to longer-form writing opportunities like emails and websites, this is how to ensure that all copy across your brand presents a harmonious message.
This is the current pageStrategy
Great packaging design isn’t just about creativity—it’s about having a structured process that transforms ideas into impactful solutions. In this article, I’ll walk you through the key phases, from research and ideation to validation and production, showing how a defined approach ensures both strategic alignment and flawless execution in packaging design.
This is the current pageProduction
Production proofing is a critical collaboration between brand and creative teams, ensuring packaging prints exactly as intended. In this article, I’ll walk you through the four key proofing phases—from drawdowns to on-site press approval—so you can confidently navigate the process, catch potential errors early, and achieve high-quality, consistent packaging production.
This is the current pageProduction
The right printing enhancements can make your packaging stand out and feel more premium. In this article, I’ll cover 10 techniques—like Spot UV, soft-touch coatings, and embossing—that add visual impact and tactile appeal. You’ll learn how these finishes elevate perceived value and create a stronger brand presence.
This is the current pageDesign, Strategy, Branding
Have you ever poured months into a packaging or branding initiative, only to see lackluster results and zero ROI? You’re not alone. It’s too easy to fall into the trap of prioritizing aesthetics over strategy, leaving packaging that looks great but fails to communicate, engage, or sell. In this article I’ll lay out a holistic framework—covering Positioning, Core Values, Aesthetics, and Functionality—to ensure your packaging not only turns heads but also drives real business growth.
This is the current pageDesign
2024 was another year filled with eye-catching trends – some we loved and some not so much. As we say goodbye to another year and ring in 2025, - we’re looking back at some of the biggest trends of the past year and whether we expect them to continue...
This is the current pageBranding, Strategy
Redesigning a heritage brand is a balancing act—honoring its rich legacy while staying relevant in today’s world. This article dives into practical strategies to help brands evolve thoughtfully, keeping their history alive while connecting with modern consumers.
This is the current pageStrategy
Crafting a stand-out brand strategy is both an art and a science. This article explores five key components—research, purpose, positioning, personality, and messaging—to help your brand resonate, differentiate, and thrive in today’s crowded marketplace. Let’s shine!
This is the current pageManagement
At HBX Branding, our collaborative, purpose-driven culture blends creativity, growth, and laughter. This reflection shares my gratitude for a career filled with remarkable colleagues, shared values, and meaningful client relationships. It’s personal, joyful, and deeply fulfilling. From the heart!
This is the current pageDesign, Branding
Visual brand equity is the heart of consumer recognition and trust, but how do you define and strengthen it? In this article, we’ll explore what it means, how to assess its impact, and ways to evolve it thoughtfully. Let’s uncover your brand’s potential together!
This is the current pageProduction
Understanding the printing technique you’re working with is key to ensuring your packaging shines. In this article, we’ll break down the strengths of Flexo and Digital printing—covering setup, cost, image quality, and versatility—so you can confidently navigate your printing process. Let’s dive in!
This is the current pageBranding
Your brand’s story doesn’t stop at the package—it continues online. In this article, we’ll explore how to maintain a cohesive look and feel across digital channels, leveraging packaging elements, tone of voice, and tailored content to create a seamless consumer experience. Let’s bring your brand to life, from shelf to screen!
This is the current pagePackaging
Barcodes may seem small, but they’re essential to your product’s success. In this article, we’ll explore common pitfalls and best practices for ensuring your barcode scans perfectly every time, from proper sizing to high-contrast colors. Let’s decode the details!
This is the current pagePackaging
Feature-Creep sneaks in when too much is packed into your packaging design, diluting your brand’s core message. In this article, we’ll explore why it happens, its impact on communication, and how to embrace simplicity to keep your message clear. Let’s unpack the essentials!
This is the current page