Injecting Personality into Your Product Descriptions
When you shop online, some product descriptions make you laugh, others feel formal, and some are downright quirky. That's no accident. The tone and style of product descriptions can make or break the way a customer perceives your brand. Whether your brand is playful, professional, or somewhere in between, it's important to inject personality into your product descriptions so that they reflect your brand’s voice and connect with your customers on a deeper level.
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to find your brand voice, use humor and emotion effectively, and maintain consistency across platforms. By the end, you’ll have the tools to make sure your product descriptions don’t just list features but also create a connection with your audience.
Finding Your Brand Voice
Your brand voice is like your company’s personality. It’s the unique way your brand “speaks” to customers across all communication channels, from your website to social media and email.
Why Does Brand Voice Matter?
Imagine you’re at a party. When you introduce yourself to someone new, how you present yourself depends on who’s around. If it’s a casual get-together with friends, you might use humor or tell a funny story. If it’s a formal event, you’d probably stick to a more professional tone. Your brand voice works the same way—it’s how you introduce your brand to potential customers.
A brand voice helps you:
- Stand out from competitors.
- Connect with your audience on a personal level.
- Create loyalty by giving customers a consistent, memorable experience.
Types of Brand Voices
Brands can have many different types of voices. Here are a few examples to help you understand the options:
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Playful and Fun: Brands like Old Spice or Dollar Shave Club use a playful, humorous tone to make their products more approachable. Their product descriptions are often light-hearted and sometimes even a bit ridiculous—but in a way that resonates with their audience.
- Example: "You know that feeling when you're walking through a cloud of fresh rain, looking like you just stepped off the cover of a romance novel? Yeah, that's what using our body wash feels like."
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Professional and Trustworthy: Brands in industries like finance or healthcare often lean toward a more professional, authoritative voice. The tone is formal and focused on building trust.
- Example: "Our medical-grade compression socks are designed with your health in mind. Made from high-quality, breathable fabric, they provide optimal support for improved circulation and all-day comfort."
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Quirky and Unique: Some brands go all out with quirky, off-the-wall descriptions to show their uniqueness. Think of a brand like Mailchimp—they use humor but in a way that feels authentic and on-brand.
- Example: "This t-shirt is softer than a baby panda hugging a cloud, and cooler than a penguin in sunglasses."
Your brand voice doesn’t need to fit exactly into one of these categories. It might be a combination of playful and professional, or casual and quirky. The key is to find what works for your brand and your audience.
How to Find Your Brand Voice
Finding your brand voice might seem tricky at first, but it comes down to understanding two things: who your customers are and what your brand stands for.
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Who are your customers? Think about who your audience is. Are they young professionals, parents, tech enthusiasts, or perhaps a mix of different groups? The way you speak to a 22-year-old college student will likely be different from how you’d speak to a 45-year-old CEO.
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What does your brand stand for? Every brand has a set of values or a mission. Are you a luxury brand focused on elegance and sophistication, or are you a fun, budget-friendly brand that focuses on affordability? Your brand voice should reflect those values. A high-end fashion brand will use a different tone from a discount clothing store.
Once you know who your customers are and what your brand represents, you can start developing a voice that fits both.
Using Humor and Emotion
When it comes to product descriptions, personality often comes through humor and emotion. A little bit of either can make your descriptions more engaging and memorable, but it’s important to strike a balance.
Using Humor
Humor can be a powerful tool for connecting with your audience, but it’s not for everyone. If your brand has a playful or casual personality, humor might fit perfectly. But if your brand is more serious, like a law firm or financial institution, humor might feel out of place.
The key is to use humor in a way that fits your brand and resonates with your audience. Too much humor, or humor that feels forced, can turn customers off. Think of it like adding spice to a dish—just enough makes it delicious, but too much can ruin the flavor.
Example of subtle humor:
- “These sneakers are so comfortable, you might forget you’re even wearing shoes. Just don’t try leaving the house barefoot.”
Example of over-the-top humor (to avoid unless your brand voice is very quirky):
- “These shoes are like clouds wrapped around your feet, whispering sweet nothings while you float through life on a wave of marshmallowy joy.”
The first example is light and fun without being too much. The second one, while funny, might not work for most brands.
Using Emotion
Humans make decisions based on emotions, even when we think we’re being rational. Emotions like joy, fear, pride, and desire can all drive buying decisions, so it’s important to tap into those feelings when writing product descriptions.
Ask yourself: What emotional triggers will make your customers want this product? Are they buying it to feel proud, to solve a problem, or to indulge themselves?
Example of using emotion in a product description:
- “This cozy blanket isn’t just warm—it’s a hug waiting for you at the end of a long day. Snuggle up and forget the world for a while.”
Here, the focus isn’t just on the product itself (the blanket) but on the feeling it gives the customer (comfort and relaxation). This kind of emotional appeal can help customers feel a personal connection to your product.
Consistency Across Platforms
Once you’ve developed your brand voice, it’s important to use it consistently across all channels. Your tone should be the same whether you’re writing for your website, social media, or email campaigns. Inconsistent messaging can confuse customers and make your brand feel disjointed.
Let’s break down how your tone might adapt slightly while staying consistent across different platforms:
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Website Product Descriptions: Your website is where customers are most likely to buy your products, so your product descriptions should be detailed but still reflect your brand voice. If your voice is playful, let that come through, but always include the key information the customer needs.
- “These sneakers are like a dream for your feet—light, airy, and ridiculously comfortable. Plus, they’re made with eco-friendly materials, so you can feel good about looking good.”
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Social Media: Social media is a more casual platform, so your tone can be even more playful or relaxed. The key here is to keep your voice consistent with the brand but adapt it to the more informal setting of social media.
- “Sneaker game on point? With these kicks, you’re not just walking—you’re floating.”
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Email: Emails can be more direct and personalized. You can still use your brand voice, but tone it down if needed to make sure the message is clear and actionable.
- “We thought you’d love these sneakers—they’re comfy, stylish, and eco-friendly. Grab yours today and step up your shoe game!”
The voice in all three examples stays playful and light, but it adapts slightly to fit the platform.
Exercise: Writing a Product Description with Personality
Now that you understand the importance of injecting personality into your product descriptions, let’s put that into practice. For this exercise, follow the steps below to write a product description for your own brand, then compare it to descriptions from other brands to evaluate voice consistency.
Step-by-Step Guide:
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Pick a product: Choose a product from your own brand (or if you don’t have one, pick any product you’re familiar with).
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Define your brand voice: Before writing, think about your brand’s personality. Are you playful, professional, quirky, or something else? Write down a few key words that describe your brand voice.
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Write the description: Using your defined voice, write a product description that’s engaging and reflects your brand’s personality. Make sure to include both features and benefits, and consider adding a touch of humor or emotion.
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Compare with other brands: Look at product descriptions from three brands in your industry. Compare the tone of your description with theirs. Is your brand voice consistent across platforms? Does it stand out in a good way, or do you need to refine it?
Conclusion
Injecting personality into your product descriptions can turn a boring list of features into a compelling story that resonates with your customers. By finding your brand voice, using humor and emotion strategically, and maintaining consistency across platforms, you’ll create descriptions that don’t just sell products—they build relationships with your audience. Remember, your product description is often the first introduction a customer has to your brand, so make sure it’s a memorable one.
Now, take what you’ve learned, start writing those personality-packed descriptions, and watch as your brand comes to life!