applying-brand-guidelines

name

applying-brand-guidelines

description

Apply brand voice, tone, and style guidelines to written content across platforms. Use this skill when writing or editing content that needs to reflect a specific brand identity, adapting content for LinkedIn, Substack, X (Twitter), or other platforms while maintaining brand consistency. Triggers include requests to write on-brand content, apply brand voice, adapt content for platforms, or review content for brand alignment.

Brand Guidelines

Apply consistent brand voice, tone, and style across all written content while adapting appropriately for each platform.

Before Writing

Always read the brand profile first: Check assets/brand-profile.md for the specific brand's voice, tone, messaging pillars, and style rules. If no brand profile exists, ask the user to provide brand guidelines or help them create one using the template.

Core Framework

1. Voice (WHO the brand is)

Voice is the brand's personality—consistent across all content.

Voice dimensions to consider:

• Formal ↔ Casual: How structured is the language?
• Serious ↔ Playful: Is humor appropriate?
• Technical ↔ Accessible: What's the expertise level?
• Reserved ↔ Enthusiastic: How much energy?
• Traditional ↔ Innovative: How cutting-edge?

2. Tone (HOW the brand speaks in context)

Tone adapts to situation while staying true to voice.

Tone shifts by context:

• Celebrating wins → More enthusiastic
• Addressing problems → More empathetic
• Teaching → More patient and clear
• Thought leadership → More authoritative
• Community building → More warm and inclusive

3. Messaging Pillars (WHAT the brand talks about)

Core themes that anchor all content:

• Primary topics and expertise areas
• Values and beliefs to reinforce
• Stories and proof points to reference
• Phrases and language to use/avoid

4. Style Rules (Mechanics)

Consistent formatting and language choices:

• Capitalization conventions
• Punctuation preferences
• Terminology and word choices
• Formatting patterns

Applying Guidelines to Content

Step 1: Identify Context

• What platform is this for?
• What's the content goal? (educate, inspire, convert, engage)
• Who's the specific audience?
• What's the emotional context?

Step 2: Adapt for Platform

See references/platforms.md for platform-specific guidance on:

• LinkedIn (professional thought leadership)
• Substack (long-form newsletter)
• X/Twitter (concise, conversational)

Step 3: Write with Voice

Apply brand voice dimensions:

• Use vocabulary consistent with formality level
• Match energy and enthusiasm level
• Maintain expertise positioning
• Reflect brand personality

Step 4: Check Messaging Alignment

Ensure content:

• Supports at least one messaging pillar
• Uses approved terminology
• Avoids prohibited language
• Reinforces brand values

Step 5: Apply Style Rules

• Follow capitalization conventions
• Use correct punctuation style
• Apply formatting patterns
• Check terminology consistency

Content Review Checklist

Before finalizing any content, verify:

Voice

• Does this sound like the brand?
• Is the formality level appropriate?
• Is the energy/enthusiasm right?

Tone

• Is the tone appropriate for this context?
• Does it match the content's purpose?

Messaging

• Does it support brand messaging pillars?
• Are we using approved terminology?
• Does it reinforce brand values?

Style

• Capitalization follows guidelines?
• Punctuation is consistent?
• Formatting matches brand patterns?

Platform

• Adapted appropriately for the platform?
• Meets platform best practices?
• Right length and format?

References

• references/platforms.md - Platform-specific adaptation guidelines
• assets/brand-profile.md - Template for defining brand guidelines (customize this)

Quick Adaptation Guide

Element	LinkedIn	Substack	X
Length	150-300 words	500-2000 words	280 chars or threads
Tone	Professional, authoritative	Personal, in-depth	Conversational, punchy
Format	Short paragraphs, bullets	Headers, sections	Single thought or thread
Hashtags	3-5 at end	None	1-2 relevant
CTAs	Questions, saves	Subscribe, share	Repost, reply