In a world where trust is the new currency, the founder’s voice is one of the most powerful tools for building belief, with 65% of consumers saying that a brand’s CEO and employees influence their decision to buy.
It’s not just a storytelling tool; it’s a strategic lever. One that drives engagement, attracts talent, and builds investor confidence.
But stepping into a more visible public role as a founder can feel daunting, as we discovered at our female founder round table.
The desire to wait for the perfect time and be fully polished often leads to inaction. But it is important to remember: your voice help customers believe in your solution, investors believe in your potential and your team believe in the mission.
Our latest ebook, The Power of the Founder Voice, explores how founders can step into the role and be heard loud and clear. One chapter focuses on how to define the founder voice, a challenge for many who feel self conscious about stepping into a public role. You can find an extract of below:
Defining the founder voice
In the early stages of building a business, your voice often is the brand. It brings to life your story, your values and your mission – whether you’re pitching investors, writing a blog post, or speaking on a panel.
So, how do you define your voice as a founder?
The first thing to remember is that your persona is more than just a list of accomplishments. It’s about sharing your “why” and being real.
People won’t be inherently interested in YOU until you give them a reason to listen to you. Being open about the challenges you’ve faced, as well as the successes, and the lessons you’ve learned is providing them with a unique perspective.
To help shape a voice that is both authentic and distinct, here are some questions to get you thinking about how you share your story.
- What motivated you to start the company, beyond the market opportunity?
- What challenges do you help your customers overcome?
- What makes your approach or perspective different from others in your space?
- What is your vision for your industry and what changes do you want to see?
- What values are non-negotiable for you as a founder?
- When people talk about you or your company in five years, what do you hope they say?
While this isn’t an exhaustive list, it will start to get you thinking about how you frame your story. A great way to test your answers is to try them out in everyday conversations. How would you explain them to a friend at the pub?
It might feel like an unusual topic to bring up over a drink, but it will help you refine a simple yet engaging answer that anyone, from an investor to an engineer, can understand.
To learn more about how to define and amplify your voice as a founder and to receive a copy of our ebook, The Power of the Founder Voice, reach out to us at [email protected].
