This form will generate a personalized writing style guide for you!

We’ll ask you a series of questions about your writing preferences, your background, and your audience. Your responses will help us create a guide tailored just for you.

Once the guide is complete, you can use it as a reference to write your email newsletters more effectively. It will help you focus on elements such as voice, tone, sentence structure, language use, and more. Even better, you can use this guide to instruct an AI, like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, to draft content in your unique style.

Don’t worry, there are no right or wrong answers here! It’s all about your personal style and how you want to communicate with your audience. Whether you’re writing on your own or using AI to assist you, this guide is designed to make your writing process easier and more effective.

You don’t have to answer every question, but the more information you provide, the better style guide you’ll get.

We’ve included examples for each section, a fictional fitness coach we’ll call, “Frankie Fitness.” You can use Frankie’s responses as a guide or inspiration for yours.

Let’s get started!

    🎤 Voice and Tone

    Voice and tone are the personality that come through in your writing. This helps your readers feel more connected and engaged. It’s essential to be consistent with your voice and tone as it allows you to build a rapport with your audience and make your newsletters more relatable. Reflect on how you want to sound in your newsletter. If you were having a conversation with your reader, how would you speak? Are you more formal or informal? Friendly and personal, or professional and authoritative? Provide an adjective list to describe your desired voice, such as “warm, accessible, knowledgeable.” Could you provide a few examples of written work that reflect your desired voice and tone?

    Frankie’s answer: “My voice is motivational, friendly, and straightforward. I want to inspire people to get moving and make healthier choices, so my tone should feel encouraging and supportive, like a personal trainer right there with them. My tone should also be clear and direct so that the instructions or advice I’m giving is easy to follow. As an example, I would use a phrase like ‘You’ve got this! One step at a time.’"

    📐 Sentence Structure

    Sentence structure plays a critical role in the readability and flow of your writing. Good sentence structure can make your message clear and engaging, while poor sentence structure can muddle your message and confuse readers. Describe your preferred sentence length and complexity. Do you prefer short, simple sentences, or are you more comfortable with long, complex sentences? Do you prefer sentences that are direct and to the point, or do you use more elaborate, descriptive language? Do you typically use active or passive voice?

    Frankie’s answer: “I prefer short, simple sentences, written in an active voice. My readers are looking for clear and concise fitness tips and instructions, so there’s no need for complex language. The message should be direct and to the point to make sure the key takeaway isn’t lost.”

    📢 Language and Diction

    Your choice of language and diction sets the stage for how your readers understand your newsletters. Specific words can evoke different emotions, making your audience feel a certain way about what they’re reading. Reflect on your vocabulary use. Do you use common, everyday language, or do you incorporate more specialized or industry-specific terms? Do you enjoy using idioms, metaphors, and similes, or do you prefer a more literal style of writing? What’s your desired level of formality in language use?

    “I use everyday language that’s accessible to everyone, but I do incorporate some fitness-specific terms. I want to educate my readers about fitness and health, so it’s essential to use the correct terms. However, I always make sure to explain any jargon or complex concepts in simple language. I don’t generally use idioms or metaphors, as they can sometimes confuse the message. My language is informal to keep it friendly and relatable.”

    ✍ Grammar and Punctuation

    Grammar and punctuation are the rules that govern our language. They give it structure and make it easier for readers to understand your meaning. Inconsistent or incorrect grammar and punctuation can distract from your message and make your content harder to read. Think about your stance on grammar rules. Do you strictly adhere to all grammar and punctuation rules, or do you have a more relaxed approach? Do you use serial commas? Do you prefer to use contractions, or do you spell out all words fully? Also, do you have a preference for British or American English?

    “I use correct grammar and punctuation but in a casual way that reflects everyday conversation. For instance, I frequently use contractions because they make my writing feel more friendly and personal. I do use serial commas for clarity, especially when listing workout steps or health tips. I prefer American English in my writing.”

    ✨ References and Allusions

    References and allusions can add depth and richness to your writing, providing context or creating a connection with your audience. However, they should be used carefully, as not all readers may understand or appreciate them. Consider your use of cultural, historical, or literary references. Are these types of references common in your writing? If so, what kinds of references do you make? Are they general knowledge or more niche? Do you ever make humorous references or jokes?

    Frankie’s answer: “I occasionally reference famous athletes or common fitness mantras to motivate and inspire. However, I always ensure that these are references most people would know, so no one feels excluded. I also like to inject a bit of humor now and then, usually in the form of light-hearted fitness jokes.”

    💡 Content Topic or Themes

    The topics or themes you choose to focus on will determine who is attracted to your newsletter. Being intentional about your content can help you build a loyal readership who is interested in what you have to say. Identify the main topics you cover in your newsletter. Are there specific themes or subject areas that you tend to focus on? Are there particular perspectives or angles that you take on these topics? Do you write about current events, industry trends, personal anecdotes, advice, or something else? Is there a regular structure or format to your newsletters (e.g., an introduction, main body, conclusion, and call to action)?

    Frankie’s answer: “I write about fitness routines, healthy habits, and nutrition advice. I often focus on how to incorporate fitness and health into a busy schedule, so my content is very practical and geared towards everyday life. I prefer to offer advice and tips based on my experience and the latest health research. Typically, my newsletters begin with a brief introduction, followed by the main content, and wrap up with a call to action encouraging readers to incorporate a new fitness tip into their routine.”

    🤝 Inclusivity

    Inclusive language acknowledges diversity, conveys respect to all people, and promotes equal opportunities. It’s important to make sure that your writing is welcoming and inclusive to all of your readers. Reflect on your use of inclusive language. Do you make a conscious effort to avoid gender-specific language or assumptions about your readers? Are there any groups or demographics that you particularly focus on or cater to with your writing? Do you consider the cultural sensitivity of your terms and examples?

    Frankie’s answer: “I try to use inclusive language as much as possible. I want all my readers, regardless of their gender, age, or fitness level, to feel welcomed and catered to. I avoid making assumptions about my readers’ experiences and always consider the cultural sensitivity of my terms and examples.”

    👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 Personal Anecdotes

    Personal anecdotes can add a human touch to your writing and help build a stronger connection with your audience. Reflect on your use of personal stories or experiences. How frequently do you include personal anecdotes in your writing? Are they usually humorous, serious, inspirational, or a mix? How much personal information are you comfortable sharing?

    Frankie’s answer: “I occasionally share personal stories from my own fitness journey. They’re usually a mix of serious and inspirational, meant to motivate my readers to make healthier choices. I am comfortable sharing my experiences but I try to keep the focus on fitness and health-related topics.”

    🎬 Calls to Action

    Calls to action are direct suggestions or invitations for your readers to respond or engage in a specific way. They can help guide your readers on what to do next. Think about your use of calls to action. How often do you include them in your writing? What kind of actions do you usually prompt your readers to take? Are your calls to action typically soft (suggestive) or hard (direct)?

    Frankie’s answer: “I always include a call to action at the end of my newsletters. The goal is to encourage my readers to put what they’ve learned into practice, whether that’s trying a new workout, cooking a healthy recipe, or implementing a wellness tip. My calls to action are direct but friendly.”

    📄 Formatting Preferences

    Formatting can greatly impact the readability and flow of your newsletters. Reflect on your preferred formatting style. Do you like to use headers, subheaders, bullet points, or numbered lists? How about text formatting like bold, italics, or underlining? Do you prefer short paragraphs or longer ones? How much white space do you like to have in your newsletters?

    Frankie’s answer: “I use headers to separate different sections or topics within my newsletter. I also use bullet points and numbered lists when providing step-by-step instructions or listing tips. I prefer short paragraphs to keep my content digestible and I like having plenty of white space so my newsletters don’t feel cluttered.”

    ➕ Additional Information

    If there is anything else you would like to share about your writing style or your newsletter that wasn’t covered in the above questions, please do so here. This can include any quirks, common phrases or words you use, stylistic choices, your audience’s feedback, and more.

    Frankie’s answer: “I frequently use motivational phrases like ‘You’ve got this!’ or ‘Keep pushing forward!’ to inspire my readers. Based on the feedback I’ve received, my readers enjoy the practical, accessible tips and the positive, encouraging tone of my newsletters.”

    🏁 Almost Done!

    Great job on completing the form! Your responses will be processed to create your unique and individualized writing style guide. You will receive an email soon with your tailored guide.

    The next time you need assistance from ChatGPT in writing your newsletters, simply copy and paste your style guide into the ChatGPT text window at the start of your session. This guide will help ChatGPT understand your writing style and generate content that closely matches your voice and tone.

    Remember, this guide is your assistant in ensuring your newsletters sound just like you, whether you’re drafting them yourself or with a bit of AI help. So don’t hesitate to refer to it whenever you need a refresher on your chosen style, and especially when you’re using ChatGPT to draft your content.

    Here’s to crafting engaging, personalized newsletters with ease and confidence. Happy writing!