From Boring to Brilliant: Elevate Your Marketing with These 21st Century Writing Styles!

In the constantly evolving landscape of the 21st century, content marketers must stay on the cutting edge to ensure their messages resonate with increasingly discerning audiences. A carefully chosen writing style can be the key that unlocks the door to success, captivating readers and driving engagement, conversions, and brand loyalty.

Throughout the years, innovative brands have harnessed the power of various writing styles, crafting unforgettable stories and messages that have left an indelible mark on their audience's hearts and minds.

From the heartwarming storytelling of Dove's "Real Beauty" campaign to the irresistible humor in Old Spice's "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like" ads, these brands have struck a chord with consumers, leaving them yearning for more. They have leveraged the art of wordsmithing to forge emotional connections, spark meaningful conversations, and, ultimately, inspire action.

As content marketers, we, too, can aspire to achieve such stellar results by studying and mastering the writing styles that have shaped the modern marketing landscape. In this blog post, we will embark on a journey to uncover the 20 most impactful writing styles of the 21st century, providing you with the tools and inspiration you need to elevate your content marketing game.

So, buckle up and get ready to explore the rich world of words, where creativity and strategy blend seamlessly to create marketing magic.

So, what exactly is a writing style, and how is it helpful?

A writing style is a distinct way of expressing ideas and conveying messages through the written word. It encompasses various elements, such as tone, voice, vocabulary, sentence structure, grammar, and punctuation. Each writing style is characterized by its unique combination of these elements, which work together to create a specific impression on the reader and shape their experience.

Writing styles are helpful for several reasons:

1. Consistency: Adopting a consistent writing style helps establish a recognizable brand identity, making it easier for your audience to connect with your message and develop a sense of familiarity with your brand.

2. Audience engagement: Different writing styles evoke different emotions and reactions from readers. Using a writing style that resonates with your target audience can create a stronger emotional connection, increase engagement, and ultimately drive desired actions.

3. Clarity and comprehension: A well-defined writing style can improve the clarity of your message and make it easier for readers to understand and retain the information you're presenting.

4. Persuasion: Certain writing styles, like persuasive writing, can be more effective in encouraging readers to take action, such as making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or sharing your content on social media.

5. Adaptability: Understanding various writing styles allows you to adapt your content to different platforms, formats, and audiences, ensuring that your message is always relevant and effective.

By carefully selecting and mastering a writing style that aligns with your brand's voice, values, and goals, you can create compelling content that captures your audience's attention, builds trust, and drives results.

20 Great examples of different types of writing styles found in 21st-century marketing

In today's competitive landscape, the persuasive power of words has become an increasingly important tool for marketers. A well-chosen writing style can be the difference between success and failure when it comes to engaging with consumers and driving conversions.

From heartwarming storytelling to humorous one-liners, innovative brands have used various types of writing styles to capture their audience's attention, build trust, and drive results.

Let's take a look at the top 20...

Storytelling writing

This narrative writing style involves crafting a compelling narrative around a brand, product, or service.

Apple's "Think Different" campaign - "Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently..."

Stories are engaging and memorable. They create an emotional connection, making it easier for the audience to relate to the brand and remember its message. Writing in a narrative style, such as using short stories in marketing campaigns, is a powerful way to create a lasting impression.

Conversational writing

A casual and approachable tone encourages engagement and makes the reader feel like they're having a friendly chat with the brand.

Headspace's "Be Kind to Your Mind" Tagline - "Be Kind to your Mind. Get some Headspace"

Casual language and short sentence structure break down barriers, making the brand seem more approachable and relatable and encouraging engagement.

Emotional appeal writing

Leveraging emotions in different forms to create a connection with the audience.

Dove's "Real Beauty" campaign - "Real beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and ages. It's time to redefine beauty standards and embrace the beauty in every woman."

Emotional triggers, such as happiness, sadness, or fear, can create a strong connection and motivate people to take action.

Educational/Informative writing

Providing valuable information via key points and insights.

SEMRush's Small Business Case Study - "Learn how a family bakery used Semrush’s digital marketing tools to rank #1 on Google and live life to the max."

Providing valuable information establishes credibility and authority, making readers more likely to trust the brand and its offerings.

Humorous writing

Using humor to entertain and engage.

Old Spice's "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like" campaign - "Hello, ladies, look at your man, now back to me, now back at your man, now back to me. Sadly, he isn't me, but if he stopped using ladies-scented body wash and switched to Old Spice, he could smell like he's me."

Humor can make a brand more memorable and likable, creating positive associations and increasing the chances of sharing or going viral.

Fear of missing out (FOMO) writing

Creating a sense of urgency and scarcity to drive action.

Amazon's Prime Day. - "Don't miss out on these exclusive Prime Day deals! Hurry, the clock is ticking, and these offers won't last long!"

Scarcity and urgency create a sense of need, compelling the reader to act quickly to avoid missing out on something desirable.

Social proof writing

Showcasing endorsements, testimonials, and reviews to build trust and credibility.

Airbnb - "Our home funds our non-stop adventures"

Testimonials and endorsements from peers or influencers help build trust and credibility, making potential customers more likely to choose the brand. This style of writing makes the reader feel they are tapping into the personal experiences and personal opinions of previous customers.

Personalization writing

Crafting highly targeted and relevant messages for each individual.

Spotify's "Discover Weekly" playlists - "Made to [User Name]. Your weekly mixtape of fresh music. Enjoy new music and deep cuts picked for you. Updates every Monday."

Tailoring messages to individuals makes them feel heard and understood, increasing the chances of engagement and conversion.

Minimalism writing

Using simplicity and clarity to convey the message.

Google's search engine homepage - "Feeling lucky? Try Google's 'I'm Feeling Lucky' button for a one-click search experience."

Simple, clear messages are easy to understand and remember, making them more effective at conveying the brand's value proposition.

Inspirational writing

Motivating the audience to take action and achieve their goals.

Nike's "Just Do It" campaign - "Don't let anything hold you back. Push your limits, break boundaries, and achieve greatness. It's time to just do it."

This persuasive writing style empowers people to take action and achieve their goals, creating positive associations with the brand.

Provocative writing

Challenging conventional wisdom or taking a controversial stance with the specific purpose of sparking interest and discussion.

Burger King's "Moldy Whopper" campaign - "The beauty of no artificial preservatives. Watch as our Whopper transforms into a moldy masterpiece."

Controversial or unexpected messages grab attention, creating curiosity and conversation around the brand.

Nostalgic writing

Tapping into positive memories and feelings from the past to create an emotional connection.

Coca-Cola's "Share a Coke" campaign - "Remember the good old days of sharing a Coke with friends and family? Bring back those memories and create new ones by sharing a Coke with someone special today."

Tapping into positive memories evokes emotion, making the reader more likely to associate the brand with those feelings.

Inclusive writing

Using language and imagery reflecting and celebrating diversity creates a welcoming and inclusive brand experience.

Microsoft's "We All Win" Super Bowl commercial - "When everybody plays, we all win. Experience the joy of gaming brought to life for people with limited mobility."

Celebrating diversity and creating an inclusive environment makes the brand more appealing to a broader audience.

Problem-Solution writing

Presenting a common problem and offering the brand's product or service as the solution.

LastPass' "Forget Less" campaign - Forget Less. Rest Less. Go Passwordless.

Presenting a straightforward solution to a relatable problem demonstrates the brand's value and usefulness.

Metaphorical/Analogical writing

Using metaphors or analogies to explain complex concepts in a relatable way.

Allstate's "Mayhem" campaign - "I'm Mayhem, and I'm here to show you how the unexpected can wreak havoc on your life. But don't worry, Allstate has your back with protection that helps keep chaos at bay."

Metaphors and analogies make complex concepts easier to understand and remember, helping the audience connect with the brand's message.

Empowering writing

Encouraging the audience to take control of their lives and make positive changes.

Lululemon's "This is Yoga" campaign - "Find balance, strength, and inner peace through the practice of yoga. Embrace your journey, and let Lululemon support you every step of the way."

Encouraging positive change resonates with people's desires for self-improvement and control over their lives.

Curiosity-driven writing

Piquing the audience's interest with intriguing questions or surprising facts.

BuzzFeed's listicles and quizzes - "Can you guess which celebrity owns these outrageous mansions? Take the quiz and test your knowledge!"

Intriguing questions and surprising facts capture attention and encourage engagement with the brand's content.

Cause-related writing

Aligning the brand with a social, environmental, or philanthropic cause to create a positive impact.

TOMS Shoes' "One for One" campaign - "For every pair of TOMS shoes you purchase, we'll donate a pair to a child in need. Together, we can make a difference."

Aligning with a cause that resonates with the audience creates a positive image for the brand and demonstrates its commitment to social responsibility.

Sensory writing

Using vivid descriptions and sensory details to engage the audience's imagination.

Häagen-Dazs ice cream advertisements - "Bursting with Refreshment. Don't hold back."

Vivid descriptions and sensory details engage the audience's imagination, making the brand's offerings more appealing and memorable.

Testimonial-driven writing

Featuring real-life stories and experiences from satisfied customers to build trust and credibility.

Weight Watchers' success stories - "Less counting, more enjoying. I've neve felt better" - Oprah Winfrey.

Real-life stories and experiences from satisfied customers reinforce the brand's credibility and effectiveness, encouraging potential customers to give it a try.

These writing styles can be mixed and matched or adapted to fit a brand's unique voice and objectives. The key is understanding the target audience and choosing the most effective style to resonate with them and drive desired actions.

What are some writing styles employed by famous authors?

We have explored the writing styles of commercial brands, but what are some examples of an author's writing style?

Several famous 21st-century authors have employed unique writing styles that have distinguished their work and significantly impacted contemporary literature. Here are some examples:

1. George R.R. Martin: Martin's writing style in his 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series is characterized by intricate world-building, complex characters, and political intrigue. He uses multiple points of view to tell his story, allowing readers to explore various characters' perspectives and adding depth to the narrative.

2. Khaled Hosseini: Hosseini's writing style in novels like 'The Kite Runner' and 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' is known for its emotional resonance, vivid descriptions, and powerful storytelling. He often explores themes of family, friendship, and the human struggle amidst cultural and political turmoil.

3. Gillian Flynn: Flynn's writing style in her psychological thrillers, such as 'Gone Girl' and 'Sharp Objects,' is marked by dark, intricate plots, unreliable narrators, and complex character development. Her work often delves into the darker aspects of human nature and keeps readers engaged with suspenseful twists and turns.

4. Yann Martel: In works like 'Life of Pi,' Martel employs a blend of magical realism, allegory, and philosophical exploration. His writing style is characterized by its detailed descriptions, vivid imagination, and the seamless blending of fantastical elements with more profound philosophical questions.

5. Zadie Smith: Smith's writing style is known for its wit, humor, and keen observations of a multicultural society. Her work often features multiple narrative voices, complex characters, and a focus on the intricacies of human relationships. Novels like 'White Teeth' and 'NW' showcase her ability to capture diverse perspectives within a single story.

6. Haruki Murakami: Murakami's writing style combines magical realism, surrealism, and existentialism elements. His novels, such as 'Kafka on the Shore' and '1Q84,' often feature dream-like atmospheres, mysterious events, and introspective characters, creating a unique reading experience that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy.

These 21st-century authors have crafted distinctive writing styles that set their work apart and continue influencing contemporary literature. Their unique approaches to storytelling and language have resonated with readers worldwide, contributing to the ongoing evolution of literary styles and trends.

What are the top 10 most common types of writing styles today?

Developing your own writing style is an essential part of becoming a better writer. Whether you're writing fiction, poetry or nonfiction, using literary devices such as metaphors, analogies, and sensory descriptions can help bring your words to life and give them a more significant impact.

Crafting stories that capture readers' attention while expressing your unique voice will make your writing works stand out from those of other writers. Here are ten of the most common types of writing styles that you can use to hone your writing skills.

Persuasive writing

Persuasive writing aims to convince readers to take action or adopt a particular viewpoint. It often employs a strong call to action, emotional appeals, and logical arguments to influence the reader's decision-making process. This style of writing is prevalent in advertisements, sales copy, and marketing campaigns.

Descriptive writing

Descriptive writing uses vivid language and sensory details to paint a picture for the reader. A descriptive writing style is often used in product descriptions, storytelling, and content marketing to evoke emotions, create a mental image, and enhance the reader's experience. In addition, it helps build a connection between the audience and the brand or product, convincing people to take action.

Narrative writing

Narrative writing tells a short story well, often with a beginning, middle, and end. This style of writing is used in brand storytelling, case studies, news stories, and customer testimonials to engage the reader emotionally, highlight the brand's values, and showcase real-world examples of success. Narrative writing helps create relatability and demonstrate the impact of a product or service by using a story to describe its best features and benefits.

Expository writing

Expository writing presents clear and concise information, aiming to educate and inform the reader. This style of writing appears in blog posts, how-to articles, and whitepapers, where the goal is to provide valuable insights and establish the brand's expertise. Expository writing helps build trust and credibility with the audience.

Conversational writing

Conversational writing adopts a casual, friendly, and approachable tone, making the content feel more like a dialogue between the person behind the brand and the reader. This style of writing is often used in social media posts, email marketing, and chatbots to create a sense of personal connection and foster audience engagement. Conversational writing helps humanize the brand and makes the content more accessible to the reader.

Creative writing

Creative writing combines elements of multiple different types of writing styles to create something unique and memorable. This style of writing captures the reader's attention, evokes emotion, and stands out from the competition. Find creative writing in taglines, slogans, and promotional pieces that need an impactful message. Creative writing helps differentiate a brand from others in the market.

Fiction writing

Fiction writing is a form of creative writing that uses imaginative storytelling and literary devices to entertain and engage the reader. Discover this writing style in books, movies, television series, or other storytelling mediums. Fiction writing helps create an escape for readers, who can lose themselves in the story and become emotionally invested in the characters and plot.

Scientific writing

Scientific, descriptive writing that presents complex information in an organized and accurate way to communicate knowledge. This style of writing is used in academic papers, reports, and scientific journals to provide detailed evidence-based facts and data. It helps build trust with readers by demonstrating a thorough understanding of the subject matter.

Technical writing

Technical writing uses precise technical language to explain a concept or process in detail. This style of writing is used for user guides, installation manuals, and product specifications to provide readers with comprehensive instructions on how to use a product or service. Technical writing helps reduce confusion and ensures users get the most out of their purchases.

Business writing

Business writing uses a formal, professional tone to communicate complex information clearly and concisely. This style of formal writing often is used in financial documents, contracts, annual reports, cover letters, and other business communications where accuracy and precision are essential. Business writing helps create an image of trustworthiness and reliability for the brand.

Why should you develop your own writing style?

A writer's style reflects their own voice and personality, which sets them apart from other writers and helps create a unique connection with the reader. Developing your own distinct writing style is a valuable skill for content creators, making their published works more memorable and engaging.

In addition to the points mentioned earlier in this blog post, here are a few more reasons why understanding and mastering a writing style is essential for all writers and content creators:

1. Writer's identity: Embracing one's own voice allows a writer to express their ideas more authentically and confidently. A consistent writing style helps build a distinct identity that readers can associate with the brand or creator.

2. Word choice: The choice of words plays a crucial role in shaping the reader's perception and understanding of the content. A skilled writer carefully selects words that evoke specific emotions, stimulate the five senses, or simplify complex concepts, tailoring their word choice to suit the reader and the desired outcome.

3. Personal connection: A unique writing style allows the writer to convey their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a way that resonates with the reader on a personal level. This helps create a deeper bond between the writer and the reader, fostering loyalty and trust.

4. Flexibility: Mastering different types of writing styles enables a writer to cater to diverse audiences and adapt to various content formats more effectively. This flexibility makes the writer more versatile and valuable in the fast-paced and ever-changing world of content marketing.

5. Creative expression: Developing a writing style that aligns with the writer's personality and values allows for greater creative freedom and self-expression. This can lead to more engaging, original, and impactful content that captivates the reader's attention and leaves a lasting impression.

In summary, understanding and mastering a writing style that incorporates the writer's own voice, word choice, and personal touch is crucial for creating compelling content that captures the audience's attention, builds trust, and drives results. By honing these skills, a writer can elevate their craft and become a more effective communicators in the world of content marketing.