Ditch The "Neutral Zone" To Make Your Writing Pop

The Tone Grid Prompt

Hey there, Digital Writers!

Everyone wants their writing to sound different.

But most people end up sounding the same (thanks to English 101).

The challenge is once you’ve developed a writing pattern, it’s hard to find your way out. The good news is with AI, it’s never been easier to mix and match different voices and tones so you can engineer your way into a style that resonates with you.

And today, I've got a simple tool to help you nail your tone: The Tone Grid.

Will Hoekenga, the copywriter for Toast and Drift, shared this concept on his blog last week. It's a simple tool that helps you pinpoint your tone and avoid sounding like everyone else.

Here's how it works:

Engineer Your Tone With “The Tone Grid”

The Tone Grid has two axes:

• X-axis: Loose vs. Tight copy

• Y-axis: Irreverent vs. Professional

Most writers sit in the middle - the "Neutral Zone." Their writing is structured and friendly. It’s nice. But, it's forgettable.

But step into the "Distinct or Extreme Zone," and you'll stand out. Your writing will feel different. And readers will notice.

Think Apple. Tight, polished copy that sells without trying.

"Unbelievably thin. Incredibly powerful."

Or Basecamp. Loose, conversational. Like a smart friend giving advice.

“It’s not everything under the sun, just the stuff to get things done.”

Let's look at two different writers:

Example: Malcolm Gladwell

He lives in the tight, polished corner.

His sentences are crisp and punchy.

"The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire."

It's clear. It sticks with you.

Example: David Sedaris

He's in the loose, irreverent area.

"If you're looking for sympathy you'll find it between shit and syphilis in the dictionary."

He’s casual, unexpected, and memorable.

It’s clear where both these writers sit on the Tone Grid.

With this simple tool you can:

• Stand out from other writers

• Stick in readers' minds

• Build trust through consistency

Bottom line, tone is what makes you distinctive, memorable, and even more trustworthy online.

The key is knowing where YOU want to be on the grid. Then dialing in your writing to hit that sweet spot. And if you don’t know what your tone is, you can use AI to help you find your perfect spot on the grid.

Now, let's make this practical.

The Tone Grid Prompt

Most AI writing tools start off neutral - professional and structured.

But the Tone Grid prompt helps you tweak that. You can push the AI to be more casual, more formal, funnier, or more serious.

Here's a prompt to help you use AI to find your ideal tone: