Once again I was proven that the confusion is real. The other day, Mike (not his real name) a founder with some traction but a messy message, hit me with a classic:
“Darina, I know I need better words, but… what does that even mean? Messaging, copy, brand voice—it all sounds the same!”
And honestly? I felt that in my bones.
When you’re building a brand from scratch “doing it all”—wearing the CEO, marketer, and customer support hats all at once—it’s easy for everything to melt into one big pot of word soup. It all sounds important. But it also sounds… kind of the same.
The thing is, when you understand the difference, you can actually make your words work for you. Buckle up, because I’m about to clear the confusion with a refreshing breakdown as Waiza says, and hopefully spark an idea or two.
Messaging Is Your Brand’s North Star
Try to imagine you’re on a road trip.
Your messaging? That’s your GPS coordinates. The thing guiding your direction, telling you where to go, and keeping you from ending up in the wrong part of town.
It’s the big picture—your brand’s DNA. Your purpose, your positioning, your values, your voice. It’s the soul of your brand, shaping everything from your tagline to your tweets. (or Xeets?? Does anyone even call them that?)
Anyway, let’s say you’re a sustainable fashion brand. Your core message might sound like:
“Style with purpose. Ethical, beautiful, and built to last.”
That’s not a slogan. Or a headline. That’s a truth your brand wants to own.
And everything else you write? Should echo that truth.
Words Are Your Building Blocks
Messaging is your GPS. But words? Words are your vehicle of choice (car, bike, van, or scooter). Every sentence, every line on your site, every social caption or about page paragraph—they’re the little pieces that bring your message to life.
The thing is: not all words carry the same vibe.
“Eco-friendly” and “planet-positive” might mean the same thing—but the second one has a whole different energy, right? (And it’s not overly used, to the point to lose its meaning. But more on that another time.)
That’s why swapping just one word can shift the way your entire brand feels.
Copy Is the Closer
If messaging is the strategy and words are the style, copy is the action.
Copy is what turns a browser into a believer. It’s persuasive. Punchy. Purposeful. It knows what it’s doing.
Bad copy says: “Our shoes are made from recycled materials.”
Great copy says:
“For soles and souls.
Sustainable. Supportive. Soulfully made.
Footwear that walks the talk.”
See the shift?
Same product. Same purpose. Different impact.
Why It Feels Off (And Why That’s Not Your Fault)
When your copy isn’t landing, it’s rarely because you’re “bad with words.”
It’s because something is misaligned.
Maybe your copy was written before your messaging was clear. Or your words aren’t echoing your values. Or you’re still figuring out what your voice actually sounds like.
I’ve seen this over and over—especially with changemakers and solo founders like you. You’re too close to it. You’re running on vision and vibes, but the foundations are still fuzzy. When such symptoms appear it’s almost always a sign you need external help. Someone who is not emotionally invested. Or too afraid to tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.
Someone like me 😉. I zhuzh up your message, nail the vibe, and make your words finally pull their weight.
Messaging? Words? Copy? It All Works Together When Aligned
The truth is, your brand needs more than just clever words or a catchy headline—it needs clarity at the core.
Messaging gives you direction.
Words give you flavor.
Copy gets the job done.
When they’re misaligned, your message feels fuzzy. But when they click? Your brand becomes magnetic.
So if you’re second-guessing your site, struggling to write captions, or wondering why your words aren’t working—it’s not you. It’s the missing alignment.
Let’s bring the pieces together so your message speaks loud, clear, and with purpose.
Audit. Align. Amplify
Hi, I’m Darina—a heart-centered brand strategist and copywriter turning complexity into clarity.
I help virtuemakers like you audit, align, and amplify your message & copy—crafting words that resonate deeply, reflect your values, and help you make a lasting impact.
You Bring the Spark—I’ll Help It Shine Brighter.
Behind The Scenes: The Making of This Post (And Why You Should Share It)
✅ 6 hours of planning, outlining, writing, editing, testing and publishing.
✅ 47 cups of coffee (okay, maybe 2, but it felt like 47).
✅ 1 mission: To make this post so valuable, you’d want to read it twice. Or share it 😉.
Every analogy, every tip, every link was chosen with you in mind. If it resonated with you, then mission accomplished.
4 Reasons Why People Who Get It Share Posts
✨ Be the Hero: Know someone who’s struggling with the difference between brand messaging and copywriting? Sharing this could make their day—and make you the person who “gets it.”
✨ Boost Your Social Status: Sharing insightful content = instant thought leader vibes.
✨ Spark a Conversation: Forward it to a colleague or friend and say, “This made me think of you.” (Boom—instant connection.)
✨ Feel Good: Sharing valuable content is like giving a gift—it feels great to help others.
Know Someone Who Needs This?
👉 Share it on the dark social 😉 (aka, copy the link and send it directly to them via DM, email, or carrier pigeon).
👉 Or hit one of the shiny social icons below and spread the love.
Because the best ideas are meant to be shared—not lost in the noise.
