Drl-admin: Created page with "==Voice and Tone== The DroidBuilders voice is the consistent personality behind all written communications. It never changes -- it is always warm, grounded, and genuine. '''Tone''' adjusts based on context: more celebratory at an event, more direct in a press release, more informative in technical documentation. ===The DroidBuilders Voice=== Three words define how we always sound: {| class="wikitable" style="width:100%" ! style="background-color:#003468; color:#F..."

2026-05-31T21:05:49Z

Created page with "==Voice and Tone== The DroidBuilders voice is the consistent personality behind all written communications. It never changes -- it is always warm, grounded, and genuine. '''Tone''' adjusts based on context: more celebratory at an event, more direct in a press release, more informative in technical documentation. ===The DroidBuilders Voice=== Three words define how we always sound: {| class="wikitable" style="width:100%" ! style="background-color:#003468; color:#F..."

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==Voice and Tone==

The DroidBuilders voice is the consistent personality behind all written
communications. It never changes -- it is always warm, grounded, and genuine.
'''Tone''' adjusts based on context: more celebratory at an event, more direct
in a press release, more informative in technical documentation.

===The DroidBuilders Voice===

Three words define how we always sound:

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! style="background-color:#003468; color:#FFFFFF; width:15%;" | Word
! style="background-color:#003468; color:#FFFFFF;" | What It Means
|-
| '''Warm'''
| We are a community of volunteers who care about the people we serve. Our writing reflects that care -- never corporate, never cold.
|-
| '''Precise'''
| We are builders. We get the details right. Our writing is clear, specific, and accurate -- no vague platitudes.
|-
| '''Joyful'''
| We exist to create moments of delight. That spirit shows in our words -- playful when appropriate, never self-serious.
|}

===Tone by Context===

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! style="background-color:#003468; color:#FFFFFF;" | Context
! style="background-color:#003468; color:#FFFFFF;" | Tone
! style="background-color:#003468; color:#FFFFFF;" | Notes
|-
| Social media (event day)
| Enthusiastic, celebratory
| Share the energy of the moment; photos first
|-
| Social media (general)
| Warm, conversational
| Invite people in; celebrate the community
|-
| Website homepage
| Inviting, confident, mission-focused
| Clear value statement without jargon
|-
| Website wiki / how-to
| Direct, informative, accessible
| Step-by-step; no assumed knowledge
|-
| Donation / fundraising
| Heartfelt, specific, impact-focused
| Concrete stories; never guilt-driven
|-
| Press / media
| Factual, professional, accessible
| Jargon-free; lead with the mission
|-
| Event signage
| Brief, joyful, bold
| One clear idea per piece
|-
| Crisis / serious communications
| Calm, direct, empathetic
| Facts first; no speculation
|}

===Writing Principles===

====Lead with impact, not process====

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! style="background-color:#6B0000; color:#FFFFFF; width:50%;" | Avoid
! style="background-color:#004400; color:#FFFFFF; width:50%;" | Preferred
|-
| DroidBuilders, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that organizes
volunteer events...
| We bring full-scale droids to children's hospitals, schools, and community
events -- all volunteer, all heart.
|}

====Be specific. Specificity builds trust.====

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! style="background-color:#6B0000; color:#FFFFFF; width:50%;" | Avoid
! style="background-color:#004400; color:#FFFFFF; width:50%;" | Preferred
|-
| We've helped a lot of people.
| In 2024, DroidBuilders volunteers made appearances at over 60 events
across the country.
|}

====Speak to the person, not the crowd.====

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! style="background-color:#6B0000; color:#FFFFFF; width:50%;" | Avoid
! style="background-color:#004400; color:#FFFFFF; width:50%;" | Preferred
|-
| Attendees are encouraged to interact with the droids.
| Come say hello -- the droids are friendly.
|}

====Earn the exclamation mark====

Enthusiasm is good. Overuse of ! dilutes the impact of genuine excitement.
Reserve it for moments that truly call for it -- not every sentence.

===Fundraising Language -- Required Rules===

<div style="background-color:#0A1628; border-left:4px solid #FFC20E; padding:16px; margin:12px 0; color:#FFFFFF;">
'''Critical:''' DroidBuilders is community-funded through donations that
support our '''mission and community presence''' -- not individual build
projects. All fundraising language must reflect this distinction. It matters
deeply to our community and must be respected in every communication.
</div>

'''Never reference "droid builds" as a funding purpose.''' This implies the
organization subsidizes personal projects and has caused real controversy in
the builder community.

'''Approved fundraising frames:'''

* Mission and community impact (school visits, hospital appearances, events)
* Operational costs that enable outreach (logistics, supplies, insurance, transportation)
* Community infrastructure (website, wiki, builder resources)
* Organizational sustainability

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! style="background-color:#6B0000; color:#FFFFFF; width:50%;" | Avoid
! style="background-color:#004400; color:#FFFFFF; width:50%;" | Preferred
|-
| Help us fund new droid builds and keep our builders equipped.
| Your support keeps our droids on the road and our volunteers in the
community.
|-
| Donations help builders complete their projects.
| Every dollar goes toward the events and infrastructure that make our
outreach possible.
|}

===Words We Use and Avoid===

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! style="background-color:#003468; color:#FFFFFF;" | Use This
! style="background-color:#003468; color:#FFFFFF;" | Not This
! style="background-color:#003468; color:#FFFFFF;" | Why
|-
| Volunteers
| Members, employees
| Reflects who we actually are
|-
| Community
| Fanbase, fans
| We serve broadly, not just fans
|-
| Builders
| Makers, creators
| Industry-specific, respected term in our community
|-
| Outreach, appearances
| Shows, performances
| Reflects service orientation, not entertainment
|-
| Replica droids
| Costumes
| Droids are props and robots, not worn costumes
|-
| Mission
| Operations
| Keeps focus on purpose over process
|-
| Support the mission
| Donate to DroidBuilders
| Action-oriented and impact-focused
|}

===Writing for Accessibility===

* Aim for a reading level of grade 7-9 for public-facing content
* Spell out abbreviations and acronyms on first use
* Use active voice; avoid passive constructions
* Break long passages into short paragraphs with descriptive subheadings
* Write descriptive alt text for all images (see [[AccessibilityStandards]])

[[Category:Branding]]

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