KevOnStage & the Importance of Tone Of Voice in Branding

KevOnStage is finally getting his just due.

I first heard of him on Facebook a few years back, through one of his old “in the car” sessions that stuck with me.

In the video he talked about the grind, but more to the point, he focused on what it takes to “make it” in entertainment (and comedy, in his case).

In the video, he underscored the various risks he’s taken, the time he’s put in, etc., and admitted that even though he’s done all those things, it doesn’t mean he’ll make it.

But in the years since publishing that video, those sacrifices have definitely paid off.

KevOnStage has had a meteoric rise that includes a show on BET+, a strong touring business, a podcast, a book, and an online platform that he’s used to cultivate a community and build a career that isn’t reliant on Hollywood — just the fans.

At the heart of what he does, you’ll find that not only does he have a unique perspective, but you’ll also find that his fans have come to define him by his tone of voice.

Tone of voice is…

a core piece of a brand’s identity that’s carried through in every piece of work that it produces over time. Tone of voice defines how you sound, your attitude, and is critical to differentiating yourself from the competition.

For some their tone is confident, and outspoken. For others it’s understanding and calm.

No matter the descriptor used, defining a brand’s tone isn’t just an important exercise to conduct for large brands, it’s also paramount for content creators and influencers to nail down as well.

Consider the media landscape today and the fact that millions of pieces of content are uploaded daily.

“5 tips for learning” this

“Stop don’t scroll”

etc. etc.

That’s a lot of noise — and with everyone sounding the same and pitching relatively the same things to the same audiences it’s hard to really carve out a spact for your brand.

But Kev Managed To Break Through…

For KevOnStage, cutting through the social media noise isn’t just about having a unique POV, but also an unmistakable way of communicating that fans find instantly recognizable.

If I had to surmise how he (and anyone reading this, by extension) can craft a unique tone of voice, I think it starts with some of these pieces:

I. Reference Points Rooted In Lived Experiences

It’s important the your brand’s tone of voice is believable — in the case of a personal brand it helps for it to feel like it’s a part of your lived experience.

In the context of KevOnStage’s tone, he does just that.

A. The Church

Kev grew up in the church, and isn’t shy about letting you know that. If that isn’t readily apparent in his content, he’ll usually reference it in one of his standups.

Moreover, while some may feel stigmatized by the idea of religion being attached to their comedic endeavors, Kev actually uses it to his advantages.

From his pop culture reviews, to his show on BET+ the church is focal point of a lot of his comedy. It does two things for him

Take a look at this piece of standup from Kev — relatable even if you aren’t from the same background.

B. Black Culture

Kev also leans into different aspects of Black Culture, which are a part of his tone — from references to ways of growing up and colloquialisms, it  all helps him feel relatable.

For example, Kev’s recent X posts recapping House of Dragons garner attention because not only are they hilarious, but they are rooted in experiences that are relevant to his core audience — Black People.

Take this recent post about Vhagar’s appearance in the show.

**For those who don’t watch House of Dragons, Vhagar is the largest & oldest dragon on the show; She also belongs to the villains — assuming you even see them as villains.

Below is what Kev said when an antagonist managed to not only locate Vhagar, but mount him, and chase someone in the span of *checks notes* 15 seconds.

As you can see by the view count, the tweet resonated.

In the comments you see of ton of people who find the tweet hilarious and relatable and just like that, Kev reinforces why he’s so good at capturing the attention of his audience, and Culture.

C. Family & Married Life

Another integral part of Kev’s lived experiences comes from his experiences with his family.

He does comedic (and candid) content that touches on the struggles of fatherhood, relationships, and married life (shoutout to Melissa a.k.a. MrsKevOnStage), and everything in between.

With the two pillars above in mind, you can also see Kev’s tone come through clearly when you look at the content he does in this space — specifically when looking at the book he & Melissa dropped entitled “Marriage Be Hard” — Unique tone & verbiage which works because it feels like what we know from Kev.

II. Defining Kev’s Tone Of Voice

Kev has clearly taken the time and effort to craft a unique tone. When coupled with his consistency, he’s been able to build a growing platform that not only benefits him, it puts on other comedians looking to break through.

If I describe his tone in just a few words, it can best be described as Humorous, Positive, and Relatable.

What exactly does that mean though?

Let’s dig into it a little more:

Humorous

KevOnStage’s humor is deeply rooted in everyday experiences, especially those that resonate with Black Culture. He takes common situations, journey’s, and pop culture convos and infuses them with a comedic twist that is both relatable and entertaining.

Positive

His tone is overwhelmingly positive, uplifting, and encouraging. Even when discussing serious topics, KevOnStage maintains a light-hearted and optimistic outlook.

Relatable

KevOnStage's authenticity shines through in his unscripted, genuine delivery. He doesn't shy away from sharing personal stories, struggles, and triumphs.

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER…

Kev’s relevance on social media and in culture is growing by the day.

His rapid responses to things in pop culture always give a humorous spin to what’s going on, whether it’s a recent trending topic or a real-time review of House of Dragons.

I’m not sure what the future holds for him (or any of us, for that matter). But I wouldn’t be surprised if Kev eventually has a feature-length movie or something to the scale of other comedians before him.

At the heart of everything he does, you won’t only find hard work and perseverance, but you’ll also find a clearly defined tone of voice that guides all of his work.

That’s how he’s winning, and you can do it too.

One.