Voice & Tone
We’re obsessed with our customers, from the experienced, high-volume players to those just starting out in the betting and fantasy worlds. Our products are how we build relationships with sports fans, and how we say certain things at certain times can make or break those relationships. We love sports, too, so we want to say the right things to help build better products that make sports more exciting for our millions of fans.
Our content
In all of our product content, we aim to:
Entertain
This isn’t a trip to the dentist. We want people to be entertained with how we present our contests and products.
Guide
Let’s help people effortlessly enjoy our products. Walk them through how to play, bet, and add funds in an easy and friendly way. Remove barriers.
Welcome
Speak to all people, from the beginners to the experts to even my grandpa who has a flip phone.
Excite
The sports world is exciting. We want people to be excited not just about sports, but the experience they have when combining FanDuel with sports.
Educate
Give people the important information they need, but also the opportunity for more when they want it.
To do this, we ensure our content is:
Fun
People are here to have fun, and so are we. Let’s give them an environment they can enjoy.
Simple
Can we turn 5 sentences into 3 and say the same thing? Do it. Use easy words and avoid jargon.
Authentic
Let someone know there are humans behind the products. Let’s build trust with them by having a conversation.
Appropriate
Adapt content for the specific situation. What we say in an error message will not be the same as an entry point for an exciting promotion.
Helpful
Have a purpose behind what we say, but know that each user group has different needs. Some information isn’t needed by certain user groups.
FanDuel Voice
Our voice is meant to be consistent in every one of our products and through every user journey. It’s our identity.
| Who we are | Who we are not | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Human |  |
A person’s best friend |
 |
Helpful |  |
A know-it-all |
 |
Fun |  |
“That person” at the party |
 |
Enthusiastic |  |
Reserved |
 |
Inclusive |  |
Exclusive |
 |
Empathetic |  |
Pushovers |
 |
Confident |  |
Pushy |
FanDuel Tone
Our tone changes based on the specific scenario someone is experiencing at that moment. It shows we have empathy when speaking to someone. Here are some typical scenarios or areas of the product someone could experience and how they might be feeling in those moments.
| Not happy | Neutral | Happy |
|---|---|---|
| Be more compassionate and helpful | Be more informative | Celebrate and be excited! |
| e.g., “We don’t recognize that email and password. Don’t worry, you can always reset your password." | e.g., “Here’s your balance, which includes all winnings and deposits” | e.g., “Congrats, you won $500!" |
| Error messages | Account and Wallet | New product feature |
| Lost a contest or bet | Betting guides | Won a contest or bet |
| Incorrect login info | Financial transactions | Friend joined a league |
| Forgot password | Support documentation | New promo or deal |
| Geocomply fail | Legal copy | Creating a league or contest |
| Verification fail | Giving personal info | Referrals |
| Account settings | Rewards Center | |
| Responsible gaming | Placing bets |
Questions to ask
To help guide your writing, ask these important questions first:
- Which group/s are we talking to at this moment?
- What is someone doing when they see this copy?
- What might they be feeling at this moment?
- What can we do to help someone complete a task at this point?
- How can we say what we want in an authentic, on-voice way?
- Can we anticipate their needs and be proactive?
Some basic rules
Use active voice over passive voice
We want to emphasize an action with active voice. This is more direct speech.
Example: Your bet was placed (Passive) vs. you placed your bet (Active). Add “By zombies” to the end of a sentence to see if it’s passive.
Write for a basic-to-intermediate reading level
This is ages 10-14 years old. Avoid overly technical language or jargon.
Example: “We will endeavor to assist you” becomes “We’ll try to help you”
Use contractions when possible
It’s friendlier and more familiar
Example: “Have not” becomes “Haven’t” or “Did not” becomes “didn’t”
Stay positive!
Avoid “can’t” or “won’t” and other negative words, or rework sentences
Example: “You can’t play until you’re verified” becomes “You need to be verified before you can play”
Speak TO someone
But there are times someone can speak to us
Example: In body copy, “Your entry was submitted”
Example: In a CTA or action, “My entries”
We’re a team, not a company
Use “we” with proper context
Example: Within a FanDuel product, “We’re giving you $300 for FREE to play” rather than “FanDuel is giving you….”.
Write with the inverted pyramid in mind
Slowly reveal the most important information first
Example: “Play this NFL contest by picking 5 players to win $500!” becomes “Win $500 by just picking 5 NFL players!”