Don’t Look Now But Your AI Copy is Showing
The speed at which technology is changing the way we communicate is startling. Just this week, another AI driven communication tool disrupted the globe and sent people flocking to use it. Small and solo business owners alike need fast and effective communication tools, but there is threat of driving people away without relationship driven communication. Regardless of the platform, there are telltale signs you are using AI to write your copy. Have you noticed them yet?
Sign 1: Word repetition
If you use ChatGPT or other AI platform long enough, you’ll begin to notice how often the same words are used over and over again. Some of the most common ones I’ve noticed are:
Ensure
Tailored
Elevate
I can help
These are a few of the words that have been deemed “safe” by Chat models and, therefore, find their way into almost every prompt result. Now that you know, start noticing how often they show up — you may even laugh out loud when you do!
Sign 2: Lack of personality
We’re all different and have personalities that match. Even if you prompt AI to generate copy with a specific tone of voice in mind (i.e. casual, professional, etc) it’s still not you.
Christa Foss Real Estate is a great example of how much personality matters. When I read her social media posts, I know with 100% certainty she wrote them. From the words she uses, to her pacing, to her use of punctuation, it’s genuinely her. And others notice, too. People engage with her. A seemingly mundane post generates hundreds of likes just because… well.. it’s her!
Whether she’s posting about her business or her personal life, she has a one-of-a-kind personality and genuineness that attracts people’s attention. Her business soared because of it, even in an incredibly difficult market for most agents. AI couldn’t do that. Only she could.
Sign 3: No stories or illustrations
AI doesn’t know your life, experiences, or history. It doesn’t know your story, and your communication will fall flat without it.
Known for his engaging stories, the retired senior pastor of our thriving, multi-site church was frequently asked how he came up with so many illustrations week after week for his messages. His response? Just live life. Pay attention. Life is filled with stories if you start to pay attention. Each of us has the ability to do that. AI can’t.
AI doesn’t know you got stuck on your roof removing snow after a storm, like to steal food from other people’s plates, or believe fruit from someone else’s tree is the perfect snack if you can reach it from the sidewalk. We build relationships with one another when we laugh, cry, or nod in understanding together over the things that make us human — imperfections and all. Without story, we lose the soul ourselves and our businesses.
I’ve always loved words.
It’s a creative outlet I’ve enjoyed (and needed) most of my life. I love finding the perfect words to help small businesses tell their stories well online with the right website copy.
I know not everyone loves words as much as I do. I totally understand why small business owners have fully embraced the AI tools at their disposal so they don’t have to spend so much time writing. If this describes you, carry on my friend! Keep generating outlines for your blog posts and polish your rough drafts.
But take note of some of the cautions mentioned above ⬆️ so you can continue to build genuine, authentic relationships with your customers. Look for word repetition, infuse your personality, and tell stories as you go.
You don’t have to choose one over the other. AI and people-driven copy can play nicely with one another. In fact, some of this blog post was written with the help of AI.
Can you tell? 😉
I’m cheering for your favorite clients to see you — not your AI-driven copy.
If you need help crafting relational website copy, let’s chat!
