Don’t Look Now But Your AI Copy is Showing
AI is changing how we communicate. Small and solo business owners need fast and effective communication tools, but without relational copy that sounds (and is) real, people are more likely to walk away than reach out. 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:
Quietly
Clean
Actually
Finally
Polish
Heavy
Managed
Handled
What matters most
Here’s the truth
These words find their way into almost every prompt result. Once you start noticing how often they show up, you can’t unsee them. They are everywhere.
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 and pay attention. Life is filled with stories. We experience them every day, but AI does not.
AI doesn’t know you got stuck on your roof removing snow or that you often pick fruit from someone else’s tree because 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 of ourselves and our businesses.
Words matter
I’ve always loved words.
It’s a creative outlet I’ve needed most of my life. I love finding the perfect words to help small businesses tell their stories well online.
I know not everyone loves words as much as I do and 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. But proceed with caution.
Genuine, authentic relationships are built on trust, connection, and uniqueness. Trust is eroding faster than ever with generic outputs and a sea of sameness online. People need to hear your words, your personality, and your story, even if they’re not perfect. I’d argue, especially if they’re not perfect.
I want people to see you, not your AI copy.
If you’re tired of second-guessing or overthinking your words, let’s chat. I’d love to help you tell a good story.
