If you’re a service provider, or any entrepreneur, who’s ever thought, “This doesn’t sound like me,” after trying to write with AI, you’re not alone. Yep, I’ve been there and done that.
You want content that feels polished, but not plastic. Smart, but personal. Something that says, “Yes, I wrote this,” not “ChatGPT wrote this in 0.3 seconds.”
Let’s talk about what’s actually going wrong, and how to fix it, so you can use AI as a co-writer, not a replacement.
Why Your Unique Voice Matters (More Than You Think)
What “voice” actually means in business content (and why it’s your competitive advantage)
Your voice is more than tone. It’s how you phrase things, what you emphasize, the little quirks or rhythms in how you write. It’s what make you you. And in business? It’s how clients decide if they trust you.
When your voice is strong and clear:
- You stand out from a sea of sameness
- You attract clients who feel connected to you
- You don’t have to work as hard to “convince,” because your content is doing it for you
Why service providers especially need authentic brand voices
You’re not selling t-shirts. Or, maybe you are, but what you’re really selling is you. Your energy, your ideas, your ability to solve problems. That’s why your words need to sound like you, not like a blog post generator.
Two shops could be selling the same product. But, you’re going to buy from the one you connect with in some way. The same holds true for your potential clients. They’re going to buy from the person they click with.
The cost of robotic content: Lost credibility, lower engagement, fewer conversions
When your content feels cold or generic, here’s what happens:
- Your audience scrolls past (or clicks away)
- Your credibility takes a hit (“this feels copy/paste-y”)
- Your offers don’t land, because no one feels the value
We’re going to make sure that doesn’t happen.
What Makes AI Writing Sound Robotic: The Technical Side
Common patterns that scream “AI wrote this”
- Passive voice everywhere
- Transitions like “furthermore” or “in conclusion” (when was the last time you said that IRL?)
- No contractions (“you will” instead of “you’ll”)
- Sentences that almost make sense but feel off
Before/after examples: How AI fails where humans succeed
Before (AI): “Utilizing effective strategies can help entrepreneurs achieve scalable growth.” (bleh!)
After (human): “The right strategy makes it way easier to grow, without burn out.” (yep!)
See the difference? The second version actually sounds like a person talking to another person.
Why these patterns turn away your ideal clients
Your dream clients aren’t looking for another “tips and tricks” list. They want to feel like you get them. And if your writing feels stiff or vague, that connection never happens.
Quick diagnostic: How to spot inauthenticity in your own content
Ask yourself:
- Would I actually say this out loud?
- Does this feel like a convo I’d have with a client or friend?
- Does it feel like something I copy/pasted from a textbook?
If you’re cringing a little, that’s your sign.
How I Preserve My Authentic Voice When Using AI
My process from start to finish
- I write a few lines myself – a personal story, an intro, or even a rough headline.
- Then I feed AI some context (my goals, audience, my voice. or I’m using my custom bot already trained on it all).
- I let it draft, then I edit like crazy. If something feels “meh,” I delete it or rephrase it.
Where AI fits in my workflow – and where it doesn’t
Where it helps:
- Outlining blog posts
- Brainstorming headlines or email subject lines
- Expanding bullet points into paragraphs
Where I skip it:
- Final edits (nothing is going AI straight to publish)
- Personal stories
- Anything that’s meant to deeply connect or convert
When I skip AI completely and why
If I’m feeling super inspired or I have a strong opinion to share, I skip the AI. It’s faster and way more me that way.
Training AI Tools to Sound More Like You
The power of a strong brand voice prompt
Try this:
“Write like a friendly, clear, slightly witty business coach who’s talking to a smart friend. Keep it real. Use contractions. Avoid buzzwords and corporate speak.”
Play with it until it sounds like you.
What to feed your custom GPTs for consistently better output
- Examples of your past writing
- Testimonials that reflect your tone
- A list of “phrases I use a lot” and “phrases I never use”
How to test and refine your AI instructions over time
Don’t just prompt and go. Review. Highlight what works. Rewrite what doesn’t. Then tweak your instructions for next time. Learn more about prompt engineering best practices from OpenAI.
I feed my rewrites back into my custom bot to better train her for next time. My writing style is not set in stone and varies a lot with my mood and time.
5 prompts that preserve brand voice (ready to use)
- “Make this sound more like something I’d say.”
- “Rewrite this to be more casual and conversational.”
- “Add a personal story that makes this point feel real.”
- “Cut the extra. Keep it clear and direct.”
- “Give me 3 tone options, playful, grounded, bold.”
Read more about effective ChatGPT prompting strategies at Coursera.
Editing for Authenticity: Your Secret Weapon
The editing philosophy that saves time without sacrificing authenticity
Don’t aim for perfect. Aim for real. Your goal isn’t to win a Pulitzer. It’s to connect. We’re not writing a thesis, we’re just writing a blog post.
The “rubber duck” method for finding what sounds off
Read it out loud. Or better yet, read it to your pet, your plant, your toddler. If it sounds weird, it is weird.
Red flags that signal your content needs a rewrite
- You don’t want to put your name on it
- It feels like everyone else in your niche
- You’re editing more than you’re sharing
How much editing is “enough” (and when you’re wasting time)
Once it feels like you, stop. Don’t over-polish it into something generic.
The 50/60% rule: When you’re actually co-writing with AI
If you’re keeping about half of what the AI wrote and rewriting the rest? You’re not cheating. You’re co-creating.
The Transparency Question: Should You Tell Your Audience You Used AI?
What your audience actually cares about
They care that your content helps them, not how you made it. Does it really matter if I used a Windows machine or a Mac? Nope. (Windows by the way)
Disclosure guidelines for service providers
Be honest if it comes up, but you don’t need to start every post with, “Hey, a robot helped me write this.” I will never lie about using AI. Yes, my bots helped me outline and create this post.
How to build trust while using AI in your process
Share your editing process with your readers. Talk about how you use AI to support, not replace, your voice.
My process is ever changing, but I start with a topic and a few keywords. I ask my chatGPT bot to help me round that out with an outline. I pass that over to Perplexity, using Perplexity’s research capabilities, and ask him to point out the gaps and improvements. Then back over to my custom chatGPT bot to write the content that I then edit.
Common Mistakes That Kill Authenticity (And How to Avoid Them)
Mistake #1: Letting AI do all the heavy lifting without editing
Always edit. Always. Once upon a time I didn’t do that, but now? I’m always reading, rereading and editing.
Mistake #2: Forcing AI output when your instinct says “rewrite this”
If your gut says, “meh,” listen to it. If it’s trash, trash it and start over.
Mistake #3: Using the same AI tone across all your platforms
Different platform? Different energy. Don’t copy/paste.
Mistake #4: Ignoring the “imposter syndrome” concern
Using AI doesn’t mean you’re cheating. It means you’re working smarter. Technology makes life easier, more pleasant, we’d be stupid to not embrace it and use. (Hello? air conditioning? electricity?)
FAQ: Your Authenticity + AI Questions Answered
Is it okay to use AI for content writing?
Yes. Think of it like a copy assistant. Not your ghostwriter.
How do you make AI writing actually sound human?
By adding you back into it: your tone, your stories, your edits.
What are the best practices for AI content creation?
- Start with your own idea
- Give the AI clear instructions
- Edit with your voice in mind
Can AI detectors tell if I used AI? (And does it matter?)
Sometimes, but who cares? Focus on sounding human, not “undetectable.”
How do successful service providers use AI without losing credibility?
They treat it like a partner, not a crutch.
Your Action Plan: Start Today
Week 1: Test one paragraph with AI and edit it
Don’t overthink it. Try writing a paragraph, let AI rewrite it, and then edit it into something better.
Week 2: Build your brand voice prompt and refine it
Keep tweaking it until your GPT “gets you.”
Week 3: Develop your editing process
Decide when you write from scratch, when you use AI, and when you tag in a human editor.
Week 4: Document what works and scale it
Save great prompts, highlight strong edits, and build a system that fits you.
Remember…
It’s not about doing it perfectly. It’s about showing up as you, getting your message out there, and letting the tools support your process – not take it over.
Ready to write with AI while staying true to your voice?
Grab the free One-Page AI Tip Sheet – you’ll get the 5 strategies to keep your voice intact, real-world AI tools to try (ChatGPT, Canva, Notion), plus the fact-checking checklist that stops robotic-sounding content before it goes live.
