Why AI Writing Sounds Robotic (And How to Make AI Writing Sound Like You)

If you've ever read AI writing and cringed at "unlock your true potential" or "elevate your business game," this episode is about exactly why that happens — and how to make AI writing sound human instead. I found the AI-written podcast description that inspired this deep-dive, and we get into the specific techniques for keeping your creative voice intact. So I was hunting for new podcasts the other day (as one does when you have a podcast addiction), and I found this personal development show with like 200 episodes and tons of reviews. But then I read the description and... oof. It was SO obviously AI-written. Like painfully obvious. "Unlock your true potential," "elevate your business game," "unleash your superpowers" - you know, all those phrases that scream "I wrote this in 2023 and never looked back!" The weird thing? I actually listened to the host and they're super personable and authentic! But their description made them sound like a robot. It got me thinking - how do we make sure our own content doesn't end up in that same hollow, AI-generated trap? WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why AI writing isn't "wrong" - just overused - This stuff comes from legitimate professional writing! But when everyone suddenly sounds the same... yikes Spot the AI lingo - Thanks to Matthew Hitcham's research (shoutout to his ChatGPT Black Magic course that Facebook-stalked me into buying) Write like you actually talk - Not dumbed down, just... human? There's a difference Add your messy human experiences - The cat-knocking-over-water moments that make content real Know when to sound professional vs. conversational - Because your yoga studio newsletter doesn't need to sound like a medical journal The Baader-Meinhof effect in action - Once you see these patterns, you'll notice them EVERYWHERE (sorry in advance) Embrace strategic imperfection - Sometimes the tangents and "oops" moments are what make it memorable TOOLS & RESOURCES I USE For Content Creation: ChatGPT (for outlines when my brain is stuck) Claude (my go-to for everything writing-related) Voice memos (to capture how I actually talk) The Course That Stalked Me: Matthew Hitcham's ChatGPT Black Magic ($19 when I got it, totally worth it) Tons of prompt templates in there (I've only used 3 so far, oops) TRY THESE THIS WEEK Audit your recent content - Count how many AI patterns you find Read everything aloud - This catches unnatural phrasing better than anything else Add one messy human moment - Share a specific example, even if it's embarrassing (especially if it's embarrassing) Test the hybrid approach - Use AI for structure, then rewrite it like you're explaining to a friend Test the decision framework - Consciously decide: high stakes or low? Emotional or technical? Match your approach accordingly IMPORTANT STUFF Look, if you're a trained writer who naturally writes formally, don't feel like you need to sound like a TikTok influencer just to avoid the AI trap. The goal is authenticity, not forced casualness. Context matters! These tips are especially helpful for us creatives who aren't writers first - designers, photographers, video editors - who need to create content but don't have formal writing training. AI tools can be lifesavers for us, just remember to make the output sound like YOU. Also, there's no "right" way to write. It's like cooking - there are professional chefs and then there's the rest of us who just need to feed people. And cats. Same with writing! NEXT EPISODE SNEAK PEEK We're rambling about AI image generation tools - and how to use them without losing your creative soul in the process. P.S. - Once you start noticing these AI patterns, you literally can't unsee them. You're welcome/I'm sorry!   LET'S CONNECT! If this helped, subscribe to AI for Creative Professionals on Apple or Spotify for more practical AI tools for creatives — freelance and in-house designers, writers, marketers, photographers, video editors, podcasters and other creative professionals figuring out how to work with AI without losing what makes their work theirs. I cover AI tools for creatives, AI workflows, prompt engineering, creative automation, AI-assisted content creation and the latest AI industry trends, with tools I tested in real creative workflows rather than just repeated from a launch announcement. I also talk about the other side of working with AI: creative careers, AI job anxiety, AI burnout, creative identity, maintaining your voice and taste, client expectations, boundaries, and what we might be better off keeping human. I'm also on Substack at @aiforcreativeprofessionals if you want to connect directly, it's where I will post the more personal, behind-the-scenes stuff that doesn't fit into an episode. New episodes every Wednesday. Full show notes and transcripts at aiforcreativepros.com