That third level is really the big fall down for most marketers. If we can't do this, then we are dooming the Internet to AI created slop.
Final voice pass: Read it aloud. Does it sound like something you’d actually say? Why, or why not? Modify the article as follows.
Values check: Is this aligned with what I believe in? Does it sound like it could have come from anyone, or only from me?
Humanizing enhancements: Where can I add an IRL story, contextual metaphor, or a surprising stance? This is the seasoning that makes it unmistakably yours.
That's one of the biggest reasons I write these things, Geoff! A wave of AI generated slop is already starting to engulf us. This is my attempt to "fight back," by empowering human writers with interesting things to say to use AI mindfully, and to great effect!
I love that you’re exploring frameworks that empower writers. And I 💯 agree: human-AI collaboration works best when writers lead with clear intent, and layered critical thinking is key to making that output truly meaningful. People who embrace this mindset adapt faster.
Thank you, Karo. You are spot-on. If you get a moment, read my latest note (screed, rant) about how content marketing is changing thanks to AI. It's based on an article by Contently's CEO, which I link to. I'd love your feedback.
So true, Brian. It's a tug of war that I'm fighting currently. What is the fulcrum between AI-generated content and the human "seasoning" Geoff mentioned? James helped us find it.
I am reading this because Neela and Bette told me to do so, and I am grateful to learn about how you are seeking to be clear about your values and bringing your unique perspectives to the marketing task. Thank you for giving me a glimpse into the hard work you are doing for this. I struggle with other ethical implications of AI for our world, and am glad you are engaging this issue from your vantage point of human moral grounding.
Hans, you couldn't ask for two better "taskmasters" than those two. I'm glad you decided to heed their instructions and appreciate your kind words. I also hope you'll hang around -- the more the merrier.
I like using it as a tool to help me uncover unique angles or perspectives. When I write articles, I usually start with personal experiences or stories and figure out a way to build around them. In a way, I reverse engineer the process. I start with the key pieces I want to include, then figure out how to structure everything to make it come together.
That's a wonderful use of AI, Bette. I also find that one of its strengths is bringing together ideas, some that you may not even think about. AI doesn't "think" like us, but that's an advantage if you want to be creative.
It's refreshing to see such a thoughtful take on this often-misunderstood and way-too-often-feared new frontier. I have been doing prompt engineering like almost on a daily basis for 2 years now, so you might expect I do the stuff you recommend. I do, most, but in the end, after using LLMs for the brainstorming part (not always again, but it helps), I do write my stuff myself. That's not going to be outsourced to Gen AI, that's the whole idea of writing. At least for me. Would be curious to know what other think.
This framework differs from most AI writing advice, because it starts with the hardest part - knowing what you actually think.
Layer 1 is brutal in the best way. Too many 'AI-first' approaches feel like decorating a house that hasn't been built yet.
The Authenticity Filter is what sold me though. That final voice pass is where most AI content falls apart. I've seen teams waste more time 'fixing' AI drafts than they saved generating them, usually because they skipped exactly what you're describing - making sure it sounds like a human wrote it (and specifically, their human).
Thank you Paul & James - congrats on your collaboration :)
Thank you, Neela! Touched by your support! Yes, Layer 1 is the most important for sure. That's where everything else rests, the foundation of your entire writing practice -- not just one piece. It's difficult to get right, especially if you've never thought about it before.
Brian, you should title yourself the AI Therapist! (Remember, you heard it here first!) I want to help people gain literacy and find that balance James talks about. There's a sense of paying it forward.
Oh, I know what you mean about it being like a therapy session! In my coaching program, one of the first sessions is called the Authentic Voice Audit. It's where I get a sense of my students' values, beliefs, and outlook in life, etc., to get a sense of their writing style. It gets very philosophical and emotional.
My first student, I think we truly became friends after that session, when I learned what drove him to write what he writes 😂
This definitely resonates with me, as it's a major focus on the work my partner Andy O'Bryan is doing within our AI Success Club. Without humanization, AI content is boring and sounds like what everyone else is creating.
Thanks, Denise. A good friend put it this way: AI generates; humans publish. Otherwise, she says it's just a race to the middle -- not terrible but not great.
Nice work, James! Thanks kindly for sharing your insights and practical steps. Good to see that the collaboration and platform cross-pollination seems to be working well for you and Paul!
That third level is really the big fall down for most marketers. If we can't do this, then we are dooming the Internet to AI created slop.
Final voice pass: Read it aloud. Does it sound like something you’d actually say? Why, or why not? Modify the article as follows.
Values check: Is this aligned with what I believe in? Does it sound like it could have come from anyone, or only from me?
Humanizing enhancements: Where can I add an IRL story, contextual metaphor, or a surprising stance? This is the seasoning that makes it unmistakably yours.
That's one of the biggest reasons I write these things, Geoff! A wave of AI generated slop is already starting to engulf us. This is my attempt to "fight back," by empowering human writers with interesting things to say to use AI mindfully, and to great effect!
Thanks for the comment and advice, Geoff. I love the term "seasoning." That's precisely the process writers should follow.
Excellent post, James and Paul! Thank you!
I love that you’re exploring frameworks that empower writers. And I 💯 agree: human-AI collaboration works best when writers lead with clear intent, and layered critical thinking is key to making that output truly meaningful. People who embrace this mindset adapt faster.
(Sharing some research that backs this: https://arxiv.org/html/2407.19098v1 )
Thank you, Karo. You are spot-on. If you get a moment, read my latest note (screed, rant) about how content marketing is changing thanks to AI. It's based on an article by Contently's CEO, which I link to. I'd love your feedback.
Great stuff, and this is exactly what the push-button AI "information" people don't get. It's about human connection, not commodified information.
So true, Brian. It's a tug of war that I'm fighting currently. What is the fulcrum between AI-generated content and the human "seasoning" Geoff mentioned? James helped us find it.
Good one Paul, this is an important question of our times.
I am reading this because Neela and Bette told me to do so, and I am grateful to learn about how you are seeking to be clear about your values and bringing your unique perspectives to the marketing task. Thank you for giving me a glimpse into the hard work you are doing for this. I struggle with other ethical implications of AI for our world, and am glad you are engaging this issue from your vantage point of human moral grounding.
Hans, you couldn't ask for two better "taskmasters" than those two. I'm glad you decided to heed their instructions and appreciate your kind words. I also hope you'll hang around -- the more the merrier.
I will indeed hang around and keep learning. Happy Wednesday.
Thank you as well, Hans!
I like using it as a tool to help me uncover unique angles or perspectives. When I write articles, I usually start with personal experiences or stories and figure out a way to build around them. In a way, I reverse engineer the process. I start with the key pieces I want to include, then figure out how to structure everything to make it come together.
That's a wonderful use of AI, Bette. I also find that one of its strengths is bringing together ideas, some that you may not even think about. AI doesn't "think" like us, but that's an advantage if you want to be creative.
It also helps with decision fatigue in that regard, too, James. I can still push on even when my brain is too tired to optimize at full capacity.
Oh definitely. Appropriate AI use can really multiply your output like that. Hmm, that's an interesting article idea.
Yep, it really helps reduce the fatigue. Let me know when you publish it :)
It's refreshing to see such a thoughtful take on this often-misunderstood and way-too-often-feared new frontier. I have been doing prompt engineering like almost on a daily basis for 2 years now, so you might expect I do the stuff you recommend. I do, most, but in the end, after using LLMs for the brainstorming part (not always again, but it helps), I do write my stuff myself. That's not going to be outsourced to Gen AI, that's the whole idea of writing. At least for me. Would be curious to know what other think.
PS: Thanks @Karo for bringing this to my view.
Whether AI writes it or I write it, my view is "it depends" on the topic and personal preference. In my world, B2B tech writing, AI is a huge help.
This article perfectly summarises why I use AI to expand and simplify my original opinions, not to try and come up with its own.
This framework differs from most AI writing advice, because it starts with the hardest part - knowing what you actually think.
Layer 1 is brutal in the best way. Too many 'AI-first' approaches feel like decorating a house that hasn't been built yet.
The Authenticity Filter is what sold me though. That final voice pass is where most AI content falls apart. I've seen teams waste more time 'fixing' AI drafts than they saved generating them, usually because they skipped exactly what you're describing - making sure it sounds like a human wrote it (and specifically, their human).
Thank you Paul & James - congrats on your collaboration :)
Thank you, Neela! Touched by your support! Yes, Layer 1 is the most important for sure. That's where everything else rests, the foundation of your entire writing practice -- not just one piece. It's difficult to get right, especially if you've never thought about it before.
Happy Friday eve James :)
Thanks for commenting, Neela. As a friend of mine says, "AI generates; humans publish."
It's remarkable how many people don't know what they actually think. When I work with people on this it's like a therapy session.
Brian, you should title yourself the AI Therapist! (Remember, you heard it here first!) I want to help people gain literacy and find that balance James talks about. There's a sense of paying it forward.
I also favourably vote to call Brian the AI Therapist :)
Oh, I know what you mean about it being like a therapy session! In my coaching program, one of the first sessions is called the Authentic Voice Audit. It's where I get a sense of my students' values, beliefs, and outlook in life, etc., to get a sense of their writing style. It gets very philosophical and emotional.
My first student, I think we truly became friends after that session, when I learned what drove him to write what he writes 😂
Hey Brian
Happy Friday eve
That’s like when I sit with clients.
The key is guiding them to understand what they really want.
Most don’t know.
This definitely resonates with me, as it's a major focus on the work my partner Andy O'Bryan is doing within our AI Success Club. Without humanization, AI content is boring and sounds like what everyone else is creating.
Thanks, Denise. A good friend put it this way: AI generates; humans publish. Otherwise, she says it's just a race to the middle -- not terrible but not great.
I like that: AI generates; humans publish
Thanks, Denise! I know Andy, am subscribed to his work as well! :) We're all AI humanizing comrades!
Nice work, James! Thanks kindly for sharing your insights and practical steps. Good to see that the collaboration and platform cross-pollination seems to be working well for you and Paul!
Next, it's me and you, Dee! :-)