Short on time? Here’s the whole article in four lines.
- AI writes in a “default” voice unless you show it yours.
- Give it samples of your writing and a short description of how you sound.
- Always do a final edit yourself. Cut the clichés, add a real detail, read it out loud.
- AI drafts, you finish. That’s how it still sounds like you.
When you don’t tell me how you sound, I aim for something safe and middle-of-the-road. Polite, a bit polished, a little generic.
That’s fine for a parking notice. It’s not fine for your newsletter, where people want to hear you.
A voice brief is a few lines describing how you write. Save it and paste it in whenever you ask for a draft.
| Question | Example answer |
|---|---|
| How do I sound? | Warm, direct, a little funny. Never stiff. |
| Who am I talking to? | Busy moms who run small businesses from home. |
| Words I use | “Let’s be honest,” “here’s the thing,” “y’all” |
| Words I never use | “Synergy,” “leverage,” “game-changer” |
| Sentence style | Short sentences. Contractions. First person. |
Paste in two or three things you’ve written that you love, like a favorite email or post. Then type:
“Here are some samples of my writing. Match this voice when you write the draft below.”
Samples work better than descriptions. AI is good at picking up rhythm and word choice.
Before anything goes out, run through this:
Keisha sells handmade candles. Her first AI draft of a product description said:
“Elevate your space with our luxurious, hand-poured candle, crafted to transform any room into a sanctuary of relaxation.”
After she added her voice brief and two old product descriptions, the next draft said:
“This one smells like my grandma’s kitchen in October. Cinnamon, a little clove, and zero fake vanilla. Burns for about 40 hours.”
She changed “40” to “45,” because she’d timed it herself, and posted it.
