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AI Content Writing Tips

The idea

When crafting content with AI, the argument is that you should avoid simply telling the AI to act as a professional in a specific field. Instead, focus on the persona you want the AI to emulate. For instance, if you're writing a cold email to real estate professionals, don't ask the AI to write like a professional salesperson. Instead, instruct it to speak as someone who is highly skilled in engaging with real estate professionals. This approach yields more authentic and effective content. For example, asking the AI to write from the perspective of a successful vacation rental manager can produce emails that resonate better with your target audience. Trust in the AI’s ability to adapt and refine its output based on your specific instructions.

Why it works

• When you tell the AI who your target audience is, the output becomes more personalized and resonant. The argument is that the AI can better understand and mimic the language style and tone preferred by your specific audience, making the content more engaging.
• By framing the AI as someone familiar with your industry or target market, you enable it to produce content that feels authentic and relevant. One view holds that this approach helps the AI craft copy that aligns more closely with your brand voice and messaging goals.

The playbook

1. Define your target audience. Understand who you're writing for, whether it's real estate professionals, vacation rental managers, or any other specific group. This will help the AI generate content that resonates with your intended audience.

1. Be specific in your prompt. Instead of saying "act as a professional," describe the role or persona you want the AI to adopt. For example, instead of "write a sales email," try "write a sales email to busy real estate professionals who are interested in vacation rental management solutions."

1. Use context and scenarios. Provide the AI with scenarios or situations where the content will be used. For instance, if you're writing a blog post, mention that it should address common challenges faced by your target market.

1. Tailor the language. Use language that feels natural and authentic. For example, if your target audience is in the real estate industry, use industry-specific jargon and terminology to make the content more relevant.

1. Revise and refine. The AI may produce content that needs tweaking. Review the output, make adjustments, and ensure it aligns perfectly with your brand voice and messaging.

Where people get it wrong

When you prompt AI, do you often say "act as a pro" or "act as a professional"? That's a common mistake. The AI will then generate generic, boilerplate content that lacks the personal touch needed to engage your audience. Instead, focus on the persona you want the AI to adopt. For instance, if you're writing for vacation rental management companies, don't just ask the AI to be a "professional marketer." Instead, tell the AI that it's a seasoned expert in vacation rentals who understands the unique challenges and opportunities faced by these companies. This will yield more relevant and compelling content.

Another pitfall is using overly broad or generic prompts. For example, asking the AI to write a cold email about a product without specifying the target audience can result in a generic message that fails to resonate. Instead, provide detailed information about the type of company or individual the email is aimed at. For example, say, "Write a cold email to a busy real estate professional who is interested in vacation rental management software." This will guide the AI to craft a more specific and targeted message.

Lastly, relying on the AI to generate content without any human oversight can lead to subpar results. The AI might make assumptions or produce content that doesn't align with your brand's voice or message. Always review and refine the AI-generated content to ensure it meets your standards. By tailoring your prompts and actively reviewing the output, you can achieve much better results.

Do this next

• When crafting a cold email, don't just ask the AI to act as a professional salesperson. Tailor the prompt to your target audience. For instance, if you're targeting vacation rental management companies, craft the prompt to reflect that: "Write the email as someone experienced in talking to vacation rental management companies. You know they're busy and looking for solutions to streamline their operations. Suggest a 15-minute call to discuss how our services can help."
• For LinkedIn content, don’t just ask the AI to write like a marketer. Instead, specify the type of professionals you’re targeting. For example, if you’re in real estate, prompt the AI with: "Write a post for real estate professionals who are looking to expand their client base. Focus on how our services can help them reach more potential clients and close deals faster."
• If you need copy for your website, avoid generic prompts. Instead, ask the AI to write for your specific audience. For example, if you’re a tech startup targeting young professionals, prompt the AI with: "Write the copy for our homepage as someone who understands the needs and interests of young professionals in the tech industry. Highlight our unique features and how they benefit this audience."
• For social media posts, don’t just ask the AI to write like a social media manager. Instead, give context and specify the platform. For example, if you’re on Instagram, prompt the AI with: "Write an Instagram post for our new product launch. It should be engaging and include a call-to-action for followers to visit our website and learn more. Make sure it’s visually appealing and suitable for an Instagram feed."