How to get AI to write something that sounds like you

You ask AI for a short workshop email. It returns a polished introduction, grand claims, and phrases you would never say. You spend longer undoing the style than writing the message. Give it a specific job and your own material to work with.

Explain the reader, purpose, and facts before asking for a draft. Then edit the result. A useful process makes your judgement easier to apply each time.

Explain the situation before asking for the draft

Say who will read the piece, what they already know, and what you want it to help them understand or do.

For example, an email to someone who attended your workshop needs a different introduction from an article for a person who has never heard of you. Include the offer details that matter, such as what is available and which action the reader can take.

Keep facts separate from writing instructions. If a price, date, or result is unknown, say so and ask the tool to flag the gap. Do not ask it to make the details sound convincing.

OpenAI’s prompting guidance recommends clear instructions, enough context, and improving the request after reviewing the response.

Show your voice with a useful sample

Choose a paragraph you wrote that sounds natural to you. Remove client names, private details, and anything the tool does not need.

Name what to preserve: short sentences, a practical example, and a direct invitation. Name unwanted habits too, such as grand openings or repeated conclusions. A sample helps show your preference, but it does not guarantee the tool will follow it.

Here is a starting prompt:

Draft a short email for coaches who downloaded my workshop planning checklist. Help them choose one outcome for their next workshop. Use the writing sample below as a guide to my tone. Keep the language simple and the email under 200 words. Use no em dashes. Do not invent experiences, results, or offer details. End by inviting a reply about what they are planning. Flag any missing facts before drafting.

Add your sample and the relevant facts underneath. If the first draft feels too formal, identify the sentence that bothers you and explain how you would normally say it.

Edit for meaning as well as tone

Read the draft aloud. Change phrases you would never use. Remove repeated introductions and any sentence that sounds impressive but adds little.

Check the substance: facts, promises, and links. Keep a corrected example for next time. Compare the total drafting and editing time over several attempts. If rewriting remains slower, use AI for an outline or a clarity check instead of the whole message.

Build a repeatable writing process with SPARQ

SPARQ can help turn repeated content preparation into one agreed workflow. For writing projects, Nicky agrees a short voice guide using your examples, builds the prompts and specified connections, and tests sample outputs with you. Your review stays before client-facing messages, and handover notes explain how to run the process.

Frequently asked questions

What should I tell AI before asking it to write?

Explain the reader, purpose, format, relevant facts, and desired next step. Include a short writing sample and any constraints, such as length or words to avoid. Ask it to identify missing information instead of filling gaps with invented details.

How do I stop the writing sounding generic?

Give it a specific situation and material that comes from your own work. Show the tone you want, then edit vague phrases into concrete explanations. A useful example usually adds more personality than repeatedly asking for the text to sound more human.

What should I check before publishing an AI-assisted draft?

Check facts, names, links, promises, and any information about other people. Confirm that examples and quotations are genuine or clearly labelled as fictional. Read it once more for clarity and make sure it represents what you actually want to say.

Your next step

Tell Nicky what you write repeatedly and where AI keeps missing the mark. He will follow up personally to explore a focused writing workflow.

Related reading: How to explain your offer clearly