Happy “We’re Trying Our Best” Day,
"Regis, how do you write with AI, when you're writing never sounds like AI?"
Awww, you noticed? Thank you for asking. Authenticity is really important to me so I'm happy to share.
When people like you ask that😋, what they're really addressing is AI slop. AI slop is that term when people just copy-paste EVERYTHING from AI and EVERYTHING just sounds robotic. It's become so much the norm that it makes people infuriated when they KNOW work is 100% AI.
"Gosh, at least try!" (As you nod "Yesss!", thinking of that one employee that sent you that email with 50 emojis and 40 dashes)
The opposite of AI slop is "Style". How do you produce good content using AI while also un-AI-ing it? You learn to develop YOUR style.
After you use AI to draft your email or document, do the following to inject your style and pizzazz✨ into your writing:
Actionable Task: Always Edit Your Writing Using These 3 Steps
1) Write How You Talk
I promise, your original voice is better than "sounding professionally" robotic.
AI says: "We are writing to express our sincere gratitude for your generous contribution."
You say: "I was literally doing a happy dance in the breakroom when your gift came through."
2) Break Predictability
AI writes predictably because it knows the next word. Say it differently.
Predictable: "Your gift will help the community"
Unpredictable: "Your gift just bought us two more weeks of breathing room for our after-school program."
3) Break the 4th Wall
Put yourself in the reader's point of view. Think like them. Address it in your writing to stand out.
Before: "Your gift just bought us two more weeks of breathing room."
After: "Your gift just bought us two more weeks of breathing room (and trust me, two weeks is a year in nonprofit talk, so sincerely thank you)."
Remember: AI generates. You elevate. The raw output is just raw material waiting for your voice, your values, your vision to transform it from generic to genuine. Anyone can generate AI Slop. Only you can make it yours.
#ExistToServe
P.S. Know another NPO leader holding it all together with grit and grace? If you find value in this, pay it forward. Forward this their way. We’re not meant to lead alone, and together, we go farther.
Regis Arzu (he/him/his)
[email protected]
ETS AI Consulting | CEO
347.748.5078
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Mondays are rough. It's scary times for Nonprofits. Your time is scarce. That’s why I created the Monday Motivational Minute. Each week, I’ll send you one high-impact, actionable idea to help you leverage AI and save time. It will always be a 1-minute read or less. If it adds value, great. If not, unsubscribe, but I’m betting you’ll want to stay. (Challenge Accepted ☺️)
