I’m not a robot. I’m not a machine. I’m not a bot. I’m a human. And not just that, but I’m a human who gives everything I’ve got to every project. I love to help, whether it’s a deep dive into the weeds of how to do something or just a little nudge to get you thinking differently.
Today, it’s one of those nudges.
Talk to me like I’m human.
Well, yes, me. But also your favourite AI – ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, whatever you’re using. Talk to it like a person. A colleague. A mate. The difference? Night and day.
The Bland, the Generic, and the Bloody Brilliant
Over the past couple of years, I’ve had a couple of thousand chats with ChatGPT. That thing knows more about my life and projects than my therapist ever could. I’ve trained it with everything I know, and we talk things through like me and a client over a good coffee. And the result? Wow.
It sounds like me. Most of the time, anyway. Unless I need it to sound like a petrolhead, a compassionate social worker, or some zen life coach.
But here’s the thing: if you hold back, so will your AI. Give it the bare minimum, and it’ll give you exactly what you deserve – bland, generic, “look what ChatGPT wrote!” garbage.
Talk to it properly, though? Suddenly, it’s on your wavelength. It gets your tone. Your quirks. Your intentions.
How to Get the Best Out of Your AI
Think of your AI like that colleague who needs a bit of guidance. You wouldn’t dump a one-line brief on a human and expect perfection, so don’t do it here. Instead:
- Explain the context. Share what you’re trying to achieve, who it’s for, and what matters most.
- Use your tone. Be yourself in how you ask – if you’re sarcastic, be sarcastic. If you’re formal, go formal. AI learns by listening.
- Be specific. Don’t just ask for “an article about cars.” Ask for “a chatty piece about why electric cars are taking over, aimed at petrolheads who think they’re dull.”
- Push back. If the first result isn’t right, tell it why. Refine. Ask it to try again.
It’s a conversation, not a vending machine.
My Own Experience
When I first started using ChatGPT, the output felt… meh. It was fine but not me. Then I realised I wasn’t talking to it. I was throwing generic prompts at it, and what came back screamed “This was written by a bot!”
So, I changed tack. I started writing prompts the way I’d talk to a human. I gave it background, asked for opinions, and shared my expectations. And the output? It stopped being “AI content” and started being my content.
Now, whether I need it to sound like me, a mate down the pub, or a technical expert, I know how to ask.
You Get Out What You Put In
Here’s the brutal truth: AI tools are only as good as you let them be. Treat them like a glorified search engine, and they’ll act like one. Treat them like your creative partner, and they’ll step up.
It’s like cooking. You can slap a tin of beans on toast and call it dinner, or you can take the time to craft something proper. The input – the ingredients – make all the difference.
So next time someone whinges about AI being bland or boring, ask them: “How did you talk to it?” Because if the answer is, “I just typed something bland and clicked submit,” then mate, the tool isn’t the problem.
The Key Takeaway
If you want AI to work for you, treat it like the teammate it can be. Have a conversation. Give it personality to work with. Don’t just dump your leftovers and hope for a Michelin-starred meal.
Because when you get it right, the results are bloody amazing.
Oh, and when ChatGPT starts replying in chats with emojis, you know you’re on to something!
For Those Who Love a Quick FAQ Sprint
Can AI really sound human?
Yes, but only if you help it along. The more context, tone, and personality you feed it, the more human-like the output. If you give it robotic input, you’ll get robotic output. Simple as that.
What’s the trick to getting better AI results?
Talk to it like a mate. Share context, be specific, and give it some personality to work with. Treat it like a colleague, not a vending machine.
Why does AI sometimes sound generic?
Because people treat it like a bland prompt generator. If you give it vague or dull instructions, it’ll churn out content that matches. Put in more effort, and you’ll get gold.
Can AI reflect my own voice and style?
Absolutely! With enough training and conversation, it can mimic your tone, quirks, and style. Just be clear about what you want and don’t be afraid to refine it.
Is it worth pushing back on AI output?
Yes! Think of it as a first draft. If it’s not quite right, tell it what’s missing or off, and let it have another go. It’s a collaboration, not a one-shot deal.
Will AI ever replace human creativity?
No chance. AI is a tool, not a creator. It amplifies what you bring to the table, but the magic still comes from you.
Got more questions? Get in touch and I’ll answer like the human I am.
Oh, quick thought… Is it worth paying for AI tools?
Abso-frikkin-lutely! Don’t think this magic will happen with a freeloader account. Highly unlikely. Come on. Dip into your nest egg and pull out twenty quid. That’s where all this fun happens. In-depth prompts (which also require a lot of figuring out) are good and available in the freebie accounts, but if you want to get into Custom GPTs, Spaces, Projects, and Actions – you’ve got to shell out a few bob.
Or hire me. I’ll leave that one with you.
