AI Prompts That Actually Sound Human

"AI slop" was Macquarie Dictionary's Word of the Year for 2025.

You know what it is. The generic LinkedIn posts with the same rhythm, the same em-dashes, the same vague advice that could apply to anyone.

I use AI constantly. But I don't hit the button and publish what comes out. That's how you end up sounding like everyone else.

The problem isn't AI. The problem is treating it like a vending machine instead of a starting point.

Why AI Content Sounds Generic

AI doesn't have opinions. It doesn't have stories. It doesn't have that weird thing you always say.

When you ask ChatGPT to "write a LinkedIn post about building trust," it gives you what the average person would write. Average is the enemy of memorable.

AI lacks three things:

Personal stories. AI wasn't in the room when your client cried on a Zoom call. It can't tell that story. Only you can.

Real opinions. AI hedges. "While some believe X, others argue Y." You know what builds authority? Picking a side.

Your quirks. The phrases you overuse. The analogies you reach for. The things that make you recognisable.

AI gives you structure. You add what makes it yours.

TTV member Jasmine set up her system using this approach. She emailed me the next day: "OMG this is great. It sounds like me and I have 4 LinkedIn posts in 15 minutes."

That's the difference. She didn't just prompt and publish. She prompted, then added her stories, her opinions, her phrases. Fifteen minutes. Four posts. All hers.

The Personal Touch Test

Before posting anything AI-generated, check for these three things:

• A story or example only you could tell
• Phrases you actually use in conversation
• An opinion that not everyone agrees with

If your content could have been written by anyone, it won't build authority.

What makes a brand memorable? The tiny things you don't plan. Look at your emoji list. What do you use constantly? That tells you something about what makes you distinctive.

For deeper prompting techniques, check out Nat Koko's RTCF framework for AI prompts. Better inputs get better outputs.

A Prompt That Actually Works

The quality of AI output depends on your input.

Here's a prompt I use for LinkedIn content:

"Create 2-3 LinkedIn post outlines about [TOPIC]. Write for consultants attracting premium clients. Include a strong hook, one counterintuitive insight, and a clear takeaway."

Simple. Specific. Focused on the outcome.

But the magic isn't the prompt. It's what you do after.

Step 1: Generate raw material with AI.

Step 2: Mark anything generic. Anything your competitor could have written.

Step 3: Replace those sections with your stories, your opinions, your phrases.

Step 4: Check the Personal Touch Test before hitting publish.

AI does 60% of the work. You do the 40% that matters.

Before and After

Before (straight from AI):

"Building trust with clients takes time. Be consistent, deliver on your promises, and communicate clearly. Over time, you'll develop strong relationships that lead to referrals and repeat business."

True. Forgettable. Could have come from any account.

After (with personal touch added):

"Last week a client asked if I could discount my rate. I said no. She booked anyway. Trust isn't built by bending over backwards. It's built by being predictable. When you waffle on your prices, clients wonder what else you'll waffle on."

Same topic. Different impact.

What changed:

• Specific example from this week
• Clear stance (saying no to discounts)
• Conversational language ("waffle" instead of "be inconsistent")
• Counterintuitive point

Finding Your Signature Elements

You need consistent quirks that make your content recognisable.

Mine your conversations. What do clients quote back to you? What phrases do you use over and over? Those are your signature elements.

Check your emoji list. Your most-used emojis reveal personality.

Ask three friends. What's something you always say? What are you weirdly passionate about?

Review your best content. What resonated? Usually it's the unplanned, unpolished bits.

Your job isn't to create a character. It's to notice what already makes you distinctive.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I edit AI-generated content?

Expect to rewrite 30-50% of what AI produces. The structure might be solid, but the voice needs work. If you're publishing without significant edits, your audience can tell.

Will people know I'm using AI?

They'll know if you're lazy about it. They won't know if you add genuine personality. The goal isn't to hide AI usage. The goal is to ensure the final product sounds like you, not like a chatbot. AI is the shortcut. Your voice is the secret ingredient.

What's the best AI prompt for LinkedIn posts?

Start with: "Create 2-3 LinkedIn post outlines about [TOPIC]. Write for consultants attracting premium clients." Then customise. Add word count, tone, or specific angles. The more specific your prompt, the better your raw material. But the prompt just gets you started. The editing is what gets you published.

Your Next Move

Pick one piece of AI content you've been about to post. Run it through the Personal Touch Test. Add a story. Add an opinion. Add a phrase that sounds like you.

Then hit publish.

AI does 60% of the work. You do the 40% that makes it yours.

Want to turn your ideas into content assets without starting from scratch every time? Try Preso — it's free. Build slides, one-pagers, and content that works while you sleep.

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