Want Your Copy to Stand Out From AI? Get Weirder.
Since the days are growing shorter, and my consumption of Earl Grey has become its own personality trait, I thought it was time to offer you some short, non-threatening ways to layer in more personaliTEA (#sorrynotsorry) to your messaging and copy.
Why is this important?
Being relatable and human in your copy and messaging has always been in style. It builds trust with your potential clients or audience, helps them imagine what it might be like to work with you, and increases authentic connection.
Yet, with the rise of AI-generated content (and increasingly concerning, AI slop), what makes you the most human are your greatest assets. Especially when writing copy that is emotionally resonant, compelling, and designed for trust-building, not traffic.
Let’s explore ways to center your humanity and personality in your messaging, shall we?
7 Human-Centered Strategies to Bring More of You Into Your Message
Own Your Weird (or Get Wierder)
Whether it's terrible puns (*cough*), movie quotes, or bizarre collections, rock that shit. You have a PhD in your personality! Don't try to be someone else.
It can be tempting to mimic someone else’s writing voice — or rely heavily on AI — but it’s not sustainable or authentic.
Share a Personal or Professional Story.
Show the reader your personality in a captivating, visual way. It doesn’t have to be a serious story, just one that showcases your beliefs, perspective, or unique qualities.
Add Personal Details from Your Life.
Save go-to-your-grave secrets for therapy. Just add an activity you do outside of work. Or the name of your cat. Or your favorite author. Even a silly superstition.
Personal details help readers relate and remember you.
Own a Divisive Opinion
It doesn’t even have to be "controversial" or provocative, although that works well. Whatever you choose, personal opinions bring out your unique perspective.
Readers relate to you. Non-ideal clients click away. Win-win.
Match the Rhythm of Your Speech.
Play around with spelling and sentence structure to mimic how you talk. Experiment with punctuation.
Best tip: record yourself and observe how you talk. When editing time comes, read your copy out loud to make sure it's not too stiff.
Break the Fourth Wall.
Calling all theater nerds! 🎭 This is your monologue, baby! You’re on a stage and speaking directly to ONE person. Post thought-provoking questions to the reader, alongside colloquial phrases, such as “you know?” or “you get me?”
Use Cultural or ‘Insider’ References
Whether it’s pop culture, books, memes, or 90’s throwbacks (my fav), references help your audience immediately understand your tone and vibe.
Insider references (i.e., languages or jargon that only your ideal client would know) help further signal you ‘one of them’ — and don’t have to explain their life experiences to you.
Which one of these strategies will you try?
The truth is, you’d be surprised how just small shifts in what you share about yourself, your experiences, your perspectives can help you feel suddenly more human and resonate with your ideal clients.
Pick one and run with it. Let’s see what happens.
Align your message with your magic.
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