Hi there,
A post can have perfect spelling and still leave a customer confused. For example, “Premium solutions for your outdoor space” sounds professional, but it gives a homeowner very little help when their fence is leaning and they are worried about the cost.
Compare that with: “A leaning fence does not always need replacing. Sometimes one damaged post is the problem, while the panels are still in good shape.” Now the reader has something useful to ask about before agreeing to a job.
A useful answer gives the customer something to ask about.
This is an example, rather than advice about a particular fence. But it shows why a clear answer can be more useful than a polished claim. The reader can see what the business would check and why it matters.
Asking chatgpt to “make it sound human” gives it very little direction. A real question, your own explanation and a few examples of how you write give it much more to work with.
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1. Show chatgpt how you explain things
Choose three short posts, emails or messages that sound like you. Use examples you wrote or edited yourself. Untouched AI drafts will teach it the voice you are trying to change.
Paste your examples into one conversation with this prompt:
Prompt 1: Learn my writing habits
Study these three writing examples. Give me five simple rules based on habits that appear across the samples: word choice, sentence length, paragraph length and how I explain a point. Show evidence from the samples.
Do not invent a personality or force every sentence to be the same length. Wait for me to check the rules before writing anything new.
My examples: [Paste your three examples here.]
Read the rules before accepting them. “Use mostly short sentences” might fit. “Keep every sentence under eight words” might make the post feel broken. Correct anything that does not sound like you.
2. Give it a real customer question
Think of something a customer asked recently. It might be about price, how long a job takes or whether they need to replace something. Write the answer as if you were explaining it to that person.
A rough note is fine. If speaking is easier, record your answer and use the transcript. Include what depends on the situation, so AI does not turn a possible result into a promise.
Then paste this into the same conversation:
Prompt 2: Turn my answer into a useful post
Turn my rough answer into a helpful post of 120–160 words for [describe your reader]. Follow the writing rules we agreed above. Start with the customer question, explain the answer in plain English and use the details I supplied.
Include any limits or things that need checking. Do not invent prices, results, customer quotes or guarantees. Ask me if a missing fact would change the advice. End with one useful next step.
Customer question: [Paste here.]
My rough answer: [Paste here.]
Give the reader something they can do
After drafting, read the post aloud. Check whether it answers the question, explains what depends on the situation and gives the customer a useful next step. Change any sentence you would feel strange saying in person.
The fence example could end with: “Ask which parts need fixing before agreeing to replace the whole fence.” That gives the reader a question to take into the conversation.
One customer question can also become a short email for people who want more advice from your business. Save the questions that keep coming up. They can help you choose what to write next.
Thinking about a newsletter?
If an email list is your next step, take a look at Beehiiv here. It is the platform we use for this newsletter.
This is an affiliate link. I may receive a commission if you make a qualifying purchase through it.
For the next post, begin with a question someone has actually asked. Explain the answer in your own words, then let chatgpt help organise it. Keep the details that make the answer useful.
If you want somewhere to practise and ask questions, join our free AI Skills Lab community.
Jane
P.S. What is one question customers keep asking about your work? Reply with it. I would like to use those questions to shape the next issue.