How to fix generic AI drafts and add your own voice

Spot the “AI mush” in your draft

Before you improve a draft, you need to see what feels off. AI mush usually sounds smooth, but says very little. Look for long lists of vague benefits, advice that could fit any topic, and sentences full of words like “leverage”, “utilize” or “in today’s fast paced world”. If you can copy a paragraph into a different niche and it still makes sense, it is too generic. Your first pass is not editing for grammar. You are hunting for emptiness. Highlight every bland claim and ask yourself a blunt question: would my audience miss this line if I deleted it.

Replace vague claims with concrete proof

Generic AI content loves safe, fuzzy statements. To cut the mush, translate every vague claim into something you could show a friend. Swap “grow your audience fast” for numbers, time frames or a tiny case example. Turn “this is very important” into “if you skip this, here is what usually happens”. Add small, real world details, like tools you actually use or time limits that feel real. You do not need big data. One small believable detail is often enough to make a paragraph feel grounded and honest.

Inject your own examples, stories and opinions

AI writes from patterns on the internet. Your power is that you have actual days, mistakes and wins. After the first draft, do a “human pass”. Ask where you can add a one line story, a small confession or a personal rule of thumb. You can keep it light. An example from last week, a client message, a mistake you keep making. Add clear opinions too, such as one tactic you avoid or a myth you strongly disagree with. These details build trust, because your readers feel a real person standing behind the words.

Make the draft sound like you actually talk

Many AI drafts sound like a school essay. To fix that, read the text out loud. Mark every sentence that feels stiff or that you would never say to a friend. Shorten long chains of commas into two simple sentences. Swap formal words for simple ones you use in voice notes. If you like dry jokes or certain phrases, sprinkle them in on purpose, just a little. You can even paste a paragraph back into the AI and say “rewrite this in my voice, more casual, keep all specifics”. The goal is clear: when a friend reads it, they should hear you.

Use a simple checklist to avoid common mistakes

A quick checklist keeps your revision tight and repeatable. Common mistakes are accepting the first AI draft, editing only commas, or deleting half the text with no clear plan. Instead, move in a small fixed order. First, cut obvious fluff. Second, add details and examples. Third, fix the voice. Stop there for now. You do not need a perfect piece, you need something clear that sounds like you and helps one reader solve one problem. With practice, this whole process can take 15 to 20 minutes per draft.

Useful links

• OpenAI — Learn more about how AI language models work so you can prompt smarter.

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