AI Mistakes That Make You Look Like a Robot (And How to Stay Human); Many issues stand out and turn readers off before they start
Post by Peter Hanley coachhanley.com
Nothing kills your credibility faster than content that screams “AI generated” to your audience. While artificial intelligence offers incredible productivity benefits, many entrepreneurs unknowingly publish robotic-sounding content that repels readers instead of engaging them. The key to leveraging AI successfully lies in understanding its telltale mistakes and learning how to maintain your authentic human voice.
The Cricket Problem: When AI Uses Meaningless Phrases
One of the most obvious AI giveaways is the use of certain words and phrases that sound impressive but mean absolutely nothing. The word “crickets” frequently appears in AI-generated content as a metaphor for silence or lack of response, but it often feels forced and unnatural in context. When AI writes “you’ll hear crickets from your competitors,” it creates awkward phrasing that humans rarely use in normal conversation.
Furthermore, AI tends to overuse dramatic expressions like “game-changer,” “revolutionary,” and “unprecedented” without providing specific context or evidence. These empty superlatives make your content sound like generic marketing copy rather than thoughtful analysis. Real humans use these words sparingly and only when they truly apply to the situation.
The Hyphen Epidemic: Over-Punctuation That Screams AI
Another dead giveaway is AI’s obsession with hyphens to separate descriptive words. You’ll notice AI constantly creates phrases like “cutting-edge solutions,” “game-changing strategies,” and “mind-blowing results.” While hyphens serve important grammatical purposes, AI overuses them to the point where content becomes cluttered and unnatural.
Moreover, this hyphen overuse creates a rhythm that feels robotic rather than conversational. Human writers typically use more varied sentence structures and punctuation patterns. When every other phrase contains unnecessary hyphens, readers subconsciously recognize the artificial pattern and lose trust in your content.
The Repetitive Structure Trap
AI often falls into predictable structural patterns that become monotonous quickly. It loves starting paragraphs with transition words like “furthermore,” “moreover,” and “additionally” in mechanical succession. While these transitions serve important purposes, AI uses them too frequently and in overly predictable patterns.
Similarly, AI tends to follow rigid paragraph structures where every section begins with a topic sentence, followed by supporting details, then a conclusion. This formulaic approach works for academic writing but feels sterile in business content where personality and variety matter more than perfect structure.
The Over-Explanation Problem
AI consistently commits the sin of over-explaining obvious concepts, treating readers like they need everything spelled out in excruciating detail. It will explain what email marketing is before discussing email marketing strategies, or define what a website is before offering web design tips. This condescending approach insults your audience’s intelligence and wastes valuable space.
Additionally, AI often includes unnecessary disclaimers and hedge words that weaken your message. Phrases like “it’s important to note that” or “you should consider the fact that” add bloat without adding value. Human writers are more confident and direct in their communication.
The Emotional Disconnect
Perhaps the most damaging AI mistake is its inability to convey genuine emotion or personal experience. AI-generated content often discusses success, failure, frustration, and joy without any authentic emotional resonance. It uses emotional words but lacks the personal stories and specific details that make emotions feel real.
Furthermore, AI struggles with humor, sarcasm, and cultural references that humans use naturally to connect with their audience. When AI attempts humor, it often falls flat or feels forced, creating awkward moments that distance readers rather than engaging them.
Maintaining Your Human Voice
To avoid these robotic pitfalls, always edit AI-generated content with your authentic voice in mind. Remove meaningless buzzwords, vary your sentence structure, and inject personal experiences that only you can share. Replace generic examples with specific stories from your own journey or observations from your industry.
Additionally, read your content aloud before publishing. If it sounds like something you’d never say in conversation, rewrite it. The best content feels like a knowledgeable friend sharing valuable insights, not a robot delivering programmed responses.
The Path to Authentic AI Integration
Smart entrepreneurs use AI as a starting point, not an endpoint. They leverage AI’s efficiency while maintaining their unique perspective and voice. This approach allows you to produce content faster without sacrificing the human connection that builds trust and drives results.
Ready to master the balance between AI efficiency and human authenticity in your marketing? Discover how successful entrepreneurs leverage technology while maintaining their personal brand through Michael Cheney’s Millionaire’s Apprentice program and start creating content that truly connects with your audience.