How Not to AI (This Isn’t About Steak Sauce)
- Angela Rakis
- May 12
- 3 min read
AI is a resource, so use it as a tool.
Depending on who you talk to, AI is the end for all of us—no more jobs, no more creativity, no more nothing. Or, it’s the best business tool ever, adapt or die. Whatever your stance, it’s here to stay, and we aren’t putting the genie back in the bottle. As business owners, it’s on us to figure out how to use it. And how not to use it.
I was recently sent a series of sales emails that were so egregiously AI that I had to share with you my advice on How NOT to AI. (PS: this has nothing to do with steak sauce).
This series of emails, which are screenshotted here, clearly pulled from my online presence and spit out something about me. What the sender failed to do was read the emails before hitting send. Had they done so, they would see in Email #1 that their custom AI tool sends them information about me in third person. What? Why am I reading about myself in a sales email?? The postscript notes they liked my chat on Channel 5+, but I don’t know what that’s about.
Email #2 tried to get more personal by adding a link to an article that might be of interest, but the language of the email lacked continuity.
Email #3 referenced a project I worked on long ago that is not relevant to anything today. It was so specific it could only have been culled from LinkedIn. And you might say, “Well, update your LinkedIn.” My work references and projects belong on LinkedIn. If this person had done some quick research, they could have found a more recent project to reference.
Email #4 used a phrase that was on my LinkedIn profile exactly, and not something that would come naturally for a person drafting an email. I write that I “offer a wealth of program management and strategic planning skills.” You can see they use this exact language.
Here are three tips to NOT fall into the trap:
It’s a RESOURCE. Use the tool as a tool. Think back to school—this might age me, but that’s fine. Did you photocopy or rewrite information you found in the library? No, your teacher would know if you did that. You had to think and you had to research. You STILL have to do this in your business if you’re using AI.
READ what AI creates and check it for yourself. I made this mistake recently. I created a bio of someone, and it had errors because I didn't go back and double-check. It was my lesson.
If your business is trying to PERSONALIZE, AI won’t be able to do that. The personality and the humanity comes from YOU, the creator. AI cannot write with your flair and doesn’t have your soul. Yet.
It was timely that my friend and colleague, Denise Cagan from DCA Virtual, posted a short video where you can try to spot the difference between AI and human writing. And I love her caption:
“AI content vs. the human touch! See the difference in seconds. Sure, AI can write. But can it connect? See how the right words, written by real people who get your brand, can transform your messaging. Can you spot the difference?”
Let’s figure this AI thing out together! Send me an email at angela@favoritedaughterllc.com or schedule a call https://calendly.com/angela-rakis/introductory-call!
PS: Former clients, I’m offering a VIP half-day strategy session. Send me a note so we can connect.
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