How I Stopped Fighting AI and Started Using It to Build My Brand (Without Losing My Soul)

One year ago, I called AI-generated content "generic, wildly inaccurate, and soulless." Today, AI tools save me 10+ hours each month. What changed? It wasn't the technology — it was my approach to using it.

Remember when everyone panicked that AI would replace writers? When marketing gurus claimed you could "set and forget" your content creation?

I wasn't buying it.

When I tested ChatGPT by having it write my bio, it invented false credentials and produced copy so bland it could have described anyone. My verdict was clear: AI couldn't build an authentic brand.

I was right about that. But I was wrong about something bigger.

The Evolution: From AI Skeptic to Strategic User

In my original post, "Can ChatGPT Help with Personal and Business Branding?" I highlighted AI's limitations:

• It couldn't create a unique brand voice.
• It generated generic content by pulling from existing sources.
• It got facts wrong (sometimes hilariously so).
• It couldn't replicate human emotion or storytelling.

Fast forward to today. While those limitations still exist, I've discovered that "Can AI build my brand?" was the wrong question to ask.

The right question is: "How can AI amplify my existing brand while saving me time?"

Considering every Gen X woman I speak with has huge marketing goals – but is short on time – this is a game-changer.?

You can spend less time creating more quality work – if you know how to do it.

3 Ways I'm Using AI to Strengthen My Brand (Not Replace It)

1. My Custom GPT: First Drafts That Sound Like Me

The Problem It Solved: Starting from scratch on every LinkedIn post was draining my creative energy.

Before: I'd stare at blank screens, write and rewrite openings, and spend hours tweaking AI-generated content that never quite sounded like me.

Now: I've built a custom LinkedIn GPT explicitly trained on my writing style. In about an hour of setup time (gathering my best content, creating instructions, and testing), I made a tool that drafts content in my voice.

Even my husband can’t tell it’s not me.

I still edit everything (adding personal touches and refining points), but starting with a structured draft that already sounds like me has transformed my content workflow.

(Want to know more about how I did this? Zip me a DM. I love training people how to do this, especially since it saves SO much time.)

2. Using Claude as My Writing Coach

The Problem It Solved: Self-editing is hard, and I wasn't always catching weak spots in my writing.

Before: I'd send content to my editor that still needed substantial work, or worse, I'd publish content without realizing it was missing key elements.

Now: I use Claude to give me specific writing feedback before human editing.

When I asked Claude to evaluate an early draft of my blog post titled "Why Your AI Content Sucks," it pointed out something I'd missed entirely:

"That Content Mavericks anecdote is GOLD. But it's buried at the end. I'd bump that up higher as a cautionary tale - it perfectly illustrates the dangers of trusting AI blindly."

Claude was right. The anecdote belonged at the top, which would hook readers and frame the entire piece. That small structural change made the post significantly stronger.

I also regularly ask AI to:

• Check if I've addressed all my reader persona's key pain points.
• Suggest alternative headlines when mine feel flat.
• Flag sections where I've slipped into passive voice.
• Remind me when I've forgotten a call to action.

3. Content Repurposing: From One-and-Done to Everywhere

The Problem It Solved: I created great content but only used it once.

Before: Writing original content? Easy. Slicing and dicing that content into platform-specific formats? Not so much. Most of my best ideas lived in just one place.

Now: Every piece of content I create spawns multiple assets with minimal additional work:

• YouTube scripts become tip sheets for email subscribers.
• Blog posts transform into conversation-starting LinkedIn posts.
• Newsletter sections become standalone social media graphics.
• Webinar outlines convert to downloadable worksheets.

My favorite example is when I recently asked Claude to help transform a 2,400-word blog post into a workshop handout. It analyzed the post, extracted the key action items, and formatted them into a clean, printable resource while maintaining my voice and the original content's value.

The Dark Side: When AI Productivity Backfires

With content creation suddenly so much easier, I fell into a classic entrepreneur trap: starting more than I could finish. I call it "AI overwhelm."

My Google Drive is filled with dozens of half-finished drafts. My content calendar became a wish list rather than a strategy. And my ADHD brain, thrilled with AI's rapid feedback loop, kept chasing new ideas instead of completing existing ones.

If you're experiencing "too many tabs syndrome" or drowning in AI-assisted drafts, you're not alone.

The solution wasn't less AI — it was more structure.

The Productivity System That Finally Worked

1. Finish What You Start Rule: I don't work on more than two AI-assisted projects at once — and I don't start another until I finish one.
2. Theme Days Instead of Task Switching:

Side note: If you struggle to finish your daily theme tasks, reduce your task load. Work based on your time and energy levels – not what looks good on a list. It’s okay to write less, especially when you’re feeling stressed. Burned-out writing is just as bad as lazy AI writing.

1. My "Write Like Me" System: I've built a searchable library that includes:

This system ensures all AI-assisted content maintains my authentic voice without requiring hours of setup time for each new project.

Where ChatGPT Still Fails Me

Let's be clear: AI isn't perfect. It still has significant limitations:

• It doesn't truly understand nuance. AI generates content that sounds right but often lacks depth.
• It doesn't fact-check for you. If you don't verify its suggestions, you risk publishing misinformation.
• It can't replace authentic storytelling. Emotional, connection-driven content still requires human experience and perspective.

That's why I never publish AI-generated content without significant review and enhancement. The goal isn't to remove myself from the process — it's to handle the low-value tasks so I can focus on the high-value creative work that only I can do.

Getting Started: Your First Steps with GenAI

If you're inspired to explore how ChatGPT or Claude can enhance (not replace) your content creation, here's where to start:

1. Create a voice sample document with 5-10 examples of your best writing.
2. Develop clear instructions for AI tools that reflect your brand boundaries.
3. Start with ONE content type (like social posts or email) before expanding.
4. Set clear boundaries to prevent the "shiny object syndrome" I experienced.

The Bottom Line: I’m Digging AI Now

AI is a powerful tool, but it's just that: a tool. The real magic happens when you pair AI's efficiency with your creativity, strategy, and voice.

The best part? As you become more skilled in directing these tools, the quality gap between fully human and AI-assisted content continues to shrink — while your productivity soars.

Want to learn more about creating a custom GPT like mine or building your own "Write Like Me" system? I'm offering a free 20-minute AI strategy session for the first 10 people who comment with their biggest content creation challenge.

Ready to Make AI Work for Your Brand? Here’s How I Can Help:

For Business Owners & Marketers Looking for 1:1 Support

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