AI Copywriting
Written by Jef van de Graaf™
AI is here, and it’s not going away. For us business folks, that gives us two choices:
- Embrace the wave of changes heading our way
- Or—retreat to Canada’s North and live out our days as hermits.
Now, as much as I love bending over and getting paid 8¢ per tree, I'm not about to give up my profitable copywriting career and relive my university tree-planting days.
F*ck that!
I've contributed enough to the world's toilet paper futures—I also refuse to let AI wipe my ass out as it takes over the world.
Chances are, you’re also not willing to give up everything and live off the grid either. And you definitely don't want to be left behind while AI makes business operations faster, better, and profitabl-er.*
[True fact: copywriters are licensed to kill... grammar]
Dumb dad jokes aside, it's clear we've only got one option: brace for impact as AI changes everything—for better or worse.
So, here’s what you need to know about AI Copywriting—and how I work it into both my personal and client projects.
Don't use AI copywriting without humanizing it first. To do otherwise are hallmarks of a pretentious ass.
— David Ogilvy
Okay, that's not an actual writing tip from David Ogilvy. But if he were alive today, he'd probably agree.
Yes, AI copywriting is incredible. It speeds up workflows, generates fresh ideas on the fly, and fills in the blanks faster than any junior writer could.
But there's also a problem—and that's believing AI can do the whole damn job.
You know what I mean, right?
- Boring, soulless content
- Lazy LinkedIn comments
- Redundant SEO articles
- Shitty email pitches
- Cringey, cold outreach
The list goes on, but this is the kind of AI garbage flooding the internet.
It's ripping off genuine creators—illegally, maybe?—while adding minimal value to people so long as it makes a quick buck.
Don't get me wrong; I love a quick buck. *wink wink*
There has to be a better way!
Luckily for you, I've found it.
My 3 Rules for Ethically Using AI Copywriting
If you want to use AI without turning into a corporate robot or screwing over genuine creators, below are the "AI Copywriting Rules" I follow.
And these aren’t just “best practices”—they’re the difference between AI working for you or against you.
No. 1
Demand Transparency from Every Freelancer & Copywriter You Hire
- Why this matter? Transparency = trust. If you’re using AI in your workflow, own it. Clients deserve to know what they’re paying for, and nothing kills a relationship faster than shady, behind-the-scenes shortcuts.
- What's the harm? Hide the AI, and you’re playing with fire. If clients find out you’ve been cutting corners without telling them, say goodbye to trust and future work—and hello to a damaged reputation.
For the record, I am 100% open about using AI in my copywriting. In fact, I used AI to help me edit, revise, and polish this very page you're reading right now.
Check it out:
How do I use AI in my client's copywriting projects?
I'm glad you asked. I use AI, in particular ChatGPT, to:
- Brainstorm fresh, original ideas—because every great project starts with a spark.
- Critique my drafts, like a virtual back-and-forth with myself.
- Write code for my WordPress websites (that's how I created this sexy, yellow, on-brand bullet list!).
- Speed up research for niche topics so I can focus on strategy and actually writing.
- Rewrite awkward sentences so I can avoid cringing later.
- Test alternative headlines to find the one that slaps the hardest.
- Tweak messaging until it’s sharp enough to cut glass.
- Help me experiment with tonal shifts—should this be punchy, serious, or a little sarcastic?
- Act as a second opinion on ideas I’m on the fence about.
- Tell me I look pretty after a long day of fixing client requests and questioning my worth as a creative human being.
Whether I’m brainstorming ideas, refining drafts, or tweaking code, AI plays an important, behind-the-scenes role in my daily workflow.
Plus, it helps me deliver better results for my clients. And here's how.
No. 2
AI Amplifies, Not Replace
- Why this matter? AI can handle the grunt work—brainstorming, drafting, tweaking—but it’s human insight that gives content its edge. The magic happens when AI works alongside your expertise, not in place of it.
- What's the harm? Lean too hard on AI, and you risk creating bland, generic content that doesn’t connect. Worse, you could dilute your brand’s voice to the point where it’s indistinguishable from every other AI-generated piece of garbage out there.
I use AI to amplify my strengths, not shortcut the creative process.
AI Needs Oversight—Just Like People Do
In any business environment, there’s oversight.
When someone does their job right, it’s business as usual. When they get it wrong, there are consequences—missed deadlines, lost trust, or even getting fired.
AI is no different.
It needs to be scrutinized and fact-checked to avoid plagiarism, direct content theft, and credibility-killing mistakes.
In fact, I see this disclaimer every freaking day: "ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info."
Here’s the reality:
AI is terrible at sourcing real data. It’s even worse at stats—it’ll confidently give you numbers that don’t exist, spinning fiction as fact.
Without careful oversight, this can wreck your business’s credibility in an instant.
So who’s responsible for keeping it honest?
That’s where my biomedical sciences background from the University of Waterloo gives me an edge.
I'm academically trained as a researcher/scientist-in-training/doctor.
I know how to fact-check, source credible information, and dig deep for the truth. AI just isn’t there yet.
Heck, this might be the perfect moment to pitch my copywriting services to you.
Need a copywriter? Head over to my contact page and let's get a project started!
No. 1
Never Publish AI without Humanizing the Final Product
- Why this matter? AI may assist with words, but it’s humans who add the heart. A great brand connects on a personal level—through humor, empathy, and nuance that only people can bring. Without that, your content risks feeling robotic, forgettable, and just plain dull.
- What's the harm? Publishing AI content without the human touch isn’t just lazy—it’s bad business. Audiences aren’t fooled by cookie-cutter, automated posts, and trust me, your competitors are more than happy to grab your audience’s attention when your AI content falls flat.
For me, AI is just the beginning. I refine, edit, and polish every piece of content to make sure it aligns with your brand voice and speaks directly to your audience.
But too many businesses are dumping vague, half-baked prompts into AI tools and calling it a day.
They’re churning out bland, lifeless posts that miss the mark—and it needs to stop.
If you can't guide AI with your brand’s voice, strategy, and unique insights, it’s like asking a random homeless person to write your wedding vows.
How to Humanize Your AI Content
Here’s my process:
- Start With Strong Prompts
- Edit Like a Pro
- Add a Personal Touch
- Double-Check for Credibility
I use precise, thoughtful instructions to get AI working in the right direction from the start.
Every draft is refined with a critical eye, ensuring it feels like it came from a human—not a machine.
Whether it’s humor, storytelling, or cultural nuance, I make sure the final product reflects the brand and audience it’s for.
Finall, I check stats, facts, and details are verified and aligned with your business goals.
In the End, It’s All About Connection
AI can do a lot, but it can’t do everything. Great copywriting is about building relationships—making your audience feel seen, understood, and inspired.
Ogilvy said it best: “The consumer isn’t a moron. She’s your wife.”
And your wife doesn’t want wedding vows from a homeless stranger—nor married to a lifeless robot.
What Is AI Anyway?
(Here's An Explanation So Simple Even a 4th Grader Can Comprehend)
AI stands for “Artificial Intelligence.” It’s a fancy way of describing computer programs that can learn from patterns, just like humans.
At the heart of most AI tools is something called an LLM—a “Large Language Model.” Think of it as a giant library of words, phrases, and ideas that the AI uses to guess what you want it to say.
And guess what?
AI doesn’t actually understand anything.
It’s just really good at predicting what comes next in a sentence. That’s why it sometimes makes things up—it’s not lying; it just doesn’t know any better.
Anyway, thanks for reading my take on AI copywriting.
If you need help getting AI to work for your business or you wanna hire me for a copywriting project, click on my pretty face below.
