Stop Using AI Like Everyone Else (Here’s How to Actually Make It Work for Your Business)
AI is everywhere right now, and everyone’s talking about how it’s going to revolutionise business communication and marketing. But unfortunately, most people are using it incorrectly.
You’ve probably seen it yourself. Business owners frantically try every new AI tool that pops up, copying and pasting the same tired prompts they found on LinkedIn, and wondering why their content sounds exactly like everyone else’s. Sound familiar? I bet you can spot an AI-generated post a mile off??
The Real Problem (and it’s not what you think)
The issue isn’t that AI doesn’t work, it’s that most businesses are treating it like a magic content machine. They type in “write me a social media post about my business” and expect a well-crafted post that sounds and looks like them. Instead, they get the same generic, soulless content that screams “I used ChatGPT.”
We see business owners getting overwhelmed by the sheer number of AI tools out there. Which one should they be using? ChatGPT? Claude? Gemini? What about all these other ones everyone keeps talking about Runway, Copilot, the list goes on?
It’s like standing in the cereal aisle at the local supermarket, too many choices, so you end up grabbing the same box you always do.
So how can we help you?
At Social Honeycomb, we’re launching our AI Content Boost service because we got tired of watching businesses struggle with something that should make their lives easier. Initially, it will be rolled into the Social Media Game Changers Mentoring group and then, with a few tweaks, rolled out as a stand alone service we provide.
This isn’t another generic “AI course” with cookie-cutter templates. We’re talking about a personalised approach that fits your business. You’ll get:
- A one-to-one call with Caroline McShane (that’s me!) where we dig into your specific content needs
- Custom AI prompts designed specifically for your industry and brand voice
- A clear breakdown of which AI tools actually matter for your goals (spoiler: you don’t need them all)
The whole point is to help you stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling confident about using AI as a genuine business tool, one that will help you stand out from the crowd.
Here are some tips to help you use AI without sounding like a robot.
Pick Your Tool (Each AI Has Its Strengths)
Stop trying to make one AI tool do everything. They’re not all the same, and that’s actually a good thing. Here’s a brief overview:
- ChatGPT: Your creative brainstorming buddy. Great when you need fresh ideas or want to explore different angles.
- Microsoft Copilot: The professional one. Perfect for polished emails and LinkedIn content that doesn’t sound too casual. (But quite rigid and formulaic)
- Gemini: Your research assistant. When you need to dig deep into topics or optimise for SEO.
- Perplexity: The fact-checker. Gives you sources and citations, so you know where information comes from.
- Claude: The thoughtful writer. Best for longer pieces that need nuance and depth.
Talk to AI Like You’d Brief a New Team Member
This is where most people go wrong they treat AI like a search engine instead of a collaboration partner.
Instead of typing “write social media posts,” try something like this:
“I run a padel club in Oxford, and I’m trying to build trust with professionals who are looking for fun sporting activities they can play for fitness and social. Can you give me 5 Instagram post ideas that show we understand their desire to exercise and fit it into their busy days”
Can you see the difference? You’ve given context, specified your audience, and explained what you’re trying to achieve.
What is The Magic Formula for Better AI Prompts
Every good AI conversation should include:
- Who you are: “I’m a fitness coach specialising in busy parents…”
- What you want: “I need LinkedIn posts that position me as helpful, not salesy…”
- Who you’re talking to: “My audience is working moms who feel guilty about not exercising…”
- What success looks like: “I want them to feel understood and motivated to take small steps…”
Then comes the really important part: don’t just take the first answer. Ask it to make the tone warmer, add more specific examples, or try a completely different angle. Remember the team member? This is a conversation, not a vending machine.
In my experience, by giving the human touch to the machine, it might take a little longer up front but the result will be much better content that really resonates with your audience and saves you time.
And don’t forget using AI isn’t just about creating content its about using it as a thinking partner too.
The businesses getting the best results aren’t just using AI to write their content they’re using it to think through their content.
Try asking AI to:
- Map out a month’s worth of content themes
- Brainstorm 20 different ways to explain your main service
- Help you see your business from your customer’s perspective
- Generate questions your audience might be asking that you haven’t thought of
Then take those insights and write the content in your voice. That’s where the magic happens, when you combine AI’s ability to generate ideas quickly with your knowledge of your business and customers.
AI won’t take your job away from you but it will enable you to do more of the things you love!
So in a nutshell, AI isn’t going anywhere, and neither is the competitive advantage it can give businesses that use it properly. The question is whether you’re going to keep struggling with generic prompts and random tools, or whether you’re ready to learn how to make AI actually useful for your specific business.
If you’re tired of AI content that sounds like everyone else’s, let’s have a proper conversation about how to make it work for you.
Get in touch with Caroline at Social Honeycomb through our website or email caroline@socialhoneycomb.co.uk
Let’s turn AI from another overwhelming task on your to-do list into the creative partner your business actually needs.