Make AI your teammate, not your enemy
Let’s keep it 100—
AI isn’t going anywhere. And honestly? That’s a good thing…
If you know how to use it right.
But too many creators, entrepreneurs, and brand builders are either afraid of it, ignoring it, or using it like it’s some cold, lifeless robot that doesn’t “get them.”
Spoiler alert: AI can be your best employee, most loyal creative partner, and idea-stretching teammate.
But only if you stop treating it like a threat and start training it like a tool.
Here’s how you're misusing it—and how to fix it with a few simple, powerful tweaks.
❌ Mistake #1: You Treat AI Like a Magic 8 Ball Instead of a Teammate
You drop in a vague question and expect a perfect result.
Then you say, “See? It’s not that good.”
Truth is, AI mirrors your clarity. Garbage in, garbage out. But if you treat it like a teammate—giving it context, tone, and clear direction—it’ll return gold.
✅ The Fix:
Start like this:
“You’re my writing partner. Help me write a personal, emotionally engaging brand message that reflects faith, creativity, and resilience. My tone is calm, confident, real—like I’m talking to a friend over coffee.”
Boom. You just gave it a role, a mission, and a vibe.
๐ฏ TIP: Use roles like:
-
“You’re my brand strategist.”
-
“Act like a podcast producer writing an epic intro.”
-
“You’re a ghostwriter who knows my story and heart.”
Make it personal. Now it’s not just AI—it’s your AI.
❌ Mistake #2: You Don’t Train It with Your Voice
You want AI to sound like you, but you never gave it anything to work with. That’s like asking a new hire to write your bio without ever hearing you talk.
✅ The Fix:
Feed it your style.
Start by saying:
“Here are 3 things I’ve written or said. Analyze my tone and writing style, then use that same voice to help me write a new podcast intro/article/social post.”
Drop in your past content (captions, blog posts, emails, song lyrics).
Now the AI isn’t guessing—it’s learning.
PRO TIP: Keep a “Voice File” with a few favorite samples of your writing. That becomes your training ground. AI will start reflecting your soul, not just your syntax.
❌ Mistake #3: You Ask for Content Instead of Co-Creation
Don’t treat AI like a vending machine. Treat it like a brainstorming partner.
Instead of saying “Write this for me,” try “Let’s build this together.”
✅ The Fix:
Turn one-way prompts into back-and-forth collabs.
Say things like:
“Give me 3 headline ideas for this article. I’ll choose the one I like, then we’ll develop it further.”
Or:
“Here’s a rough draft. Help me rewrite this paragraph to be more heartfelt, but still professional.”
This makes AI feel like your editor, not your replacement. It sharpens your creativity. It doesn’t replace it.
Final Word: AI Is What You Make It
Don’t fight the tool. Train it.
Don’t fear the future. Shape it.
Used right, AI can:
-
Save you time
-
Help you find your voice faster
-
Clean up your rough ideas and make them shine
-
Free you up to focus on what only you can do—create with heart.
So no, you’re not losing your creativity to a machine.
You’re just gaining a teammate that doesn’t sleep, doesn’t complain, and never runs out of ideas.
๐ BONUS: Quick Prompts to Make AI Work for You
๐ข Brand Voice Training Prompt:
“Here are 3 samples of my writing. Analyze the tone and style. From now on, use this voice in everything you help me create.”
๐ข Website Copy Rewrite Prompt:
“Rewrite this homepage copy in my personal voice: clear, grounded, inspiring—but not salesy. Make it sound like I’m speaking to a friend.”
๐ข Podcast Guest Bio Prompt:
“Write a guest description that sounds cinematic and emotionally engaging, but clear and real—not stiff. My listeners are purpose-driven creatives.”
And if you ever feel stuck or overwhelmed trying to figure all this out—
You’re not alone. I’m using this tech daily to create, connect, and level up.
So keep creating. Stay focused.
And if you ever wanna build something together or just ask a question, shoot me an email.
Let’s grow together.
—Shemaiah Reed
Host of I Am Refocused Radio
Dream igniter. Culture curator. Creative mind in motion.