Teach your AI to write like you

You can tell when an email came from AI. Long sentences. Fancy words nobody says out loud. Those long dashes in the middle of every other sentence. "I hope this finds you well."

Here's my note to you: you can fix most of that in two minutes, and you only do it once.

Every major AI tool has a spot in its settings where you tell it how you like to write. Whatever you put there applies to every chat. You stop fixing the same things over and over.

If you use AI for work, this is the first setting I'd change.

My writing instructions

Here's the set I use. Copy it as is, or change any line to fit you.

Follow this writing style:
- Use clear, simple language.
- Be spartan and informative.
- Use short, impactful sentences.
- Use active voice. Avoid passive voice.
- Focus on practical, actionable insights.
- Use bullet point lists in social media posts.
- Use data and examples to support claims when possible.
- Use "you" and "your" to address the reader directly.
- Do not use em dashes. Use commas or periods instead.
- Do not use semicolons.
- Avoid phrases like "not just this, but also this."
- Avoid metaphors and cliches.
- Avoid generalizations.
- Avoid setup phrases like "in conclusion" or "in closing."
- Skip warnings and notes. Give me only what I asked for.
- Avoid unnecessary adjectives and adverbs.
- Do not use hashtags.
- Do not use markdown or asterisks.
Review your response before you send it and remove any em dashes.

Where to paste it

• ChatGPT: Settings, then Personalization, then Custom instructions.
• Claude: Settings, then Profile, then the box for your personal preferences.
• Microsoft Copilot at work: Settings, then Personalization, then Custom instructions, then Edit instructions.

Menus move around from time to time. If you can't find it, ask the AI itself: "Where do I add custom instructions in your settings?"

Test it

Start a new chat and ask: "Write a two-sentence out-of-office message." Check for long dashes and words you'd never say. If something slips through, add a line to your instructions and try again.

Make it yours

Add one or two lines about you. For example: "I work in accounting. My readers are busy managers." Or: "Keep emails under 100 words." The more it knows about how you write, the less you edit.

Let's figure this out together.