Over the past eight months at Good Bloggy, we've spent a lot of time trying to coax AI models into writing like humans. While these models are getting increasingly sophisticated, they still have some show-stopping limitations as virtual copywriters—producing generic content that lacks personality, struggling to maintain consistent voice throughout longer pieces, and frequently fabricating information with surprising confidence.
However, when we shifted our perspective and started viewing AI as an assistant rather than a replacement, everything changed. We discovered that AI could be remarkably valuable at specific stages in the writing process. Just as importantly, we found that the quality of context and directions we provide makes an enormous difference in the results we get back.
Through systematic testing and refinement (e.g., a lot of trial and error), we've identified five strategic ways to integrate AI into a professional writing workflow.
AI for Research: Finding Angles and Supporting Details
Research often consumes more time than writing itself. We've found AI tools can significantly streamline this process, quickly gathering information that would take hours to compile manually. However, the quality of research you get depends entirely on how you frame your requests.
While generic prompts yield generic results, overly prescriptive instructions can tamp down AI's creativity. The best research prompts strike a balance—providing enough structure to focus the AI while leaving room for unexpected insights.
Below is a research prompt template that you can adapt for any topic. We've structured it to encourage depth and accuracy while making the AI "show its work" in ways that make verification easier. Simply replace the bracketed sections with your specific topic and requirements.
PROMPT: Comprehensive Research Framework
I need to research [specific topic] for a [article/report/presentation] targeting [audience]. Please provide:
1. OVERVIEW: Summarize the current state of [topic] in 2-3 paragraphs, highlighting key developments since [relevant recent year].
2. PERSPECTIVES: Analyze this topic from these viewpoints:
- [Perspective A, e.g., "Industry professionals"]
- [Perspective B, e.g., "Academic researchers"]
- [Perspective C, e.g., "Consumer advocates"]
Include areas of consensus and main points of disagreement.
3. SUPPORTING EVIDENCE: Provide 4-5 specific data points or examples that illustrate important aspects of this topic. For each, note:
- The specific finding/example
- When this information was published/reported (approximate year is fine)
- Any limitations or context needed to interpret it accurately
4. QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER EXPLORATION: Suggest 3 questions about this topic that might reveal deeper insights or address potential gaps in current understanding.
AI for Outlining: Creating Better Content Structures
A strong outline provides the backbone for effective content, but creating one from scratch can be time-consuming. Through extensive testing at Good Bloggy, we've found AI can generate useful content frameworks that save considerable time—if you direct it properly.
The key to effective AI outlining is what we call "strategic overproduction." We intentionally ask for more sections and options than needed, then curate the best elements into a cohesive structure. By requesting 8-10 potential sections when we only need 5-7, we gain the flexibility to select only the most compelling angles.
The framework below can be adapted for any topic.
PROMPT: Strategic Content Outline Generator
I need to create a comprehensive outline for a [content type: blog post/white paper/case study/etc.] about [specific topic]. This content will target [detailed audience description: their role, knowledge level, and specific needs].
The content should accomplish these objectives:
- [Primary objective 1, e.g., "Educate readers about the fundamentals of X"]
- [Primary objective 2, e.g., "Demonstrate how to implement X in specific scenarios"]
- [Primary objective 3, e.g., "Address common misconceptions about X"]
Please create an outline with the following elements:
1. 3-4 potential headline options (mix of benefit-driven and curiosity-driven approaches)
2. A compelling introduction approach that establishes the problem/opportunity
3. 8-10 potential main sections (I'll select the best 5-7 from these options)
4. For each main section, suggest 2-3 subsections or key points to address
5. A recommendation for an effective conclusion approach
Include a mix of practical advice and conceptual background. Avoid creating sections that cover redundant ground, and ensure a logical flow between topics.
AI for First Drafts: Getting Past the Blank Page
We use AI for generating initial drafts, treating them as starting points rather than finished products. These drafts often have good structure and basic information, but lack nuance and authentic voice. Still, they're better than facing a blank page—especially when you use the right approach.
We've gotten much better results prompting AI to write content section-by-section rather than requesting entire articles at once. When AI attempts to create long-form content in a single generation, quality deteriorates noticeably around the midpoint. The model loses context, becomes repetitive, and strays from the intended focus.
The key to this approach is including previously generated sections in your prompts for context. This creates continuity while keeping each generation task manageable for the AI.
The framework below can be used to generate each section of an existing outline.
PROMPT: Section-by-Section Content Generation
I'm writing an article about [topic]. Here's the outline:
[Paste full outline with all sections]
So far, I've written the following sections:
[Paste all previously written sections]
Now, I need you to write the next section: "[Title of current section]"
This section should cover:
- [Key point 1 to address]
- [Key point 2 to address]
- [Key point 3 to address]
The tone should be [conversational/professional/authoritative/etc.] and similar to this example: [provide a short paragraph example of your preferred writing style].
Make sure this section connects logically with the previous content while maintaining focus on its specific purpose within the article.
AI for Editing and Polishing: Refining Your Message
Even experienced writers need good editors, but not everyone has access to professional editing services. This is where AI can provide significant value, serving as a versatile editorial assistant that catches issues you can easily miss after staring at a draft for too long.
The editing framework asks AI to look for specific issues in your text and avoids general requests to "make this better," which can lead to AI making unwanted changes to your voice and tone.
PROMPT: Comprehensive Editing Framework
I need help editing this content for clarity, engagement, and effectiveness. Please review the following text in multiple passes, focusing on different aspects with each review:
[Paste your content here]
1. TECHNICAL REVIEW:
- Identify and correct any grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors
- Flag any potentially factually questionable statements
- Check for consistency in terminology and formatting
2. READABILITY ANALYSIS:
- Identify sentences longer than 25 words that could be simplified
- Flag paragraphs that might benefit from subheadings or bullet points
- Suggest transitions that could improve flow between sections
3. ENGAGEMENT ENHANCEMENT:
- Suggest 2-3 alternative openings that might better hook the reader
- Identify opportunities to add compelling examples or analogies
- Recommend places where direct questions to the reader could increase engagement
4. HEADLINE OPTIONS:
- Provide 5 alternative headline/title options that might increase impact while accurately reflecting the content
Please preserve my original voice and approach while making these suggestions. For any significant changes, explain your reasoning briefly.
AI for Fact Checking: Verification and Accuracy
While AI can't replace thorough human verification, we've discovered it can serve as an effective first-pass filter to identify claims requiring deeper investigation—helping writers prioritize which statements demand immediate attention.
The key is approaching AI fact-checking as an adversarial process rather than a confirmatory one. Instead of asking AI to verify your statements (which often leads to false confidence), challenge the AI to actively question your content from multiple perspectives.
The fact-checking framework below uses a series of increasingly skeptical prompts designed to stress-test content from multiple angles. Remember that this framework should complement—never replace—traditional fact-checking practices, especially for sensitive or specialized content.
PROMPT: Content Verification Framework
I need help identifying potentially problematic claims in this content that require fact-checking or additional verification:
[Paste your content here]
Please analyze this content in several stages:
1. IDENTIFY CLAIMS:
- List all factual claims, statistics, quotes, and specific assertions made in this content
- Rank these claims from 1-5 based on how crucial they are to the content's main argument
2. CHALLENGE CORE CLAIMS:
- For each claim ranked 4 or 5 in importance, identify:
- Potential counterevidence or alternative interpretations
- Common misconceptions about this topic that might be influencing the claim
- What specific sources would be needed to properly verify this information
3. CHECK FOR VULNERABLE CONTENT:
- Flag any statements that:
- Contain very specific statistics that seem precise (exact percentages, specific numbers)
- Make sweeping generalizations about groups or trends
- Attribute quotes or positions to specific individuals or organizations
- Make predictions or definitive statements about complex topics
4. SUGGEST VERIFICATION STRATEGY:
- For the 3-5 most critical claims you've identified, suggest specific search terms, authoritative sources, or research strategies that would help verify each claim effectively
Please approach this analysis with healthy skepticism regardless of whether you think the claims are true.
Conclusion: A Balanced Approach to AI in Copywriting
Through our work developing Good Bloggy, we've landed on what we call the 40/60 rule: AI handles about 40% of our copywriting workflow while humans manage the remaining 60%. This ratio has proven most effective in our projects.
Despite AI's advances, writers still need core skills like strategic thinking, audience empathy, and brand voice development. The most successful AI users maintain strong foundations in storytelling and messaging strategy, using AI to enhance rather than replace these fundamentals.
Our experience aligns with industry findings: the future belongs to writers who view AI as a collaborative tool rather than a replacement. The most successful approach develops "AI fluency"—the ability to effectively direct AI tools while maintaining creative control over the final product.