When you can generate an essay or article in just a few seconds, it's tempting to hit publish immediately. But what's the point if it's garbage?

The internet is already drowning in bland, generic, frankly useless AI-generated content. If you want to avoid contributing to that mess, here's how.

1. Have conviction

The number one way to avoid AI slop is to say something that actually matters. Period.

If you’re fuzzy on what you're trying to communicate, AI will fill in the blanks with bland generalities. And let’s be honest: no one needs more throwaway sentences like "It's not about working harder—it's about working smarter."

Before you start, ask yourself: What am I really trying to say? What's the point that only I can make? If you can't answer these questions clearly, you're not ready to write.

It can be helpful to use AI as a thought partner to refine your ideas, but when it’s time to start the project, put down the AI tool and write down your main points first. There’s truth in the saying that writing helps you think—relying on AI too early can muddy your message.

2. Know your voice

If you can't explain what makes your writing sound like you in three sentences, your AI content will sound like everyone else's.

Most of us know whether something sounds like us or not, but we can't explain why. Professional ghostwriters don't wing it—they systematically identify what makes someone's voice unique. You can too.

Think about your tone, sentence structure, and vocabulary. AI editing loves to smooth out those quirks. Don't let it! 

Read more about how to describe your voice here.

3. String the popcorn

I've written before that AI writing is like popcorn popping because it can jump all over the place without much logical connection.

This happens because AI predicts the next likely word instead of following logical arguments. The result? Sentences that sound fine but don’t connect.

AI's scatterbrained approach becomes especially problematic when you're bringing the reader through a specific storytelling journey or building a compelling argument with layers of supporting evidence. So in other words, pretty much everything that's any good.

This flaw is baked into how AI works, so it won’t be going away.

The solution: outline your structure first. Figure out how each element builds on the last, then tell AI exactly what structure you want.

4. Be specific

My TED speaker coach told me one thing about presenting I'll never forget: No one remembers facts or data; they remember stories. It's true: think of an article you read recently or a talk that inspired you. I bet you don't remember the stats, but instead you remember a story.

Specificity is your weapon against generic AI writing. Use your own experiences and compelling examples. Readers don’t want to hear what everyone says—they want to hear what you say.

Being specific also forces you to actually know what you're talking about. Generic statements let you hide too easily, and overusing them usually means you haven't done the real work of understanding the topic deeply.

5. Cut the fluff

There's an old writer's adage: "kill your darlings." Basically, no matter how much you like a  sentence, if it isn't adding to your piece, you’ve got to cut it.

Every sentence—every word—in your writing needs to earn its place. This might sound harsh, but it's the difference between something people actually read and something that gets skimmed and forgotten.

This is especially critical at the beginning and end. Forget what you learned in school about formal introductions and conclusions. This isn't English class—sometimes the best ending is just stopping when you've made your point.

6. Fact-check or die

AI lies. Not intentionally, but confidently. AI invents plausible-sounding sources, makes up quotes, and presents outdated info as current fact.

Models are improving, but we'll never reach zero hallucinations. If you don’t fact-check, you’re gambling with your credibility. And, just like so many found out the hard way (in this case, and this one, and this one), that’s not a bet you want to lose.

It helps to know where hallucinations are likely to happen and use techniques to reduce them, but in the end there's no getting away from it: Always go back to the source.

7. Edit with impatience

When reviewing AI-assisted writing, I like to adopt the mindset of a busy executive who has ten seconds to decide whether the content is worth their time. Can you get to the point faster? Can you make it clearer, more concise, or more direct? Then do it.

Don’t get rid of tension-building, but be wary of “politely meandering” AI content. If it takes too long to get to the point, cut it. That impatient CEO doesn’t have time to hunt for your main point buried in paragraph three.

This impatience might sound like rudeness, but I think it's mutual respect. Readers should feel their time is being respected, so be crystal clear about what you're offering.

Avoiding slop is about adding value

The problem with AI slop is that it's pointless, rather than being technically bad.

I think the conclusion is simple: Don't use AI to write anything you wouldn't want to read.

It's a three-part formula: Start with something worth saying, say it in your own voice, and use AI to help you say it better. And don't forget to fact-check.