Welcome back to Brand It, Build It Podcast — I’m your host, Kelly Zugay. Today’s episode is all about something I think many small business owners are navigating right now — using AI tools to help with content creation, while still sounding like you. Whether you’re writing blog posts, crafting email newsletters, or planning social media content, AI can be such a helpful support… but it’s easy to wonder: “If I use AI, will it still sound like me?” Let’s dig into how to use AI as a tool, not a replacement — and how to keep your unique voice front and center.

Let AI Help You Get Started — Not Finish

One of the most powerful ways to use AI is to jumpstart your creativity — not to do all the work for you.

Say you’re staring at a blinking cursor, unsure how to begin a blog post or newsletter. That’s where AI shines. You can prompt it with your topic and get a rough outline or first draft. But instead of copying and pasting, read what it created — and then rework it in your own voice. Think of it like a draft from a helpful assistant. You’re the editor, the storyteller, the heart.

Ask yourself:

• Does this sound like how I’d explain this to a client or friend?
• Are there phrases I’d never actually use?
• Is there a way I can make this feel more personal, more me?

That simple review step can make a huge difference.

Use Your Past Work as a Reference Point

If you’re worried about consistency, here’s a little trick: feed your AI tool examples of your past content — like blog posts or emails you’ve written — and ask it to mirror that tone.

The goal isn’t to make the AI sound human — it’s to teach it to reflect your specific tone and personality. Are you warm and calm? Playful and witty? Detailed and thoughtful? These are all things you can include in your prompts.

A simple prompt could be:
“Write a blog post introduction in a warm, conversational tone, similar to this paragraph I wrote…” and paste your own example.

It’s like training a digital team member — and you’re the boss guiding the brand voice.

Edit with Your Reader in Mind

Even after you’ve used AI to create a rough draft, and you’ve tweaked it to sound more like you — take one more step: imagine your reader is sitting across from you.

Would they feel connected to what you’re sharing? Would they say, “This sounds just like something she’d say”?

Adding simple human touches — like a personal story, a quirky example, or a specific client win — makes the content feel less robotic and way more real.

Even a line like “This is something I’ve learned the hard way…” can transform a generic tip into a relatable teaching moment.

Set Boundaries with What AI Does for You

It’s also okay to decide which parts of your business AI supports — and which parts you want to keep fully in your hands.

Maybe you love writing your own Instagram captions because they feel fun and natural, but you use AI to help outline podcast episodes or brainstorm blog ideas. That’s perfect.

The goal isn’t to automate everything — it’s to free up your energy for the work that really lights you up and feels personal to your brand.

You’re allowed to draw that line wherever feels right for you.

Final Takeaways

So here’s the heart of it: AI is just a tool — one of many in your toolbox. It can help you save time, overcome creative blocks, and stay consistent. But you are the magic behind your brand.

Here’s how to use AI without losing your voice:

• Let it help you get started, not do all the work.
• Train it to reflect your tone using your past content.
• Edit like you’re talking to a real person.
• Keep the pieces you love doing fully in your hands.

If you can do those things, AI becomes a really supportive, behind-the-scenes tool — and your voice, your story, and your heart still lead the way.

Thanks for tuning in today! If you found this episode helpful, I’d love if you’d leave a quick review or share it with a fellow business owner. Until next time, keep building with heart.

Brand It, Build It Podcast, Hosted by Kelly Zugay

Hosted by Kelly Zugay, co-founder of With Grace and Gold, The Brand It, Build It Podcast is the best small business marketing podcast for small business owners, creatives, and founders. Weekly, brief, actionable episodes will equip you to build a successful, sustainable small business. Since 2014, With Grace and Gold has provided award-winning custom brand and Showit web design and completely customizable Showit website templates for small businesses worldwide.