How to Spot and Replace Template Language

Practical tips, examples, and smarter prompts to transform bland AI text into memorable, authentic content.

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Why Generic Language Hurts Your Writing

AI-generated content is everywhere—emails, blog posts, website copy—and while it’s efficient, it often falls into the trap of sounding robotic. Phrases like "We pride ourselves on excellence" or "I am writing to express my interest" don’t just bore readers; they make your brand forgettable.

The problem? AI defaults to safe, overused phrasing. But if your writing sounds like everyone else’s, why should anyone remember—or trust—you?

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What Exactly is "Template Language"?

Template language is the filler text that lacks originality, such as:

• "In today’s fast-paced world…"
• "Our cutting-edge solutions drive results…"
• "Thank you for your consideration…"

These phrases aren’t wrong—they’re just overused. AI relies on them because they’re statistically common, not because they’re compelling.

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Why It’s a Problem

Generic writing:

• Sounds like everyone else → No differentiation.
• Lacks personality → Readers don’t connect with vague statements.
• Fails to persuade → Claims without proof (e.g., "We’re industry leaders") mean nothing.

Would you trust a company that says "We deliver top-tier solutions"—or one that says "We helped [Client X] reduce costs by 30% in 3 months"?

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How to Spot (and Fix) Generic Language

Spotting It:

1. Does my opening sound like 100 others? (e.g., "In this blog post, we’ll discuss…")
2. Am I using vague words? ("high-quality," "innovative," "game-changing")
3. Could a competitor say this? If yes, it’s too generic.

Fixing It:

• Add specifics:
  • ❌ "We help businesses grow."
  • ✅ "We helped a SaaS startup increase sign-ups by 57% in one quarter."
• Use your brand’s voice:
  • ❌ "Our team is dedicated to customer success."
  • ✅ "We don’t just answer tickets—we obsess over making your experience seamless."
• Cut jargon, tell stories:
  • ❌ "Leveraging synergies for optimal outcomes."
  • ✅ "We combine marketing and sales data to shorten your sales cycle."

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Smarter AI Prompts to Avoid Generic Output

The right prompt pushes AI beyond clichés. Instead of broad requests, guide it toward specificity:

Weak Prompts → Stronger Alternatives

❌ "Write a professional email about our consulting services."
✅ "Draft a short, punchy email introducing our consulting services to small business owners. Include a real example of how we helped a bakery increase revenue by 20% in 3 months. Tone: friendly but expert."

❌ "Create a blog intro about time management."
✅ "Write a relatable intro for a time-management blog post. Start with a surprising stat or a personal story about wasted time (e.g., ‘Last week, I spent 3 hours on emails that could’ve taken 30 minutes’). Tone: conversational, slightly humorous."

❌ "Generate website copy for our fitness app."
✅ "Describe our fitness app’s core features as benefits, not specs. Example: Instead of ‘Track workouts,’ say ‘Never guess if you’re improving—see your strength gains in real time.’ Target audience: busy professionals who hate gyms."

Pro Tip: Add constraints like:

• "Avoid these phrases: ‘game-changing,’ ‘next-level.’"
• "Include at least one metaphor."
• "Write for someone skeptical about [topic]."

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Your "De-Generic" Checklist

✔ Replace vague claims with numbers, names, or examples.
✔ Read aloud—does it sound human?
✔ Ask: "Would I remember this if I read it elsewhere?"

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Final Thought: Stand Out or Get Ignored

AI is a powerful tool, but your voice is what makes content resonate. Audit your next draft—swap template language for something only you could say.