Beyond the TikTok Prompt: A Smarter Way to Make ChatGPT Sound Human

Open TikTok right now and you’ll see endless “ChatGPT hacks” promising to make the AI sound more human. One trending approach recommends stripping out em dashes, banning certain words, and forcing everything into short, snappy sentences. It’s catchy advice, but is it really the best way to work with AI?

The truth is, there’s no single magic formula. A rigid list of do’s and don’ts might stop ChatGPT from sounding robotic, but it can also flatten tone, erase brand voice, and stifle creativity. At Brandwyse, we take a more nuanced view: clarity and professionalism should always be the foundation, but flexibility is what keeps your writing alive.

Beyond the TikTok Prompt: A Smarter Way to Make ChatGPT Sound Human

Here’s how to balance the best of both worlds: A Smarter Way to Make ChatGPT Sound Human

What TikTok Gets Right

There’s real value in some of the advice being shared online:

• Keep sentences short and clear

• Use active voice instead of passive

• Focus on practical tips over vague filler

• Structure text with headings and bullet points

• Speak directly to the reader with “you” and “your”

This is excellent guidance if you’re writing how-to guides, FAQs, or quick posts for social media.

Where It Falls Short

The problem comes when you treat these rules as universal. By banning metaphors, longer sentences, or even punctuation like the em dash, you risk:

• Flattened tone – everything starts to sound the same

• Lost brand voice – no space for personality or flair

• One-size-fits-all output – not every context calls for the same style

• Reduced creativity – storytelling and imagery are tools worth using

Put simply: TikTok gives you guardrails, but not nuance.

A More Flexible Framework

Instead of memorising a list of rules, think in three layers of control:

1. Foundation (always on): clarity, accuracy, usefulness.

2. Voice (brand flavour): the unique tone, rhythm, and imagery that make your writing recognisably yours.

3. Task constraints (situational): specific do’s and don’ts depending on whether you’re writing a blog post, a technical guide, or a social caption.

The Brandwyse Master Prompt

Here’s a reusable framework you can copy, paste, and adapt:

1. Goal & Audience You are writing for [describe audience] who need [outcome].

2. Deliverable Produce a [format] of about [length]. Include [sections/elements].

3. Foundation (Always On) Be clear, specific and accurate.Prioritise useful, actionable insight over filler. Use active voice and concrete examples. Structure with informative sub-headings and bullet points where helpful.

4. Voice Tone: warm, confident, pragmatic; British English. Mix short and medium sentences; vary rhythm. Light image or metaphor is welcome if it clarifies. Avoid empty hype and cliché.

5. Task Constraints (This piece) Audience reading context: [blog/LinkedIn/newsletter]. Include [X] examples tailored to [industry]. Cite any numbers or label them as estimates. Metadata: suggest an SEO title ≤ 60 chars and meta description ≤ 165 chars.

6. Quality BarProvide a one-line takeaway. Offer 3–5 specific next steps. Add a self-check at the end: “What’s missing or unclear for this audience?” and fix it.

When to Switch Styles

Different contexts call for different choices. Try toggling these modes:

• Concise mode (how-to/FAQ): Short sentences, no metaphors, punchy bullets.

• Story mode (op-ed or thought leadership): Mix in narrative, occasional metaphor, and varied sentence length.

• Technical mode (guides or SOPs): Numbered steps, clear inputs/outputs, and zero ambiguity.

This way, you maintain clarity without losing flexibility.

Practical Checklist

Before you generate

• What is the one action you want the reader to take?

• Which two proof points will build trust?

• Which style mode fits the task?

After you generate

• Cut 10% without losing meaning.

• Replace vague claims with specifics.

• Read it aloud: does it sound like your brand, or a generic template?

A Smarter Way to Make ChatGPT Sound Human: Final Takeaway

TikTok-style rules are a helpful starting point, but they’re not the full picture. By layering foundation, voice, and task constraints, you’ll get outputs that are not only clear but also carry

your brand’s personality.

That’s how you move beyond trends and build lasting, on-brand content.