10 Practical Prompts to Fight the Rise of AI ‘Workslop’ in Bank Marketing

The Reputation Problem: Why GenAI Writing Sounds Empty

GenAI doesn’t have a credibility problem; it has a misuse problem. Its capabilities, and how it can support your writing, are misunderstood.

When people say, “AI writing is soulless,” what they’re reacting to isn’t the tool. It’s how it’s being used:

• Zero editing and superficial content
• No clear brand voice and a flat, generic structure
• An over-polished tone that feels more synthetic than sincere
• Lack of human engagement in the final product

The irony? GenAI is fully capable of writing with tone, empathy, and brand personality. But it can’t invent that on its own, it needs to be shown how and it needs to be refined with editing. Too many people are skipping this step, or don’t push GenAI further to really refine their work.

As Ariel puts it, “Editing AI output isn’t cleanup, it’s where the actual intelligence happens. GenAI can handle the heaving lifting of structure and flow, saving hours of time, but if you skip the edit, you’re outsourcing your judgment. And that judgment is what makes the work human.”

Here are three practical prompts that can help you flip that dynamic:

Prompt: “Apply My Brand Voice”

Use this to give GenAI direction to sound like you before it starts writing. This works because you’re giving your “copywriter” guidance and direction.

“Here’s a sample of my brand’s writing style: [Insert 2–3 short examples, or many pages, documents, images, or PDFS, of brand-approved content like emails, blogs, or web copy]. Based on this apply that voice to this draft: [Insert AI-generated content].”

Prompt: “10 Ways to Make This Content More Relatable”

Before you polish a draft, let GenAI help you spot emotional gaps. Prompts like this help you think critically about your writing, while keeping you in control of the final output.

“Give me 10 ways to make this piece of writing more relatable and engaging for [insert target audience]. Focus on tone, phrasing, structure, and emotional connection. You can suggest examples, anecdotes, analogies, or edits that would make the writing feel less robotic and more like it came from a real person who understands the audience’s needs. Here’s the original content: [Insert paragraph or section]”

Prompt: “Spot What’s Missing”

Let GenAI mirror your work back to you with fresh eyes. GenAI can help you better understand a target audience when you don’t have the best perspective.

“Read this piece as if you’re part of my intended audience: [insert description, e.g., a Gen X prospect reading a checking account ad]. What’s missing in terms of tone, trust, clarity, or relevance? Are there any aspects that feel too vague, impersonal, or off brand? Be honest and suggest specific ways to improve it. [Insert content]”

Shift GenAI to act as a writing partner. The difference is subtle but powerful. You’re not just cleaning up content, you’re asking GenAI to help you think more critically, catch your blind spots, and provide constructive criticism in a safe environment.

Use GenAI as a Mirror, Not a Megaphone

Too often, marketers treat GenAI like a loudspeaker, amplifying rough drafts or creating a high volume of content for the sake of having more content. In an environment where content creation is a commodity, your engagement with the final output will mean the difference between publishing “work slop” or a meaningful connection to your audience. GenAI becomes a partner, a smart fast editor that helps you sharpen your voice, clarify your thinking, and catch your blind spots.

“Everyone talks about AI as a shortcut, but the real magic is in its reflection. It sharpens your awareness and deepens your craft. With the right prompts, it’s like holding up a mirror to your thinking. It helps you see what’s fuzzy and what’s missing”, notes Ariel. “When you’re short on collaborators or just too close to your own work, this feedback loop can be a game-changer.”

Use GenAI to strengthen your writing with intent. Here are three ways to do that.

Prompt: Will This Connect with My Audience?

Use this when you want to double check your message from the outside in. Prompts can help you self-reflect on your message and challenge your thinking.

“Read this content as if you are [describe your audience: e.g., “a busy millennial deciding between banks,” “a skeptical small-business owner reading a loan offer,” etc.]. What parts of this message are likely to resonate? What might feel confusing, irrelevant, or unconvincing? Highlight where the tone, word choice, or structure might miss the mark. Offer suggestions to make it more compelling for that audience. [Insert content]”

Prompt: Explore Three Distinct Versions

Sometimes, you don’t need better writing, you need to see your options more clearly. Use GenAI to explore alternative approaches quickly.

“Create three alternative versions of this content with different emphasis or tone:

1. One that’s concise and direct
2. One that’s emotional and story-driven
3. One that’s playful or lightly humorous

After reviewing them, I’ll decide which direction best fits the intent of the message.

Use this content: [Insert original content]”

Prompt: Is This Doing What I Need It To Do?

Before you hit publish, pressure test the content against your actual goal. GenAI can be your double check after a long writing session, when you’re tired and ready for a break.

“Here’s a piece of content I’m working on. The goal is to [insert your intent: e.g., build trust, drive a product signup, highlight community involvement, etc.].

Based on that goal, tell me if this content is aligned. Where am I succeeding? Where might I be falling short? Suggest specific edits or shifts to better meet the objective.

GenAI can easily be your personal writing coach. It challenges you to think more critically about your writing. Makes it easier to write with intent, not just output. And the feedback takes minutes, not meetings.