How I Write Blog Posts That Don’t Sound Like AI (Even Though I’m a Dev)

🧠 Why This Matters More Than Ever

Everyone is using ChatGPT or some kind of AI tool to generate blog posts. The result? The web is flooded with flat, forgettable, over-optimized content.

If you’re a developer, freelancer, or indie maker sharing your work online, here’s the hard truth:

Your voice is your brand. If your posts sound like everyone else’s, they’ll disappear.

This post is about how I keep my writing:

• Real

• Relatable

• Still helpful (and searchable)

Even though I use some automation in my workflow, the final words? All me.

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📋 Step 1: Write Like You’re Talking to One Person

When I sit down to write, I picture one reader in my head.

Not a “target demographic.”

A real person:

• A junior dev who just started freelancing

• A designer struggling to get their first client

• Someone like me, 3 years ago

That way, I’m not writing to impress an algorithm. I’m writing to connect.

🧑‍💻 I often write like this:

“When I first tried integrating React with WordPress, I hit a wall. The docs were outdated. Nothing worked. Here’s how I fixed it.”

It’s messy, human, honest. It builds trust.

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🧰 Step 2: Keep a Personal Swipe File of Real-Life Notes

I use tools like:

• Notion – for capturing ideas as they come

• Apple Notes – fast brain dumps on the go

• Obsidian – when I want to connect notes like a wiki

• Loom or Voice Memos – when I’d rather speak an idea before writing

This helps my content come from experience, not just research.

If I get stuck, I dig into:

• Old client questions

• Twitter DMs

• Frustrating bugs I fixed

• Mini-rants I almost tweeted

These are gold. They give posts depth that no AI-generated post can fake.

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✏️ Step 3: Start with the Ending

Before I write a headline, I ask:

“What do I want someone to feel, think, or do after reading this?”

Sometimes it’s:

• “Oh wow, I could try that on my site.”

• “I’ve had that same problem too.”

• “This person gets it.”

With that in mind, I work backwards. I write posts that earn that ending.

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🎨 Step 4: Use Structure, Not Templates

SEO tools will tell you to use templates like:

“10 Productivity Tools You Need in 2025“
“The Complete Guide to Freelancing“

That’s fine. But I structure content with a reader in mind, not Google bots.

My usual structure:

1. Intro – hook + why it matters

2. Your story or experience

3. The core idea or breakdown

4. Tools/resources (if needed)

5. A quote, thought, or takeaway

6. Call to action (even if it’s just: “Let me know what you think.”)

This keeps it natural while still being helpful.

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🧱 Step 5: Add Just Enough SEO—But Not Too Much

Yes, I do keyword research. But I don’t let it run the post.

My balance:

✅ Use the keyword in:

• The headline

• Meta description

• One or two subheadings

❌ Don’t:

• Repeat it like a robot

• Stuff it into every paragraph

• Sacrifice clarity for keywords

If your post sounds like it was written for a machine, no human will read it anyway.

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🎯 Step 6: Add Details No One Else Would Think To

This is my secret weapon.

When I write about using React with WordPress, I don’t just say “fetch data from the API.”

I say:

• Which endpoint I used

• What tripped me up

• Which plugin fixed the issue

• A mistake I made and why

That’s the difference between:

• A forgettable post

• A post someone bookmarks, shares, or links to

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🧑‍🎤 Step 7: Embrace Your Voice (Even If It Feels Cringe)

You’ll second-guess yourself. I do too.

But when people read my posts and say, “It felt like you were talking to me”—that’s what sticks.

Use phrases you actually say. Add humor. Drop a meme if it fits. Be serious if the topic needs it.

You’re not just sharing information. You’re creating a micro-connection.

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🔧 Tools I Use To Polish (But Not Overpolish)

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💬 Final Thought: Just Say What You Mean

People are tired of content that’s too polished, too optimized, and too empty.

You don’t need to be a “great writer” to write great blog posts.

Just talk to someone, share what you know, and don’t try to sound like a brand.

The more human your blog sounds, the more people will actually want to read it.

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