Don’t ask AI to rewrite your email

If you are trying to use AI to save some time at work, this is for you!

My Take

Most people are using AI at the wrong step in their communication.

They write something → get stuck → then paste it into Claude and say:

“Rewrite this.”

You’ll get something back. But it’s usually:

• generic

• slightly robotic

• maybe even more verbose

• not actually better

Because you skipped the most important part!

Use AI before you write, not after

The highest ROI use of AI for communication is clarity, not rewriting. Use it to refine your thinking, not just to edit.

Instead of:

“Rewrite this email to sound better.”

Try:

“Help me clarify this message before I write it.

My goal is: [what I want to happen]

My audience is: [who this is for]

The key point I need to make is: [1 sentence]

What are the 2–3 most important things I should include?”

This process alone will make your message SO much clearer and faster to get right the first time.

Now you’re:

• clearer on your goal

• sharper on your message

• more intentional with your structure

Then you write. And that version will always be better than something AI rewrote for you.