Are AI Comments Ruining Your Digital Conversations?

Humans are such suckers for the Easy Button. And when someone (or anyone, really), is telling you that you HAVE to comment on people's posts in order to get them into a lead funnl, people will look for the EASIEST way to do that.

And to add to that, we've been sold that "easy" is the SAME as automated. So, we look for the automation that will do that for us the FASTEST.

Case in point; automated LinkedIn comments.

Now honestly, I don't know the tech behind it. But I know that I am receiving AI comments on my posts. How can I tell?

Always a second connection. Always a question posed. Most of the time, that question having already been answered in the post if a human had bothered to read it.

Now, I'm all one for asking questions. I am naturally curious.

But I am NOT for asking a question JUST to ask a question.

Because the asking is NOT the point.

The point, my friends, in asking a question, is in satisfying YOUR curious mind.

It's in asking something that YOU are wondering.

Not asking anything because some AI somewhere told you that you should 🙄

Come on, folks. Really?

No wonder critical thinking is going extinct.

So, if you're one of the many (literally, I've had at LEAST 12 people on my posts alone in the past week doing it), here's something else you might try instead...

Does it take less time? Likely not.

Will it deliver better results? 100%.

And, since we're practicing asking questions, let's frame it as such 😉

Question #1: WHY am I commenting?

ChatGPT says that there is "substantial guidance from various sources" recommending that people comment on social media posts to enhance their visibility, build a personal brand, and implement social selling strategies (to name a few).

Suffice it to say, I'm sure you've heard the strategy shared in your travels, too.

And while the "experts" will give your THEIR WHY (generally related to exposure), we forget to ask OURSELVES the same question.

So, here's your chance...why are YOU commenting on the things you're commenting on?

If the ONLY reason you can think of is because someone else told you that you SHOULD...

Bad answer.

Because if you don't know YOUR reason, then you're unlikely to reach YOUR goals💡

The easiest way I've found to look at this is based on WHAT YOU are called to comment on.

Let's say you're at an in-person conference. And there are 4 different rooms you can enter: 1) politics, 2) puppies, 3) pizza toppings, 4) fantasy sports (yeah, I ran out of "p" things).

Which one would you choose?

If you're answer is, "whatever my ideal client would choose", you're headed in the WRONG direction ⛔

This is about YOU.

Because YOU are making the comments.

I'll tell you what I'm definitely NOT choosing.

Fantasy sports.

Why?

Because I don't know a single thing about fantasy sports.

Which means, I can't hold anywhere NEAR an intelligent conversation about it.

Which means, the likelihood of me building a connection through the conversation.

Non-existent.

Now, I do like puppies (although I'm allergic). And I do have my opinions about pizza toppings (as far as I'm concerned, pineapple was ALWAYS meant to be on pizza).

But I would actually choose the politics room.

Why?

Because I would be most curious to LISTEN in that room.

Because I would have the greatest opportunity to demonstrate my skills of creating togetherness through adversity.

And 👆 THOSE 👆 are the kinds of PERSONAL reasons that make it worthwhile entering a conversation.

Question #2: What would I say?

Now, once you've chosen the conversations you want to participate in, the next thing you get to choose is what you want to say there.

And yes, this involves some thinking.

Even for me, who only comments when I feel compellingly called to do so, it's your opportunity to create a unique brand experience of you.

And your AI comment, that's not IT'S intention at all.

That's why I like using Question 1 FIRST...

Because if YOU are deciding what to comment on...

You probably know what you THINK about it.

But what you think isn't necessarily what you have to SAY.

Ever write something just to completely backspace it all away?

Yeah, me too.

And sometimes, that's because we have a bunch of external filters that we're using, like: that's not the RIGHT thing to say, or I shouldn't repeat what someone else has already said, or who am I to say anything to this? And yes, we can work on moving through those.

And sometimse, it's because you WOULDN'T actually say that.

Not because you don't think it.

But because you ALSO want to leave room for other's feelings | create togetherness instead of division | learn more first.

These are all YOUR reasons for NOT saying something. And that makes them good reasons.

Question #3: Why aren't my words "good enough"?

I've had a lot of conversations with people who think their words aren't the RIGHT words. Or even GOOD words to use. And when we use AI "writers", it's very common for this belief to exist behind the scenes.

Whether it's because English isn't your first language, or for a myriad of other reasons, it's common to assume that AI can "so it better" than you.

But what AI writes will NEVER be your words.

Because it's always based on what OTHER people have done in the past (that's how AI get's trained, btw).

So, even if it comes up with a question you MIGHT ask, it's not REALLY your question.

Now, sure. Someone who doesn't know you won't KNOW that it doesn't sound like you.

BUT...they will be able to tell that the format and "vibe" feels duplicated. And that does NOT equal the trust you're looking to build; which comes when someone ADDS something to a conversation.

Mostly, it equals DELETION.

And the bigger problem?

YOU will know. And that generally doesn't feel good.

Which means, you want to do LESS of it.

Which means, you lean MORE heavily on AI to do it, because you don't want to.

It's a downawrd spiral AWAY from achieving what you were (probably) going for in the first place...

Conversations. Opportunities. Relationships. Sales.

So...what's the point?

If you're not asking yourself these questions...

You're PROBABLY doing Crazy, STUPID Marketing.

And yes...comments ARE marketing.

Because they create a brand experience of YOU.

Often times...the FIRST brand experience of you.

And if you don't want the first brand experience of you to be, "this person didn't bother to try, so DELETE"...

Then scroll right back up to the top and start with Question #1.

OR...if you'd like a sherpa to help you on your way, let's chat.