Customize Content with AI Tools: 3 Hacks for Indie Authors

“Artificial intelligence is a tool, not a threat.” — Rodney Brooks, roboticist

As indie authors, we write for diverse audiences with varying preferences and needs. Whether crafting novels for young adult readers, penning memoirs, or writing non-fiction blogs, when you customize content, it helps build a deeper connection with your readers. AI tools offer powerful ways to modify and adjust your writing, making it more accessible, engaging, and tailored to different audiences.

In this part of our writer’s guide series on AI for Authors, we’ll show you how to customize content from generic to personalized, with three top tips for customizing your writing to fit the unique needs of your readers—whether you’re simplifying complex ideas, tweaking tone, or targeting specific reader groups.

When Sarah, an indie author, started writing her first science fiction novel, she knew her audience was split. Some readers were tech-savvy, while others were new to the genre. Her initial marketing materials, which focused heavily on intricate world-building and technology, alienated potential readers unfamiliar with these themes. Realizing she needed to broaden her reach, Sarah used AI to generate simplified versions of her marketing copy that focused on the emotional journey of her protagonist. The result? A more engaging and accessible message that connected with a wider audience, proving how essential it is to customize content for different reader preferences.

Practical Uses of AI for New Indie Authors

AI can be a valuable resource for new indie authors to customize content complexity, personalize content, and tailor marketing materials. Here are some effective strategies for modifying your writing to meet the specific needs of your audience.

Customize Content to Suit Your Audience

Whether you’re writing blogs, novels, or character descriptions, it’s crucial to tailor your content to match your audience’s needs. AI can help in the following ways:

1.     Simplify complex ideas:

Suppose you’re writing non-fiction or technical content. In that case, AI can simplify jargon or complex ideas to make them more digestible for a wider audience. For instance, if your blog is about the benefits of blockchain technology for self-publishing, you can use AI to generate a simplified version for readers unfamiliar with the topic.

2.     Adapt text complexity:

You can adjust your writing’s complexity to suit different reader levels. For example, suppose you’re writing a middle-grade fantasy novel but want to expand your reach to younger readers. In that case, AI can help simplify sentence structure and vocabulary while preserving the storyline’s depth.

3.     Personalize content:

Use AI to generate different versions of a book description or blog post to appeal to varied reader preferences. If marketing a mystery novel, you could emphasize the suspenseful elements for one audience and the protagonist’s emotional journey for another.

Prompts for Modification

Here are example prompts explicitly tailored for new indie authors to customize content based on your readers’ needs. Each prompt provides two versions: a detailed version for targeted outputs and a shorter version for quick results.

Example 1: Summarize Content Prompt
I am an indie author writing a blog about self-publishing. Summarize the following article for readers who are new to the topic. Ensure the summary is clear and accessible:

• Subject and topic: Summarize the main points of a self-publishing guide for first-time authors.
• Reading level: Adapt for readers unfamiliar with publishing jargon.
• Key points and details: Focus on how to get started with self-publishing, including selecting platforms and basic marketing strategies.

Short Version:
I am an indie author who is writing a blog post. Summarize the main points of a guide to self-publishing for first-time authors.

Another Hack:
Ask AI to add annotations that explain key terms such as “ISBN,” “royalties,” and “print-on-demand,” making the blog more educational for readers new to publishing.

Example 2: Adjust Reading Level Prompt
I am an indie author writing a fantasy novel for middle-grade readers. Adjust the following chapter to make it more accessible for younger readers by simplifying the language.

• Original text: [Insert text from your book]
• Subject: Fantasy
• Topic: A pivotal scene where the protagonist discovers their magical abilities.
• Target audience: Readers aged 8 to 10
• Key points to preserve: Retain the emotional intensity of the scene but simplify complex descriptions and dialogue.

Short Version:
I am an indie author writing a fantasy novel for younger readers. Simplify the following chapter to a middle-grade reading level. [Insert text].

Another Hack:
After adjusting the reading level, ask the AI to suggest visual cues or chapter illustrations that could enhance younger readers’ engagement with the story.

Example 3: Modify Book Marketing Activities Prompt
I am an indie author preparing a marketing campaign for my debut novel. Modify the following promotional activities to appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven stories.

• Project title: Marketing Campaign for The Lost Hero
• Target audience: Readers who prefer character-driven stories with emotional depth.
• Current project description: The current marketing plan emphasizes the fantasy world, but I want to shift the focus to the protagonist’s personal growth and relationships.
• Desired Modifications: Adjust the marketing materials (blurb, social media posts, and email campaign) to highlight the protagonist’s inner journey.
• Desired outcomes: Attract readers who connect with emotional character arcs rather than just world-building.

Short Version:
I am an indie author. Modify the following marketing materials to focus on character-driven elements for readers who enjoy deep emotional stories. [Describe current marketing materials].

Another Hack:
Ask AI to create personalized social media captions or email subject lines directly appealing to readers interested in character growth and personal transformation.

Customizing Content with AI

Shaping your content to meet specific reader needs is a powerful way to connect with your audience and make your writing more engaging. By using AI tools to modify and personalize your content, you ensure your work resonates with a broader range of readers. Whether you’re simplifying complex ideas for a blog post or adjusting the tone of a book description, AI can help you tailor your writing while saving time and enhancing the quality of your work.

AI can help customize content, but your expertise shapes it to meet specific needs.

We trust you’ve found these strategies both enlightening and inspirational. They’re designed to equip you with the tools and insights to bolster your success as a burgeoning author.

The path of writing is one filled with ceaseless learning and enhancement. You are not expected to tread this path solo. We’re thrilled to accompany you on this journey, offering support and motivation at every turn. We aim to deliver foundational knowledge and pragmatic guidance, enabling you to confidently traverse the author world.

For more help, see the first part in this series, AI Empowers New Indie Authors: 5 Best Hacks. You might also like Outcome-Based Management: 7 Steps to Writing Success.

How can we help? To let us know, please fill out our Contact form. Happy writing!

If you have a draft you want to publish with the help of AI, read, Is Your Book Ready to Self-Publish? Lastly, for help writing a non-fiction book, read Write Your First Non-Fiction eBook: a 30-Day Workbook for Getting It Done.

FAQs—On Customizing Content

Here are some frequently asked questions about using AI to customize and tailor your content for specific audiences. These answers will help you get the most out of AI tools as an indie author.

How can I simplify complex ideas for readers new to a topic?

AI can help by simplifying vocabulary, sentence structures, and jargon, making complex concepts more accessible to a broader audience.

What if I need different versions of content for multiple reader types?

AI allows you to create varied versions of the same content, highlighting different themes or tones depending on your target audience.

Can AI help me adjust the complexity of my writing?

Yes, AI can rewrite text to suit different reading levels, helping you make your writing more accessible to younger or less experienced readers.

How do I personalize AI outputs for different genres or themes?

You can ask AI to focus on specific themes or elements—such as adventure, romance, or mystery—tailoring the content to align with your readers’ interests.

What if the AI output doesn’t match my voice?

You can always customize content, editing the tone, language, and structure to reflect your writing style better.