Canright Communications

Content that connects

Brianna Smith

5 Ways to Use AI Without Losing Your Voice

AI is revolutionizing how we write content. From blog posts to email campaigns, tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, and Copy.ai are making it faster and more accessible to generate written materials for marketing and sales.

But here’s the issue: A lot of it sounds the same.

If you’ve noticed a recent uptick in polished but personality-free articles, you’re not alone. As AI-generated content floods inboxes and search results, it’s never been more important to ensure your brand voice cuts through the noise.

At Canright Communications, we use AI strategically—to support, not replace—our content creation process. Why? Because no matter how advanced the tool, there’s no substitute for human insight, tone, and storytelling.


The Risk of “Blending In”

Relying too heavily on AI without oversight can result in content that:

-Sounds like everyone else in your industry

-Misses the mark with your target audience

-Strips out the personality that makes your brand recognizable

-Feels impersonal or flat, especially in relationship-driven industries

Let’s face it—AI is incredible at sounding polished, but it’s not great at sounding like YOU. Your customers don’t want to engage with a robot. They want to hear from your company, your team, your values.


5 Ways to Use AI Without Losing Your Voice

  1. Define (and Document) Your Voice: Is your tone authoritative and expert-level? Warm and approachable? Quirky and clever? We help our clients build brand voice guides with examples and style notes so that every piece—whether written by a person or polished by AI—feels consistent and authentic.
  2. Use AI for the Blueprint, Not the Building: AI is a great starting point. It can generate outlines, brainstorm headlines, and even provide rough drafts. But those drafts should always be reviewed and refined by a skilled writer—someone who understands your strategy, audience, and industry. That’s where we come in.
  3. Always Human-Edit for Clarity and Emotion: AI doesn’t know your customer pain points. It doesn’t pick up on nuance or irony. And it definitely doesn’t have your strategic goals in mind. We edit for impact—reworking AI drafts to connect emotionally, communicate clearly, and reflect the expertise behind your brand.
  4. Train AI with Your Content: AI performs better when trained with brand-specific content. Feeding AI tools high-quality samples, using strategic prompts, and even building reusable templates that mirror a client’s brand tone and structure can result in content that stands out from the rest.
  5. Balance AI with Original Thought Leadership: The best way to stand out? Say something only you can say. We help clients blend AI-assisted content with high-value originals—like client case studies, executive bylines, and expert Q&As. For your convenience, Canright now offers a Thought Leadership content writing service.


Why Your Company Needs Canright Communications

AI is a powerful tool—but it’s not a strategy. It doesn’t understand your mission, your clients, or the subtleties that define your brand. That’s where Canright Communications makes all the difference. We work with clients across industries—fintech, IT, architecture, finance, and professional services—to:

-Translate complex ideas into clear, compelling stories

-Maintain brand voice across content types and channels

-Leverage AI strategically without sacrificing originality or credibility

We’ve helped brands like Yodlee explain their API to non-technical decision-makers, and companies like Synechron position themselves as leaders in blockchain innovation. In both cases, our mix of thoughtful writing, technical expertise, and editorial precision ensured their voice—and their value—stood out.


Let’s Talk About Your Content

If you’re using AI to support your marketing and content creation but worried about losing your voice, let’s chat. We’ll help you build a strategy that blends smart automation with strong storytelling.

To learn more about our services, contact us at collin@canrightcommunications.com.

Unlock IT Excellence: Reliability as the Key to Enhancing Performance and Success

How important is reliability in your IT operations? Do you understand its impact on your team’s performance and overall organizational success? At Canright, reliability is not just important—it’s fundamental. The 2023 Accelerate State of DevOps Report emphasizes that strong reliability practices are key to enhancing operational and team performance, ultimately driving organizational success. 

For technical writers, the ability to clearly understand and communicate these practices is essential. This ensures that IT teams function efficiently and technology-driven organizations operate seamlessly. How well does your organization integrate these principles to achieve its goals?

Defining Reliability in IT Operations

Reliability in IT operations ensures that a service consistently meets its goals for availability, performance, and correctness. High reliability typically involves embracing Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) principles, which focus on empirical learning, cross-functional collaboration, extensive automation, and measuring performance through service level objectives (SLOs).

Key Reliability Practices

The report outlines three key aspects of reliability practices important for enhancing operational performance:

  1. Mitigation Plans for Dependencies: It’s vital to have solid plans in place to manage failures in dependent services. This involves pinpointing potential failure points and preparing contingency plans to handle disruptions effectively.
  2. Regular Testing of Disaster Recovery Plans: Simulating disruptions and testing disaster recovery plans are crucial. These exercises help teams prepare for real-world scenarios, identify gaps, and enhance system resilience.
  3. Improvement Work After Missing Reliability Targets: If reliability targets are missed, it’s important to undertake improvement initiatives, reprioritize tasks, and adjust strategies. Embracing a continuous improvement approach helps tackle the root causes of failures and prevents future issues.

The Role of Technical Writers

Technical writers are pivotal in documenting and communicating these reliability practices. Their work in crafting clear, concise, and comprehensive documentation ensures that all team members are well-versed in the necessary procedures and protocols to maintain high reliability. This includes producing detailed guides on mitigation plans, disaster recovery testing, and post-incident improvements.

The J-Curve of Reliability Practices

The relationship between reliability practices and operational performance is not linear and is often depicted as a J-curve. Initially, teams might see quick wins, but as complexities mount, progress may slow. However, a sustained dedication to these practices will ultimately lead to significant operational improvements, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and ongoing enhancement.

Impact on Team Well-Being

Teams that implement strong reliability practices experience enhanced productivity, higher job satisfaction, and reduced burnout rates. This boost in well-being can be attributed to several SRE practices, such as:

  • Reducing Toil: Automating routine and manual tasks allows more time for valuable work.
  • Blameless Postmortems: These foster a learning culture by reviewing incidents without assigning blame.
  • Team Autonomy: Empowering teams to make decisions enhances job satisfaction and engagement.

Operational Performance as a Catalyst

Operational performance, fueled by sound reliability practices, serves as a catalyst for further positive outcomes. It not only meets user expectations but also enables teams to innovate and deliver value more effectively. 

For technical writers, understanding and articulating the importance of these practices is key. By documenting and sharing best practices, they help IT teams achieve top performance, enhancing both team well-being and organizational success. At Canright Communications, reliability is more than a technical objective; it’s a strategic imperative that reshapes how organizations operate and deliver value to their users. Through clear documentation, technical writers unlock the full potential of IT operations.

To learn more about our services, contact us at collin@canrightcommunications.com.

Documentation: The Foundation of Effective Technical Communication

When it comes to technical documentation, the ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively is crucial. Technical writing bridges the gap between intricate technical knowledge and its practical application, ensuring that critical information is accessible, understandable, and usable.

Documentation, a key output of technical writing, serves as the backbone of clear communication and efficient operations across various industries, from software development to healthcare and finance. Its importance is magnified in fields that demand precision and collaboration, such as DevOps, where it underpins every aspect of project execution and management.

Application in DevOps

Within the context of DevOps, technical writing takes on additional significance due to the iterative and collaborative nature of the practice. DevOps teams rely heavily on documentation to manage software development and operations efficiently. For example, continuous deployment practices benefit greatly from well-documented guidelines that help maintain stability and speed in software releases. This ensures that all team members, regardless of their role or when they join the project, can understand and follow the necessary procedures to maintain productivity and quality.

Enhancing Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

Effective technical writing facilitates collaboration across diverse teams by providing clear, accessible documentation. This is crucial for maintaining project continuity, particularly in fast-paced environments. For example, companies like Google have demonstrated a significant decrease in onboarding times for new developers due to standardized documentation practices, which have streamlined the integration process by providing quick access to essential project information.

Supporting Continuous Improvement

One of the key benefits of thorough technical documentation is its role in supporting continuous improvement within organizations. By keeping detailed records, such as software changes and testing outcomes, technical writers enable teams to analyze past actions and refine their strategies. For instance, analyzing deployment logs might reveal optimal times for updates that minimize disruptions, enhancing future project planning.

Aiding Compliance and Security

For industries regulated by strict compliance standards, such as healthcare or finance, technical documentation is a vital tool for ensuring that all processes meet legal requirements. Detailed records of security protocols and compliance measures are crucial. The effectiveness of such documentation in easing compliance burdens was highlighted in an article by LearnNexus, which showed how well-maintained records could reduce compliance costs significantly.

Reducing Dependency on Key Individuals

Quality documentation in technical writing reduces an organization’s dependency on individual team members by decentralizing knowledge. This ensures that projects can continue smoothly even if key personnel are unavailable, preventing potential bottlenecks and facilitating smoother transitions and scalability.

Facilitating Better Decision Making

Technical writers gather and document critical data that aids in strategic decision-making. By providing a reliable foundation of data through documentation, they enable leaders to make informed choices regarding tool selection, methodology adoption, and investment in technology, which can substantially reduce technological debt and increase efficiency.

Technical writing, through its focus on creating detailed, structured documentation, plays a pivotal role in enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making across various sectors. Organizations that invest in high-quality technical documentation can achieve more streamlined operations and improved project outcomes, reinforcing a culture that values precision and accountability.

To learn more about our services, contact us at collin@canrightcommunications.com.

The Strategic Value of Long-form Content in Digital Marketing

Have you ever wondered what type of content truly sets your brand apart in today’s digital marketing world? It’s not just about having content—it’s about having the right kind of content. Long-form content, typically over 1,200 words, is making waves. Why? Because it engages readers more deeply, boosts SEO, and positions companies as industry leaders.

Curious how it works and why it matters for your business? Let’s take a look at how long-form content is reshaping marketing strategies and why it should be a key component of your content plan.

Establishing Thought Leadership

For companies aiming to position themselves as thought leaders within their industry, long-form content is invaluable. It allows the space to delve into complex topics, offer unique insights, and provide valuable information that goes beyond the surface level. As reported by HubSpot, companies that prioritize blogging are 13 times more likely to achieve a positive ROI on their efforts. Blogs, especially those that are well-researched and detailed, can demonstrate a company’s expertise and commitment to adding value to their industry, thereby building trust with readers.

Enhanced SEO Performance

Long-form content significantly boosts a website’s search engine visibility. Google’s algorithms are designed to reward content that provides comprehensive information on a topic, which long-form articles naturally do. According to a study by Backlinko, the average Google first page result contains 1,447 words. Longer content tends to cover a wide range of related topics and keywords, which not only helps in capturing a larger set of search queries but also signals to search engines that the content is a thorough resource, potentially improving its rank.

Increased Engagement and User Interaction

Despite the fast-paced browsing habits of many internet users, long-form content has shown to engage readers more deeply than shorter pieces. A study by Medium suggests that the optimal post is around 7 minutes long, roughly 1,600 words, which typically achieves much higher engagement. Detailed articles encourage users to spend more time on the page, reducing bounce rates and increasing the likelihood of user interaction, such as comments and shares. These metrics are beneficial for SEO and help in building a community around your brand.

Higher Social Media Traction

Contrary to popular belief, longer content can perform better on social media platforms. BuzzSumo’s analysis of over 100 million articles revealed that long-form content gets more social shares than short-form content. This is particularly true for content over 3,000 words, which receives an average of 208% more shares than shorter articles. Long-form content provides more value, which users are likely to share within their networks, increasing a brand’s visibility and reach.

Better Conversion Rates

Long-form content can also lead to higher conversion rates. Detailed content provides more opportunities to connect with the reader, address their pain points, and guide them towards a call to action (CTA). According to Crazy Egg, comprehensive content that effectively educates or solves problems can significantly enhance trust, which is crucial for converting readers into customers. Including multiple CTAs throughout the article, for instance, allows businesses to capture leads at various stages of the content, optimizing the user journey for conversions.

Opportunities for Repurposing

Another significant advantage of long-form content is its versatility. A single long article can be repurposed into several pieces of content, including infographics, podcasts, videos, and a series of blog posts. This not only maximizes the ROI of the original content but also caters to different audience preferences, increasing the overall reach and effectiveness of the content strategy.

Longevity and Continued Traffic

Long-form content tends to remain relevant longer than short-form posts. Its comprehensive nature covers numerous aspects of a topic, which can continue to draw traffic for months or even years after publication. This “evergreen” quality ensures that the content keeps performing, providing a steady stream of visitors and potential leads over time.

Long-form content is not just a trend but a strategic tool that offers multiple benefits for digital marketing and thought leadership. Its ability to improve SEO, engage readers, establish authority, and convert visitors into customers makes it an important component of any content strategy. By investing in detailed, well-researched articles, companies can significantly enhance their online presence and achieve lasting success in their digital marketing efforts.

By embracing long-form content, businesses are not just filling up space; they are building a foundation of trust and authority that resonates with today’s discerning consumers. It’s clear that when it comes to impactful marketing, bigger often means better.

To learn more about our services, contact us at collin@canrightcommunications.com.

Understanding AI Voice: How It Works, Its Uses, and Its Impact on Campaigns

We’ve been writing about AI and its use in marketing. In listening to last week’s edition of the New York Times Hard Fork podcast, we learned about the AI tools political campaigns are using to market candidates. Here’s a summary of what we heard.

Imagine getting a call from a political candidate, but instead of hearing their real voice, you’re listening to an AI-generated version of it. This is the world of AI voice technology—a fascinating and sometimes controversial tool. But what exactly is AI voice, how does it work, and why does it matter? And why do so few campaigns this election season seem to be experimenting with A.I.? Let’s dive into the details.

What is AI Voice?

AI voice refers to synthetic speech generated by artificial intelligence. This technology can create realistic human voices from text, making it possible for machines to “speak” in a way that sounds almost indistinguishable from a real person. This is done through a process called text-to-speech (TTS), where AI models, trained on vast amounts of data, generate speech patterns, intonations, and even emotional nuances.

The technology has advanced to the point where it can mimic specific voices. With just a short sample of someone’s speech, AI can create a clone of their voice, which can then be used to generate new audio content. This opens up a world of possibilities—and concerns.

How AI Voice is Being Used

AI voice technology is being utilized across various industries, but its use in political campaigns is particularly interesting. Here’s how it’s being leveraged:

  1. Robocalls: Campaigns can use AI-generated voices to make automated calls to voters. These calls can deliver messages, answer questions, and even engage in basic conversation. This is done at a fraction of the cost of hiring live callers, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious campaigns.
  2. Language Translation: AI voice can be used to create messages in multiple languages, even if the candidate doesn’t speak those languages. For instance, a candidate could “speak” to their constituents in Spanish, Mandarin, or any other language, expanding their reach and appeal.
  3. Personalization: AI can tailor messages to individual voters, addressing them by name and discussing issues that are important to them. This level of personalization could make voters feel more connected to the candidate, potentially increasing engagement.
  4. Efficiency: AI voice can handle a massive volume of calls or messages in a short period. It can generate thousands of calls in minutes, allowing campaigns to reach more voters more quickly than ever before.

Why This Technology Matters

During campaign season, the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with voters is crucial. AI voice offers a powerful tool to do just that, but it also raises important questions about authenticity and trust.

A few of the pros of AI voice technology include:

  • Cost-Effective: It’s cheaper than employing human staff to make calls or deliver messages.
  • Scalability: It can reach a large number of people in a very short time.
  • Language Accessibility: It allows candidates to communicate with non-English-speaking voters in their own language.
  • Consistency: It ensures that messages stay on script and are delivered without errors.

However, there are significant cons to consider:

  • Lack of Authenticity: Voters value authenticity in their candidates. Knowing that they are hearing a synthetic voice might turn people off, as it can feel impersonal and deceptive.
  • Potential for Misinformation: AI voice could be used to spread false information, either deliberately or accidentally, if the technology is misused or if the generated content isn’t carefully monitored.
  • Skepticism: There’s a general wariness about AI in politics, with many people feeling uncomfortable about the idea of candidates using technology to communicate instead of their real voices.

As Sheera Frenkel discussed in a recent episode of the New York Times’ Hard Fork podcast, the issue of authenticity is a major concern. “I was surprised by how many campaigns say that the top guiding word they have, in terms of their strategy, in terms of how they conceive of campaigns, is authenticity,” she noted. Frenkel also highlighted that this authenticity issue might be the biggest hurdle for AI voice technology in political campaigns: “AI being the epitome of a new technology from Silicon Valley that people think is inauthentic…I think that’s really the beginning and end of it.”

Why So Few Campaigns Are Experimenting with AI Voice

Despite the potential benefits, AI voice technology hasn’t seen widespread adoption in the current election cycle. As highlighted in the Hard Fork podcast, many campaigns are hesitant to experiment with AI-driven tools due to concerns about authenticity and voter perception.

Numerous AI products have been pitched to campaigns, but they have largely been turned down. For example, campaigns have declined AI-generated endorsements from long-dead historical figures and even a synthetic version of Donald Trump for practice debates. The reluctance to use such tools stems from a fear that voters might see them as inauthentic or deceptive, which could backfire.

Because of these concerns, AI voice isn’t expected to be used much in campaigns this election season. The fear of alienating voters by appearing too tech-driven or impersonal has kept many campaigns from fully embracing this technology.

The Impact on Campaigns

As the 2024 election season heats up, the use of AI voice technology is likely to remain limited. While it has the potential to change how campaigns operate, candidates who use AI voice effectively could gain a competitive edge, but they also risk alienating voters who value personal, authentic communication.

In the end, the key will be finding the right balance between innovation and authenticity. As AI voice technology continues to evolve, so too will the strategies campaigns use to connect with voters. The challenge will be ensuring that, in the quest for efficiency, the human element isn’t lost.

To learn more about our services, contact us at collin@canrightcommunications.com.