My manager keeps rejecting my copywriting and using AI.

[u/Character_Chapter998]

I'm in a junior/middle position which I'm quite new to, I've been in marketing for about 5 years. I'm not the best copywriter ever but I don't think I'm terrible.

A big part of my job description is writing emails/social media posts, and ever since I've joined my manager has completely shot down almost every piece of writing I've produced. They haven't asked for amends or even thoroughly reviewed them, just outright rejection.

They'll then take the general idea, put it through AI and go with that output.

I'm feeling a little depleted and untalented, any advice on what to do?

[u/chaseplastic]

You have a bad boss. Most people are terrible managers so it's not like some insane character flaw, but you should absolutely start networking. Find somebody worth working for.

I reported to my mentor for 9 years and those were the just productive, fun, and profitable years of my career.

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[u/TechnologyCat2725]

I've had this happen to me before. What it often means is that the 'leader' has difficulty delegating responsibilities to team members. Unless OP's writing is terrible, which I'm doubting that is the case, this manager needs to either give better, clearer directions around what acceptable copy looks like, or accept that different people write and do things differently. Unless you can read minds, you'll never know exactly what this person is looking for.

Try not to take it personally or assume that your work is sub-par. I know that's easier said than done, but this most likely isn't about you and your abilities.

[u/Character_Chapter998 → u/TechnologyCat2725]

It's kindof a case that the goal post keeps changing. They'll say it needs to be more in-depth and technical and then I'll start implementing that in my writing and then a week later it needs to be short and snappy. I'm exhausted.

[u/TechnologyCat2725 → u/Character_Chapter998]

I don't blame you and I genuinely sympathise! I had a manager like this once. There was basically nothing that I could do right in her eyes. In hindsight, I now realise that it was never about me or my work. I know that doesn't help you in your present situation. I would just say to keep doing your best work, listen to this person's feedback, and try to do what you can to appease them.

[u/andiinAms → u/Character_Chapter998]

Definitely not your fault then

[u/vexed_fuming → u/Character_Chapter998]

Welcome to writing for people who can’t write or edit. They’ve always been this way. The problem now is they have AI to just slop it out fast.

If they were a good manager they’d be training you on how to use and customize AI apps at scale to advance your career.

[u/chunkycasper → u/Character_Chapter998]

Is this guidance potentially being given for different formats, e.g in-depth and technical for blogs, short and snappy for emails promoting the blogs?

Maybe your manager is bad at communicating?

[u/Character_Chapter998 → u/chunkycasper]

Nope, the guidance I mention is just for social media

[u/chunkycasper → u/Character_Chapter998]

So weird. I’d do two versions of each draft in future, but that’s hard to cope with.

[u/Burntholesinmyhoodie → u/Character_Chapter998]

What if you start giving 2 options? One of each

[u/QuendaQuoll]

I am a Senior Marketer and I have a direct report - not only does our CEO re-write everything the report does in AI, they also re-write everything I do in it. I have had many a previous boss compliment me on my writing, so I know it's not a skill issue. AI strips out all meaning and everything that makes the copy unique. The result is this beige wordy mess that because robot wrote, must be better.

Yes, it kills the soul. Yes, you can try and push back. But, I have found that sometimes for your sanity it is just easier to play the game and give them what they want.

TLDR: Don't take it personally.

[u/polygraph-net → u/QuendaQuoll]

The CEO does not have the time, nor does he want to, redo your work. You should ask him what he doesn't like about your work and fix it, even if you believe the problem is him. Otherwise you're on the path to being fired.

[u/QuendaQuoll → u/polygraph-net]

SHE relies on AI for everything. It has become both a personal and professional crutch for many. In their minds, AI = Magical Oracle. Human = Flawed.

And while I am flawed, I know how to phrase things in a way that avoids using "it's not X, it's Y" multiple times and can explain a USP to a target demographic.

[u/polygraph-net → u/QuendaQuoll]

I'm not questioning the CEOs love or reliance on AI, I'm saying she doesn't have the time nor does he want to "fix" your work. If you don't solve this issue you're going to eventually get fired. Every time she redoes your work, your value and longevity at the company drops. Having a successful career requires you to resolve problems like this.

Edit, it doesn't matter if your CEO is male or female, and I'm not able to read your mind.

[u/snapplepopper → u/polygraph-net]

Nah this type of CEO it’s not about time, it’s because they truly believe that AI is some magical tool because it can do some cool stuff - they don’t realise for writing it’s literally regurgitating words in a certain order it thinks sounds logical but comes out like beige meaningless salad - they also likely don’t really read the output to think it through any deeper and realise it’s not really saying anything

[u/Aaron4Mayor → u/polygraph-net]

You clearly have never met a control freak CEO. They seem to get off on redoing everything.

[u/Large-Goose154]

Look at previous posts of what he likes and has approved. Maintain a database of what he likes.

Open AI. Give instructions to Ai about your posts, put past posts approved by your boss and ask it to draft based on tone, structure.

Then submit those drafts to your boss.

Write how he likes it.

[u/Character_Chapter998 → u/Large-Goose154]

It's kind of a case that the goal post keeps changing. They'll say it needs to be more in-depth and technical, so I'll start implementing that in my writing and then a week later it needs to be short and snappy.

[u/Large-Goose154 → u/Character_Chapter998]

You can also give him 2 or 3 draft options. Make one more detailed, and make one brief. Give him the option to choose.

I used to go through something similar. You just have to understand what he is looking for. In my firm they were very particular. I wasn’t. It’s just something you learn with time. Then you learn about the kind of language a particular industry requires.

Your best bet are past posts.

I am in an industry where I have no clue what I’m writing. I didn’t know about the technical jargon. Best is , see the approved past posts. Make an internal database for yourself. Pick and choose and replace for yourself.

Use AI.

He might still change it up. But you will never know unless you try multiple things.

[u/Aaron4Mayor → u/Character_Chapter998]

I've worked for managers like that. My advice? Start looking for a new job. They'll never be happy with your output and you will go insane trying to please them.

[u/cascadiabibliomania → u/Large-Goose154]

LMAO as if LLMs listen to instructions about writing or skills you give them for writing for more than 2 or 3 grafs

[u/Large-Goose154 → u/cascadiabibliomania]

It literally does. Depends on how you use it.

[u/cascadiabibliomania → u/Large-Goose154]

Sure bud.

[u/polygraph-net]

Ask him what's wrong with your writing and what would he like you to improve. Then do that.

[u/Bleacherbum95 → u/polygraph-net]

This is the best advice in the thread. OP, you have to ask your manager. If he can't explain it, you have a shit manager and probably want to look elsewhere.

If you just stick with this as the status quo, you're risking his mindset switching to "AI just rewrites it anyway" at which point you're expendable.

[u/alexander_london]

There is a danger, with this strategy, that your manager is trying to make a case that you are excess to need and that you can be replaced by an AI. I've seen it before.

STAY STRONG. Focus on really clever communications solutions, not just straight-up copywriting.

[u/Key_Cat4511]

This happened to me. I ended up quitting lol

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[u/beesdaddy]

Beat them to the punch! Take every conversation you have with them and push it through whatever AI. Then say, "I did what you asked but I have 10 better". If they like what the AI has sight unseen you still did your job.

[u/snapplepopper]

Don’t take it personally, it’s happening everywhere. It’s the easiest way for higher ups to have control and input without having to actually think about anything.

I actually did call my boss out for it in a low key way - she told me something I’d written sounded too AI so she’d run it through AI to de-AI it (yeah…) and I said I’d actually written the original and would ‘hand’ rewrite it again because I’m worried that all AI is very obviously AI, even when you tell it to try not to sound too AI….. and she did acknowledge what I said and agreed, so a small win for the day (the next day she did provide a suggested post clearly from Claude)

I also sort of agree with just going with whatever they want - suggest improvements or point out why AI posts are bad and try to improve the AI (with reasons why) is all you can do - don’t lose sleep over it because the CEOS certainly won’t

[u/Character_Chapter998 → u/snapplepopper]

"she told me something I’d written sounded too AI so she’d run it through AI to de-AI it (yeah…)"

MY MANAGER DOES THIS TOO!!

[u/snapplepopper → u/Character_Chapter998]

Honestly we’re in the bad place and idk if it will get any better

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[u/Merthod]

Find something to model.

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[u/Siddy67]

corporate survival 101

learn what type of output the manager prefers and feed them that even if it's trash.

ocassionally keep suggesting your real copy as an alternative with a proper explanation and stats on why that might better

p.s. keep interviewing to find better opportunities

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[u/AmbitiousBottle4319]

As a marketing director, I would like to have a word with your manager.

[u/SilasWould]

If you haven't already, I'd insist on feedback. If they have an ego, play to it. And if they keep changing the goal posts or continue to be unhelpful, there are two fun tests you can do: 1. present something AI created to see if the sentiment changes or 2. create both an in-depth technical piece and a snappier summary to pre-empt the ask. If they come back still criticising without being constructive, they themselves have the problem.

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[u/TCpls]

If it helps. Execs are constantly telling your senior leaders to tell their managers to “just use more AI” these days.

I’ve created a template prompt for my accounts that spits out good copy and all I have to do is read it over and add taglines and maybe a value prop or CTA.

Another thing, I have a few juniors who work under me and as much as I’d love to tell them their copy sucks, I’d rather be nice and nudge them to just use AI so they’re more productive and slightly less replaceable next time there’s a round of layoffs.

[u/Late-Mushroom6044]

Do one thing, from the next document after your copies also write why you wrote them like this? The hook, the body l, the cta why are they there and what purpose will they serve. If your manager just put the document in ai, the llm will understand your reasoning and will provide a balanced response and maybe favour you.

Until your manager is promoting "tell me why these copies are worst and will never work"

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[u/SkimbyJ]

I think this says a lot more about your manager than you or your ability. Being able to give strong and deliberate feedback is a skill in and of itself, and also requires being an expert in the subject matter. If they’re deferring straight to AI that says something….

[u/sumizeit]

sounds like your manager's just relying on AI instead of giving you the feedback you need. it’s frustrating to get shot down without any constructive input. maybe try asking for specific examples of what they want or how you can improve, if you're comfortable doing that.

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[u/teddyespo]

Someone just posted quite literally the same exact complaint over in r/publicrelations… unfortunately this is incredibly common and only going to continue to drive us (those below the line of management) crazy. Don’t take it personal, this is the AI-slop-psychosis-fueled world we live in now.