How to Write Content That's NOT Slop
A practical guide to creating content with substance. No fluff, no buzzwords — just specific techniques that work.
TLToo Long; Didn't Read
- →Use specific details — names, numbers, dates, not vague generalizations
- →Show your work — explain HOW, not just WHAT
- →Take a stance — opinions backed by reasoning beat safe platitudes
- →Cut the filler — delete phrases like "In today's world" and "It's important to note"
- →Add lived experience — what YOU learned, failed at, or discovered
Let's be honest: most content on the internet is garbage. It's templated, vague, and reads like it was written by someone who Googled the topic five minutes ago. We call this AI slop — though humans are just as guilty of producing it.
This guide isn't about "writing better." It's about writing content that isn't worthless. Here's exactly how to do that.
1Replace Vague with Specific
The #1 sign of slop is vagueness. Generic phrases that could apply to anything are a red flag that the writer has nothing real to say.
"Many companies are finding success with innovative marketing strategies that help them connect with customers."
"Duolingo grew to 500M users by turning language learning into a meme account. Their TikTok features their owl mascot being unhinged — one video threatening users who skip lessons got 8.4M views."
The Specificity Test
Read your sentence. Could you swap in a completely different subject and it would still make sense? If yes, it's too vague. "Many companies are finding success with innovative strategies" could be about anything from toothpaste to enterprise SaaS. That's a problem.
2Show Your Work, Not Just Results
Slop tells you WHAT. Good content shows you HOW. The difference is the difference between useless and useful.
"To improve your productivity, create a morning routine that sets you up for success."
"I tried 6 different morning routines over 3 months. The one that stuck: no phone for first 30 min, 10 min walk, then starting with my hardest task. The key was keeping my phone physically in another room — willpower wasn't enough."
Notice the second example includes: a timeframe (3 months), quantity (6 routines), specific actions (no phone, 10 min walk), and a lesson learned (willpower wasn't enough). That's content you can actually use.
3Take a Stance (Even If It's Unpopular)
Slop is safe. It never commits to a position because taking a stance might alienate someone. But content that tries to please everyone pleases no one.
"There are pros and cons to both remote and office work. The best approach depends on your individual needs and circumstances."
"Remote work is better for most knowledge workers. The 2-hour daily commute saved is worth more than 'water cooler collaboration' — which mostly means getting interrupted by someone who could have sent an email."
You don't need to be controversial for controversy's sake. But if you don't have an opinion worth defending, why are you writing at all?
4Delete These Phrases Immediately
Some phrases are instant slop signals. They add no information and exist only to fill space. Delete them on sight.
- • "In today's fast-paced world..."
- • "It's no secret that..."
- • "Have you ever wondered..."
- • "In the ever-evolving landscape..."
- • "Now more than ever..."
- • "It's important to note that..."
- • "At the end of the day..."
- • "The fact of the matter is..."
- • "When all is said and done..."
- • "It goes without saying..."
A good rule: if you can delete a sentence and the paragraph still makes sense, delete it. Most filler sentences fail this test.
5Add Lived Experience (Even If It's Messy)
The one thing AI can't fake is lived experience. Your failures, surprises, and hard-won lessons are uniquely yours. Use them.
"Building a personal brand requires consistency and authenticity. Stay true to your values and your audience will follow."
"I posted 'valuable content' for 2 years and got nowhere. What worked? Posting my actual failures — like the launch that got 3 signups after 6 months of building. That post got 50x the engagement of my polished '10 tips' threads."
Failure stories > success stories. People are tired of highlight reels. Show the behind-the-scenes, including what didn't work.
Before You Publish: The Anti-Slop Checklist
- Does every paragraph contain at least one specific detail (name, number, date, example)?
- Can you delete your intro paragraph? (If yes, do it — most intros are filler)
- Does your content take a stance that someone might disagree with?
- Have you included something from your own experience?
- Would you actually send this to a friend asking for help on this topic?
The Bottom Line
Writing non-slop content isn't about being a better writer. It's about having something worth saying and saying it directly. Specifics over generalities. Experience over advice. Opinions over platitudes.
The bar is low. Most content is garbage. By following these principles, you're already in the top 10%.
Now go write something that isn't slop. And if you want to check your work, try our Slop Detector.
Check Your Own Writing for Slop
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