Build Your Context Card: One Document for AI That Sounds Like You

Why AI Sounds Like a Robot

AI has a default voice problem.

When you give it a task without context, it picks the safest possible interpretation. Corporate tone. Generic phrasing. Middle-of-the-road personality. It doesn't know you'd never say "don't hesitate to reach out" because you think it sounds weak.

Here's what's actually happening:

Prompts tell AI WHAT to do: "Write a follow-up email."

Context tells AI WHO you are: "I'm a direct communicator who uses short sentences and specific data. I never use 'leverage' or 'utilize.'"

Without that second piece, AI has no anchor. It doesn't know your voice. So it invents one—and that invented voice is bland.

The fix: Give AI a persistent identity document before you give it tasks. That's your Context Card.

What is a Context Card?

A Context Card is a reusable text document you paste into AI conversations. It contains:

• Who you are (identity)
• How you communicate (voice)
• Who you serve (audience)
• What to do and avoid (rules)

Once you have it, you don't re-explain yourself every conversation. You paste the Context Card, then give your task. AI knows you before it starts working.

Think of it as onboarding documentation for your AI assistant.

The 4-Layer Structure

Layer 1: Identity

Who you are, your role, your market.

Include: Name and role, geographic market, specialization/niche, years of experience, brokerage (optional).

Example: "I'm Sarah Chen, a real estate agent in Orange County, CA specializing in first-time buyers in Costa Mesa and Irvine. 8 years experience with Compass."

Layer 2: Voice

How you sound when you communicate.

Include: Tone (professional, warm, direct), style (short sentences, detailed, story-driven), personality (humor level, formality), reading level target.

Example: "Tone: Professional but approachable. Direct, not corporate. Style: Short sentences. No fluff. Data when available. Personality: Light humor okay. Never salesy. Reading level: 6th grade. Accessible to everyone."

Layer 3: Audience

Who you serve and what they care about.

Include: Primary client type, secondary client type, what matters to them, common concerns.

Example: "Primary: First-time homebuyers, typically 28-35. Secondary: Relocating professionals from out of state. They care about: Schools, commute times, value for money. Common concerns: Pricing, competition, process complexity."

Layer 4: Rules

What AI should do and what it should never do.

Include: DO (specific behaviors to include), DO NOT (words and phrases to avoid), CONSTRAINTS (Fair Housing, brand guidelines).

Example: "DO: Use specific numbers. Include local knowledge. Sound like a trusted advisor. DO NOT: Use 'leverage,' 'utilize,' 'don't hesitate,' or 'journey.' Never say 'perfect for families' or other Fair Housing violations. CONSTRAINTS: All content must comply with Fair Housing Act."

Extract Your Voice (The Hard Part)

Your Context Card is only as good as the voice information you put in it. Generic voice instructions get generic output.

Step 1: Gather Writing Samples

Find 3-5 pieces of content YOU wrote: emails to clients you're proud of, social media posts that performed well, your bio or about page, listing descriptions you wrote yourself.

Avoid: Templates, borrowed copy, heavily edited content from others.

Step 2: Analyze Your Patterns

Paste your samples into ChatGPT or Claude with this prompt:

Analyze these writing samples and identify:

1. SENTENCE PATTERNS
   - Average sentence length
   - Simple vs complex structure
   - Use of fragments

2. VOCABULARY
   - Words I use frequently
   - Words I never use
   - Level of industry jargon

3. TONE MARKERS
   - Formality level (1-10)
   - Warmth level (1-10)
   - Directness level (1-10)

4. DISTINCTIVE PATTERNS
   - How I open messages
   - How I close messages
   - Transition phrases I use

Summarize my voice in 5 bullet points.

Step 3: Build Your "Do Not Say" List

This is the secret weapon. Tell AI what NOT to say.

Common offenders:

• "Utilize" (just say "use")
• "Leverage" (just say "use")
• "I'm excited to..." (overused)
• "Don't hesitate to reach out" (weak)
• "In today's market..." (cliche)
• "Dream home" (generic)
• "Perfect for families" (Fair Housing violation)
• "Nestled" (overused in real estate)
• "Boasts" (sounds artificial)

The Complete Template

=== CONTEXT CARD: [YOUR NAME] ===

IDENTITY:
I'm [Name], a real estate agent in [City/Area] specializing in
[niche: first-time buyers, luxury, investors, etc.]. I've been
in real estate for [X] years with [Brokerage]. My market focus
is [specific neighborhoods/areas].

VOICE:
- Tone: [Professional but approachable / Direct and confident /
  Warm and conversational]
- Style: [Short sentences, no fluff / Detailed and thorough /
  Story-driven]
- Personality: [Light humor okay / Strictly professional /
  Enthusiastic but not salesy]
- Reading level: [6th grade / accessible to all]

AUDIENCE:
Primary: [First-time homebuyers / Move-up buyers / Investors]
Secondary: [Relocating professionals / Retirees / Other]
They care about: [Schools, commute, value / Investment potential /
  Lifestyle amenities]

RULES:
DO:
- Use specific numbers and data when available
- Include local neighborhood knowledge
- Sound like a trusted advisor, not a salesperson
- Keep paragraphs short (2-3 sentences max)

DO NOT:
- Use corporate buzzwords (leverage, synergy, utilize)
- Sound like a generic AI or template
- Make claims without backing them up
- Use excessive exclamation points or emojis
- Violate Fair Housing guidelines (no "perfect for families")

=== END CONTEXT CARD ===

Before and After

Same prompt. Completely different results.

Without Context Card

Prompt: "Write a follow-up email to a buyer who toured a home."

Subject: Thank You for Touring [Property Address]!

Dear [Client Name],

I hope this email finds you well! I wanted to reach out and thank you for taking the time to tour the beautiful property at [Address] today.

This stunning home truly has so much to offer, and I believe it could be the perfect fit for your needs. The spacious living areas, modern amenities, and wonderful location make it an exceptional opportunity in today's competitive market.

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or would like to schedule a second showing. I'm here to help you every step of the way on your home buying journey!

Best regards,
[Agent Name]

Generic. Corporate. Could be any agent.

With Context Card

Prompt: "[Context Card pasted first] Write a follow-up email to a buyer who toured 742 Maple, Costa Mesa. They seemed interested but concerned about the backyard size."

Subject: 742 Maple - quick thought on the backyard

Hey Sarah,

Good seeing you at the Maple house today.

I noticed you measuring the backyard—totally get the concern. Here's what I found out after you left: the neighbor two doors down added a deck that extended their usable space by about 200 sq ft. Same lot size. Happy to get you their contractor's info if that helps you picture the possibilities.

Also pulled comps on the street. Three similar homes sold in the last 90 days, all between $1.1-1.15M. This one's listed at $1.05M because of that yard size—which actually works in your favor if you're okay with the trade-off.

Worth a second look, or should we keep searching?

Let me know.

[Name]

Specific. Addresses the actual concern. Sounds like a real person.

Same AI. Different context.

How to Use Your Context Card

In ChatGPT (Custom Instructions)

1. Click your profile icon
2. Select "Customize ChatGPT"
3. Paste Context Card in "What would you like ChatGPT to know about you?"
4. Save

Limitation: 1,500 character limit per field. You may need to condense.

In Claude Projects

1. Create a new Project
2. Add Context Card to Project Instructions
3. All conversations in that project inherit your context

This is the cleanest setup. Claude Pro users have access to Projects.

In Any AI Tool

The universal method: Copy your Context Card, paste at the start of any conversation, follow with your task. Works in ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot—anywhere.