How to Write a Product Description That Doesn’t Sound Like AI Wrote It

Published under The Marketing Hat on HatStacked.com

You’ve read them before. "This premium solution leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver unparalleled results." That’s not a product description. That’s a Word Salad Sandwich on Corporate Speak Bread. Let’s write something better.

Why Most Product Descriptions Are Terrible

Product descriptions are supposed to do one thing: help someone decide if they want to buy what you're selling.

But most of them:

• Try too hard to sound smart
• Say a lot without saying anything
• Were clearly written in 30 seconds by ChatGPT without editing

Or worse, they focus only on features, not what those features actually do for the person reading them.

Step 1: Write Like a Human, Not a Brochure

Here’s the test: read your description out loud. If it sounds like something you’d say in a normal conversation, you're on the right track.

Bad:

“Our ergonomic wrist support maximizes productivity for modern professionals.”

Better:

“Tired of wrist pain by 3 p.m.? This support pad keeps your hands comfy while you crank through emails or editing marathons.”

One sounds like a robot. The other sounds like a friend who actually gets it.

Step 2: Focus on Benefits, Not Just Features

Features are what something is. Benefits are what it does for the customer.

Feature: 10-hour battery life
Benefit: Use it all day without hunting for a charger

Feature: Stainless steel casing
Benefit: Built to survive every clumsy drop and accidental toss into your gym bag

Ask yourself, “Why would someone care about this feature?” Then write that answer.

Step 3: Get Specific

Vague descriptions are forgettable.
Specific descriptions sell.

Instead of:

“Great for any lifestyle”

Try:

“Whether you’re at your desk, on a plane, or stuck in back-to-back meetings, this charger fits in your bag and powers your whole day.”

Use details people can see in their minds.

Step 4: Stop Writing for Everyone

You’re not selling to the entire internet. You’re selling to one type of person. Talk to them.

If your customer is a new parent, write with empathy for someone running on four hours of sleep. If they’re a business owner, speak to their time crunch and risk aversion.

You don’t need to be for everyone. You need to be perfect for someone.

Step 5: Make Scanners Happy

Most people skim. Use structure that helps them do it well:

• Short paragraphs
• Bulleted lists
• Clear subheads
• Bolded benefits
• One idea per sentence

Don’t be afraid of white space. It sells better than a wall of text.

Step 6: Avoid These Common Traps

• Overusing adjectives: If everything is amazing, nothing is.
• Empty claims: Words like “revolutionary” or “industry-leading” mean nothing without proof.
• Generic templates: Readers can spot lazy AI content. Use it to brainstorm, not publish.
• Too much jargon: If your customer needs a glossary, you’ve gone too far.
• Trying to be clever at the expense of clarity: Puns are fine. Confusion is not.

Step 7: Show, Don’t Just Tell

If you say your product is “comfortable,” explain how.

Instead of:

“These leggings are incredibly comfortable.”

Try:

“Made with a buttery-soft fabric that stretches without sagging, they feel like pajamas but hold their shape all day.”

Paint the picture.

Bonus: A Simple Formula That Works

Here’s a plug-and-play formula you can try on any product:

Problem → Solution → Benefit → Objection Handler → Call to Action

Example:

Sick of tangled cords? Our magnetic cable holder keeps your desk clean and your chargers easy to grab. It sticks to any surface, holds up to five cords, and blends into your setup. No more digging behind the monitor. Try it for a week and send it back if it doesn’t change your workflow.

Final Thought: Clarity Wins Every Time

If your product descriptions sound like they were written to impress a committee, they won’t sell.

Write like you’re helping someone make a smart decision.
Tell them what they need to know, answer the questions they’re already thinking, and speak like a real person who actually uses the thing.

That’s what converts.