--- title: To Build Your Brand, You Must Stand Out Amidst The Slop description: "This blog post addresses the need for humans to create marketing content versus simply relying on AI exclusively, which can lead to \"slop\" content." image: https://ladder17.com/hubfs/Slop%20Article.png --- [![Ladder17 Logo - Alt](https://ladder17.com/hubfs/Ladder17%20Image%20Assets/Ladder17%20Logo%20-%20Alt.svg "Ladder17 Logo - Alt")](https://www.ladder17.com) - [Home](https://ladder17.com) - [Services](https://ladder17.com/services) - [Growth Acceleration Strategy & Implementation](https://ladder17.com/marketing-consulting-strategy) - [New Product Launches](https://ladder17.com/new-product-launches) - [Brand Awareness & Reputation](https://ladder17.com/foodtech-thought-leadership-and-pr) - Case Studies - [Famous Software](https://ladder17.com/famous-software-case-study) - [Pairwise](https://ladder17.com/pairwise-case-study) - [Conscious Greens](https://ladder17.com/conscious-greens-case-study) - Insights - [News, Events & Content](https://ladder17.com/ladder-17-events-and-content) - [Blog](https://ladder17.com/on-purpose-blog) - [FoodTech Stories Podcast](https://ladder17.com/foodtech-stories-podcast) - [2025 Report - Understanding the U.S. Consumer for FoodTech Foods](https://ladder17.com/understanding-us-consumers-for-foodtech-foods) - [Contact](https://ladder17.com/ladder-17-contact) - [Team](https://ladder17.com/team) - [Careers](https://ladder17.com/careers) [![Ladder17 Logo - Alt](https://ladder17.com/hubfs/Ladder17%20Image%20Assets/Ladder17%20Logo%20-%20Alt.svg "Ladder17 Logo - Alt")](https://www.ladder17.com) - [Home](https://ladder17.com) - [Services](https://ladder17.com/services) - [Growth Acceleration Strategy & Implementation](https://ladder17.com/marketing-consulting-strategy) - [New Product Launches](https://ladder17.com/new-product-launches) - [Brand Awareness & Reputation](https://ladder17.com/foodtech-thought-leadership-and-pr) - Case Studies - [Famous Software](https://ladder17.com/famous-software-case-study) - [Pairwise](https://ladder17.com/pairwise-case-study) - [Conscious Greens](https://ladder17.com/conscious-greens-case-study) - Insights - [News, Events & Content](https://ladder17.com/ladder-17-events-and-content) - [Blog](https://ladder17.com/on-purpose-blog) - [FoodTech Stories Podcast](https://ladder17.com/foodtech-stories-podcast) - [2025 Report - Understanding the U.S. Consumer for FoodTech Foods](https://ladder17.com/understanding-us-consumers-for-foodtech-foods) - [Contact](https://ladder17.com/ladder-17-contact) - [Team](https://ladder17.com/team) - [Careers](https://ladder17.com/careers) [Content Creation](https://ladder17.com/on-purpose-blog/tag/content-creation) [Marketing Leadership](https://ladder17.com/on-purpose-blog/tag/marketing-leadership) # To Build Your Brand, You Must Stand Out Amidst The Slop By [Megan Thomas](https://ladder17.com/on-purpose-blog/author/megan-thomas) Mar 26, 2026, 11:17:09 AM 1 Minute Read A full 80% of marketers report that that they are using AI for content creation (*HubSpot, 2026*). This development has served to create a glut of undifferentiated, buzzword- laden articles, social media posts, and targeted emails filled with “tells” that–AI—was used.    I’m telling you that people notice the difference.   So, in this age when transparency, authenticity, and storytelling are touted, we are using machines to determine both what we say and to shape our “voice.” Dissonance, much?   Now, I am no luddite. At Ladder 17, we use AI / ML tools every day to support our work, most often for research, brainstorming, creating and managing workflows and playbooks, and completing repetitive writing tasks that would have been done manually in MS Word or PowerPoint.   Now, more than ever, we need humans to be creating new ideas and stories; to be pushing the boundaries of what has been said and done before. To inspire, to comfort, to connect. And this humanity will lead you and your brand to greater differentiation against your competitors.   By homing in on what your customers or community members truly care about, the things that they love, crave, and what keeps them up at night, you can match those needs with your own ideas.   Effective communication has *never* been about using your forum to shout at others, whether in the public square or on LinkedIn. Effective communication draws upon deeply held beliefs and common needs and wants. It can connect people one-to-one or in a common community. It can empower.   Looking to develop your own game plan to cut through the slop? Book some time with our team [here](https://calendly.com/megan-thomas-ladder17/30min)and we’ll help get you in front of your potential customers.   #### Megan Thomas Megan M. Thomas is the Founder & CEO of Ladder 17. She has worked in marketing and communications for over 30 years. She served most recently as Vice President, Marketing and Communications for mission-driven, CRISPR food company Pairwise. She is a published author. Author ## Recommended For You [![How Early Stage Startups Can Create a Winning Content Strategy](https://ladder17.com/hubfs/Winning%20Content%20Strategy%20Blog.png)](https://ladder17.com/on-purpose-blog/how-early-stage-startups-can-create-a-winning-content-strategy) [Content Creation](https://ladder17.com/on-purpose-blog/tag/content-creation) [Marketing for Founders](https://ladder17.com/on-purpose-blog/tag/marketing-for-founders) 2 Min Read ### [How Early Stage Startups Can Create a Winning Content Strategy](https://ladder17.com/on-purpose-blog/how-early-stage-startups-can-create-a-winning-content-strategy) [Megan Thomas Apr 22, 2024, 4:17:36 PM](https://ladder17.com/on-purpose-blog/author/megan-thomas) [![](https://ladder17.com/hubfs/Blog%20Photos-1.png)](https://ladder17.com/on-purpose-blog/stop-guessing-start-testing-marketing-your-startup) [Marketing for Founders](https://ladder17.com/on-purpose-blog/tag/marketing-for-founders) [Marketing Leadership](https://ladder17.com/on-purpose-blog/tag/marketing-leadership) 2 Min Read ### [Stop Guessing, Start Testing: Marketing your Startup](https://ladder17.com/on-purpose-blog/stop-guessing-start-testing-marketing-your-startup) [Megan Thomas May 29, 2024, 11:30:00 AM](https://ladder17.com/on-purpose-blog/author/megan-thomas) [![](https://ladder17.com/hubfs/Untitled%20design.jpg)](https://ladder17.com/on-purpose-blog/social-media-and-your-startup-part-one) [Content Creation](https://ladder17.com/on-purpose-blog/tag/content-creation) [Marketing for Founders](https://ladder17.com/on-purpose-blog/tag/marketing-for-founders) 1 Min Read ### [Social Media & Your Startup: Part I](https://ladder17.com/on-purpose-blog/social-media-and-your-startup-part-one) [Megan Thomas Jul 17, 2024, 9:00:00 AM](https://ladder17.com/on-purpose-blog/author/megan-thomas) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ladder-17-llc) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/Ladder17LLC) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp_VuG1-5cnIV3GW5XZgMRA) ![Ladder17 Logo - Alt](https://ladder17.com/hubfs/Ladder17%20Image%20Assets/Ladder17%20Logo%20-%20Alt.svg "Ladder17 Logo - Alt") © 2026 Ladder 17 LLC #### [Privacy Policy](https://ladder17.com/ladder17-privacy-policy)