Configuration
Customizing Content Instructions
Configure how the AI writes your newsletters—set tone, format, sections, and style preferences.
What Are Content Instructions?
Content instructions tell the AI how to write your newsletters. They define your voice, structure, and what to include or exclude. Think of them as a style guide for your newsletter.
Good instructions lead to drafts that need fewer edits and sound more like you.
Where to Edit Instructions
You can edit your instructions in two places:
- Dashboard — Go to the Agent tab to edit in a full text editor
- Slack — Ask the bot to update instructions during editing (see Editing Newsletters)
What to Include in Your Instructions
Tone & Voice
- Casual vs. professional
- Funny vs. serious
- First person vs. third person
- Brand personality traits
Structure & Format
- Section names and order
- Length preferences (short intro, detailed updates, etc.)
- Whether to use bullet points, numbered lists, or paragraphs
- How to format links
Content Rules
- What topics to always include
- What to never include (e.g., internal discussions)
- How to handle customer names or sensitive info
- Call-to-action preferences
Example Instructions
Write in a friendly, conversational tone. Use "we" when talking about the company. Structure: - Start with a brief intro (2-3 sentences max) - "What's New" section for product updates - "Worth Reading" section for shared links - "Team Wins" section for celebrations - End with a simple sign-off Keep it under 500 words total. Use bullet points for lists. Always include at least one link from the shared content. Never include: salary discussions, internal process debates, or anything marked confidential.
Viewing Instructions in Slack
To see your current instructions from Slack, message the bot:
instructions
The bot will show your current content instructions. You can also use settings to see all your configuration.
Tips for Better Instructions
- Be specific — "Use a casual tone" is okay, but "Write like you're talking to a friend over coffee" is better.
- Give examples — If you want a specific format, show what it looks like.
- Iterate — Start simple and add rules as you notice patterns in your edits.
- Use the bot's suggestions — When you make edits, the bot may offer to save them as instructions.
Need more help?
Can't find what you're looking for? Email us at andrew@metamonster.ai.
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