AI Writing Tip 2: Use Gap Analysis to Find the Stories No One Else Is Telling

If you’re a writer or thought leader, one of the biggest barriers to producing meaningful work isn’t time—it’s knowing what’s worth writing about in the first place.

Most of us are swimming in ideas, but what makes one idea more valuable than another? Why do some stories land with our audience and others fall flat?

This second article in my ongoing series is about using AI not just to improve your writing, but to sharpen your thinking. Specifically, I want to show you how I use AI to conduct gap analysis—a technique for identifying what's missing in the conversation around your topic.

Done right, this helps you find stories that truly matter.

As always, I’m not advocating for shortcuts. I’m offering a method that brings more depth, originality, and service into your writing.

Step 1: Define the Landscape Before You Look for Gaps

Before you can identify the gaps, you need a clear view of the terrain.

Start with a working version of your thought-leadership positioning: What topics do you want to be known for? Who are you serving? What pain points, ambitions, or open questions do they have?

Then, use AI to map the current conversation in your space. Prompt it like this:

“Analyze the top articles, podcasts, and LinkedIn posts about [insert topic]. Summarize the dominant narratives, common advice, and frequently asked questions.”

You’re not asking for content ideas yet. You’re asking for a bird’s-eye view.

This is critical. Many writers jump into content creation without realizing they’re repeating what others have already said. Or they’re working from instinct rather than evidence.

AI can help you slow down and see the patterns.

Step 2: Ask AI to Identify What’s Missing

This is where the real gold lies.

Now that you know what is being said, ask AI what’s not. Use a prompt like:

“Based on your scan of recent content, what relevant questions are going unanswered for [insert audience]?”“What are the blind spots or assumptions in this discourse?”“What’s a contrarian take that hasn’t been explored?”

These are gap analysis questions. They help surface white space—topics that are underexplored, audiences that are underserved, or ideas that are overdue for a challenge.

This method led one of my clients to write a powerful piece on how leaders overuse the word ‘resilience’ without addressing the real burnout beneath it. That story had reach because it hit a nerve—and filled a gap.

Step 3: Choose the Gaps Only You Can Fill

AI can list gaps. But only you can tell which ones are meaningful.

Look at the list it gives you and ask:

• Which of these connect to my personal story?

• Where do I have lived experience, not just opinions?

• Which gaps light me up—or make me mad?

These emotional cues are signposts. They tell you where to dig. The best thought-leadership stories emerge from that intersection: what your audience needs to hear, and what you feel called to say.

Step 4: Use AI to Help You Shape the Story

Once you’ve chosen your story gap, ask AI to help you shape it—not by writing it for you, but by supporting your thinking.

Try this:

“Help me brainstorm headlines for a story that challenges the dominant narrative around [topic]. The audience is [insert persona], and I want to offer a more honest/helpful/inclusive perspective.”“Suggest three possible structures for a narrative essay based on this insight.”

Or even better:

“Act as a story coach. Ask me three questions that will help me deepen and personalize this idea before I write.”

Now you’re using AI as a creative partner—not to automate your thinking, but to amplify it.

Why Gap Analysis for Story Finding Works

Great thought leadership isn’t about being louder. It’s about being more precise.

Gap analysis gives you that precision. It focuses your energy on the stories that aren’t being told yet—but should be. It helps you serve your audience in a deeper, more resonant way.

And used creatively, AI helps you get there faster—without losing your authenticity.

This method works especially well for:

• Writers who want to lead with insight, not just information

• Thought leaders exploring new territory or pivoting topics

• Experts who feel like they’ve “already said it all” and want to say something new

• Anyone who wants to generate fewer, better ideas

Want More?

This article is part of my series on ethical, practical, deeply human ways to use AI in thought-leadership writing. I’ll be sharing more prompts, methods, and stories from the field. If you missed the first article—on using AI as an interviewer to deepen your writing—you can read it here: How to use AI to deepen and transform your writing.