Updated: Feb. 12, 2024
Originally Published: Feb. 5, 2023

 

AI-powered writing tools like ChatGPT, Bard, and others are becoming increasingly popular among bloggers and content creators, and for good reason. AI technology can help you generate high-quality content quickly and efficiently, and it provides valuable insights into audience preferences and behavior.

But is it the right choice for you?

You’ll likely have to use AI to keep up with your competition. This doesn’t mean that AI will replace you or write posts for you. Consider it a tool, like auto correct or spell check. AI tools partnered with a human brain and sensibility can lead to highly productive work.

Advantages of Using AI for Blog Writing

Harnessing AI for blog writing offers a twofold advantage: 1) it streamlines the research process, freeing up valuable time for content development, and 2) it delves into the realm of reader engagement and behavior analysis.

Many AI tools excel in deciphering the intricacies of audience preferences, shedding light on favored topics and content types. Armed with these insights, content creators can craft material that resonates with readers, amplify engagement, and steer significant traffic to their blogs.

AI also serves as a creative ally, providing a fresh perspective on written content and acting as a remedy for writer's block. If you're stuck on a particular paragraph, turning to an AI tool can provide a breakthrough.

While the content it generates may not always align perfectly with your expectations, alternate phrasing often acts as a catalyst, steering writers toward a new approach that can elevate the overall quality of their work. In essence, AI becomes a dynamic partner in the writing process.

Disadvantages of Using AI for Blog Writing

Keep in mind that AI-generated content can be dismayingly generic. It can lack the human touch and fail to connect with at least some human readers. And AI-generated content might not always align with your brand's voice and messaging.

These tools are not always up to date, and they can generate inaccurate information. ChatGPT, for example, states that it has limited knowledge after 2021, may produce inaccurate information, and could produce harmful or biased instructions. If you have AI write something, you must check it for accuracy.  

I’ve seen ChatGPT contradict itself within blog posts more than once as I have tested the results it generates on various topics. You know how you fact-check information you find on the internet? Well, fact-check AI tools the same way.

During one experiment, ChatGPT stopped writing mid-sentence. Naturally, I asked it why.

What does this tell me? That my input into the AI needs to be specific; if it’s not, the AI might not able to deliver what I want. That’s another reason to check everything an AI tool writes.

Keep in mind that AI can generate a lot of content, but it can be mediocre content. Make sure to edit it before you use it.

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Some Tips for Using AI with Blogs and Digital Marketing

• Focus on Collaboration: Collaborate with AI rather than let it take over completely. While it can generate content efficiently, make sure to enhance and personalize it to maintain uniqueness and authenticity.
• Generate Content Ideas: AI can help generate ideas and spark your thought process. Imagine being in a brainstorming meeting but with an AI tool. Depending on how you phrase your questions, the AI can give you lists of ideas or even start writing your blog post.
• Start Your Content: Writing is hard, especially that first sentence and paragraph. Using an AI tool to launch the writing process can help determine the direction of your post.  This can save you numerous trips to the office (or home office!) coffee pot.
• Infuse Originality & Creativity: Add your brand and/or personal voice to AI-generated content to ensure it stands out and remains original. Incorporate unique perspectives, insights, and experiences that resonate with your audience. Recognize that AI may have limitations in capturing the depth of human creativity. 
• Enhance Your Content: AI can take what you’ve created and attempt to enhance it or prompt your own ideas for enhancement related to SEO, ad copy, and even follow-up content.
• Don't Use AI for SEO: AIs can’t do SEO for you; you need to do the keyword research and in turn feed that information to the AI. You’ll still need to read the AI’s output. And you’ll need to rewrite a lot of it.
• Be Specific: Give the AI the information it needs in order to get what you want from it. If, for example, you fail to feed the AI the SEO keywords you want it to use, it’s unlikely to use those keywords in its response.
• Consider Ethical Guidelines: Fact check what AI produces. Address concerns related to biases and maintain a commitment to truthful, responsible content creation.
• Remember that We’re All Still Learning: AI technology is new and moving fast. As more and more people test AI, we’ll learn more about where it’s going and how we’ll use it. We’ll know a lot more and we'll know it soon, but it’s always going to evolve.

Weigh the pros and cons of AI carefully. It may or may not be the right fit for your brand, at least at this stage of development. If you’re in a highly creative industry, you might need to limit your use cases for it. If you're looking for a more personal touch and human voice, it's probably best to stick with writing your own content or heavily edit what AI generates.

AI-powered writing tools are exactly that: Tools. Marketers must wield them to their advantage.

Need help writing blog content that’s SEO rich, on brand, and gets results? Our expert content development team can help! Reach out to us today.

AI tools partnered with a human brain and sensibility can lead to highly productive work: https://nwsdigital.me/3llUIlP. @northwoods #ChatGPT #AI #blogs #digitalmarketing