A slate of writing instruments powered by synthetic intelligence (AI) have just lately made headlines as a brand new and more practical solution to produce content material. Most tech corporations have even been implementing AI into their very own instruments as effectively, like we did earlier this 12 months once we launched our AI assistant.
I’ve written about my conflicted emotions about these very AI writing instruments, however I’ve been making an effort to push previous my hesitation and add AI into the articles I write for the Buffer weblog. The hope was that by doing so, I may velocity up my writing course of.
So, regardless of my preliminary resistance, I went forward and used AI when outlining and drafting weblog posts. Right here’s what two weeks of incorporating AI seemed like and the way my ideas on AI writing instruments have modified.
When it got here to selecting which AI instruments to make use of, I opted for comfort. I’m continuously working in Notion and use it for outlining weblog posts, so it was very simple for me to include their just lately launched device, Notion AI, into my planning.
Since we just lately added Buffer’s AI assistant into our product, I’ve additionally been experimenting extra with this function and usually have the device open in the course of the work day so I can simply simply change over to our concepts part and write. I didn’t use different extra in style instruments like ChatGPT as a result of quite than studying tips on how to use a brand new product, I needed one thing that I may seamlessly embed into my current arsenal of instruments.
I used to be solely utilizing these instruments for outlining and brainstorming functions. I by no means prompted the AI to write down out a full weblog put up for me, however as an alternative simply requested it questions to assist me generate concepts and assist construct out the article. All through the course of two weeks, I ended up utilizing AI for:
- Outlines
- Interview questions
- Ideas for titles
- Brainstorming introductions
Proper off the bat, I may rapidly define numerous matters rapidly with AI. Whereas I used to be nonetheless writing my very own outlines, I used to be capable of fill them out a lot quicker than common. To make clear, I by no means prompted the AI to “write a top level view.” As a substitute, I simply requested questions on my subject to see the important thing factors it will generate. This actually helped as a result of generally when beginning out a brand new put up, I can have a bout of author’s block and utilizing AI primarily fastened that.
For instance, when it got here to my article on LinkedIn analytics, I used AI to assist with the order of the put up in addition to a few of the details in every part. I did the identical factor when refreshing one in every of our older posts on Instagram Story templates, as I up to date the introduction and used AI to run by means of completely different variations.
I additionally discovered that these writing instruments have been an effective way to spice up my productiveness once I was behind on work. Sooner or later specifically, I used to be feeling below the climate and took a half-day. The subsequent morning, I used to be scheduled to have an interview with a TikToker about model offers, and was capable of generate an inventory of ten considerate questions in seconds with AI. Whereas I did edit and tailor the questions to higher match my interviewee, this was an enormous assist at a second once I actually wanted it.
General, it felt like brainstorming was simpler due to AI. Writing is usually a solitary act for me, so it was good to have a sounding board to bounce concepts off of.
As I began utilizing AI writing instruments extra, I started to concede that AI truly can produce fairly first rate content material. Nonetheless, the one major concern I nonetheless have is that the writing isn’t at all times correct. Like when it gave me the improper listing of steps after I requested it tips on how to activate LinkedIn Creator mode.
Equally, once I used it for my article on Instagrams collab posts function, the AI stored complicated the function with the precise act of collaboration. So, it was as an alternative giving me solutions about how individuals may collaborate with one another on Instagram, which wasn’t the precise subject of the piece. I attempted to redirect it a couple of instances with no luck. However I’ll must work on my prompting abilities. My colleagues Tami and Phil wrote in regards to the significance of good AI prompts and why including context is critical when asking the AI to supply work.
Even once I received again the proper outcomes, I wasn’t at all times pleased with the ultimate copy. As a content material author myself, I personally felt just like the writing high quality from these instruments was good, however not nice, and that I wanted to edit it or spruce it up.
One other concern I had was that oftentimes the copy felt fairly repetitive. Whether or not it was the AI repeating the identical phrase over once more or simply the sentiment, this was a reminder that AI is just regurgitating all the things that has already been written earlier than. Though that may generally make for first rate copy, it’s not authentic and groundbreaking work. This is the reason actual writers and their work ought to nonetheless be valued.
In the end, these instruments didn’t actually save me that a lot time ultimately. Whereas it was tremendous useful earlier than my interview, for essentially the most half I discovered that both I might nonetheless must right the AI or rewrite the work.
With that being mentioned, I nonetheless discovered the AI helpful. Earlier than these two weeks, I wasn’t very comfy integrating these instruments into my on a regular basis work routine, however now I plan to make use of them now and again. Whereas I personally don’t really feel like I would like these instruments on an on a regular basis foundation, I acknowledge the advantages of utilizing them on days I really feel particularly blocked.
For those who’re additionally focused on experimenting with AI, join Buffer totally free and check out our AI assistant as we speak!
