A slate of writing instruments powered by synthetic intelligence (AI) have not too long ago made headlines as a brand new and more practical technique to produce content material. Most tech firms have even been implementing AI into their very own instruments as properly, like we did earlier this yr 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 picking which AI instruments to make use of, I opted for comfort. I’m consistently working in Notion and use it for outlining weblog posts, so it was very simple for me to include their not too long ago launched device, Notion AI, into my planning.
Since we not too long ago added Buffer’s AI assistant into our product, I’ve additionally been experimenting extra with this characteristic and sometimes have the device open through the work day so I can simply simply swap over to our concepts part and write. I didn’t use different extra widespread instruments like ChatGPT as a result of fairly than studying methods to use a brand new product, I wished 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 jot down out a full weblog submit for me, however as a substitute 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
- Strategies for titles
- Brainstorming introductions
Proper off the bat, I may shortly define varied matters shortly 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 regular. 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 could generate. This actually helped as a result of typically when beginning out a brand new submit, I can have a bout of author’s block and utilizing AI primarily mounted that.
For instance, when it got here to my article on LinkedIn analytics, I used AI to assist with the order of the submit in addition to a number of the details in every part. I did the identical factor when refreshing certainly one of our older posts on Instagram Story templates, as I up to date the introduction and used AI to run by way of completely different variations.
I additionally discovered that these writing instruments had been a good way to spice up my productiveness after I was behind on work. Someday specifically, I used to be feeling underneath 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 raised match my interviewee, this was an enormous assist at a second after I actually wanted it.
General, it felt like brainstorming was simpler because of AI. Writing is commonly 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. Nevertheless, the one essential challenge I nonetheless have is that the writing isn’t all the time correct. Like when it gave me the improper checklist of steps after I requested it methods to activate LinkedIn Creator mode.
Equally, after I used it for my article on Instagrams collab posts characteristic, the AI saved complicated the characteristic with the precise act of collaboration. So, it was as a substitute 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 have to 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 after I acquired again the best outcomes, I wasn’t all the time proud of 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 challenge 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 every part that has already been written earlier than. Though that may typically 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.
Finally, these instruments didn’t actually save me that a lot time ultimately. Whereas it was tremendous useful earlier than my interview, for probably the most half I discovered that both I’d nonetheless must appropriate 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 every now and then. 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.
Should you’re additionally serious about experimenting with AI, join Buffer without spending a dime and check out our AI assistant as we speak!
