How a Real Copywriter Uses Chat GPT
Let’s be clear – people pay me to write content for their emails, social media, blog posts, website copy, press releases, and more. I am the voice of their company and draft much of the outward-facing communication for their brand.
So with the popularity of ChatGPT and AI technology in recent months, how does that influence my work as a copywriter? At my core, I'm a very conscientious person. I would not feel right about using a $1.99 App to write a 1000-word blog post and charge my client hundreds of dollars for the work. That's not what they're paying me for.
They are paying me, the copywriter, for original thoughts and compelling copy that evokes emotion. ChatGPT falls short on this.
Think about the difference between artisanal pizza versus frozen pizza. An artisan carefully selects ingredients (San Marzano tomatoes, fresh organic basil, buffalo mozzarella) and artfully makes the dough, and layers the toppings by hand. Frozen pizza is made on a conveyer belt. You can taste the difference.
AI cannot produce the same quality as a human can, but it can produce more quantity. As a copywriter, I would be a fool to ignore how this technology can help me work more quickly and effectively. Let's be honest; AI can crank out significantly more content in less time than I can.
So how can a copywriter, in good conscience, utilize ChatGPT tools to enhance creative work? Here are a few ways that I've been dabbling with it recently.
Cross Check Original Content
My clients pay me for original thoughts and compelling copy. After completing a blog post or article for my clients, I like to analyze my work and ensure that I deliver an original concept that will surprise and educate the reader. I use Chat GPT to cross-check what I've written.
If Chat GPT's content communicates similar concepts that I wrote, it proves that I haven't done my job correctly. I didn't create something original and unique. I have to go back to the drawing board and start over!
Writing takes mental effort. It takes creative energy. There are no shortcuts for great work. That's what I get paid for. If I didn't come up with anything new to include in the article, I did not deliver what I promised to my client.
Filling in Gaps
Using lists as the framework for blog posts and articles is very effective. I learned in grammar class (one of the only things I remember) that if you're writing a list, you need more than two items.
You use lists to create a compelling case for something:
Ten ways to XYZ …
5 Reasons Why …
When I'm writing articles using the list template, typically, I know the essential items on the list that need to be communicated. But sometimes, I get writer's block and need a few ideas on what to list next.
If I need help thinking of a third (or fourth) item on my list, I will ask ChatGPT for ideas. Their suggestions get my creative juices flowing and will help me flesh out the remainder of the article.
Keyword Research
Keywords matter. As content creators, we still need to write content that can be found on Google. You can quickly ask ChatGPT what keywords they recommend for your field or industry. It will generate a long list that you can pick and choose from. I use it for hashtags too.
Answer Life’s Questions
We all look up stuff on Google. But sometimes Google delivers too many articles or lengthy resources. Often, we have to do more digging to find the answer. I turn to ChatGPT first because I know it will quickly give me a specific answer.
Obviously, we must take the AI-generated responses with a grain of salt. Here are some questions I’ve asked ChatGPT recently:
How much can I contribute to my ROTH IRA every year? (Note, the answer ChatGPT generated was wrong!)
How to say "no" politely"
How to make a perfect hard-boiled egg
Bonus: How I’m NOT Using Chat GPT
Legal Statements
Chat GPT can write legal statements. A legal statement written by a lawyer is your best bet. But if you need something quick or want to start the process, you can use ChatGPT to help.
Statistics
A New York lawyer used ChatGPT for a legal brief. According to the New York Times, ChatGPT generated “fake judicial opinions and legal citations” that he used for the case. Unfortunately, the lawyer did not fact-check them.
Don't be like this lawyer. You can use ChatGPT to find statistics for you. I use it in this way. I will ask ChatGPT for statistics on a particular subject matter. The key is always to include the words "with sources," so that ChatGPT will find statistics for you and include their sources. Then I can look up the sources and ensure that the facts are correct (and not made up).
