As someone who writes for a living, what are your thoughts on ChatGPT?
I get this question a lot. I hear it at networking events. I hear it from clients who love my writing but are understandably curious. I also hear it from fellow writers, students, and parents.
Some of my family members even ask, "Are you afraid ChatGPT will steal your clients?"
Here are my thoughts ...
Well, hold up. Before I give my thoughts, let me say first that I don't want to sound like sour grapes. This isn't a complaint session. I'm not scared of ChatGPT. I'm not even remotely jealous. It's not "coming for me" or anyone else who is or wants to write and edit for a living.
I genuinely think ChatGPT is a wonderful tool. It can generate blogs, website copy, articles, and whatever else you can think of faster than a caffeinated sloth on roller skates.
ChatGPT helped me come up with that funny line about the sloth, by the way.
It also helped a friend of mine come up with a 30-second pitch for a networking meeting.
I heard it helped a colleague of mine with his resume.
I even heard a rumor that someone used it to write a breakup letter to his girlfriend.
But ... there's always a but!
Use it responsibly! ChatGPT is a tool – an idea generator and brainstorming partner.
It's not supposed to be your bread and butter for content generation – ESPECIALLY if your content is for school, your business, or some other customer-facing initiative.
Individuals and business owners should carefully weigh the pros and cons of using ChatGPT for content writing and determine whether it is the right tool for their needs. And if it is ... GREAT. But you should still only use it as a tool. In fact, you'd almost always be better off partnering with a professional writer and editor to ensure what you're putting out there makes sense, catches people's attention (in the right way), and sets you up for success.
Here are a few disadvantages to consider when relying heavily on ChatGPT:
* Limited quality and accuracy
* Biased or stereotyped responses
* Limited creativity and expression (no human element)
* Excessive fact-checking and editing
* Potential plagiarism
* Some phrases it uses are obviously not human
* Can be too wordy when conciseness is crucial
The reality is that ChatGPT isn't always being used responsibly. So when I'm asked for my thoughts about ChatGPT, that's where I will focus most of my message.
You hear all the time about teachers and parents worried about students relying on whatever ChatGPT spits out for their next essay, term paper, etc. That's scary, folks.
I've heard entrepreneurs think they can ask ChatGPT to write website copy or blogs and then simply cut and paste that AI-generated copy to their website.
That, in my opinion, is irresponsible.
Can ChatGPT give you some great ideas to build from? Yes. But ask yourself, "Where is this information coming from?" Your focus should be crafting high-quality, original content – even if it takes longer to create!
How To Use ChatGPT Responsibly!
I use ChatGPT every once in a while for brainstorming. From there, I use my brain, creativity, and fact-checking skills to craft whatever I'm working on next – with my own words, thoughts, ideas, and experience. It could be a blog for a tree trimmer, website copy for a family law attorney, or a professional bio for a chiropractor.
In each case, the content is unique, purposely catered to their needs, and engaging.
Business owners want to communicate with clients, spark engagement, and build trusting relationships, and one of the best ways to do that is with unique and authentic written content. You can't get that with ChatGPT. It's that simple – hence, why they call it "artificial."
End rant. :)
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Thanks for reading!
STEVE GAMEL is the President & Owner of Edit This®, a writing and editing services company in Denton, TX. He is also the author of Write Like You Mean It: Mastering Your Passion For The Written Word. Steve handles anything involving the written word. Give him a call today to help give your business a clear voice.