From Insider:
I work a full-time job in marketing and do freelance writing on the side.
I was juggling a lot when a longtime client commissioned me for a three-month project. It entailed writing a series of how-to guides and 56 articles for their site.
Since I couldn’t clone myself, I tried what I thought would be the next best thing: I used AI.
Convinced that I could use the new technology to meet extremely tight deadlines, I started using Jasper.ai to produce up to 20 pieces in a month for this client.
. . . .
I was using AI to clone myself as a writer
I essentially used Jasper.ai as an extension of myself.
I’d let Jasper write articles of up to 2,500 words. I used it more than alternatives such as ChatGPT or Bard because it has pre-built templates that function as prompts.
If I needed to expand on a sentence, I’d use Jasper’s “paragraph generator” or “commands” tool. If I needed to rewrite a sentence, I’d click on “content improver.” These features helped me overcome writer’s block and quickly build out long-form articles.
Jasper did most of the work and I did minimal editing.
After working together for months, my client started using one of the first AI-content detectors. Upon discovering the content I gave them was AI-generated, they terminated our agreement and paid me less than 40% of the original fee after I’d delivered all the articles we’d agreed on.
While this was not the outcome I intended, it shifted my mindset on how to use AI to keep clients rather than lose them.
I learned a valuable lesson the hard way — AI is a tool, not something that should replace you.
Looking back, I know things weren’t right when I was letting AI do the work and not communicating this to my client.
. . . .
Here’s how I use AI differently now:
AI is now a crucial part of my initial discussions with new clients
I ask if the client’s OK with me using AI-writing tools. If not, great; I won’t use it. If they see the value or don’t care whether I use them, then I’ll use them to enhance the quality and depth of what I write.
I use AI to enhance my draft
Some writers use AI to write a draft, then edit it to sound more human. I use it the other way around.
I draft the article first, then use an AI tool to enhance it and ensure I’ve maintained the client’s tone of voice.
I’d typically beef a draft up with some of Jasper’s templates — using the paragraph generator to expand a sentence into a paragraph, or using the content improver to rewrite text based on tone of voice or type of content.
Sometimes, Jasper will tell me additional things I can cover, so I’ll include them and support them with expert insights and examples.
I use AI to give me ideas on sources and statistics
Similarly to ChatGPT, Jasper is vulnerable to making mistakes with sources and research; its developers remind users to fact-check any statistics the tool provides. I regard the information it gives as a placeholder that gives me ideas for the kinds of sources, statistics, or websites I can seek out myself.
The key is always treating statistics and other hard evidence that AI produces as a suggestion.
AI helps with the tone of voice and brand voice
I’ll use Jasper to help me rewrite or add flair to a sentence using the “tone of voice” or “brand voice” features. I could even type in “Ryan Reynolds” and Jasper will rewrite a plain paragraph to sound like the actor.
AI helps with condensing large volumes of text
AI helps me summarize my research findings and insights from relevant subject-matter experts. I’ll upload snippets of a transcript, and the tool will return a condensed paragraph that still includes the salient points.
AI has cut my writing time in half
Link to the rest at Insider
