This newsletter first appeared in our LinkedIn series, “AI Essentials for Advisers.” We thought it was worth replicating here to provide valuable insights directly on Risk Hub.
Although content writing is a topic I’ve touched on in previous newsletters, it remains a common area of discussion—particularly around concerns that AI-generated content might lack personality or feel impersonal. Given these ongoing conversations, it’s worthwhile to break the topic down further and highlight where AI tools can add real value at different stages of the content creation process.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that AI should replace the human touch that makes your content unique. Instead, it’s about finding where AI can help save time and effort, allowing you to focus more on crafting authentic, engaging content.
A Note on Tools: ChatGPT and Alternatives
For the examples below, we’ll primarily use ChatGPT given its popularity and familiarity. It’s an accessible starting point for many. However, other tools like Anthropic Claude, Jasper, and Grammarly may offer different styles or features that could better suit your needs, depending on the task. As you get more comfortable using AI, try comparing outputs from these alternatives to see what works best for you. Most AI tools offer a free trial or demo version, allowing you to explore their ease of use and quality without commitment.
Now, let’s explore how you might use these tools practically throughout your writing journey.
1. Brainstorming Ideas: Generating Topics and Angles
Starting from scratch can be daunting. AI tools like ChatGPT can help you generate relevant topics or unique angles for a subject you want to write about.
Example with ChatGPT:
Prompt: “Give me five unique angles for writing about the importance of trauma insurance for young professionals.”
Sample Output:
“Why Trauma Insurance is Essential for Millennials and Gen Z”
“How Trauma Insurance Can Secure Financial Stability for Freelancers”
“Top 5 Misconceptions About Trauma Insurance and the Truth Behind Them”
Alternative Tools to Try: Anthropic Claude or Perplexity.ai for a more research-driven approach.
2. Structuring the Content: Outlining Made Simple
After generating initial ideas—whether through your own brainstorming or AI assistance—it’s time to develop a detailed outline for your chosen topic. A strong outline helps maintain a logical flow and ensures all key points are covered.
Example with ChatGPT:
Prompt: “Create an outline for an article on the value of trauma insurance, focusing on its benefits and common misconceptions.”
Sample Output:
Introduction: Overview of trauma insurance.
Understanding Trauma Insurance: Definition and coverage.
Key Benefits: Financial protection, peace of mind, etc.
Common Misconceptions: Addressing myths and misinformation.
Real-Life Scenarios: Illustrative examples.
Conclusion: Recap and call to action.
Alternative Tools to Try: The usual suspects—such as Anthropic Claude or Perplexity—will also perform this function well.
3. Drafting Content: Getting the First Words Down
With a well-structured outline in place, the next step is drafting the content. This stage can be time-consuming. AI tools like ChatGPT can generate a rough draft based on your outlined points, helping you quickly develop a first version that you can refine.
Example with ChatGPT:
Prompt: “Write a 150-word introduction on the value of trauma insurance for young professionals.”
Sample Output:
“Trauma insurance is often overlooked by young professionals, but it offers a critical safety net in times of unexpected health crises…”
Alternative Tools to Try: Jasper, Writesonic.
4. Editing Content: Refining Tone and Style
Once you have a draft, fine-tuning the content to match your desired tone and style is crucial. Editing is where you make the content truly your own. Tools like ChatGPT or Grammarly can help refine language, check for grammatical errors, and ensure consistency.
Example with ChatGPT:
Prompt: “Edit this paragraph to make it more conversational and friendly.”
Sample Output Before and After AI Editing:
Before: “Trauma insurance is an important consideration because it provides financial support in the event of a critical illness.”
After: “Think of trauma insurance as your financial safety net—it steps in when life throws an unexpected curveball, like a serious illness.”
Using AI in this way is valuable not just for editing articles or blog posts but also for other content areas. For example, when drafting email responses, you might want help to rewrite a message in a more formal or friendly tone. This can save time and help ensure your communication is always appropriate and effective, whether you’re crafting a professional report summary or a casual follow-up email.
5. Injecting Visuals: Enhancing Content with Graphics
Once your text is polished, consider enhancing it with visuals. ChatGPT, with its DALL·E 3 integration, can help you generate unique AI-created images directly. Alternatively, tools like Canva provide a range of stock photos and AI-generated options to create custom graphics, infographics, or visual summaries. Be sure to check out our previous newsletter on image creation for more tips, and remember to be mindful of copyright and commercial rights when using or creating visuals.
6. Publishing and Promoting: Maximising Reach
Once your content is ready, using tools like ChatGPT or a customised, pre-trained version—such as “MyGPT“—can save you time by generating formatted and styled outputs that match your desired tone. This approach maintains consistency across your content and quickly creates tailored posts, summaries, or promotional materials. By setting up your AI to understand your specific needs, you can streamline the process of publishing and promoting content that aligns with your brand voice.
7. Turn the Dial Up: Advanced AI Use and Repurposing Content
To elevate your content creation further, consider more advanced uses of AI and repurposing strategies:
a. Fine-Tuning AI Tools for Better Output:
For tools like ChatGPT, configure settings and provide detailed context to help the AI better understand your needs. Consider building a “MyGPT” tailored for specific purposes, such as content writing, using your previous works and preferred styles for more aligned outputs.
b. Repurposing Content Across Platforms:
Use the core material you’ve created in various formats to reach different audiences. This might mean turning an article into a presentation, creating short social media posts, or generating videos with automated content creation and scripted voiceovers. Tools like Synthesia can turn written content into engaging videos, while platforms like CapCut and Opus can streamline creating soundbites and snippets.
Conclusion: Leveraging AI Wisely in Your Content Journey
AI doesn’t have to detract from the authenticity of your content. Think of it as a tool to work smarter, not harder, so you can focus on what truly needs your unique touch. You don’t need to use AI across the entire content creation process; even incorporating it into just one or two stages—such as brainstorming, drafting, or editing—can help save time and enhance your output.
The same principles can apply to other types of content creation, such as crafting newsletters, summarising reports, or developing social media updates. By selectively integrating AI tools into different parts of your workflow, you can maintain control over your style and tone while benefiting from the efficiencies that AI offers.
Remember, it’s about enhancing your process, not replacing the essence of what makes your content uniquely yours.
P.S. For more on the practical use of these tools, including detailed steps and examples to work through, check out our AI Essentials program. It’s still a work in progress, but it’s already filled with valuable content to help you navigate and leverage AI effectively.