Using AI for Blog Writing: How ChatGPT Makes Blogging Fast, Easy, and Fun
If you’ve written blogs and tried to be consistent with your blogging, you know the ups and downs involved. One minute, you’re up — overflowing with ideas, and the next, you’re down — staring at a blank screen, unsure of what to write next.
We’ve all been there. But it doesn’t have to be that way anymore.
AI blog writing has transformed my blogging. In this post, I’m going to share how AI — ChatGPT specifically — revolutionized my blogging and how it can revolutionize yours, too. As you read through this blog, you’ll get specific examples showing the power of AI/ChatGPT so you can see exactly what it does.
Dealing With Writer’s Block
I’ve written on writer’s block before. Jon Acuff says that it isn’t a block, it’s emptiness. Either way, breaking through writer’s block means you’ve got to get ideas.
How do you do that when your mind is just a big blank?
The first step is to recognize what’s going on. You’re empty and need to fill your mind up with ideas.
The second step is to get the ideas. This is the first place where AI/ChatGPT comes into play.
AI/ChatGPT is Your Idea Generation Machine
ChatGPT has endless ideas for content. As a writer, this makes writing faster and funner because it generates ideas I’d never dream up. This makes writing easier, too.
For example, I asked ChatGPT for 5 blog topic ideas for plant-based diets. Here’s what it gave me:
- Beginner’s Guide to Transitioning to a Plant-Based Diet: Offer a step-by-step plan for those looking to start their plant-based journey, including how to phase out animal products, pantry staples to stock up on, and how to read labels for hidden animal-based ingredients.
- Top 10 Plant-Based Protein Sources: Discuss various plant-based proteins, their nutritional profiles, how to incorporate them into meals, and debunk the myth that plant-based diets are lacking in protein.
- Plant-Based Meal Prep for a Busy Week: Provide readers with meal prep ideas that save time during the week. Include a shopping list, prep-day instructions, and recipes for quick and easy plant-based meals.
- Seasonal Plant-Based Eating: Create a guide on how to eat seasonally on a plant-based diet, including a list of seasonal fruits and vegetables, benefits of eating seasonally for nutrition and the environment, and seasonal recipes.
- Eating Out and Staying Plant-Based: Offer tips and tricks for navigating restaurant menus, what to look for in a plant-based friendly restaurant, and how to request modifications for a plant-based diet when eating out.
Wow! While the ideas may not be perfect, they can give you a starting place. If you want more ideas, you can ask it to give you five or 10 more! (You can ask for a lot more, but I typically ask for 10 more at a time to keep from getting overwhelmed.)
If you’ve got even a vague idea for a topic, all you have to do is to ask ChatGPT for blog topics.
What about if you don’t have a topic? You can describe your ideal client and ask it for topic ideas that they’d be interested in.
Yes, it really is that easy.
The fun doesn’t stop at idea generation. You can take it to the next step – Outlining.
AI/ChatGPT Can Help With An Outline
After you’ve chosen a topic, you can ask ChatGPT to provide an outline for a blog post on it.
I asked it to provide an outline for the topic “Beginner’s Guide to Transitioning to a Plant-Based Diet.”
Here’s part of what it gave me.
Introduction
- Briefly explain what a plant-based diet entails.
- Highlight the benefits of adopting a plant-based diet, including health benefits, environmental impact, and ethical considerations.
- Reassure readers that transitioning to a plant-based diet is manageable and rewarding.
Understanding Plant-Based Diets
- Define what constitutes a plant-based diet.
- Differentiate between veganism, vegetarianism, and flexitarian approaches.
- Discuss the nutritional foundations of a plant-based diet.
Getting Started
1. Setting Realistic Goals
- Importance of gradual transition.
- Setting short-term and long-term dietary goals.
2. Pantry Makeover
- Essentials for a plant-based pantry.
- Foods to stock up on: Whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.
- Suggested replacements for common animal products.
3. Learning to Read Labels
- Tips for identifying non-plant-based additives.
- Understanding nutritional information to maintain balanced nutrition.
The outline may not be perfect (it seems simplistic to me). It provides a starting place so that you’re not staring at a blank page wondering what to write after you’ve got the topic.
You can copy and paste the outline into your document and start writing.
Or, you can turn the writing over to ChatGPT.
AI/ChatGPT Can Do The Blog Writing (Kind Of)
Want to take it a step further, ask ChatGPT to write a blog based on the outline. I did just that and here’s what it provided. (This is a copy/paste from ChatGPT. I haven’t made any edits.)
Beginner’s Guide to Transitioning to a Plant-Based Diet
Embarking on a plant-based journey is not just a dietary change; it’s a lifestyle transformation that can significantly impact your health, the environment, and animal welfare. Whether you’re motivated by health concerns, environmental reasons, or ethical considerations, transitioning to a plant-based diet can seem daunting at first. This guide is designed to simplify the process, making your transition as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Let’s dive into the first steps of adopting a plant-based lifestyle.
Understanding the Basics of a Plant-Based Diet
Before making any changes, it’s essential to understand what a plant-based diet entails. At its core, this diet focuses on foods derived from plants, including vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes, while minimizing or eliminating animal products. It’s not just about avoiding meat and dairy; it’s about embracing a wide variety of plant-based foods to ensure a rich intake of nutrients, fibers, and antioxidants.
Why Go Plant-Based?
The reasons for transitioning to a plant-based diet vary from person to person but commonly include:
- Health Benefits: A well-planned plant-based diet is linked to a lower risk of heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and obesity.
- Environmental Sustainability: Plant-based eating reduces your carbon footprint, conserves water, and minimizes land use, contributing to a healthier planet.
- Ethical Concerns: Many choose this diet to align with their stance against animal cruelty and the negative aspects of animal farming.
Understanding your motivation can help guide your transition, making it more meaningful and sustainable.
OK – the writing isn’t great. And, it probably isn’t in your voice.
BUT, you can copy/paste it into a document and start editing it. Or, re-writing it. Either way, you’re not staring at a blank page.
Your AI/ChatGPT Headline Writer
Now that you’ve got your blog written, what about getting help with the headline?
AI/ChatGPT can help with that, too.
I asked ChatGPT to write 10 headlines for the above blog including the keywords “plant-based diet.” Here’s what I got:
- “Starting Your Plant-Based Diet Journey: A Beginner’s Guide”
- “The Essentials of Transitioning to a Plant-Based Diet”
- “Plant-Based Diet 101: Easy Steps for Beginners”
- “Your First Steps Toward a Healthier You: Plant-Based Diet Tips for Starters”
- “Unlocking the Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet: A Starter’s Guide”
- “From Beginner to Pro: Navigating Your Plant-Based Diet Transition”
- “Simplifying Your Switch to a Plant-Based Diet: A Comprehensive Guide”
- “Plant-Based Diet Basics: What Every Beginner Needs to Know”
- “Embracing a Plant-Based Diet: Strategies for a Smooth Transition”
- “Kickstart Your Health: A Beginner’s Guide to Adopting a Plant-Based Diet”
Again, they may not be perfect, but they provide a starting point. I’ll often take two or three and mash them up into a final headline.
While AI/ChatGPT can be an enormous help in your writing, don’t just copy/paste what it gives you into your blog and hit “publish.” You’ve got to give the writing your personal touch.
AI Can Only Do So Much
ChatGPT’s writing is good, but it isn’t you or your writing. Your readers have or will come to know your voice and style. When it’s off, they’ll know something isn’t right.
If you’re giving your time and energy to blogging — even if it’s faster and easier because of AI, take the time to edit the writing. Or, use what it generates as inspiration.
As you’re editing, ask questions like:
- Would I say that?
- Are those words I would use?
- Does that say what I want to say?
It’s a good idea to edit the blog a couple of times with some time in between. Put on your critical editor hat and grab your virtual red pen and get after it.
There’s a couple of areas you especially want to have a critical eye when editing.
Navigating the Challenges of AI in Content Creation
While AI offers incredible potential, you also have to approach it with a critical eye.
Your blog is yours which means you’re responsible for ensuring accuracy and reliability. You have to fact-check AI-generated information.
It is not reliable in providing accurate facts.
As you’re editing, keep in mind that if the information doesn’t feel right, then either fact-check it or don’t use it. You’ve gone through a lot of education to be where you are. Always prioritize your judgment and ethical standards when creating content.
Your Turn To Try It
AI/ChatGPT offers a promising solution to getting your blogs done faster and easier (while making it funner). Next time you sit down to write, pull up ChatGPT and give it a go. See what it comes up with. You might just be surprised at how fast, easy, and fun ChatGPT makes your writing.
If you want to learn more about using ChatGPT for blogging, join my Harnessing AI for Blogging: Use ChatGPT To Transform Your Blogging from Blah to BAM! workshop on Thursday, January 28 at 7PM ET. Can’t join me live? You can still register and get the recording to watch later. You can learn more and register here.