This summer, I finally did what many of us have been meaning to do: properly test AI tools for communications work. Clients have been asking about my knowledge, my curiosity abounds, and itโs the topic that conversation devolves to in most writer hangouts these days. It was time.
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I’d been reading about other writers’ AI experiences since ChatGPT launched, but my own testing had been limited to a few quick trials. This time, I wanted to be methodical.
I downloaded five AI platforms: ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Grok and Jasper (marketed specifically to writers), and two others I’d heard mentioned frequentlyโCopilot and Gemini.
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I designed tests around work I actually do and know well, just like you would ask questions at a job interview. First, I asked each AI for content marketing blog topics (something I brainstorm regularly). The average score was what I think of as the AI mix: 7 okay ideas, 2 good and 1 great.
Then I asked each to take what I assessed as their best idea and write 600-word posts for communications professionals in conversational style. I also fed two of the platforms my monthly client newsletter for both substantive suggestions and copy editing.
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None of the output was perfect, but all of it was surprisingly decent. The blog posts they generated were okay first drafts that could be elevated with personality, anecdotes, and specific examples.
Where AI really helped was as a smart assistant editorโcatching typos, suggesting clearer wording, and identifying unclear sections I’d missed because I was too close to my own work.
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Today, I’ve incorporated one of these tools into my regular workflow, particularly for copy editing and brainstorming headlines and titles. Headlines in particular are a time sink I’m happy to delegate.
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AI isn’t replacing our strategic thinking or creative insights, but it’s becoming a valuable assistant. The key is knowing what to ask for and how to build on what you get.
What’s your experience been with AI tools?
I also share these blog posts on LinkedIn – visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbowness/ to connect with me there. Or hire me to write blog posts for you!
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