IF YOU WANT TO SOUND LIKE YOU, TALK TO ME

It’s time to talk about the elephant in the room.

For more than a year, I’ve been repeatedly asked the same question when I’ve been out networking to spread the word about LeBoo Media.

As I said in my previous post, I do a lot of networking to raise awareness of the services I provide as a copywriter in Kingston and beyond.

So many times, I’ve been asked about artificial intelligence in general, and ChatGPT in particular.

People are intrigued to know what impact it’s had on my business – and on my peace of mind. Am I worried that AI will replace the role of the copywriter in the near future?

It’s cheap, but will it make you cheerful?

My usual, and truthful, answer is that I’m not worried. The kind of organisations who ask me to write copy for them appreciate the value of bespoke words written by a human mind rather than a machine.

However… I go on to say that there is no denying the pool of words needing to be written by an actual person will become shallower as the weeks and months go by.

It’s simply too tempting, and too cheap, for potential clients to seek the help of an engine such as ChatGPT when they want some writing done.

I’ve launched a small business, so I know what it’s like to watch every penny when you’re in the early stages of growth.

And there is no denying a simple fact, that AI is a lot cheaper than engaging a professional copywriter like me.

I’ll be extra honest and admit that I’m not sure I’d be launching a new copywriting business right now if I was 30 years younger.

Never underestimate the importance of the A-word

But there is one absolutely fundamental piece of advice I offer to businesses tempted to walk the AI path.

Once you have commissioned a robot to write your web pages, blogs, brochures or social media posts… please read them before making them live.

It may be that in due course, ChatGPT will improve to the point where its words sound like they were written by a person.

But we are not there yet.

You don’t have to be a wordsmith to be able to spot a piece of AI-generated copy at a distance.

So revise and review your copy and make sure that it sounds authentic.

Authenticity is so important that I call it the A-word. People who read your content have to be able to hear your voice saying those words.

Without that authenticity, you won’t make that all-important initial emotional connection that is at the heart of every personal and commercial decision.

You can’t replace the personal touch just yet

The fact that so many people who are not professional copywriters agree strongly with me when I make this point is a source of immense encouragement to me.

It suggests that there are still plenty of people out there who value the type of work I do, who will pay to ensure their content still has that essential human touch.

One of my key skills is the ability to make a client’s voice resonate with their audience and potential customers. Among the most welcome compliments I receive from any customer is the phrase: “Wow, those words sound just like me!”

AI is here, it’s here to stay, and it will only get better. But for now, when you want your words to ring true and to carry your authentic voice, I have a simple piece of advice.

If you want to sound like you, talk to me.