Not everyone is a natural when it comes to putting into words what makes their product or service amazing. That’s why for decades, businesses have been willing to set themselves a couple of hundred or even thousands to ensure they work with a content writer who gets the job done right. After all, great copy almost always translates to even greater profits. But, ever since AI content writers entered into the picture, a lot of people have been asking themselves this simple question: “Can AI replace writers?”
Let’s be honest; there is no business on earth that wouldn’t want to spend less, let alone, nothing at all to get their content written without scratching their brain and in just a matter of seconds. However, just because AI can write doesn’t mean it gets it right.
In this blog, we’re giving you the scoop on the reality of AI content writing; from what it’s good at, where it falls apart, and why despite all the rising popularity, the best content is still written by people who know what they’re doing.
Table of contents
What do AI content writing tools actually get right?
The pitfalls of using AI content writing tools?
What can writers do that AI content writing tools can’t?
Frequently asked questions about AI content writing
What is AI content writing?
AI content writing simply refers to the use of generative artificial intelligence software to create any type of written content imaginable; from website content, blogs, product descriptions, email sequences and so much more. These tools go through thousands of datasets and create content based on prompts defined by users. They also use Natural Language Processing which enables them to understand and mimic human language patterns in the way they interact with you and the content they write.
The best part? The more you use AI content writing tools, the smarter they get as they learn from your feedback and improve their writing accordingly.
What do AI content writing tools actually get right?
One of the biggest benefits of AI content writing tools is the level of automation they offer, and when used right, they not only increase your productivity but also save you serious time. This means that anyone can write a piece of content without the elbow grease or spending hours to get their ideas on paper in a way that sounds just right.
Here are a few things AI content writing tools do well.
They write super-fast
An AI content writer can draft any type of content almost instantly, from blogs, emails and website content to social media posts and more. So, if you have a lot to write in a little time, AI can give you the head start you need.
They help with idea generation.
It’s not uncommon for writers to feel stuck. So, if you feel like you’re running on fumes, AI content writing tools can help you brainstorm just about anything, whether you need help coming up with blog post titles, social media campaign ideas or even outlining your content structure.
They help maintain consistency.
AI tools are especially good at keeping a consistent tone of voice and style across large volumes of content. If you need to produce dozens of pieces with a similar vibe, AI can help you churn them out.
They’re great for basic SEO
Need to incorporate a few SEO keywords in your content to help your piece rank organically? AI content writers can give you suggestions on potential SEO keywords you can use and even recommend the best ways to incorporate them into your content.
The pitfalls of using AI content writing tools?
Ever used AI to generate a piece of content? Unless you don’t really mind having not-so-great content littered across your digital real estate, we’re pretty sure you’ve found it to be underwhelming. The truth is AI content writers have some very real and albeit expensive flaws. Once you go beyond the basics with AI content writing tools, the cracks really start to show.
Here are a few ways relying heavily on AI content can backfire on you.
Lack of originality
The biggest mistake you could ever make is to think that AI can actually think. AI content writers use large datasets of information available on the internet to predict what comes next in a statement based on your inputs. As a result, they tend to generate content that lacks depth, feels repetitive and in most cases, boring to read.
AI struggles to capture brand voices.
Content written by AI tends to be flat and robotic. Therefore, if your brand has a unique personality, especially if the voice is upbeat or witty, expect even the best AI content writers to miss the mark. And you know what they say, an inconsistent brand voice may confuse your target audience.
Not verifying information
Just because AI goes through a lot of data sources doesn’t mean it fact-checks information before making it available to you. Therefore, if you use AI copywriting tools to create content, you may end up publishing incorrect information.
SEO Risks
People use AI to pump out keyword-stuffed pages of content to rank on search engines. Unfortunately, Google’s algorithms value quality content, and AI often misses the mark when it comes to this aspect. The result? Lower search engine rankings.
Content just doesn’t connect with readers.
The main idea behind writing quality content is converting. Unfortunately, AI content writers simply predict what should come next in a sentence, they simply can’t understand pain points, people’s motivations or the emotion that inspires them to make positive buying decisions.
What can writers do that AI content writing tools can’t?
While AI can mimic content it finds on the internet, writers can move people by connecting with them at an emotional level, and that’s the only thing that matters. Content writers bring a human touch to the table, allowing them to create content that hooks readers, keeps them scrolling and influences them to make a purchase or take positive action.
Here’s what makes them better than AI.
- Human writers think strategically about audience, brand positioning, customer journey, and business outcomes before they put their ideas on paper.
- They create narratives that captivate readers and inspire action, allowing them to create content that’s way better than bland, listed facts.
- Writers understand people’s pain points, aspirations, frustrations, and fears, allowing them to position products or services as the right choice.
- They are capable of writing content that moves people through stages of awareness and decision-making while addressing real concerns persuasively.
- Human writers can adapt to your brand voice and tone, allowing you to ensure your content always resonates with your target audience.
Frequently asked questions about AI content writing
Can AI replace writers?
Not really. While AI can generate content and ideas very quickly, it lacks the creativity, emotional depth and level of strategic thinking that professional writers bring to the table.
What is AI content writing?
AI content writing is simply the process of using artificial intelligence software to automatically generate written content based on your input prompts. The content can be anything, from articles, social posts and emails to website content, press releases and more.
What is the best AI content writer tool in the market?
There are several options to choose from. The most popular ones include Copy.ai, Jasper and HIX.AI. However, keep in mind that even the best AI content writer won’t create content as well as humans.
Can’t I just use a humaniser to make AI-generated content more human?
Humanisers are simply AI tools programmed to paraphrase your text and, in most cases, they leave it sounding unnatural and extremely difficult to read for humans. We don’t recommend it.
Does that mean I should never use AI content writers?
While AI doesn’t write the best content, it does help writers create content faster by giving them ideas they can build on and speeding up research (although we recommend manual fact-checking).
Should businesses rely fully on AI content creators?
While AI can help with volume and speed, if you’re thinking long-term brand growth, building trust with your audience and maximising conversions, working with a skilled human writer is your best bet!
The verdict?
So, can an AI content writer replace a real writer?
At its best, AI content writing can speed up repetitive tasks and make it easier to put your ideas onto paper. At its worst, it creates bland, repetitive and cookie-cutter content that nobody really wants to read. So, is it worth ditching the content writer and getting everything done by AI?
With so many brands flooding the internet with content, we believe that brands that will win in the next decade are not the ones that produce the most content. It will be those that make people stop scrolling and feel inspired to make a positive buying decision. For that, you’ll most definitely need a human, and at LeftWrite Digital, we’re here to help you do just that with our content writing services.
