Guest post by Eugene Eaton.
If you’re a blogger, there’s no chance you’ll be unfamiliar with the term AI.
Artificial intelligence.
Wikipedia’s definition for it is pretty good: AI is “intelligence demonstrated by machines, in contrast to the natural intelligence displayed by humans”.
How does Artificial Intelligence affect you as a blogger?
For a blogger, AI can replace part of your work. It can make you more efficient, productive, and better in general.
But what about your creativity? If you subject your work or parts of it to artificial intelligence, won’t it disturb your creative processes?
Let’s take MS Word’s spelling and grammar as an example. It’s useful, but it also makes you question your ability to write. It will underline words and sentences that seem perfectly fine for you. When you adjust them to comply with the feature’s standards, you lose your initial vibe.
Let’s explore that topic, shall we? How can you use Artificial Intelligence without sacrificing your creativity and your unique voice as a writer?
How to use AI for Creative Bloggers
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Get used to autocomplete to speed up your writing
Autocomplete features of word processors are much more advanced than they ever were. In the past, the feature would only recognise a word based on the way you start spelling it. Now, it’s more intelligent. It understands context and it’s much more accurate.
In addition, it’s a self-learning feature. It analyses your writing on the go, and gives you suggestions that fit in the context of your content.
Needless to say, this is a tool you need to get used to. If you’ve never used it before, it might be really confusing. But stick to it!
You don’t have to use the feature for writing blogs at first. Just try free-writing. It will suggest the words once you type the first few letters, so it will make you much faster in typing. It’s the best way to correlate your typing speed with the speed of your thoughts.
When you get used to it, you’ll start wondering what you’ve been doing without it.
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Remember: it’s just AI, after all
Yes; these tools are intelligent. But this is still artificial intelligence, which cannot replace every single aspect of your work.
Let’s take editing as an example. Hemingway App is a popular tool that bloggers use during this process. It will catch on common spelling issues, but they will also suggest ways to make your style simpler and more readable. It will advise you to avoid passive voice, since today’s readers have an inexplicable aversion towards it.
That’s all OK. But what happens when AI starts affecting your unique voice as a writer? The suggestions are all about making your sentences shorter. Can you imagine James Joyce using Hemingway App? In such a situation, Ulysses would’ve never seen the light of day. Oh, did I just use passive voice there? Sue me!
Here’s what Jordan Moore, an editor from UK CareersBooster, has to say about it: “Yes; your style as a blogger should be clean and readable. No; you shouldn’t butcher your sentences at any cost just because a tool says so. You shouldn’t blindly accept every single suggestion the tool gives you. It cannot replace you or a human editor you’d hire to clean up after your mess.”
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Use plagiarism check tools
Plagiarism is not allowed in blogging. You know that! That’s why when you do your research for a new blog, you make sure to keep track of your resources.
Even if you do that as diligently as possible, unintentional plagiarism is still a threat. You might get a bit too inspired by another blogger’s ideas and you may even copy them word by word without realising it.
That’s where artificial intelligence can help. Always use a plagiarism check tool to make sure your content is unique. Of course; you’re still allowed to use other sources and provide excerpts and quotes for your readers. The plagiarism check tool will just remind you to reference the original sources.
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Use a tool that keeps you writing!
Now this is something that can really boost your creativity: use a tool that keeps you writing. For example, Rough Draft prevents you from deleting the sentences you don’t like. You can’t get rid of the words; you can just strike them through, just like you would do in a notebook.
That’s an effective method for overcoming the writer’s block. It reminds you that the first draft of any type of content is just that – a first draft. Don’t be afraid to put your thoughts on the computer screen. Even if they are rubbish, it’s OK. Just write and you’ll eventually come to your senses.
Of course; you’ll never publish the first draft of your work, unless you’re working on a blog post that covers the importance of first draft. You’ll use it as a starting point. Then you’ll edit, edit, and edit some more.
Artificial Intelligence is a blogger’s ally
Remember, artificial Intelligence is not your enemy. It will not kill your creativity when you use it properly. You just need to pick some really effective tools and use them to boost your creative potential. Hopefully, the tips above will get you started.
About the author
Eugene Eaton is an Australian-based blogger for UK Careers Booster, who is into stand-up comedy. His favourite comedians are Louis CK and George Carlin. A good morning laugh is what keeps Eugene upbeat and motivated through the harsh day.
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