As an artist who is working in your creative business on a regular basis, it can feel so helpful to use AI (artificial Intelligence) to generate the written words for all of your communications like social media posts, blog and newsletters, press releases, your website, and more. Afterall, you didn't get into the visual arts to become a full time copywriter. And, you'd probably rather be spending your energy and time making art, and making money.
What Is AI?
It's artificial intelligence that helps artists (and all mere mortals) with copy and image creation. And, all kinds of problem solving. However, that definition is a gross oversimplification because the ramifications are huge, and profound.
It's like we're cave people and we've discovered fire. ...and the fire looks like it has a very high likelihood of getting out of hand and burning the world down. For now, we'll save the burning the world down discussion for a different article.
There are the AI programs that generate images which include popular ones like Midjourney and DALL-E among others.
And, there are the well known Chat GPT and many other similar tools that are focused on entering text prompts and getting text based responses to your prompts. In this article, you're going to learn about the hidden risk of using AI tools like this for writing.
AI Is So Dang Compelling
I'm not here to throw shade on the use of AI if that feels helpful to you. Most people who have tried it, are pretty impressed with what it can do, myself included.
Afterall, it makes sense that AI is super compelling to creative business owners because most artists are not also trained to be professional writers.
So we can tend to feel like using AI is an amazing way to relieve the burden of writing. -Yes, I like the idea of lightening my workload, too.😊
The AI Pitfall
There's a catch to using AI in this way, though. It's one that you might not even realize is hurting your practice. In fact, it can actually prevent sales from happening.
I'm sorry to give it to you straight like this. However, I want you to be super successful in your practice and make a great income as an artist and creative human, so I'm bringing it up here because I think you want the same thing.
When you use AI to write everything for you, you run the risk of coming off like a machine. An art marketing machine. Over time though, the software will get better, and this machine voice will lessen (scary, but true).
But as of right now, as a creative, your individuality is a super power. When you copy and paste your text from ChatGPT, and post it for the world to see, you're trusting your secret sauce powers to show up through the AI process. And, it doesn't always work.
How Can You Tell AI’s Not Working?
When you read something and it sounds too perfect.—You may already be seeing this in things you're reading out there.
When you read something and it sounds compelling yet it leaves you feeling 'meh'. No spark or good energy behind it. You don't feel compelled to take action from reading that post or email even though you'd normally be someone who is excited by these kinds of things.
You get no sales or replies when you use AI in this full copy and paste way. It's flat. Which is a total bummer because you need engagement to sell your art and services so you can pay your bills and fund your next awesome road trip.
How To Use AI To Tap Into Being More You?
1. The Thesaurus Approach. Use it to generate ideas for new words or wording approaches. Let it inspire you. Let it help you to find alternate words if you're stuck and keep using the same words over and over again.
2. Group To Individual. If AI is proposing you use text that sounds like it's speaking to a group, edit it so you are speaking with one person. Writing as if you're addressing a group 95% of the time is a bad idea. This is because the majority of the time, it's only one person reading your email, your Instagram post or your workshop description. So make sure your writing looks like you’re communicating with one person and not a group.
3. The You Filter. If AI is proposing something phrased or using words that you would never use, change it. Keep 'You' In It.
Leverage AI To Your Advantage
AI can be helpful as a tool. But don't let it rob you of your individuality. Use those tips above so your ideas create engagement. Because that's what you need to get more followers, and to connect with the reader, buyer or collector.
We need more of YOU in what you share with the world because it's the main way people have to get into your work and understand it. And, to buy from you.
If you want help to more successfully use AI as a tool to generate income in your creative business, click here to schedule a time to talk.