How I use AI when blogging and writing

Over the years, I've shared lessons and tips from writing a professional blog—previously 10 years of professional blogging—what I've learned. Recently, I've had some major changes in my workflow, and wanted to share more.

My pre-AI blogging workflow, what I've been doing for over years, looks something like this: I have interesting conversations at work or with friends/colleagues. Randomly, I grab my phone and email myself the title of a blog post. These have punchy opinions/titles that expand easily to blog posts—some examples: "what needs to happen for web3 gaming to work," "lessons learned from launching games that apply to web and mobile apps," "why startups should ignore social media haterade," etc. Recently, I've been using this app, Email Me, which is opens to a text box and it's a one-button send (also nice for articles to read later, todo list items, etc).

Later, when I'm doing email, I do one of two things: If I'm motivated, I start a blog post right away with the title. Or, I put it into my Notes app where I collect a long list of 100+ titles that are on the backlog. I generally write on the weekends and try to do a full essay in one sitting—usually takes 2-3 hours. Very very rarely do I go back and proof read or rewrite them (don't blame me! I've been writing for hours!). Usually the essays are scheduled to go out Monday/Tuesday morning at 9am. The day the post goes out, I do a light proof-read and then once it goes out, I write a tweetstorm directing traffic.

This whole process has served me well for years. In the end, there's no real magic to it—99% of the battle is carving out a few hours on Sundays to write when there's a many dozens of emails that need to be returned, Netflix shows to be watched, and games I should be "researching" for my job as a games industry investor. But with the advent of AI, my workflow has evolved significantly.

Now, I use AI tools to enhance my writing process in several ways. Firstly, I leverage AI for idea generation and brainstorming. Tools like ChatGPT help me explore different angles on a topic and generate fresh perspectives that I might not have considered otherwise. This not only enriches my content but also keeps my writing fresh and engaging for my audience.

Secondly, AI assists me in organizing my thoughts and structuring my blog posts. I use tools like Jasper to outline my content, breaking down complex ideas into digestible sections. This helps me maintain a clear structure and ensures that my posts are well-organized, making them easier to read and understand for my readers.

Thirdly, AI aids me in proofreading and editing my work. Tools like Grammarly and Hemingway Editor help me identify grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and awkward phrasing. While I still do a light proof-read before publishing, these AI tools save me time and effort, allowing me to focus more on the creative aspect of writing.

Lastly, AI helps me optimize my content for search engines. I use tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs to analyze my audience's search queries and identify relevant keywords. This helps me craft content that is not only engaging but also discoverable, increasing my blog's visibility and reach.

In conclusion, AI has transformed my blogging workflow, making it more efficient, effective, and enjoyable. While my pre-AI approach had its merits, incorporating AI tools has allowed me to enhance my content, streamline my processes, and better serve my audience. As AI continues to evolve, I'm excited to explore new ways it can support my writing journey and help me deliver even better content to my readers.