How to Use AI to Write Blog Posts – It’s ESSENTIAL, But You Probably Do It Wrong!

I love my AI Writing Tool… there, I said it…

The ability for the best of them to write stellar blog content… Is hard not to fall in love with!

It’s like having the Duracell bunny as a content marketing writing partner who’s always bursting with ideas and never needs a coffee break.

But don’t worry – we’re not talking about furry, robotic, soulless blog content here.

I’m going to show you how to use AI to write blog posts by blending AI’s beautiful efficiency with your unique human touch (which is sooooo important) to create blog posts that are both search engine friendly and irresistibly engaging to your readers.

So, buckle up, fellow AI writer bloggers!

We’re about to embark on a journey that will transform the way you approach blog content creation.

By the end of this little guide, you’ll have the tools and know-how to kick writer’s block in the nuts, streamline your process, and consistently produce high-quality blog posts that your audience will love.

Ready to change how your blogging workflow forever? Let’s jump right on in!

Understanding AI in Blog Writing

Simply put, AI-generated text is created by artificial intelligence algorithms that have been trained on vast amounts of data. These smart-systems can analyze patterns, understand context, and produce human-like text on a wide range of topics.

Now, you might be wondering, “How can I use AI to write blog posts?” Well, it’s simpler than you might think. AI can assist you in various stages of your own content creation workflow, from generating ideas to crafting full paragraphs and even creating a full blog post. It’s like having a super-smart writing assistant that’s available 24/7.

The benefits of using AI for blog posts are pretty compelling. For starters, it can save you tons of time. Remember those hours spent staring at a blank page? With AI, you can kick-start your writing plan in minutes. It’s also a fantastic tool for overcoming writer’s block. When your creative well runs dry, AI can provide fresh perspectives and ideas to get your juices flowing again.

But let’s address the elephant in the room – there are some common misconceptions about AI writing tools that we need to clear up.

First off, AI isn’t here to replace human writers. It’s a tool to enhance our actual writing capabilities, not a replacement for our creativity and expertise.

And no, using AI doesn’t mean churning out generic, robotic-sounding content. When used correctly, AI can help you produce more authentic, engaging content by freeing up your time to focus on adding your unique voice and insights… super important.

Ai-generated blog posts should be reviewed and edited to eliminate any biases and ensure fairness, making them a valuable asset in your content creation toolkit. So if you are ready to learn how to use AI for blogging in 2024 and beyond… let’s get into it!

Top AI Writing Tools for Bloggers

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s talk about the exciting part – the tools that can make this AI magic happen. The world of AI writing software is constantly evolving, with new players entering the field all the time. But don’t worry, I’ve done the legwork for you and tested out a bunch of these tools.

When it comes to popular AI writing software, a few names consistently come up. Tools like GPT-3-based platforms, Jasper, and Copy.ai have made waves in the content creation world of AI software too.

Honestly, I’m not a fan, and think they cost too much… and I think we can get far better output from the Big 3… Google Gemini, ChatGPT, and Claude. Honorable mentions to Llama by Meta and Mistal also. They all cost about $20 a month for their premium AI model… so it’s definitely worth getting them.

But just a note on these big ones… they are not specifically created with content creation in mind unlike Jaspar etc… so you have to learn how to talk to it… which honestly isn’t difficult once you get the basics down.

But what if you’re on a tight budget? Good news – there are free plans with the AI tools out there too.

While they might not have all the bells and whistles of their paid counterparts, they can still be incredibly useful. For instance, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude.ai offer free plans that let you generate limited, or not ‘top model perfect’ content.

When choosing an AI writing platform, there are a few key features to look out for. First, consider the variety of content types it can generate. Can it help with blog posts, social media captions, and email newsletters? Versatility is key. Also, look for tools that allow you to customize the AI’s output to match your brand voice. After all, you want your content to sound like you, not a robot.

Another crucial feature is the ability to integrate with other tools you use in your blogging workflow. For example, some AI writing tools can connect directly with WordPress, making it super easy to transfer your AI-generated drafts to your blog.

Lastly, don’t overlook the importance of a user-friendly interface. You want a tool that’s intuitive and easy to use, not one that requires a Ph.D. in computer science to figure out.

Step-by-Step Guide: Using AI to Write Blog Posts

Alright, now that we’ve got our tools sorted, let’s roll up our sleeves and get into the nitty-gritty of how to use AI to write blog posts. I’ll walk you through each step of the process, sharing some personal tips I’ve picked up along the way.

Generating Blog Topics and Ideas

The first step in any great blog post is coming up with a killer topic. This is where AI can be a real game-changer in blog post writing. I remember spending hours brainstorming ideas for my eco-friendly living blog, often hitting dead ends.

Now, I use AI to kickstart my ideation process, and it’s like having a constant stream of inspiration.

Tools You Can Use

Once you have your topics that you might like to target you can then start using AI for keyword research.

Tools like SEMrush’s Topic Research tool or Frase’s AI-powered content briefs can help you identify relevant keywords in your niche. Input your main topic and boom – you’ll get a list of the related keywords, ideas, and questions your audience is asking.

But don’t stop there.

Use blog AI content generators to brainstorm unique angles on these topics.

For example, I once input “sustainable fashion” into an AI tool, and it suggested ideas like “How thrift shopping can save the planet” and “The hidden environmental cost of fast fashion.” These AI-generated content ideas can often provide fresh perspectives I hadn’t considered.

Creating an Outline with AI

Once you’ve nailed down your blog topic, it’s time to structure your post. This is where AI can really streamline your process. Generating an AI-powered outline is as simple as inputting your main topic and letting the AI work its magic.

For instance, when I was writing a post on “Troubleshooting Common Grilling Problems,” I input that topic into an AI tool. It quickly generated a comprehensive outline, including sections on the importance of problem-solving skills for grilling, and temperature control problems, solutions, etc. Of course, the outline wasn’t perfect, but it gave me a solid starting point.

The key here is to refine and customize the AI outline. While AI can provide a great framework, your expertise and understanding of your target audience are crucial. I always review the AI’s suggestions, rearranging sections, adding personal anecdotes, and ensuring the flow makes sense for my readers.

Writing the First Draft

Now comes the fun part – actually writing your blog post. AI can be a powerful ally in crafting your first draft or complete article, helping you overcome writer’s block and generate content quickly. In fact, AI can even write the entire blog post, creating first draft intros, providing a rough draft for all sections etc, that you can then refine and optimize.

One technique I love is using Artificial Intelligence to expand on each point in my outline. I’ll take a subheading like “Why my charcoal won’t stay lit” and ask the AI to generate a paragraph or two on that topic. This gives me a base to work from, which I then edit and infuse with my own voice and experiences.

But what about those days when the words just won’t come? We’ve all been there, staring at a blank page, cursor blinking mockingly. This is where AI truly shines in overcoming the old writing rut. I often use AI as a conversation partner, asking it questions about my blog topic and using its responses to spark new ideas.

Remember, though, that AI-written content should be a starting point, not the finished product. Use it to get your creative juices flowing, then add your unique insights, personal stories, and expert knowledge to make the content truly valuable and engaging.

Editing and Refining AI Content

Once you’ve got your AI-assisted blog draft, it’s time to put on your editor’s hat. This is where your human touch becomes crucial. AI can create awesome content for your blog, but it’s up to you to take time editing to refine and enhance it. When you write new blog posts or content using AI tools, remember that additional effort is necessary to optimize the final output for SEO success.

Start by reading through the entire draft, looking for areas that need more depth or clarity. I don’t find many spelling errors with AI content generation, but it’s always possible, so keep an eye out for those spelling mistakes. Use the Hemingway App to do this, it’s so good. As you can see from the image… the content the AI produced was of grade-12 quality reading on the Flesch-Kincaid grade reading level… your job is to make it about 9.

The Ideas Presented Are Too General

AI-generated content can be a bit general, so I focus on adding specific examples, case studies, or personal anecdotes to make the content more relatable and valuable.

AI has gotten pretty good at maintaining a logical structure, BUT…

It can sometimes jump between ideas in a way that feels disjointed. I pay close attention to transitions between paragraphs and sections, making sure each idea flows smoothly into the next.

This is also the time to add a bit of you… you know, the person you are, the person I am… the stuff that does and will make your content uniquely you.

AI can mimic different writing styles, but it can’t replicate (not yet) your unique perspective and experiences…

Don’t be afraid to rewrite blog sections entirely, adding your personality and expertise to make the content truly your own.

Optimizing for SEO

Last but certainly not least, let’s talk about making your AI-assisted blog post search engine friendly. While AI can help with the blog post process, it’s up to you to ensure your content is optimized for search engines and SEO.

While your AI platform can help, if you want better search rankings and better keyword research, use external tools.

Start by using AI for keyword optimization. Tools like Surfer SEO (which I use every single day) analyze your content and suggest relevant target keywords to include. I’m actually using it on this blog post right now…

But remember, keyword stuffing is so last decade and pretty much considered spam. Focus on incorporating the right keywords naturally throughout your post.

AI can also be super helpful in generating meta descriptions and titles. I often use AI to brainstorm multiple meta-description options, then choose the one that best captures the essence of my post while including my target keyword.

Best Practices for AI-Assisted Blog Writing

Now that we’ve covered the how-to, let’s talk about some best practices to ensure you’re getting the most out of AI blog posts while still creating content that’s uniquely you.

Your Own Unique Voice

Maintaining a personal voice and style is crucial when using AI. While AI can generate content, it shouldn’t write your entire post. Think of AI as a collaborative partner, not a replacement for your voice. I always make sure to pop in personal anecdotes, pain points, opinions, and my own jokes… as much for you as for me (even if my jokes sometimes fall flat).

Mix It Up

Balancing AI input with human creativity is an art. Use AI to overcome that creative rut, generate ideas, and create first drafts, or even entire blog posts. But then let your creativity take over. Reshape the content, add your unique insights, and make it resonate with your audience in a way only you can.

Fact-Checking

One area where human input is non-negotiable is fact-checking and verifying AI-generated information. While AI has access to a vast amount of data, it can sometimes make mistakes or present outdated information. Sometimes a simple Google search will help you find out if the fact you have been given by your AI is BS.

Always double-check facts, statistics, and claims made by AI. Your reputation as a reliable source of information depends on it.

Quality of An AI-Generated Blog Post

“But isn’t AI content low-quality content?” Not necessarily!

The key to high-quality AI content is in how you use and refine it. Here are some strategies I’ve found effective:

1. Use AI as a starting point, not the end product. Let it come up with ideas and rough drafts, then put in the work to elevate the content.

2. Always add your own expertise and insights to produce content. AI can provide general information, but your unique knowledge is what will make your content stand out.

3. Edit like crazy. Don’t be afraid to cut entire sections if they don’t meet your standards.

Avoiding low-quality or spammy content is your make or break.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Are AI blogs legal? The short answer is yes.

But, copyright issues in an AI-generated blog post can be tricky. While the AI itself doesn’t have copyright over the content it generates, the training data it uses might include copyrighted material. To stay on the safe side, always review and edit your AI-generated blog post to ensure it’s original.

As for disclosure, there’s currently no legal requirement to disclose the use of AI in blog post creation. But, I’m a big believer in transparency. If AI played a BIIIG role in creating your content, tell your readers.

Google’s Perspective on AI-Written Content

“But what about Google? Won’t they penalize me for using AI?” This is a common worry, but here’s the deal: Google cares about the quality and value of your content, not how it was created.

Google’s guidelines focus on rewarding high-quality, relevant, and useful content. If your AI-assisted content meets these criteria, even Google will love ya! The key is to ensure that your content provides real value to your readers, regardless of how it was created.

How to make Google Love You:

1. Creating in-depth, high-quality content that properly answers your readers’ questions.

2. Regularly updating your content to keep it fresh and accurate.

3. Providing unique insights in every single post you create… information that can’t be found elsewhere.

4. Ensuring your content is well-structured and easy to read.

Remember, AI is a tool to help you generate text and create better content. It’s not a shortcut to gaming the system.

Advanced Techniques for AI Blog Writing

Using AI for long-form content creation is a very smart move.

I’ve been using it recently for some crazy good guides in all manner of niches. The process?

I created a prompt formula that breaks down the topic into smaller subtopics, and uses the AI to generate a range of keywords, competition, likelihood of ranking etc… and then I expanded on these outlines with my own expertise and research.

The result? A killer piece of long-form content that would have taken me weeks to write from scratch, completed in just a few hours.

Future of AI in Writing Blog Posts Writing

As I close this down… let’s take a quick look into my crystal ball. What does the future hold for AI in blog writing?

I think we are moving towards the development of more sophisticated AI models that can understand and mimic to a ‘T’ specific writing styles.

While we do have the ability to train AI on your own writing currently… it is limited.

We’re also likely to see more integration between AI writing tools and other aspects of content writing, like image generation and SEO optimization. This could lead to all-in-one content creation platforms that handle everything from ideation to publication.

As AI becomes more widely used, there will be an increased emphasis on the human elements that AI can’t replicate – personal experiences, emotional connections, and unique insights. If you can integrate this… the genuine human touch… You win!

My Final Thoughts on Generated Content

AI is a must-have tool that will change your blog creation process.

It gives you the whole process, helping you generate ideas, overcome the creative rut, create outlines, and even assist in writing drafts and near-full articles. But remember, AI is just that – a tool. The magic happens when you combine AI’s already legendary ability with your unique voice, expertise, and creativity.

Using AI to write blog posts isn’t about replacing your role as a writer. It’s about enhancing your capabilities, freeing up your time to focus on what truly matters – connecting with your audience and sharing your unique insights.

I do really encourage you to dive in and start experimenting with AI in your writing process. Start small, maybe using AI to generate blog post ideas, create outlines or even try a few social media posts. As you get more comfortable, you can explore more advanced techniques.

Remember, the goal isn’t to create a perfect AI-generated blog post. It’s to use AI as a springboard for your creativity, a tool to help you create more valuable, engaging content for your readers.

Now, let’s hear from you! Have you tried using AI in your blogging process?