Why AI + ChatGPT is so exciting for PR professionals
We’re moving into the age of AI. If you don’t understand the implications of this transition, especially as it relates to PR, marketing, and strategy, keep reading.
One of the most important factors to being to be efficient and effective with ChatGPT is knowing how to craft the right inputs and prompts. And that’s what I’ve been spending so much time doing as a PR consultant to tech companies. For example, in my recent experiment, I used specific language and messaging I had spent time developing and iterating for this sample client. Putting less precise messaging into ChatGPT wouldn’t drive as effective a narrative, and would result in a mechanical sounding press release that reporters would see through.
More importantly, AI tools like ChatGPT mean that I get more time back to work with my clients on strategy and execution.
Any time that may have been previously spent formatting and adding boilerplate language to a press release is now free for better uses like developing a killer pitch and curating the right media list to maximize press coverage. A press release is only as good as its distribution, and less time drafting copy is more time I can dedicate to ensuring that release gets in front of the people who can make a difference for my client.
The press release is an important tool to generate media coverage and raise awareness, and ChatGPT has essentially automated part of the process. It’s important for PR professionals—particularly those of us in tech—to adapt to the changing landscape.
Those of us who are eager to learn and admit to not knowing—and being OK with that—will be the ones who succeed. In the words of Steve Jobs, “Stay hungry, stay foolish.”
Today, it’s crucial to look for ways to take advantage of your time back and then find ways to give it back to your clients. I’d even argue that failure to do that will mean loss of clients.
From a founder perspective, you’re already wired to be interested in utilizing tools like ChatGPT to make your business more efficient. Spend time exploring how AI will impact your company and more importantly, spend time testing and playing with these tools. It doesn’t take long to see the value.
For literally any stage startup, leveraging a tool like ChatGPT can help cut costs in many areas, and I would absolutely encourage you to do so. But again, as I’ve seen in my brief usage, you’re going to need the right inputs, prompts, and strategy–and you can only get those things if you experiment and learn right now.
For a bunch of additional AI resources, check out my good friend Anne Carney’s Substack post. And if you’re a founder looking to work with a PR agency that gets the future, reach out.