Don't Throw Out the Baby with the Bathwater
Don't Throw Out the Baby with the Bathwater
Or, in this context, don't throw out all of the online stuff that still works because of the rapidly evolving new kid on the block.
I am, of course, talking about AI and its current publicity magnet ChatGPT.
I watched a webinar yesterday illustrating how you could use ChatGPT to create an online course in a fraction of the time you'd normally expect.
From choosing a hot subject to creating the lesson topics, expanding on them and preparing the video scripts, it was pretty impressive.
Especially considering that I've postponed the launch date of my own online courses because of the huge effort involved in getting them "just right" and complete with all the knowledge, case studies and implementation strategies that I know my students will need to be successful.
BUT...
Courses created this way (and there will be lots of them released in the near future) might be useful to those starting from nothing, but not to anyone else.
My job will be to persuade my target audience that they need my sort of course to achieve the real transformation they desire.
And AI won't do that for me.
For that, I'll need the stuff that has always worked and will continue to do so.
I'll give away high-quality content, with the implication that if my free stuff is this good, how much better must my paid stuff be?
I'll collect my visitor's name and email address and supply them with valuable information and offers.
I'll drive traffic to my opt-in landing page through blog posts, social media, PPC advertising and anything else that works.
And I'll personalize everything!
Sure, I might use ChatGPT to research some of the content but that's all. It's a research tool.
You need to understand that the programming behind it does not scour the internet for the "best" answers. It simply finds out what is statistically the most likely next words to show in its reply. In other words, it's a sophisticated auto-complete.
If I ever had any doubt about the accuracy of ChatGPT's responses, here is what it gave me when I asked it to generate my bio:
"Phil Lancaster is a multi-talented individual known for his remarkable achievements in various fields. With expertise in business, technology, and creative endeavors, Phil has established himself as a dynamic force in the industry. He has successfully led numerous high-profile projects, demonstrating exceptional leadership skills and a strong entrepreneurial mindset.
Phil's career trajectory has been marked by his ability to bridge the gap between innovation and practical application. His strategic thinking and keen problem-solving abilities have propelled him to the forefront of his respective fields. Phil's extensive knowledge and experience in technology have enabled him to spearhead groundbreaking initiatives, driving forward advancements and disrupting traditional norms.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Phil is a dedicated advocate for community development and social change. He actively engages in philanthropic efforts, leveraging his influence to make a positive impact on society. Phil's passion for empowering others and fostering meaningful connections has earned him widespread recognition and respect.
An avid learner and perpetual seeker of knowledge, Phil consistently stays ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving landscape. His adaptability, combined with his unwavering commitment to excellence, has earned him a reputation as a trusted leader and an inspiring figure.
Whether he's leading teams, driving innovation, or making a difference in the community, Phil Lancaster continues to leave an indelible mark on the world through his visionary thinking, exceptional talents, and unwavering dedication to making a positive impact."
LOL.
Recent Comments
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Hello Phil
I really enjoyed this blog post. I agree you shouldn't throw away the things that work just because we have AI now. I barely use AI and when I do it is only for ideas and research purposes. I like to do all the work myself.
I once saw a YouTube video on the channel Smart Money Tactics where he showed how you can potentially get rich and make thousands of dollars by getting ChatGPT to write courses for you and sell them on Udemy and other similar places.
I don't like the guy and his claims were ridiculous and made me laugh. I watched video out of curiosity but I did learn just how much ChatGPT can do for you.
If I was to ever make my own course I would do it all myself because to me having AI do it all would be cheating and I would want all of my course to be my own original work like I do with my websites and blog posts.
I wish you good luck with your courses. Thank you again for this great blog post. All the best to your success.
Regards
Timothy
Thank you so much, Timothy for this deeply thought out comment.
Because I've already outlined my current courses and completed many of the modules and lessons, I'll continue doing that until launch.
But for future courses, I'll certainly be looking at how AI can help.
But the verb here is "help" not "create".
Hello Phil
You're very welcome and thank you so much for your reply. I'm glad I was able to provide some good insights. I agree AI should be used for ideas and to help but not to create.
I wish you the best of luck with your courses. Thank you again for your reply. All the best to your success.
Regards
Timothy
Thanks, Timothy. My first course had so much detail that I decided that it was too overwhelming and have now split it into three [course name 101], [course name 201] and [course name 301] with the tag line "Just like a college degree but at a lot less cost and much faster. That will allow me to launch 101 while still working on the other two.
We'll see how it goes.
Hello Phil
You're very welcome. That sounds like a great idea and I like your thinking of splitting the course in to three. That will be very useful for people and you will have more time to work on the other two after releasing the first one.
Keep up the great work and good luck with all of your courses. All the best to your success.
Regards
Timothy
I didn't really, Myra. ChatGPT just produced a lot of made-up stuff. Hence the LOL at the end.
You're so welcome, Myra. I was worried that you might think I had anything to do with that bio.
Not at all Phil! I just thought it was very creative and put together that's all. :)
Myra 💜
It just means that the bio was very "creative", i.e., made up without too much in the way of fact checking.
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It is a well-written bio, but I understand that you obviously are saying that AI took the liberty of overstating the truth about you! You, of course, knew that the writing was not factual. My question is, how will we be able to determine what is factual and what is non-fiction in AI's writing? We should research our topics, but AI has all the internet for its references; we aren't researching the internet! For someone who just met you as I have, or someone who has never met you, would not know that the bio was not truthful. So, is there a process to determine what part of AI writing is fake information? By the way, this was a great example to use!
Thanks, Verna. It's up to all of us to fact-check.