How I use ChatGPT for my Substack newsletter

Today, I want to spill the beans on a little secret weapon I've been using to take my newsletter to the next level. It's not a magical elixir or a shortcut to fame, but it's certainly a game-changer!

Photo by Content Pixie on Unsplash

Today, I want to spill the beans on a little secret weapon I've been using to take my newsletter to the next level. It's not a magical elixir or a shortcut to fame, but it's certainly been a game-changer in my writing process. Yes, you guessed it – I'm talking about ChatGPT.

In this article, I'm going to share how I've been leveraging ChatGPT to supercharge my Substack newsletter. Whether you're struggling to come up with new topics, searching for the perfect way to phrase a sentence, or aiming to expand your writing horizons, ChatGPT has got your back.

1. Generating Topics to Write About

Picture this: It's Sunday afternoon, and you're staring at a blank screen, desperately trying to conjure up a fresh, captivating idea for your next newsletter post. We've all been there, right? Well, fear not! ChatGPT is here to rescue you from the depths of writer's block.

With a simple prompt, ChatGPT can generate a plethora of topic ideas tailored to your niche and audience. Just ask it a question like, "What are some trending topics in [your niche]?" or "Give me ideas for a captivating newsletter article about [your niche]." In seconds, you'll have a treasure trove of inspiration to choose from.

2. Helping Me Check for Better Ways of Saying Things

Let's face it – we're not all wordsmiths, and sometimes our writing can feel a bit lacklustre. That's where ChatGPT swoops in as your trusty writing sidekick. Before hitting that "Publish" button, I always run my draft through ChatGPT to check for better ways to phrase things.

I might ask, "Can you suggest a more engaging opening sentence for my article about [topic]?" or "Help me find a more concise way to explain [concept] in this paragraph." ChatGPT's suggestions are like a breath of fresh air, transforming my prose from mediocre to magnificent.

3. Helping Me to Expand My Writing

One of the most exciting aspects of writing for Substack is the opportunity to explore new horizons and dive deep into your passions. But it's easy to get stuck in a rut and stick to the same topics or writing styles. ChatGPT is here to help you break free from that creative confinement.

I often ask ChatGPT to help me brainstorm fresh angles on familiar topics or to provide insights on emerging trends in my niche. It's like having a virtual brainstorming partner who never runs out of ideas. This collaborative approach has opened up new avenues for me to explore, keeping my newsletter content vibrant and engaging.

In conclusion, ChatGPT has become an invaluable tool in my Substack arsenal. From generating captivating topics to refining my writing and pushing me to explore new territories, it's been the ultimate wingman in my journey toward Substack stardom. So why wait? Give it a try, and watch your newsletter soar to new heights! Happy writing, fellow Substackers!

Pulling back the curtains

I generated this whole article using ChatGPT. Here’s how I did it.

First the prompt:

Help me write viral article for How I use ChatGPT for my substack newsletter.

Suggest Title options as well.

Let it be conversational.

Here are 3 points I would like to include in the article:
Generating topics to write about.

Helping me check for better ways of saying things.

Helping me to expand my writing.

ChatGPT then gave me the article above plus the title options below

Title Options:
"Unlocking Substack Success: How ChatGPT Supercharges My Newsletter"

"My Secret Weapon for Substack Stardom: ChatGPT Unleashed"

"From Writer's Block to Viral Posts: My ChatGPT-Boosted Substack Journey"

I preferred my own title so I didn’t use any of ChatGPT’s suggestions. I could also have asked ChatGPT for more title options if I wanted but I didn’t on this occasion.

Things to note:

As I mentioned in previous articles about using ChatGPT: the more information you give it in your prompt the better the results you get. Noticed that I gave it information about different points I wanted to have included in the article. When it first generated the sample, I still have to go in and make a few tweaks to make it more like how I would write the article. I also removed bits of the article that did not feel right.

For example, ChatGPT started the article with “Hey there, fellow Substack enthusiasts!” I would normally not say that, so I just removed that line.

Generative AI like ChatGPT can be useful for helping you get unstuck and get you writing more. Just make sure the article it generates is something you would actually be happy to put your name behind. Also, I would recommend that you paraphrase the article in a way that better reflects your own voice.

Over to you…

What do you think about writing newsletter articles using tools like ChatGPT? Would you use it? What would be the drawbacks?

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About the author

Hi 👋, I'm Ore Apampa. I am an entrepreneur and voiceover artist based in the UK but I do love to travel so I'm not always there. I share stories about my experience being a voiceover artist whilst doing a PhD. I'm hoping sharing the things I learn on my journey will help other people on their journeys.