Refining your Business Niche

When the company was set up almost 35 years ago, the main offering to clients was a writing and design service, which we still offer but possibly not for much longer. Why? Our work in design has decreased as software has become more widely available and students are graduating from a number of related courses, enabling them to work independently if they are unable to secure employment.  

Declining standards of grammar means that our writing, proofing and editing work remain buoyant. However, we have noticed an impact from the number of businesses using Artificial Intelligence, recently, so this may eventually begin to decline.

In the past 25-30 years, website design has been the mainstay of our business but creating an 'all singing, all dancing' website with all its associated costs is proving difficult to offer good value. Added to this, large companies such as IONOS (who reach millions with their TV ads) and other companies who offer easy-peasy-DIY solutions with a low entry cost for their proprietary website creation tools, are taking money from small businesses who are struggling to budget and may also struggle to maintain their website, social media, etc..

We have therefore decided, going forward, to switch from creating corporate websites, too. So what are we offering?

• Wordpress blog set up, can be set up to emulate a website;
• Wordpress blog writing/posting;
• Writing, proof-reading, editing;
• Social media posts - LinkedIn page, Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter/X and more.

These are probably functions that you could undertake yourselves but may not enjoy doing them or you just don't have the time. We may be able to help small businesses, individuals, communities, non-profits and local charities in other ways, such as hand-holding and research - just ask. And our rates are probably the lowest you'll find.

Now that we have decided where to focus the business, we'll aim to update the website in the near future.

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P.S. I touched on the affordability of 'slowing down' in a post a year ago. There are several more related posts from 2019, too.

If AI is the Answer, What is the Question?

Looking further into AI... based on a scathing review from earlier this year 

Original Posted Content (Go to AI content)

We've dabbled. The results are quite boring and not always accurate. AI is not free-thinking intelligence but is a quick method of assembling and sorting words or image elements from the web. Essentially, it's stealing from others. Are you happy to be an accessory? 

Sure, if you have a few gaps in your own knowledge or if you are incredibly busy or just plain lazy, it seems the perfect tool for you. However, what about the people you serve - readers, followers, potential clients, etc.? Are they getting value for money from you? Are you are feeding them hearsay or gossip? Surely they deserve your original thoughts - unless you don't have any - so why pretend that you do? 

We think that, when 'policing' organisations investigate how companies use AI to publish 'their' insights, there may be a strong case for all AI written content to contain a statement to that effect - similar to an acknowledgment when quoting from others' work or disclaimers that the writer accepts no responsibility for the results of anyone acting upon information contained herein.

The question of when and how to use AI needs to be addressed. 

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This content has been written without the use of AI.
We accept no liability for direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind (including without limitation loss of profits) arising from any use of the information and material contained on this site or any site you may access through this site. Any information obtained from or via this site should be verified independently before acting upon it.

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AI Version

AI: Tool or Trickery?

The Allure and the Issues of AI-Generated Content

While AI offers a quick way to churn out content, the results are often uninspired and inaccurate. Essentially, it's a glorified search-and-replace function, lacking true understanding or originality. Is this just a shortcut for those lacking time, knowledge, or creativity? More importantly, are we doing a disservice to our audience by feeding them regurgitated information?

The Need for Transparency

As regulatory bodies scrutinize AI use in content creation, perhaps a clear labeling system is needed. Similar to citations or disclaimers, AI-generated content should be marked as such. This transparency allows audiences to make informed choices about the information they consume.

The Bottom Line: Using AI Responsibly

The question isn't if AI has a place, but when and how. Used ethically and with clear boundaries, AI can be a helpful tool. However, relying solely on it for content creation undermines our own originality and potentially misleads our audience.

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Conclusion

AI is getting better. This is how I used it: I bashed out a passionate few sentences which could be called unprofessional and, perhaps, rude; typically attention-grabbing to make people think. I ran it through AI which has kept the essence of meaning but lost the personality. A business professional would clearly prefer the AI version. In this case, I think I do, too. 

Except for the American spelling of labelling. Ensure that you check the final content. Good luck. 

Virtual Living vs Life Experience

We recently published a blog post, considering the reasons why people are not reading blogs so much any more (blogging vs vlogging) then - lightbulb moment - we were discussing how so much has changed in such a short time. 

Two of the contributing factors are AI and the pandemic. Let's assume that blog readers want to learn something new or be entertained, many bloggers are now relying on AI to assemble information from the internet - unoriginal and uninspiring, so why bother to read that when you can do it yourself? 

There are long-term lifestyle changes in the aftermath of covid and lockdown. Bloggers who used to entertain readers with their travel experiences (be it a holiday, reviews of local eateries or live gigs) aren't pushing their boundaries, opting instead for a life in front of the computer or the TV. 

How popular are bloggers' reviews of TV shows, movies or books? Not very, we believe. What readers really want is an insight into something less standard and less available which will inspire their future plans - they almost certainly are not wanting to plan a future of TV channel streaming. 

So, how to regain your readership? Get your life back. The one that your readers were interested in. Leave the computer on the desk and experience life as you used to know it. Then write about your new adventures in your blog. 

And we'll try to follow our own advice!! 

Artificial Intelligence

The Spielberg film, AI, unsettled me - but we're not there yet!

Using Artificial Intelligence software within the writing and editing industry has already had an impact on the creative economy. Enabling 'lazy' writers to generate income more quickly opens up opportunities for freelance and contract work, providing a pathway for marketing professionals to pursue their career goals.

The downside for those professionals is that, now, anyone can do it. Once their clients cotton on to this, some will just do it themselves, saving £££s off their costs.

Note. Much of the above was originally created with AI but has since been edited to actually be meaningful. Below is a generated paragraph that was totally unnecessary.

Creative Text, Images and 'Moving Pictures'

This is reminiscent of the problems that graphic designers suffered when affordable design software was released. Many small businesses decided to create their own logo, for example. It took several months for most of them to realise that having access to tools doesn't mean that no skill or experience is necessary - would you attempt to re-wire your home just because you had coils of wire and a screwdriver?

Video creation is easy too - kids are growing up with it. A few entertaining TikTok vids are a long way from traditional cinema but could easily become a good marketing tool, in the same way that YouTube is used. The new generation of creatives can engage with the new generation of buyers and users. Podcasts are used by a number of businesses these days, as well as the entertainment industry.

Will the time come when AI writes quality books and film scripts? This was the dream of Film Studios which prompted the recent writers' strike. They also wanted to not pay supporting actors - were they hoping to create a host of androids to play those roles?

Editing and Honing Media

Editing happens all the time! Whether it's for scripts, books, film, etc.. The editing industry contributes to professionalism and growth, enhancing published media to appeal to a wider audience by improving its quality and accuracy. 

The growing use of AI is likely to increase the need for professional editors, both for text and images.