ChatGPT’s $200 Price Hike: Is It Worth It?????

Hey Friends,

Keeping up with the rapid changes in AI and social media is no easy task, but don’t worry—I’ve got you covered! This week, we’re diving into three key updates shaping the landscape for entrepreneurs and marketing professionals:

1. OpenAI’s Video Creation Tool, Sora
2. Trial Reels: A Game-Changer for Instagram?
3. ChatGPT’s Price Hike: Is It Worth the Investment?

Let’s break it all down:

1. Sora: OpenAI’s New Video Creation Tool

AI-generated video has officially been released to the masses—and trust me, you’ll want to buckle up for this one. Sora is OpenAI’s latest innovation, designed to help marketers, entrepreneurs, creators (and well, just about anyone with a subscription) produce lifelike video content in just minutes.

How does it work?

• Sora generates short video clips based on user prompts.
• It can extend existing short video clips.
• Want a lifelike video of someone explaining a new technology? Done.
• Want a random video of a giraffe walking through a forest? Sora’s got you covered.

Currently, all paid ChatGPT users have access to Sora. However, due to overwhelming demand since its launch a few days ago, OpenAI has temporarily paused new user sign-ups. When it’s back up and running, you can find it at sora.com.

The Catch? Sora’s capabilities are impressive (and kind of scary to some), but it’s not without flaws. Some users have noticed telltale errors, such as an animal’s legs switching pace unnaturally while walking. The AI also struggles with:

• Complex prompts.
• Written text within videos.
• Abstract concepts that require nuanced understanding.

It’s clear that Sora is a work in progress, but its potential to revolutionize video creation is undeniable.

Want to see Sora in action? Check out this early review below from YouTuber Marques Brownlee for a closer look at what this tool can do!

2. Trial Reels: Instagram’s New Experiment

Instagram is testing “Trial Reels,” a feature that allows users to create limited-time promotional videos visible only to targeted audiences. These trial Reels will initially be shown to non-followers, providing engagement metrics such as views, likes, comments, and shares within about 24 hours after posting. This feature helps creators decide if a Reel is worth sharing with their existing audience.

Think of it as A/B testing for your social media content.

How it works:

• Create a reel and select the “trial” option.
• Define your target audience and test the content for 24 hours.
• Use Instagram Insights to decide whether to roll it out more broadly.

Why it’s exciting:

• Optimize content strategy: Find out what resonates before committing.
• Increase ROI: Test promotional videos without overloading your audience.

Use Case: Planning a holiday sale? Trial Reels could help fine-tune your messaging for maximum impact.

Learn more about Trial Reels in this article by Techcrunch or watch this short explainer video by Instagram Pro Brock Johnson.

3. ChatGPT’s New Price Tag: $200USD/Month?!

OpenAI has introduced a new tier of ChatGPT called ChatGPT Pro, priced at a hefty $200 USD/month. This premium model promises “the best of OpenAI with the highest level of access,” including unlimited access to cutting-edge features like o1 Pro Mode, which claims to deliver “the best answers to the hardest questions.”

What’s Included in ChatGPT Pro?

• Higher priority access: Say goodbye to waiting in line during peak times.
• Compute-intensive tasks: Pro users gain access to advanced features and models requiring more processing power.
• Future upgrades: OpenAI plans to continually enhance Pro with new capabilities—though many of these will eventually trickle down to the lower-tier plans.

But, is it worth it?

For most entrepreneurs and marketers who use AI to brainstorm content, analyze data, or generate ad copy, the increased efficiency and capabilities of Pro may not be necessary.

Even Sam Altman, the head of OpenAI, has stated that “almost everyone will be best-served by our free tier or the $20/month Plus tier.” He explained that this higher-priced tier is designed for the small percentage of users who “want to use ChatGPT a TON and hit rate limits.”

If you’re not consistently hitting the limits on your current plan, this new tier likely isn’t for you. A “wait-and-see” approach might be the best strategy before committing to additional costs.

Looking for alternatives? Check out this article showcasing 8 ChatGPT alternatives designed for businesses.

If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch!

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Enjoy the festive season! ??

Emily Baillie

Digital Marketing & AI Strategist, Trainer & Professor

www.compasscontent.ca