Did Google Notebook LM Just Turn a 72-Page eBook Into a Podcast Using Generative AI? Yes, It Did! Daily Dose of Digital - 01/10/24

It’s no secret that Google has been a major player in the mix pushing the boundaries of AI for years now, but I'm pretty impressed with its latest innovation, Notebook LM, which I think could take things to another level.

While OpenAI (inc ChatGPT, CoPilot etc) and Bard get a lot of the attention, Google’s Notebook LM kinda snuck onto my radar this week as a transformative tool for content creators, especially marketers like myself - thanks to Luka Makhalfa for pointing this out to me on Instagram the other day!

I’ve been testing this tool recently, and honestly, I’m really impressed. My favourite use case so far: I took my dense, 72-page eBook on Generative AI for Marketers, uploaded it, and in less than an hour, it spat out a lively, engaging podcast version.

Not only did it summarise the book into a succinct 15-minute podcast, but it also added the dynamic flair of two presenters, perfectly mirroring my tone of voice. Yep, you read that right - it turned static written content into an audio experience that feels like a professional production.

So, is Notebook LM a game-changer for content creators? It could be. But let's dive deeper into what makes this platform so exciting and how you can leverage it for your own projects in today's Daily Dose of Digital.

What is Notebook LM?

Notebook LM (Language Model) is part of Google’s evolving suite of AI tools aimed at enhancing productivity and creativity. Originally launched as a research assistant, Notebook LM allows you to upload documents and get AI-generated insights, summaries, and even content transformations like podcasts or videos.

The sales pitch? "Whether you're working on a presentation, research, or an entire eBook, Notebook LM taps into its deep learning capabilities to help you process and repurpose your content in ways that were unimaginable a few years ago."

Google is positioning this tool as more than just a summariser - Notebook LM is designed to help users think more effectively, offering AI-powered context and exploration of complex ideas.

But how does it perform in real-world content creation scenarios? Let’s revisit my experiment to explain.

My Exciting Use Case: eBook to Podcast

I decided to test Notebook LM with a hefty challenge: my 72-page eBook, The Ultimate Guide to Generative AI for Marketers. The book dives deep into AI's capabilities in marketing, detailing everything from automation strategies to ethical considerations in generative AI. It’s a complex, information-dense read (albeit pretty easy to understand) that I never imagined could be condensed into a podcast, let alone one that captures my tone and dynamic style.

But that’s pretty much what happened.

After uploading the eBook to Notebook LM, the tool processed the content and returned a 15-minute podcast featuring two presenters. What’s more, these virtual “hosts” managed to retain the key points from each section of the eBook, from explaining generative AI’s role in content production to discussing case studies about AI in action. The pacing was perfect, the dialogue was natural, and even the tone matched my usual conversational style.

I think the fact that Notebook LM can actually voice these scripts, and turn them into fully produced audio files (eliminating the need for recording equipment or professional editors) is super impressive.

This use case alone has me buzzing about the potential of AI tools like Notebook LM in transforming content marketing. Imagine the time saved for marketers, educators, or business leaders who need to repurpose long-form content into digestible, engaging formats.

You can check out the 'Podcast' here: https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/83b1c711-e758-47e4-aad7-d009369d8bc6/audio ?

Why Notebook LM is a Game-Changer for Marketers

The implications for content marketing are massive. Marketers are always looking for ways to maximise the impact of their content. We know the value of repurposing - turning a blog into social media posts, a webinar into a white paper, or a podcast into a video series. But until now, that process has been time-consuming and manual.

Notebook LM cuts down the time and effort needed to transform written content into different formats. Here’s why it stands out:

1. Content Summarisation: With Notebook LM, you can upload a range of materials, including eBooks, research papers, or even meeting notes, and get concise, accurate summaries. But it doesn't stop there—it goes beyond summarising by retaining the tone and style that best suits your audience.
2. Multi-Format Outputs: From turning eBooks into podcasts to creating video scripts, Notebook LM opens doors for multi-format content creation. This means you can easily experiment with different media types without having to reinvent the wheel every time.
3. Tone of Voice: One of the key challenges with AI-generated content has been maintaining a consistent tone of voice. Google’s Notebook LM has cracked this problem—delivering outputs that feel like they were written by you, not a machine.
4. Effortless Repurposing: Gone are the days when repurposing content meant tedious re-writing and re-recording. With tools like Notebook LM, it looks like you can move seamlessly from long-form to short-form content, meeting the needs of different platforms and audience preferences.

How You Can Experiment with Notebook LM

Curious about how Notebook LM could work for you? Here’s a quick guide on how to get started:

1. Access the Tool: Currently, Notebook LM is available through Google Labs. You’ll need to sign up for access, which is relatively simple.
2. Upload Content: Whether it’s an eBook, white paper, or even meeting notes, upload your document into Notebook LM. You can upload PDFs or text documents, and the tool will instantly start analysing the content.
3. Experiment with Outputs: Once uploaded, you can select the type of output you want—summary, insights, or repurposed content like scripts. For my test, I opted for a podcast format, but you can also get video scripts, presentation outlines, or even interactive Q&A materials.
4. Fine-Tune the Results: While Notebook LM is incredibly accurate, you still have the option to tweak the results. Want to change the tone or include more detailed explanations? You can easily make edits before finalising the output (fine-tuning is ALWAYS one of my go-to tips for using generative AI).
5. Create Multi-Format Content: Use Notebook LM as your personal content assistant to transform blog posts into social media threads, eBooks into videos, or research reports into podcasts. The possibilities are endless.

Give it a go!

As AI continues to evolve, tools like Notebook LM are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in content marketing. Not only do they save time, but they also enhance creativity, allowing marketers to think beyond traditional formats. For me, the ability to turn a 72-page eBook into a lively 15-minute podcast was mind-blowing, and it’s just the beginning.

If you’re in the content game and looking to leverage AI for more than just automation, I highly recommend giving Notebook LM a try. It’s a practical tool with incredible potential, and I can’t wait to see how it evolves next.

So, what will you create next with Notebook LM? Let me know in the comments.