An Easy Way To Schedule Your Email Content Using Chat GPT

I had some serious doubts about whether AI could create good email content….

My first few attempts were - to put it bluntly - pants!?

The AI version lacked useful advice or personality - precisely what you need if you want to develop a lasting and engaging relationship with your audience.

In fact, I ended up binning my first draft and rewriting it from scratch.?

Was I being a diva, overly critical and slightly intimidated by this new tool??

Absolutely!?

But I also had that gut feeling that the likes of Chat GPTl could be a complete game-changer for anyone using email for marketing or sales…?

…if only I could really figure out how to use it.?

Right now, there are very few established guides or training on how to create decent email content.?

While I’m sure this will change soon, I decided to block out some time to see if I could improve on my early attempts…

The result?

I’m still down the AI rabbit hole!

The deeper I go, the more I am uncovering.?

Yes, there were plenty of dead ends and wrong turns.?

But I’m starting to understand this undiscovered country… a little bit.?

Now, while long, this article covers just the start of my journey (more to come in the future), but I thought I’d share what I’ve discovered so far

First some good news…

Yes, AI gives you the opportunity to create weekly, twice-weekly and even DAILY emails, without the huge amounts of time and effort it used to take.?

• AI can help you identify popular topics related to your industry or niche and plan out a schedule of free content emails for you.?
• AI can help you research the information you need to put into the emails, ensuring your content has plenty of depth and variety.?
• AI can also generate high-quality content for your emails quickly and efficiently, even if you aren’t skilled as a writer.

The big flaw with AI right now is that most untrained people (or those tasked with generating a lot of emails by employers excited by AI’s promises of hyper-productivity) will just use it to pump out ‘content’ based around chosen topics without adding personality or practical advice.?

This will make the emails flat and unengaging, to the point where people will stop opening or unsubscribe.

But it doesn’t have to be that way…?

So what follows is the first step to creating passionate, engaging and useful emails using AI to do all the legwork and 99% of the writing for you.?

OK, Let’s start with Scheduling Your Email Content

First, you need to think about the kind of topics you want your emails to cover..?

Here’s a prompt you could kick things off with:

“I want you to act as my email marketing expert. I am the owner of a [BUSINESS TYPE], offering [PRODUCT] for [TYPE OF CUSTOMER]. I would like to give you a quick profile of that customer so that you can come up with hot content ideas for my free twice-weekly email newsletter. My customer is [DESCRIPTION OF WHO THEY ARE] who would like to [ACHIEVE GOAL] They would also [AVOID PROBLEMS].?

Here’s an example:

“I want you to act as my email marketing expert. I am the owner of a small start-up internet publishing business, offering books, courses and newsletters for people who make craft items that they sell on Etsy. I would like to give you a quick profile of that customer so that you can come up with engaging content ideas for my free twice-weekly email newsletter. My customer is a person who has a regular job, but enjoys crafting and wants to earn an independent income from it. They would also like to avoid hassle, stress, negative feedback and the other pitfalls of online selling.”

The AI might reply:

Thank you for providing that information! Based on your customer profile, here are some content ideas for your free email newsletter that may be of interest:

1. Tips for crafting success: You can provide your customers with practical tips and advice on how to improve their crafting skills and make their products more appealing to potential buyers. This could include tips on product design, packaging, and branding.
2. Time-saving techniques: Since your customers likely have full-time jobs, they may be looking for ways to maximise their time and streamline their crafting process. You can provide them with time-saving techniques that can help them produce more products in less time.
3. How to avoid negative feedback: Negative feedback can be discouraging for sellers on platforms like Etsy. You can provide your customers with tips on how to avoid negative feedback, such as by providing excellent customer service and communicating clearly with buyers.
4. Marketing and promotion strategies: For your customers to succeed on Etsy, they need to be able to effectively market and promote their products. You can provide them with strategies and tactics for promoting their products, such as by using social media, participating in online communities, and offering discounts or promotions.
5. Productivity and mindset: Your customers may also be looking for tips on how to stay motivated and productive, even when balancing a full-time job and a crafting business. You can provide them with insights on how to stay focused, manage their time effectively, and maintain a positive mindset.

Etc… etc…

You can now ask for additional content ideas.

“Please come up with X more content ideas”.

The AI will then produce more for you. Beware that these are broad content ideas.?

You will need to narrow it down.

“Now can you give me X specific email newsletter topics for each of these X ideas.”

It will then break down those topics into narrower subjects, like this:

1. Tips for crafting success:

• How to Choose the Right Colours and Materials for Your Craft Products
• Simple Ways to Make Your Products More Eye-Catching and Appealing to Buyers
• Tips for Setting Prices that are Competitive and Fair

2. Time-saving techniques:

• How to Streamline Your Crafting Process and Make More Products in Less Time
• Time Management Tips for Crafters Who Have a Full-Time Job
• Tools and Resources for Automating Your Crafting Business

3. How to avoid negative feedback:

• Strategies for Handling Negative Feedback from Buyers on Etsy
• How to Proactively Communicate with Your Buyers to Prevent Negative Feedback
• Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selling on Etsy to Prevent Negative Feedback

4. Marketing and promotion strategies:

• Social Media Marketing Strategies for Etsy Sellers
• How to Build a Strong Brand Identity for Your Etsy Shop
• Promotional Strategies for Encouraging Repeat Business and Referrals…

There’s more, but you get the idea…

Now that you’ve got an idea for what kind of content you’ll provide, it’s time to make a schedule. ?

Ask it: “I would like to create a schedule of twice weekly newsletters for the next 2 months. Please can you supply the topics and subject lines.”

Here’s a likely response:

Week 1:

• Tuesday: Tips for crafting success: How to Choose the Right Colours and Materials for Your Craft Products
• Thursday: Showcasing success stories: Inspiring Stories of Etsy Sellers Who Grew Their Businesses from Side Hustle to Full-Time Job

Week 2:

• Tuesday: Time-saving techniques: Time Management Tips for Crafters Who Have a Full-Time Job
• Thursday: Marketing and promotion strategies: How to Build a Strong Brand Identity for Your Etsy Shop

Week 3:

• Tuesday: How to avoid negative feedback: Strategies for Handling Negative Feedback from Buyers on Etsy
• Thursday: Providing updates on industry trends: Emerging Trends in Craft Product Design and How to Stay Ahead of the Curve

Week 4:

• Tuesday: Productivity and mindset: The Importance of Self-Care for Crafters Juggling a Full-Time Job and a Business
• Thursday: Sharing customer testimonials: 5-Star Reviews from Happy Customers: Why Our Products are the Best Choice for Your Business

Week 5:

• Tuesday: Tips for crafting success: Simple Ways to Make Your Products More Eye-Catching and Appealing to Buyers
• Thursday: Offering exclusive discounts and promotions: Early Access to New Product Launches for Email Subscribers

Week 6:

• Tuesday: Time-saving techniques: How to Streamline Your Crafting Process and Make More Products in Less Time
• Thursday: Providing resources and tools: The Ultimate Guide to Building a Successful Crafting Business from Scratch

Week 7:

• Tuesday: How to avoid negative feedback: Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selling on Etsy to Prevent Negative Feedback
• Thursday: Showcasing success stories: How One Seller Overcame Obstacles and Challenges to Build a Thriving Crafting Business

Week 8:

• Tuesday: Marketing and promotion strategies: Social Media Marketing Strategies for Etsy Sellers
• Thursday: Providing updates on industry trends: How the Pandemic is Affecting the Crafting Industry and What it Means for Your Business

Week 9:

• Tuesday: Productivity and mindset: Mindset Shifts to Help You Stay Motivated and Focused as a Side Hustle Crafter
• Thursday: Sharing customer testimonials: How Our Support Team Helped One Customer Overcome Obstacles and Build a Thriving Business

Week 10:

• Tuesday: Tips for crafting success: Tips for Setting Prices that are Competitive and Fair
• Thursday: Offering exclusive discounts and promotions: Limited-Time Discount Offer for Email Subscribers Only

Week 11:

1. Tuesday: Time-saving techniques: Tools and Resources for Automating Your Crafting Business
2. Thursday: Providing resources and tools: How to Choose the Right Crafting Tools and Equipment for Your Business: A Comprehensive Guide

Week 12:

• Tuesday: How to avoid negative feedback: Proactively Communicating with Your Buyers to Prevent Negative Feedback
• Thursday: Showcasing success stories: The Secret Ingredients to Success as a Crafter on Etsy: Lessons from Top Sellers

Now you have a rough guide to get you started. You can tweak and adjust this however you like.

OK, now let’s run through another example...

“I want you to act as my email marketing expert. I am the owner of an internet publishing business, offering books, courses and consultancy to help small business owners use social media more effectively. I would like to give you a quick profile of that customer so that you can come up with hot content ideas for my free twice-weekly email newsletter. My customer is a freelancer, sole trader or owner of a small business or home business. They struggle with social media because they lack time, experience and marketing knowledge. They would like to use it to find new customers, grow their online visibility and make more sales but without the pitfalls, stresses and obstacles.”

The AI will respond with a short, general list.?

1. Quick social media tips for small business owners: Share tips and tricks that can help your customers use social media more efficiently and effectively. You can provide tips on creating engaging content, managing multiple social media accounts, increasing engagement and followers, and measuring the impact of social media on their business.
2. Case studies of successful small businesses on social media: Share inspiring stories of small businesses who have successfully used social media to grow their online visibility, reach new customers, and increase sales. This can help your customers understand how social media can work for their business and motivate them to take action.
3. Q&A sessions with social media experts: Host Q&A sessions with social media experts, where your customers can ask questions and get personalised advice. This can help them overcome any obstacles or challenges they may face while using social media.
4. Social media tools and resources for small business owners: Share tools, resources, and software that can help your customers streamline their social media efforts. This can include tools for scheduling posts, creating graphics, tracking performance, and managing social media ads.

You ask it “Give me X more ideas” to expand the list.

Now ask it to create the schedule: “I would like to create a schedule of twice weekly newsletters for the next 2 months. Please can you supply the topics and details.”

The AI will respond:

Week 1:

1. Quick Tips for Creating Engaging Social Media Content for Small Business Owners
2. Social Media Success Story: How One Small Business Used Instagram to Increase Sales

Week 2:?

1. Common Social Media Mistakes Small Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them
2. How to Create a Social Media Marketing Plan in 5 Simple Steps

Week 3:?

1. Expert Q&A: Answering Small Business Owner’s Questions on Social Media Marketing
2. Case Study: How One Small Business Owner Increased Engagement on Facebook by 200%

Etc… etc…

In this case, you might find that the AI is being too general, focusing on ‘social media’ where you might want to have specific emails on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook or Twitter.?

So you would get it to try the schedule again:

Can you do this again, but include various different options for social media, eg. different networks and platforms, the pros and cons and how to use them?

The AI will respond with:

Here are 16 more content ideas for your twice-weekly newsletters that will cover various social media platforms, their pros and cons, and how small business owners can effectively use them:

Week 1:

1. Choosing the Right Social Media Platform for Your Small Business: A Comprehensive Guide
2. How to Use Instagram to Build Your Small Business Brand and Attract More Customers

Week 2: 3. The Pros and Cons of Facebook for Small Business Owners: A Deep Dive

1. Small Business Social Media Success Story: How One Business Used Twitter to Boost Engagement

Week 3: 5. LinkedIn for Small Business Owners: Tips and Strategies for Increasing Your Professional Network

1. The Power of Video on Social Media: How to Use YouTube to Grow Your Small Business

Week 4: 7. How to Use Pinterest to Drive Traffic to Your Small Business Website and Boost Sales

1. The Pros and Cons of Snapchat for Small Business Owners: Is It Right for You

ETC ETC

You can keep running it through the AI until you get what you want OR you can cut ‘n’ paste it into Word and manually tweak and adapt the schedule.?

Of course, while planning ahead is important, there will be news items, shocks and surprises that might require you to create something more topical.?

So be prepared to switch around the schedule closer to the time.?

Right, I think that’s enough for today!?

Try following the stages above and schedule your newsletter content for the next few weeks (or months).?

What next?

It’s time to start gathering some interesting and relevant content.

I’ll show you how next time…