A rapidly growing industry means just as rapid innovation and technology. Self-publishers have access to a plethora of tools ready in their hands. Even for those with little to no writing experience, there is a library of opportunities to still creative and compelling content.
The most popular have been part of a very long debate: Ghostwriters vs AI-powered language models like Chat GPT. Which one is best?
Whether you are looking for a more cost-effective option or a more personalized approach, both still bring in the bucks. Let’s compare and contrast.
Chat GPT
If you aren’t already aware, Chat GPT is a sophisticated language model that utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to generate human-like text. It can write on any topic and produce content instantly.
Recently Google and other platforms have been trying to crack down on how the technology is used. Amazon KDP especially, for example, is trying to figure out the guidelines of AI being considered a form of plagiarism, any work used solely by AI will run the risk of the publisher’s account getting terminated. However, if you’re not using it to manipulate the algorithm and if it is used appropriately, then you will not be going against any guidelines.
“AI doesn’t give any special gains or high rank. It only gives content.” voices Sean Dollwet, founder of Royalty Hero.
Like any tool, it comes with its fair share of pros and cons:
PROS:
Time efficient: This AI tool can produce content at a faster rate than ghostwriters, which makes it a beautiful option for publishers with tight deadlines.
Cost-effective: If you want to save on the cost of hiring a ghostwriter, odds are this software works for you.
Unlimited writing capacity: As previously mentioned, it can produce content on any topic and at any length. So if you want to produce content quickly, this may be a thought-provoking option.
CONS:
Lack of personal touch: While the program can produce engaging content, it still lacks the personal touch that comes with a human ghostwriter.
Quality concerns: There can be the risk of concerns regarding Chat GPT’s accuracy and coherence of the text, especially regarding complex topics.
Limited creativity: The AI can produce engaging and informative content, but it also lacks the creativity and originality that a human writer can bring to the table.
Think of Chat GPT as a ready-to-go Wikipedia. First thought that comes to mind, topic, or question, type in GPT’s search bar and then you will get an instant burst of information or content.
There are misconceptions regarding how Chat GPT can be used, everywhere there are videos of how it can write books, scripts, etc. This is HUGELY misleading primarily for plagiarism risks.
Again reiterating why it is important to know that Chat GPT should be used to only help with your brainstorming for what content to use. It can never replace your voice and direction.
Sean explains, “Use AI as a tool and always focus on creating high-quality books, add your voice, and add your input and you should be good to go.”
Ghostwriters
These are professional writers who are hired to write books, articles, and any other content on behalf of someone else. They can work on any topic and produce high-quality, engaging content that is tailored to the needs of the client.
“If you want to order a bunch of books, save yourself a lot of money, and scale fast, then you go for ghostwriting,” says Sean.
Time to break down the pros and cons of this personal tool...
PROS
Personal touch: Ghostwriters work closely with their clients to ensure that the content meets their needs and reflects their voice and style.
High-quality content: As mentioned before, these are professional writers who are hired to produce top-quality content, tailored to your needs as their client.
Flexibility: Ghostwriters can also work on any topic and can produce content at any length, making them an excellent option for self-publishers with a need for custom content.
CONS
Time-consuming: Typically producing content, Ghostwriters do take significantly longer, which may not be as ideal for publishers looking to produce content quicker.
Costly: Especially for cost-efficient purposes and longer projects, hiring ghostwriters can definitely run the risk of breaking the bank.
Limited writing capacity: Whether based on how much they are paid or how much they can produce themselves, ghostwriters can only produce a finite amount of content in a given time frame. This may be limiting for publishers who need to produce a lot of content quickly.
This is not to say that ghostwriting won’t bring you success.
“I’ve published over 200 books and I’ve used ghostwriting companies over 100 times. So half the books I’ve written in my lifetime are ghostwritten,” says Sean, who was able to earn over 6 figures through Amazon KDP.
Another con is that it is hard to find a good or trustworthy ghostwriter. Thankfully, courses like Royalty Hero, also save the trouble of searching and researching credible Ghostwriting companies by giving a vetted list of Ghostwriting companies that are world-class and many have been used by their founder.
The Verdict
Both platforms are efficient in their own ways, and both have a commonality: it’s important to use these as a tool and not a replacement. Your input, your voice, and your ideas should be the focus of your writing.
Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on your goals and preferences as an author. Ghostwriters are viable for instances where you want a more personalized touch and greater control over the writing process.
Chat GPT is definitely the most cost-efficient and effective solution for anybody looking to publish quickly with minimal effort. Each of them comes with their own unique strengths and limitations, which should be dissected in a very careful process and all needs should be accounted for.
As technology continues to advance and new tools become available, the publishing industry will undoubtedly continue to evolve, giving authors more options to choose from. Regardless of the path picked, the most important factor is to create high-quality content that resonates with your readers and helps you build a loyal fanbase.