If you’re a content marketer looking for ways to speed up your writing process, you’re in the right place. Here, I list my top five AI tools every content marketer should use to deliver high-quality content. Spoiler alert: I don’t use Open AI ChatGPT.

1. Jasper AI

Jasper AI is one of my favorite and most dependable writing tools as a content marketer. I stumbled upon it in 2021, and despite its steep pricing plan, I availed of it to expedite my drafting process. A dozen templates are available; you can feed them information about the writing style, voice, tone, etc.

Source: Jasper

The best part about using Jasper AI is that I don’t need to do the legwork on prompts. You can create your brand library, and Jasper will work things out. To be honest, most of the time, the output is almost as if written by a human.

2. Perplexity AI

Perplexity AI gathers all the information from search results in real-time. It writes like ChatGPT but with a twist of scholarly-ish output. You’ll find reputable links, case studies, and research papers as your sources from the content it produces.

Source: Perplexity AI

This is highly recommended if you’re heavily writing long-form, comprehensive, data-filled articles. It can also generate real-time information from company sites. I use this when fact-checking statements and statistics.

If you sign up and subscribe to the Pro plan ($20/month) using my link, you’ll get a $10 discount on your first month.

3. Monica

You can install Monica as your AI personal assistant as a browser extension. It’s actually free, but there’s also the paid version for advanced features. What I like about this tool is that you can read and summarize a page. It’s perfect during your research or for inspiration from your next write-up.

Source: Monica

It has a chat feature, so you can literally ask anything under the sun or if you feel stuck while writing. If you’re too lazy to use Google search, Monica has its search feature and can spit out a few articles on the latest news and trends.

4. Grammarly’s AI assistance

I’ve used Grammarly for many years as my proofreading and editing assistant. But what I find helpful is the generative AI assistance, which is the answer to your writer’s block.

As of this time, I can use up to 1,000 prompts to edit work by checking the content gaps in the article, what to improve, missing sections that are appropriate to add, and more. When you ask for ideas for improvement, you’ll be delighted with the suggestions that will make it easier to tie the loose ends in your article.

5. Notta

Working on recordings and need the transcriptions for your piece? Notta can deliver it. It’s pretty helpful if you’re working on thought-leadership articles that consist of interviews with people.

Source: Notta

The freemium account is enough for 120 minutes per month and allows you to transcribe up to 5 minutes per audio or video file. You’ll find speaker identification on the transcript, making it easier to organize quotes or statements from the speaker.

AI Tools Are Assistants, and Humans Remain Indispensable

There you have it — AI tools that content marketers can use. If you’re after speed and convenience, I recommend using these tools. If you’d asked me which is my favorite, that would be Jasper and Perplexity AI.

Sometimes, it’s tempting to rely on AI tools when the currency is speed and time, but remember that it takes the human brain to add personalization and emotions to the content.

Let me know your thoughts about using AI in your writing process, and feel free to share what you’re using in the comments section.

Google’s latest content update comes like a hurricane, upending the house of cards constructed by keyword-stuffed, SEO-overload strategies.

Ready to weather this storm and convert it into tailwinds for your content journey?

Let’s sidestep trivial, overused tactics and transform your narrative under the spotlight of Google’s ‘Helpful Content’ update. Like the after-effects of a supernova, this single shift in Google’s algorithm can ripple across your marketing cosmos, affecting everything from how you construct your blogs to the core of your brand storytelling.

Understanding Google’s Helpful Content Update: A Game Changer for B2B Marketers

Google’s October 2023 Core Update is a significant change in its search algorithm that aims to promote authoritative, trustworthy, and helpful content while downgrading low-quality sites.

This update follows the September 2023 Helpful Content Update, which targeted content primarily created for ranking well in search engines rather than to help or inform people.

For B2B marketers, these updates have substantial implications:

1. Focus on quality and relevance: The updates emphasize the importance of creating high-quality, user-centric content that genuinely helps and informs the audience. B2B marketers must provide in-depth information about their products or services, offer expert insights, and address common questions or challenges their audience might have.
2. Shift from SEO tactics: The updates are considered game changers as they shift the focus from SEO tactics to creating high-quality, user-centric content. This necessitates changing B2B marketing strategies, moving from purely SEO-focused content to content that provides real value to the audience.
3. Impact on the site visibility: The updates also affect a site’s visibility on Google Discover and other Google platforms, further emphasizing the importance of high-quality content.
4. Need for regular content review: In case of a traffic drop post-update, Google advises site owners to self-assess and improve or remove unhelpful content. This highlights the need for regular content review and updates.
5. Adaptation to changing B2B buying journey: The B2B buying journey has become increasingly complex, with buyers engaging in a looping process across different buying jobs. B2B marketers need to adapt their strategies accordingly, ensuring their content addresses the various stages of this journey and meet the evolving needs of their audience.

Content auditing and updating are indeed game changers for B2B content marketers. They underscore the importance of creating high-quality, user-centric content that satisfies readers’ expectations.

What is Google’s Helpful Content Update?

Google, known for its regularly updated search algorithms, rolled out another update called the Helpful Content Update. A buzz-worthy jargon in the SEO world, it intends to favor the quality of content over mere keyword stuffing.

The Helpful Content Update lauds content that meets user intent over ‘optimized’ content that relies heavily on SEO keywords.

This significant shift values context, relevance, and utility above all. Simply put, Google encourages written content that gives users the answer they seek rather than redundant, keyword-heavy pieces.

Imagine a pyramid with three layers:

1. Top layer (User intent): This is the most important layer in the context of Google’s Helpful Content Update. It represents the need to understand and cater to the user’s intent. This means creating content that genuinely helps and informs the audience, addressing their questions, problems, or needs.
2. Middle layer (Content quality and relevance): This layer represents the need for high-quality, relevant content. The content should be well-researched, informative, and engaging. It should provide in-depth information about the topic, offer expert insights, and be relevant to the user’s intent.
3. Bottom layer (SEO tactics): This is the base of the pyramid, representing SEO tactics. While SEO is still important, the Helpful Content Update emphasizes that it should not be the primary focus. Instead, SEO should support the creation of high-quality, user-centric content.

Why is this update significant for B2B content marketers?

Following Google’s new update, the rules of the game for content marketers, especially B2B, have changed significantly. While keywords remain essential, understanding your audience’s intent and providing them with valuable content must be your priority rather than the technical — although the latter has its use.

B2B businesses usually cater to specialized, knowledgeable audiences seeking specific, detailed solutions. Hence, informative, high-quality content that offers substantial value is likely to rank higher on the search engine results page (SERP).

Moreover, the Helpful Content update also offers an opportunity for B2B marketers with niche products or services. As Google prioritizes content that meets the user’s intent, even less-searched long-tail keywords can rank if they appropriately address the searcher’s query.

The Helpful Content Update sheds light on the significance of good, value-adding content and why B2B content marketers should quickly adapt and thrive in this new era.

Adapting Your B2B Content Strategy to Google’s Helpful Content Update

Now, search engines want to see content that speaks the language of your audience and addresses their pain points.

Going beyond your product or service, relevant content digs into the challenges your target audience faces. It allows you to demonstrate your understanding of the industry and present your offering as a solution.

Vague, generic content won’t cut it. Authenticity and specificity are the keys to winning over your audience and Google’s updated algorithm.

Optimize your content according to HCU guidelines

Success in the age of Google’s Helpful Content Update depends on your ability to align with its objectives. Focus on creating content that is not only engaging but also comprehensive and meticulously researched.

Here are some pointers to get started.

• Use analytics to understand what issues your audience cares about and craft content that addresses these in depth.
• Employ on-page SEO techniques like meta tags, alt tags, and internal linking. They make your content more legible for search engines and are critical for enhancing user experience. Optimizing for mobile compatibility also goes a long way, with a significant portion of B2B decisions now made on mobile.
• Revisit old content. Update outdated information, enhance it with new findings or insights, and remove anything that no longer aligns with Google’s focus on relevance and quality.

Craft high-quality, relevant B2B marketing content

Crafting content that suffices these high standards of quality and relevance may seem daunting initially.

However, a few standard practices can pave the way.

• Strive to go beyond the surface level and go deep into the subject of your choosing.
• Make your content enriched with actionable insights, data-driven solutions, and innovative ideas. This level of detail not only makes your content compelling but also sets it apart from the rest.
• Do not hesitate to experiment with different content formats. Infographics, podcasts, webinars, whitepapers, and engaging in these various mediums broaden your audience base and cater to their varying preferences.

With an intricate blend of creativity and strategy, high-quality and relevant content in B2B marketing can be an attainable feat.

Improve the user experience on your B2B website

But how can you ensure your B2B website delivers an excellent user experience?

The answer lies in addressing three main areas: relevance, accessibility, and functionality.

• A site must offer high-quality, pertinent content that immediately meets users’ needs (relevance). It should also be easy to navigate, with well-organized content and device compatibility.
• All elements of the site should perform effectively with little to no errors.
• Consider adding tools such as contact forms, chatbots, and click-to-call widgets.

Also, visual appeal and load speed impact how users perceive and interact with your site. Allocate resources to design elements and site optimization to ensure a seamless, fast, and pleasing user experience.

Play it right, work with an expert to level up your B2B content strategy

Great content is more than just keywords and hacks — it’s about being genuinely helpful, presenting real solutions, and marrying your offerings with Google’s updated approach.

The B2B content world is shifting, prioritizing valuable, user-focused content above all. Mastering this new landscape is synonymous with mastering the Helpful Content Updates.

It’s power in your hands: better relationships with your audience, improved online visibility, and deep-rooted credibility in your niche.

Now, your plan is clear: Take a fresh inventory of your current content, align your strategies with Google’s new preferences, and invest in creating content that is evergreen, authentic, and laser-focused on solving your customers’ pressing issues.

A quick question: how will you use this understanding to personalize your B2B content strategy for next year?

It’s one thing to write for business. I need to follow style guides, SEO, keywords, and all that stuff. For nine years, I’ve been doing that — the nooks and crannies are too familiar. Too mundane.

I realized that I’ve fallen out of love with this craft, and everything I write seems like crap. Writing has become a duty rather than a delight. That’s when I realized I need a breather.

So, I’m going back to my credo: Write for the sake of writing.

I’ll revive this blog and turn it as my haven to be creative and find myself again… my style, voice, and tone.

Will you join me?

I deactivated my personal Facebook and Instagram accounts. I just logged in for business accounts or marketing activities for my clients. I’m glad I did. Such a decision also helped me with the following:

#1 I dealt with FOMO

I knew I had this FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) when I found myself scrolling and scrolling feeds for hours during weekends. I realized I was wasting most of my time snooping other peoples’ lives. Too much time on Facebook led me to feel I’m not keeping up with everyone. I don’t want to miss what’s interesting, what’s hot, what’s happening to whom, to where, and when.

Finally, when I deactivated and enjoyed just living my life offline, I don’t care anymore if I miss anything. Life has so much to offer when I’m focusing on what I have right now rather than wishing for the “if onlys.”

#2 More time on my online courses and learning other stuff

I still have a lot of courses to finish on HubSpot, Udemy, and the 5 Days To Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt. Throughout the day, I have 1 or 2 hours break time or slack time. These are the times where my laptop is already running low. So, I make the most out of the 1 or 2 finishing courses using my mobile devices or writing in my journal.

I also discovered and internalized my limiting beliefs from Michael’s course, which stop me from achieving something. Or accomplish that specific goal. Well. I wrote there that I don’t have time to do this and that. Little did I know I have a lot of spare time to do that, thanks to this digital detox.

#3 Controlled communications

I still use my Messenger, though. And that’s the only app I can’t let go for now as most of my communications with friends and clients are there. Facebook allows account deactivation, but users can still use the Messenger. But one thing that I like about this season was I had full control of the communications. I only communicated with people who are within my closest social circle.

Less noise, fewer notifications, and more time to listen to their needs or whatever they wish to talk about. I realized how important it is to set boundaries in communication these days. It’s not that I’m selfish or what. But we also have to weigh in how we spend our time and with whom.

I like what Annie Dillard said, and leaving you this quote from her book “The Writing Life.”

How about you? How do you spend your time lately?

But I chose not to. I’d rather keep things for myself (and less social media for personal use) and build good habits at work and writing.

I realized I have a lot of ideas and planning last year, but they didn’t happen because I wasn’t consistent.

I realized I am equipped and well-trained in my industry where I am thriving but not enough action. Well, ideas are good, but without action plan and consistency, I can’t make things happen.

I remember I love posting my goals and plans on my Facebook feed last year. I have achieved some of them.

Some of them but not all.

So for this year, I’ve listed my bad habits and good habits.

Let’s see how this goes.

Hopeful and excited for 2019.

Through writing, I express my ideas to humans and NOT  to search engines. And though I’m living in the age of SEO and Latinate nouns such as implementation and utilization, I need to write like a human and for humans.

Here’s an excerpt from the Business Writing chapter.

“Actually a simple style is the result of hard work and hard thinking; a muddled style reflects a muddled thinker or a person too arrogant, or too dumb, or too lazy to organize his thoughts. Remember that what you write is often the only chance you’ll get to present yourself to someone whose business or money or good will you need.”

I’m trying to close the gap between the writer and the industry expert within. I have been challenging myself to apply Zinsser’s four tenets of good writing to my daily tasks, whether writing blogs, website copies, or social media captions.

#1 Clarity

When I don’t understand what I’m writing, I’d have to rewrite it and recite it to myself.

If it’s not clear to me, how can the reader understand it?

I like what Zinnser wrote, “If it’s not clear you might as well not write it. You might as well stay in bed.”

#2 Simplicity

Use words that are part of daily conversations. It’s easier said than done. It is hard to do it, especially when I’m writing about technology or explaining an integrated system of a platform.

But I realized that more syrupy words make me sound like an arrogant tech writer who only cares about myself rather than the reader.

A note to myself: “Stop trying to sound smart. Simple, succinct sentences make the reader smart.”

#3 Brevity

Avoid Latinate nouns. Use -ion sparingly. One to two syllables should be my best friends, and I should always write up to 20 words per sentence.

How can I make the reader’s life easy? Brevity is the key.

As Zinsser put it, “Don’t say anything in writing that you wouldn’t comfortably say in conversation. Writing is talking to someone else on paper or on a screen.”

#4 Humanity

It takes a lot of practice to “sound” and write like a human these days.

But that’s what makes writing fun and at the same time tedious and grueling at times (well, most of the time).

To be human in writing, whether online or on-print is to be myself, to find my unique voice and embrace it.

—

For seven years working as a freelance writer and copywriter, writing itself is a humbling profession where no one becomes a master.

Nobody becomes an expert in writing. Every author, every pro, and even Zinsser himself will tell us he will always be an apprentice in his craft.

Tonight, I am committed to striving for progress on writing well.

To wrap up my “night,” here’s a sweet, short reminder: Balance is the key. And these are the things I learned this week.

#1 On Writing: “Take small breaks for some fresh eyes and ideas.”

[Meme credit via WorldWideInterweb]

I’m glad I finally built this habit of taking small breaks when I write. When I’m already in the zone, it’s difficult to maintain the momentum if you break the creative flow. But I realized that sometimes, a break can also be a gateway to glean fresh ideas.

2. On Productivity: “If you can do it and finish it in 5 minutes, do it.”

[Meme credit via WorldWideInterweb]

I want to be intentional with this new habit. I want to explore this strategy and see if it really works in all areas – at work, some errands, ministry activities, etc. So far, I feel that I’ve finished and accomplished a lot this week. And it’s just Thursday! Yay!

3. On Creativity: “READ. So you can write. There’s no other way.”

[Meme credit via WorldWideInterweb]

That’s pretty straightforward. And most of the time, especially for us writers and creatives, it’s easy to find a sweet escape when we’re out of creative juices. I discovered that reading (or consuming more content) could ignite ideas.

And most of all, breathe in, breathe out.

SMILE.

Capping the Fri-yay night with a blurb. Too emotional the past few days especially today and I’m still learning to cope up with the little inconveniences and the broken stuff.

I was in Manila since Sunday morning and back in my sacred space at home Thursday morning. There’s something about solitude, rural life, and the blue skies from my home office, which give me superpowers once I settled in.

The superpower to step back for a little while and pause. To recalibrate again and again to make sure the creative juices are up and running. A lot of things on my mind lately but I chose to “will things,” meaning, despite “not feeling well” to write or to create, I do it.

I realized it takes a patient, disciplined creative soul to show up when she doesn’t feel like showing up. And frankly, I’m still a work in progress. But there’s one thing I’ve learned from the past few days of the hustle and bustle of life: the show must go on.

Here’s an Instagram post that inspired me to write this short blog tonight. I hope we will be reminded that even if the show must go on, we also need to rest.

Happy weekend to all the striving creatives!

In this blog post, I want to share what I discovered during my stay last September 2017.

Dean and Marcelle, the villa owners, shared with me their dream and why they built their stunning private estate in Bohol. They’re both contagious and passionate about their vision.

When they invited me to visit the private villa, that was my second time to explore Bohol. What a surprise to see the other side and discover these things to do.

Travel tip: When traveling, never lose your sense of wonder even to the little things.

#1 The calming view of the sea from the Anda coastal road

The calming view made me appreciate more of nature and the rural life. The approximately 90-minute ride and the sceneries gave me a glimpse of our weeklong holiday. Away from Tagbilaran city and the touristy, noisy Panglao island, that was my first time to see the other side of Bohol – what a surprise to discover Anda’s hidden gems.

#2 A private, intimate place with a unique niche concept

The idea of renting out your luxury estate villa is a unique niche concept in the Philippine tourism market. (If you only knew how many gazillion inquiries we received since the website launch – visitors kept asking if they can rent a room, where in fact, we already have a page and information about the villa concept). But veteran luxury travelers, especially those who have been in Indonesia and Thailand, are familiar with the concept of villa rentals. I must say that renting the whole place is economical for groups such as family holidays, executive getaways, and destination weddings, allowing them to enjoy the amenities privately.

#3 Refreshing Guindulman Bay scenery

What a refreshing sight to behold when you just relax, do nothing or sit on these sun loungers, overlooking the pristine blue waters of Guindulman Bay. The stillness and solitude of the place gave me unspeakable contentment.

#4 Relaxing massage against the backdrop of a glorious sunset

What more could I ask for if my work involves chasing sunsets, taking photos of this view and then a relaxing massage against this backdrop? The photo I’ve taken doesn’t do it justice. You have to see it and experience it yourself. It’s beyond words to describe that moment.

#5 A wealth of marine species below the villa

There’s direct private access to a protected marine sanctuary below the villa. May, (the villa manager) assisted me, and we went down through the private staircase. I snorkeled and explored the wealth of species below. What an amazing experience to hang out with those colorful fishes and corals and the giant clams, which made my stay memorable. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a turtle. The staff provided me the snorkeling gears and life jacket to ensure my safety.

There’s an entrance fee at the marine sanctuary, plus an additional fee for your personal guide who will be with you.

#6 Andakidz Mangrove boardwalk and TAFIAS’ tasty products

We visited TAFIAS (Talisay Fisherman’s Association) and had a chance to explore their Andakidz mangrove boardwalk. The Andakidz project was turned over to TAFIAS management for development. TAFIAS is a non-profit organization that aims to empower local women from low or no-income families with children to build the income by helping them learn new skills.

But wait, there’s more!

TAFIAS also sells tasty local products, and I never thought there’s such thing called “Tilapia chips.” Food makes me excited. LOL! What’s more, they’re low-carb and available in different flavors. When you buy these local products, you are also supporting the women’s livelihood.

Other products you must try: Hot chili flavored ice cream

#7 Powder white sand beaches in and around Anda

My personal tour guide knows the hidden gems in Anda. He brought me to these powder white sand beaches scattered around the villa. They’re perfect for your morning walks and picnics.

#8 Beautiful rice terraces and waterfalls

If you’re a nature lover, you will definitely explore the other hidden gems around the villa such as the Cadapdapan rice terraces and Can-Umantad waterfalls. I enjoyed the lush views and the company of the residents and children frolicking around the waterfalls.

#9 Exploring Anda pool caves

Your trip won’t be complete without experiencing the pool caves in and around Anda. My tour guide and I went pool-cave hopping and took some photos of the kids and residents as they play and swim.

Don’t expect a luxurious cave pool. Anda is still an emerging tourist spot so there are no bath stalls where you can take a shower.

You may want to bring a bottle of sunblock, towels, toiletries, handy wet wipes and tons of water to keep you hydrated (and snacks). If you’re traveling with friends and family, better spend half or the whole day cave hopping or add nature trips around Anda.

#10 Hidden diving spots for the curious and adventurous

Another highlight that I should say took my breath away: explored some of the hidden diving spots.

I suggest you wear comfortable sandals because some places require a little bit of hike here and there. Check out the photo above. It’s worth it.

#11 The ancient Lamanok Island

The place was featured on “Biyahe ni Drew.” We had to get on board the “bangka” a small wooden boat to get to the island. Tour guides highly suggest visiting the place during mornings and low tides. Residents believe that the Lamanok Island is the “Cradle of Civilization.” It’s home to the famous red hematite paintings, which the residents claim as signs of early civilization.

It was a thrilling experience to be on board that little boat as we paddle from the dock to the island itself. Make sure you bring your hiking or comfy sandals with you as you explore the place. Photos of those petrographs, eerie skulls, and ancient coffins in your camera or smartphone will serve as souvenirs of your Anda trip.

#12 Century-old acacia tree

We passed by this century-old acacia tree. I’m not sure if you’ll be interested in it, but I just wanted to take a photo of that huge tree! Imagine, this tree stood the test of time! It’s planted near a public school, and only a few meters walk from the main road.

#13 SUP (Stand-Up Paddle) board along Loboc River to Busay falls

It was one of the most satisfying and relaxing activities in this trip as we – a certified SUP instructor and I – paddled up the famous Loboc River all the way to the Busay falls. I’m writing in the context that I’m physically active and I don’t mind paddling up a few hours across an 8KM-10KM stretch of calm waters for some upper body exercises.

#14 Serenity after a day’s worth of fun and adventure

Vacation at its core is all about rest, serenity, and enjoyment. I must say that the Southeast coast of Bohol offers a variety of options for all kinds of travelers. Aside from the sumptuous dinner prepared by the private chef and restaurant staff, I enjoyed the solitude at the villa on a starry night.

Disclaimer: This blog post was written in partnership with Pure Shores Villa. Photos are All Rights Reserved. For bookings, you can contact me directly for an exclusive discount.

The aftermath of my vertigo attack last week taught me how to be intentional in making choices.

Intentional in making the right choices when it comes to food, things-to-do, what to do, and priorities this year. During my stay in Manila this week, I learned 5 things that inspired me to improve my creative life and productivity.

#1 Never lose your sense of wonder

It’s overwhelming to keep up with the things-to-do. But sometimes to create and get fresh ideas, I need to step back from the fast lane for a while and pause. Look up and appreciate the blue skies. The air I breathe. Waking up without the dizzy spells.

#2 A digital detox is nice

I had a digital detox, specifically less consumption on social media feeds so I can focus more on work and avoid distractions. I realized how hooked I was into social media with all the likes and cheers I get from my keto journey. I think moderation is the key.

#3 Be humble and say sorry

In one of my client meetings, I was impressed with how the outsourced web developer managed to say sorry to the entire team for dropping the ball last month. We were supposed to finish the client’s website last year. And we were all waiting and chasing him around. There was silence for a moment. But I sure hope he won’t drop the ball this time. I also want to finish the website ASAP.

#4 Time is precious, stop worrying

I realized there’s so much more to life than worrying about little things and past mistakes. Bad choices, emotional rollercoaster rides, and much more. Every second count. So the whole week I was in Manila, I made sure that even the slack time – while stuck in the traffic – I was doing something to spark my creativity (e.g., listen to podcasts).

#5 Take risks but spare your heart

There’s wisdom in being cautious. And being an INFP with a Compliance-Steadiness personality, it’s hard for me to take risks. Regarding business, finances, and writing, I’d like to be more of a risk-taker this year.

As long as it’s aligned with my goals, priorities, convictions, and values, I’d go for it.

But… when it comes to the matters of the heart, I’d rather guard it until further notice. (LOL).