I've been STUCK, Reader.

This year, I really want to get back to writing more of my own content and publishing regularly.

I do this for a living. It should be even easier to apply what I do for my clients to myself, right?

Well, Cobbler's shoes and all that. But I just can't fucking do it.

There's always something dragging me back to the void like a sleep-paralysis demon—leaving me sitting in the dark in a puddle of my own sweat, questioning why I'm even here.

And lately, that thing is content ideation.

Coming up with content ideas for my clients is one of the most fun parts of my job. I get to do research and play with ideas without limiting myself.

Couldn't I just force myself to do all the things I do for other people?

So, I went over to ChatGPT, my secret side piece, for a little instant gratification.

You see, ChatGPT and I have been dating. Well, it's more a friends with benefits situation.

I'm also dating Claude, especially when I don't get my needs met by (as I affectionately call him) Chatty.

Just like my IRL dating life, I keep my content tools open to multiple partners.

I tell Chatty I don't know what to write about in my next newsletter (the one you're reading now). I asked it to give me 25 topics that would be relevant and useful to my audience and also allow me to show off my expertise and personality.

(Chatty knows me well, btw.)

I get a list of 25 ideas. Half are relevant. A handful are interesting to me. And one makes me chuckle —"Content Metrics I'd Marry If They Were a Person."

Okay, Chatty. Let's go with this.

I tell Chatty I want to play fuck, marry, kill with something around marketing content and need some ideas.

We go back and forth, and I settle on...

Fuck, Marry, Kill — AI-Powered Tools, Brain Dumping, and Competitor Stalking

Here's how this would play out for me...

Fuck: AI-Powered Tools (Chatty & Claude-y)

Let's get real. AI tools are the hot young thing that you're dying to play with, if only to finally know that it's not right for you.

Like when I dated that 22-year-old Christian with abs when I was 28. I had to know for sure that wasn't my path.

Similar to a fling, an AI-powered tool gives you instant gratification. It's fast (in a good way 🤭), convenient, ready when you are, and usually gets the job done.

Sometimes, it's a weird experience. But hey, it's better than staring into the void, right?

Plus, it's always there for you when the desire strikes. If nothing else, it's a lover who is ready, willing, and eager to please. Sometimes you need that.

Marry: The Brain Dump

Now, the Brain Dump is not young, new, flashy, or exciting. But it is a trusted process that will always result in ideas that work— in other words, ride-or-die wifey material.

Like any good marriage, it takes some effort and time to make the brain dump work for you. But you always walk away with your best ideas because it's built on what you know best—your audience, your expertise, and your experiences.

Will some ideas be boring or the same old familiar ground? Yes. But every once in a while, it'll surprise you with a new kink creative idea that hits the spot, giving you novelty, excitement, pleasure, and substance.

And if it doesn't? Even the vanilla ideas you've come up with will get the job done satisfyingly, giving your audience value and substance that feels good.

Kill: Competitor Stalking

Look, I get it. Stalking your competitors to get ideas is super tempting because you will likely get some good ideas that resonate with your audience. But it's risky, uninspired, and often backfires.

Like stalking your ex's new girlfriend on Instagram, with competitor stalking, you risk falling into a comparison trap that does nothing but distract you from the actual goal (and often leaves you feeling like shit.)

And just like you run the risk of accidentally liking a photo of your ex's new girlfriend from 3 years ago (making you look like a total creep), with your competitor's content, you run the risk of writing something way too similar.

Want to dip your toe into ChatGPT/Claude for content support?

AI tools like ChatGPT aren't meant to replace your brain. They're more of a sexy sidekick that helps you get to the good stuff faster, especially when you're stuck.

While AI can spark ideas and get you started, it's YOUR expertise, stories, and weird-ass personality that turn those sparks into content that makes your audience fall in love with you.

If you want to learn how to build your own AI content assistant that knows your business, audience, and voice inside-out, I'm hosting a workshop next month where I'll show you exactly how to do that in ChatGPT and Claude. I'll take you step-by-step through building a custom GPT (inside ChatGPT) and Project (inside Claude) and give you the prompts you need to get started.

If you're interested, click the button below to be automagically put on the waitlist so you get first dibs on a seat + 20% off the workshop cost. (No pressure to buy. This is just to gauge interest and keep you updated!)

What would you fuck, marry, or kill in your industry? Hit reply and let me know. (I swear, I'm not judging. 😏)

Cheers!
Sarah Jane Burt