If you write content, communications, or documentation, have you heard someone say “Wow, we could just use AI for [your specific work task that makes you the big bucks]!” while you’re still in the room? (Like literally, right there, listening to them describe how to eliminate your position via AI). 

Fortunately for me (and you), generative AI is actually not that great at what we do. LLMs are based on existing information and needs your original, valuable content as input. So instead of trying to outdo LLMs, you can use generative AI to supercharge your content and complete your work tasks more quickly so you can focus on what you’re really hired to do – write great works, create efficient communication channels, and workshop your best puns to post in the work chat during your next virtual all company meeting. 

For the first in this series, let’s talk about templates. Creating new templates and re-templating content can take forever. One of my crowning achievements at my first job as a Technical Writer in Denver was retemplating all of our Word documents from .doc to .docx AND into our pretty new template. I learned macros, keyboard shortcuts, and how listening to Korean pop music made the time go by faster. My fingers became omniscient copy and paste enthusiasts. 

It’s not 2015 anymore – use generative AI for all your template needs. 

Build templates for different deliverables 

Us writers have to repurpose our work constantly into different forms. Why come up with your own templates when AI can do it for you? A simple prompt can create the initial structure you’re looking for and then you can save that structure for future use: 

Create a template for [deliverable type] for [audience]. Include [list of things you want in the template]. 

You can also build a template out of an existing document: 

Create a template using the following as an example:

[Copy and paste an existing document] 

Different chat interfaces let you keep all your templates in separate conversations so you can copy them whenever you need them or you can save them as a file on your computer to fill in at your leisure. 

With Generellem, you can paste those templates into a file, then ingest them so you can reuse them whenever you want. You can even update the template file whenever you want and have the changes reflected in your prompts without recreating a new template. 

Fill out your templates with your own original content 

Take an existing template from your LLM conversations, from your own files, or just use the prompt above. Paste it into the chat, then paste the content you want to repurpose into that template. 

Use this template: 

[Copy and paste the template]

On this content:

[Your content!] 

This allows you to reuse your content however you like with the structure you dictate. You can make existing content and documentation into blogs, release notes, haikus – whatever you need! 

If you use Generellem, you can ingest the folder where your templates exist and the folder where you keep your existing content. Then, instead of the copy and paste hell, you can just ask Generellem to use your template on your content.

Use the [name and type of template] on [content name and topic]. 

If you want to go even further, you can use the same content with multiple templates: 

Using [content name and topic], create a deliverable for each of the following templates: [list of template names and types] 

Save your fingers 

Generative AI will keep your template adventures from being a total copy and paste hell. And if you use Generellem, you can quickly use templates on your existing content. Remember, your own content is the real value in the world of generative AI.

Jennifer Mayo X: @AIJenerator