What is ChatGPT
ChatGPT is a tool that uses artificial intelligence to have 'conversations' with people. The tool was developed by OpenAI and trained using their large language model. You can use ChatGPT for various applications, and it can be integrated into different platforms. You give the commands, and ChatGPT delivers the results in no time. Amazing! However, whether it works as well for your proposals too, I have investigated.
ChatGPT for proposal texts: smart
In certain cases, the use of this tool is absolutely recommended. First of all, to gain inspiration, for example for a strong start to your introduction. Nothing is more deadly than those cliché sentences that start with in response to ... While you already want to get a customer or prospect in a positive mindset here. A good start is half the work. But yes, there are days when it just doesn't work out. No matter how hard you try, time ticks by as your frustration mounts. Not really a good basis to set the right tone. Then it is really smart to use the tool. Provide sufficient information (also about the conversation with your customer or prospect) and then give the assignment to write an introduction that triggers and enthuses. What rolls out will certainly need editing, but I'm sure it will provide you with inspiration for the introduction and the rest of the proposal.
When drawing up your proposal, you undoubtedly have a solution, service or product in mind for the customer. You will also know how to motivate this very well. But have you named all the arguments? ChatGPT can sometimes surprise you in that regard. Suppose you give the assignment: name 10 concrete actions with which you make your personnel policy more inclusive. Then the first six are probably obvious, but the seventh one takes some thinking. Ask ChatGPT to make this action more concrete, what the advantages or disadvantages are and you may get a new, surprising action. One that you hadn't thought of and maybe your customer hasn't either.
Also very smart: asking for feedback on the proposal texts you have written. I personally think this is a very nice option. Especially when my colleagues and/or proofreaders don't have the time. Ask ChatGPT: Give feedback and suggestions for improvement on the following text and you will see that something useful always comes out. For example, to give more and more concrete examples or to give a text more (convincing) power.
ChatGPT for proposal texts: stupid
Stupid is actually too strong a word. It is good to remember that this tool is far from perfect. Checking your texts for facts or unintentional pigeonholing remains necessary. ChatGPT is based and trained on the content generated from public, online sources. It reconstructs texts based on existing texts. In addition, the tool is limited in terms of contextual understanding. It therefore lacks the contextual knowledge that you as a person, sales professional or entrepreneur have with which you can make a tailor-made offer. Without human control, your proposal could therefore be misinterpreted or lead to confusion.
I can see from some texts that they are probably copied 1-to-1 from ChatGPT. The generated texts are somewhat repetitive, general and less original. If you use this tool, I advise you to adjust the text afterwards with your voice and language. If you don't do this, you run the risk that the customer will wonder who he sat at the table with. In my view, a proposal is an extension of the conversation. It can be a real deal breaker if the customer or prospect doesn't recognize you or the conversation in the proposal.
ChatGPT is powered by over 300 billion words from all kinds of content on the internet. Websites, blogs, comments on blog posts, books and messages. However, it also generates texts of a personal nature, which are obtained without permission. There may be risks involved. For example, what does it mean (in the long term) for privacy law? If we look at proposals, the texts generated with ChatGPT may contain sensitive information. Think of prices or contract conditions. Something to take into account in any case, for making proposals with ChatGPT and perhaps also to take a critical look at how public this data is at your organization.
Summary
The use of ChatGPT when writing proposal texts can certainly offer advantages. It inspires, prevents you from getting stuck and wasting a lot of time. The chatbot can check your proposal texts for spelling and grammar errors and is able to provide feedback and optimization. However, it is important to be aware of the limitations. In particular, the lack of contextual knowledge and the possibility of inaccuracies. As far as I am concerned, human involvement and assessment remain necessary to ensure that your proposal is effective, personalised, accurate and tailor-made.
