We decided to create a newsletter from our own content using 3 popular AI services: OpenAI, Claude and Perplexity. The two best created a newsletter in less than 2 minutes.
Here was the task: We wanted a brief publisher publisher’s note, followed by links to three articles.
We don’t sell ads (yet) on the newsletter, and our website is paywall-blocked, so the newsletter needed to be brief and messages especially compelling.
Before we get into the comparison, for those who have not tried it, here’s how to do it:
How to create a newsletter from your own content w/AI (and no paid tools)
A. Find the stories you want in the RSS feedÂ
Since only Perplexity can read links inside your content, for OpenAI and Claude you will need to obtain the RSS feed and cut and paste the bit you want into the prompt. Fortunately, your most recent stories should appear first, making it a bit easier to do.
First, put /feed/ after your URL. For example, NichePublisher.biz/feed/ Then click on this URL and you will see your site in basic text code.
I look through it for the articles I wanted to use, then cut and pasted the code. Typically you are looking for recent articles so they should not be too hard to find and clip. Here’s a for the first one of the three stories I selected:
<description><![CDATA[<p>Neuromarketing.com reports that a major contribution to understanding […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.nichepublisher.biz/neuromarketing-says-your-brain-on-print-is-happier-buys-more/">Neuromarketing says your brain on print is happier, buys more</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.nichepublisher.biz">NichePublisher.biz</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Neuromarketing.com reports</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> t</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.neurosciencemarketing.com/blog/articles/print-vs-digital.htm">hat</a></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> a major contribution to understanding print’s new superpower comes from the emerging field of neuromarketing science.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Neuromarketing.com is a neuromarketing agency with a science-based approach to increasing sales. Their new report shows that print is winning the emotional battle for reader love, citing a recent neuroscientific study created by Temple University Consumer Neuroscience researchers</span><a href="https://www.uspsoig.gov/sites/default/files/document-library-files/2015/rarc-wp-15-012.pdf"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">for the U.S. Post Office. </span></a></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An article by Tom Dooley, author of </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2PUOGbi"> <i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Friction</span></i></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (McGraw Hill, April 26, 2019) and </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2V7maC7"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brainfluence</span></i></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Wiley) and host of the</span><a href="https://www.rogerdooley.com/category/podcast"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Brainfluence Podcast, takes a deep dive into the recent brain science of how people respond to print advertising, versus digital advertising. </span></a></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Temple scientists used various scientific methods to test ad recall and emotional reactions to print versus digital ads in a sample of 56 people while looking at different print and digital ads.</span></p> <h2><b>Print wins 5, ties 3</b></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The results are outlined below, showing physical print outperformed digital in five of nine ad effectiveness measurements. Another three were tied.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Quoting from Dooley, these findings include:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Digital ads were processed more quickly.</span></i></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Paper ads engaged viewers for more time.</span></i></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Subjects reported no preference for either medium and absorbed about the same amount of information from both media.</span></i></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, a week later, subjects showed greater emotional response and memory for physical media ads.</span></i></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Physical ads caused more activity in brain areas associated with value and desire.”</span></i></li> </ul> <h2><b>The MRI Study: Brains on print more likely to buy</b></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not to get too far into the scientific weeds, but the neuroscience of marketing has come a long way. The researchers put a subsection of the people they studied into an MRI machine a week after exposure to the original print and digital ads.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When asked about print ads, the areas of the brain associated with purchasing behavior lit up, while digital ads had virtually no response.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Temple’s earlier research has shown that “the </span><b>ventral striatum</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is the brain structure whose activity most predictive of future purchasing,” a phenomenon also covered in Dooley’s podcast entitled,</span><a href="http://www.rogerdooley.com/ep-45-scientists-get-closer-to-the-buy-button-in-the-brain-with-angelika-dimoka-paul-pavlou-and-vinod-venkatraman"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Scientists Get Closer to The “Buy Button.”</span></a></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dooley’s takeaway is that print will drive digital sales, as these activated purchasers motivated by print move online for further research and to make a purchase. The Print/digital mix would be especially important for high-emotion products, distinctive brands, and products that “benefit from compelling images.” </span></p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.nichepublisher.biz/neuromarketing-says-your-brain-on-print-is-happier-buys-more/">Neuromarketing says your brain on print is happier, buys more</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.nichepublisher.biz">NichePublisher.biz</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded>
2. Next create the starting prompt
Mine was:
Please create newsletter content from the RSS feed for NichePublisher.biz for the dates in the feed below. Each of newsletter itesm should include these elements: a catchy headline linked to the article, and a brief one sentence summary of the content, and “Read More” with a second link back to the article.Â
3. Create any additional prompts
In this case, I wanted a one-paragraph note from the publisher, but one that was written about the content, so it needed to come after the content.
 Please add a catchy one-paragraph intro letter to the top of the newsletter content, written in a conversational voice to an audience of Niche publishers. Elements should include Dear {first name}, one paragraph about this week we are exploring three key topics: What’s print good for, what’s AI suitable for, and how to promote your advertising sales. And a from line, Warmly, Alisa Cromer, Publisher, Nichepublisher.biz
Spoiler alert: Which AI won?
Claude.
OpenAI was proficient. Perplexity was perplexing.
Here’s how we compared the results, and graded how each platform delivered on the four elements in the newsletter: The publisher’s note and the first, second, and third articles.
1. Publisher’s note
a. From OpenAI – Grade A
Well, this was a pretty good publisher’s note. We did notice the lack of an active verb in the first sentence, but Grammarly would catch that if an editor didn’t. I especially liked the last two sentences.
Dear {first name},
This week, we’re diving into three important topics that every niche publisher should be paying attention to. We’ll explore how print ads still have the power to drive sales, where AI fits into your publishing strategy, and a showcase of brilliant media kits to help boost your ad sales efforts. Don’t miss these insights—they’re all geared to help you succeed in today’s competitive landscape.
Warmly,
Alisa Cromer, Publisher, NichePublisher.biz
b. From Claude – Grade A
We liked the conversational tone and felt the note was persuasive about why the publisher wants you to read the newsletter.
The word choices compelled us to read on, like “game-changing,” “higher superpowers,” and “it’s your new best friend in publishing,” etc.
OK, some is a bit over-the-top, but I’d rather have an editor tone it back than not have this kind of compelling user-friendly language:
Dear {first name},
Welcome to this week’s deep dive into the world of niche publishing! We’re exploring three game-changing topics that’ll make you rethink your strategies. First up, we’re uncovering the hidden superpowers of print media that’ll have your advertisers swooning. Then, we’re demystifying AI – it’s not just buzz, it’s your new best friend in publishing. And last but not least, we’re spilling the beans on creating media kits that’ll have advertisers lining up at your door. So grab your favorite caffeinated beverage and let’s dive in – your publishing revolution starts now!
Warmly,
Alisa Cromer Publisher, Nichepublisher.biz
c. From Perplexity – C
We found the one to sound like a brochure. Enhance your print offerings” or “Effective strategies to”…. well, yawn.
Dear {first name},
This week, we’re diving into three essential topics that every niche publisher should consider: the unique advantages of print media, the capabilities of AI in our industry, and effective strategies to boost your advertising sales. Whether you’re looking to enhance your print offerings or leverage technology for growth, we have insights that can help you thrive in the ever-evolving media landscape.
2. First article
a. From OpenAI: Grade A-
Direct, accurate. I would read this story. I like how they start with a verb, “Discover how…” for every article so that the structure is consistent and provides a call to action. I also like the extra link at the end, but you can include prompts to add those if you want:
Neuromarketing Says Your Brain on Print is Happier, Buys More
Discover how neuromarketing research shows print ads outperform digital in emotional impact and recall, driving sales behavior.
Read More | Neuromarketing says your brain on print is happier, buys more
b. From Claude: Grade A+Â
I liked both Claude’s headline and word choice better. For example “stronger emotional response and memories” better than OpenAI’s “outperform in emotional impact and recall.”
Your Brain on Print: Happier and More Likely to Buy
Neuromarketing research reveals that print ads engage viewers longer and create stronger emotional responses and memories than digital ads.
3. The second story element
a. From OpenAI: Grade A
Simple, direct, scannable. Used the words that were there, so can’t go to far astray.
Let’s Talk AI! Live Virtual Roundtable with Guy Tasaka
Join media tech veteran Guy Tasaka for an exclusive live discussion on AI strategies for publishers, happening September 27, 11:30 a.m. EST.
Read More | Virtual Roundtable on AI with Guy Tasaka
b. From Claude:Â A
For some reason, it turned what was a pretty good headline into what looks like one more AI webinar.
However, I did prefer the description. It reads as more specific to “what you’ll get” with words like “practical AI strategies for Publishers” and “content automation and IT considerations.” I get a lot of invitations to AI webinars and I would attend this!
AI in Publishing: Live Virtual Roundtable with Guy Tasaka
Join media tech veteran Guy Tasaka for a live discussion on practical AI strategies for publishers, covering content automation and IT considerations.
c. From Perplexity – F
I could not get it to answer the prompt after 15 minutes of trying. Maybe it’s me. It kept presenting its own articles from information within my content. Not only not answering the prompt, but also, creepy.
4. The last article
a. From Open AI: A
As usual, it stuck to the content I gave it. some pretty hard to screw it up. I used this headline and got record clicks.
Showcase of the Best Visual Ideas from Niche Media Kits
Explore the top visual ideas from over 100 niche media kits, highlighting outstanding designs in ten categories, curated by industry experts.
Read More | Best Visual Ideas from Niche Media Kits
b. From Claude: Â Grade A+
Claude improved both the headline and the description in my opinion, not from an A & B test. I just think Claude wrote better than me and rocked it. There is even the active verb listing the first sentence.
Best Visual Ideas from Niche Media Kits: A Showcase
Discover outstanding visual elements from over a hundred niche media kits, curated to inspire your own marketing materials.
c. Results from Perplexity: Perplexing. Sorry, dude.
More questions answered about these three platforms
So, will any of these save the prompts?Â
No.
Even ChatGPT said no, I would have to cut and paste. Recently, a note on the site reported that it had started saving the conversations, but at least the day I wrote this, it did not.
Both ChatGPT and Claude may tell you that they don’t read links to find RSS feeds.
However, it’s pretty easy to add /feed/ and grab it yourself, especially if it is your content and the newsletter selected is in order of recency.
What format do you need to paste into your ESP?
Claude returns text in Markdown format, which is applicable to some ESP but not others, such as Mailchimp. You can also just turn it into HTML and paste it into the ESP. If you are manipulating the information inside the email, it’s best to save it as a plain text file first. Otherwise, the line spacing and other issues created by the HTML under the hood can cause problems.
So what is so perplexing about perplexity?Â
Perplexity could not deliver the prompt and then logged me out three times, losing the work I had started.
Because it works in real time, it is really best at generative AI, to get a head start on asking questions that editors will verify, such as “What are the ten top company acquisitions in this industry this year?” or marketing materials such as “What are the top reasons people subscribe to NichePublisher.biz. They can also come up with great ideas for newsletter stories that you may not have thought of that use your content. Those types of answers are where Perplexity really thrives.
