Innovative AI podcast tool saves time, but is it right for you?

This audio overview was generated using the contents of this article, along with a few of the sources used in research for writing it.

NotebookLM is an innovative tool from Google Labs that turns your notes into a personal GPT. You can add files from Google Drive, links from YouTube or websites across the internet, or text to create a database that each notebook will generate content from. This is a powerful tool when it comes to digesting large pieces of information, researching a new topic or iterating ideas based on the content in your NotebookLM library. It is important to approach this or any AI tool with caution, acknowledging its potential benefits as well as its limitations. This is especially true for one of NotebookLM’s most unique features: the ability to generate an AI podcast from your provided content.

The human side of podcasting

While NotebookLM offers a number of advantages for marketing and podcasting, applying these tools directly to your podcasting efforts should be carefully considered. The AI-generated voices are surprisingly lifelike, but they lack the nuance of a truly human conversation. Like all AI tools, they are constantly improving the more they are used, but there are frequent audio “hiccups” throughout the interviews, especially when it tries to interject with “hmms” and “ahs” like a person would.

Something most people are looking for in this new era of AI-generated content is the feeling of human connection, so if you let AI make podcasts for you, it might have a negative impact. Even with extensive training, the AI can’t know the ins and outs of your brand or subject matter quite like you do. Your audience may feel the inauthentic nature of the conversation, and their perception of your brand could sour because of it. And while you can train it on things like brand voice and products, the technology still doesn’t always get it quite right.

Using AI for podcasting is like using a template for a personal letter. The template provides structure, but it lacks the personal touch and authenticity that make a letter meaningful.

So how could you use these tools without turning away your listeners?

AI for marketing with NotebookLM

NotebookLM offers a range of options that could significantly enhance your marketing efforts. For podcast marketing, however, I will focus on two key functions:

Content Creation and Ideation: NotebookLM can generate a wide variety of content to aid in your marketing strategy, from blogs and social posts to newsletters or email campaigns. Its ability to summarize key information provides valuable insights that could be used when creating marketing materials or campaigns. For podcasting, NotebookLM could help you brainstorm for new episodes based on your previous episodes, trending news or topics, or anything you find online that you want your listeners to know about.

Market Research: Marketers can use NotebookLM to analyze data from multiple sources and create a briefing doc for the chosen content. These sources could be surveys, reports or articles related to the specific subject, and NotebookLM will summarize everything in one concise message. If you host a podcast that focuses on explaining external data, this could be an extremely useful time-saving tool.

If you’re interested in seeing other use cases for NotebookLM, Kevin Stratvert covers a range of options from summarizing books, compiling scientific papers or annual reviews.

These features are great if you struggle with episode concept ideation or creating an outline, or if you want to save time on research and data collecting. But NotebookLM can also generate two-person podcast interviews based on the content you provide. The interview can be a summarized overview of your content or tailored to specific details that you type like a ChatGPT prompt.

So why would you continue recording podcasts in person?

Balancing AI assistance with human expertise

As with any AI tool, NotebookLM can serve as a starting point for your podcast. While I don’t personally recommend using the audio overview as-is, it could be used to get a general idea of what your podcast could sound like.

Use NotebookLM for brainstorming, creating outlines, gathering research and summarizing the content into a digestible format, but that should not be the end of your pre-podcast checklist. Edit the content so it matches your brand, use the overview as a guide for your script, then sit down and record your podcast in person.

NotebookLM is great for planning, education and research functions. I should know – I used it to write this blog! But I didn’t just copy and paste what it provided and call it a day. I read what it generated, did some of my own research based on what it provided, then wrote my own version.

Google has a great article with tips to get you started using NotebookLM like a pro. Once you have the basics down, it can become a powerful tool for education, marketing or research projects! Check it out here.

I strongly recommend using tools like NotebookLM for its planning and time-saving capabilities, but when it comes to the final product, your audience will appreciate the human touch that comes with recording it yourself.