Blog - Mazlan Abbas

Why You Need ChatGPT Assistance in Blog Writing: A Journey from AI-Generated to Authentic Content

The Early Days: Relying Solely on AI

When ChatGPT was first introduced, it was easy to get carried away by the allure of automated content generation. With just a one-liner prompt, the tool could churn out a full-length blog article in a matter of seconds. This was particularly tempting for technical blogs, where generating informative and fact-based content is often time-consuming. However, the shortcut came at a cost. The articles often lacked authenticity and felt “too AI-generated,” with similar wordings appearing across multiple posts. The promise of an AI-powered blog seemed to undermine the originality that readers seek.

The Pitfall: Loss of Authenticity

The issue of authenticity is no small matter. In an age where readers are flooded with information, standing out requires delivering not just facts, but a unique voice and perspective. Using AI to generate articles compromised this very essence, making the content feel artificial and less engaging.

The Turning Point: Changing Strategy

However, this doesn’t mean that ChatGPT lacks utility. The turning point came with a shift in approach. Instead of using ChatGPT to generate articles from scratch, why not use it as a supplement to enhance original content?

The New Approach: AI as a Copywriter

By writing the initial draft manually, the core of the article remains authentic, original, and true to the author’s voice. Points are laid out based on one’s own understanding and interpretation of the subject, without obsessing over grammar or nuances. Then comes ChatGPT, serving as a virtual copywriter.

Using prompts like “Write a blog about…” or “Rewrite the blog in a more human manner,” ChatGPT refines the article. It corrects grammatical errors, enhances vocabulary, and structures the content better. The result? A well-written article that maintains its originality while benefitting from the finesse that AI can offer.

Why This Matters: Best of Both Worlds

With this new strategy, ChatGPT becomes a tool for enhancement rather than a shortcut for content creation. You get to keep your unique voice and viewpoints, while the AI takes care of making the content more polished and professional. It’s like having an on-demand copywriter, but without the risk of diluting your originality.

In Conclusion

ChatGPT has proven to be an invaluable asset when used thoughtfully. It may not replace the creative spark that only a human can provide, but it certainly can refine it. By changing how we use this powerful tool, we can reconcile the drive for efficiency with the need for authenticity, giving our readers the best of both worlds.

How I Build a Blog Article That Gave Me 10 Times Traffic Views

After almost two years of blogging on Mazlan Abbas Blog, I have found myself reflecting on the incredible journey we have been through together. It has been filled with ups, downs, lessons, and ultimately, success. The blog focuses on a myriad of topics such as entrepreneurship, thought leadership, startup adventures, and the ever-evolving world of social media.

The blogging journey began modestly. My aim was to contribute valuable content that would inspire and guide others on their entrepreneurial path. Every post was a labor of love, combining my personal experiences with knowledge gleaned from years of working in the startup sector.

Despite the hurdles, there was always a steady increase in views and reader engagement. This gave me the motivation to keep exploring and documenting my entrepreneurial journey, thought leadership, and startup growth strategies.

However, nothing could have prepared me for what happened in April 2023.

The turning point came in the form of a post titled “The Ultimate ChatGPT Cheat Sheets“. It was an effort to simplify the use of this artificial intelligence model for others who might find it intimidating or complex. The post provided easy-to-understand cheat sheets, creating a bridge between users and this AI language model.

Suddenly, the post went viral. The response was overwhelming. Readers from around the globe began flocking to the blog to consume this content. It felt like we had hit a gold mine of engagement and interest. The views on this post alone accounted for a whopping 50% of the total views on the blog, catapulting our monthly traffic tenfold in just three months.

As we dissected this sudden growth, we realized that the major chunk of our traffic came from Google search. The ‘The Ultimate ChatGPT Cheat Sheet‘ post was ranking high on search results, attracting a vast audience that we had not tapped into before. It seems Google had recognized the value our post provided and deemed it worthy of a higher rank, thus driving a significant amount of organic traffic to the blog.

In hindsight, the formula for this success was a combination of valuable, easy-to-understand content that met a need, and the mysterious workings of search engine algorithms that chose to favor our offering.

This experience has not only shaped my blogging journey but also shed light on the unpredictable nature of digital content. It has taught me that sometimes, all it takes is one viral post to propel a blog into the limelight.

As I continue to contribute to Mazlan Abbas Blog, I will remember this extraordinary phase, keeping in mind the power of valuable content and the influence of search engine rankings. It will serve as a testament to our potential and a benchmark for our future endeavors. Here’s to many more viral posts and an ever-growing readership!

Starting The Next IoT Ebook

Today, I began my journey of writing my next eBook. After completing my last two eBooks, I realized the need for a more comprehensive guide on IoT. I want to provide readers with an enhanced version of my previous book, “Your IoT Journey,” with even more valuable content.

However, as I pondered over the title, I started to have second thoughts about the original one. I believe a captivating title is crucial for attracting readers and conveying the objectives of the book effectively. So, I decided to brainstorm some alternative titles that would encompass the essence of the book while sparking curiosity. Here are a few options I came up with:

Start Your IoT Business
Your IoT Guide
IoT Journey Guide
Transform into IoT

I’m open to any suggestions or feedback on these titles. Feel free to share your thoughts and help me choose the perfect title for my upcoming eBook. Stay tuned for the next update!

37.5% Increase of Views in May 2023

This Blog started on Nov. 17, 2021.

However, beginning early this year (2023), I started to become more active. In 2022, I only posted 16 articles, but today (May 16, 2023), I have already posted 54 articles!

And the number of views have increased 37.5% and we have 6-7 more months in 2023. Most likely it will reached far higher than this by end of 2023.

This is what I did to make the difference:

Be more active in generating contents
Daily postings either through new articles or responding to WordPress Daily Prompts.
Post trending topics. Currently the topics are related to Generative AI such as ChatGPT, Bard, Midjourney and AIPRM
Post new tips and tutorials
Engage with other readers using WordPress Reader. Exchanging comments and give Likes.
Increased number of followers. Especially after I reach out and engage with other Bloggers
Using FB Page and WhatsApp Groups to share links. This help to attract new visitors.

I will keep this methods to increase more visitors and views.

What do think? What other methods did you use to increase traffic to your Blog?

10 AI Tools You Cannot Miss in 2023

Knowing about the top AI tools available is essential for several reasons, particularly if you’re involved in the tech industry, data analysis, or any field that could benefit from artificial intelligence. Here are some reasons why:

Stay Updated: The field of AI is constantly evolving, with new technologies, applications, and tools always emerging. You can stay at the forefront of technological advancements by keeping up-to-date with the latest tools.
Improve Efficiency: Many AI tools are designed to automate tasks, analyze large amounts of data, and make predictions that can help in decision-making. Utilizing these tools can significantly increase the efficiency and productivity of your operations.
Competitive Advantage: Understanding and implementing the right AI tools can give your business a competitive edge. It can enable you to provide better services, make more informed decisions, and operate more effectively.
Innovation: AI tools can open up new possibilities for innovation. They can provide insights from data that were not previously possible and enable the development of new products and services.
Cost Savings: By automating tasks and improving efficiency, AI tools can significantly save costs over time.
Skill Development: If you’re a professional or a technology or data science student, familiarity with the latest AI tools is an essential skill that can enhance your career prospects.
Problem-Solving: Each AI tool has its strengths, and understanding what’s available can help you choose the right tool for solving specific problems, whether they’re related to data analysis, natural language processing, predictive modeling, or other areas.
Better Decision Making: AI tools can analyze data and provide insights that aid in better decision-making. This can be particularly beneficial in business settings, where making informed decisions can significantly impact a company’s success.

10 AI tools you cannot miss in 2023:

1. https://t.co/nqoduiozEJ – Research faster

2. https://t.co/mcBnDgwbUO – Content repurposing

3. https://t.co/ua4VAbMXFO – Create AI videos from text

4. https://t.co/apw0w9EZ0N – Write emails 10x Faster

5. https://t.co/Fnvxq5flQs -…
— Angry Tom (@AngryTomtweets) May 8, 2023

Midjourney Tutorial and Tips

Thought Leadership 101: How to Become an Authority in Your Industry

In today’s fast-paced digital age, being recognized as a thought leader in your industry is more critical than ever. But how can you achieve this status? This article will discuss some critical tips for becoming a thought leader in any field.

Educate Others

The first step to becoming a thought leader is to educate others. Share your knowledge with your audience about your industry, product, service, or company mission. One way to do this is by starting a blog and regularly posting content about your industry and product. This can help you establish credibility and build a following of people who look to you for information and advice.

Create a Personal Brand

Once you have established yourself as an expert in your industry, it’s time to create a personal brand. This can be challenging, especially if you don’t have much experience in marketing or public speaking. However, by being yourself and building relationships with others who share your values and beliefs, you can create a personal brand that resonates with your target audience.

Establish Social Proof

Social proof is a measure of how much other people like your content. This can be gained by having a solid social media presence or by having many followers, likes, shares, and comments on your posts. When people see that others are talking about you on social media or that you are verified on Facebook or Twitter, they are likelier to believe what you say, give you money, or buy from you.

Publish Regularly

To establish yourself as an authority in your field, it’s important to publish content regularly. These include blog posts, social media updates, videos, podcasts, or webinars. By sharing your thoughts and ideas with the world, you can build trust with potential clients who may want to hire or do business with you.

Be Active on Social Media

Social media is one of the most essential tools for building your brand and establishing yourself as a thought leader. Share your content on social media platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Engage with other thought leaders in your industry by commenting on their posts and participating in online groups and forums.

Make Your Content Easy to Share

Make sure that your content is easy to share. Use a call to action, such as “Share on Facebook!” or “Tweet this!” Make sure the text is easy to read and doesn’t have unnecessary clutter in it. Use high-quality images and subheadings to make your content more readable.

Have a Point of View and Be an Authority

To become a thought leader, you need to have a point of view and be an authority in your industry. Be unique and controversial, but in a good way—not offensive or hurtful. Share your knowledge and experiences with others and create content that is easy to share.

In conclusion, becoming a thought leader takes time and effort. Still, by following these tips, you can establish yourself as an authority in your industry and build a following of people who look to you for information and advice. Remember to educate others, create a personal brand, establish social proof, publish regularly, be active on social media, make your content easy to share, and have a viewpoint and authority in your industry.

Dilemma to Maintain More Than Two Personal Blogs

I must admit that I have many personal Blogs excluding the Professional Blogs such as IoT World.

But now, only two which seems to be more active than others.

Travelog Mazlan is one of the earlier ones which I have created but using WordPress domain (free).

And the one here (Mazlan Abbas Blog) which I have created using a domain which I subscribed.

The reason I build this Mazlan Abbas Blog is for my professional portfolio and to write about other topics than IoT – for example thought leadership, social media and entrepreneurship.

But then, I realised that Mazlan Abbas Blog lacked content because I frequently write on Travelog Mazlan Blog.

However, I also saw an increase of visitors traffic that constantly visit Mazlan Abbas Blog.

I am now in a dilemma which Blog should I focus? Should I answer the daily WordPress Prompt on Travelog Mazlan or Mazlan Abbas Blog?

What do you think?

Contents of IoT Adventure Book

IoT Adventure Book will delve deeper into the business of IoT. It will also share the experience of being an IoT entrepreneur. Some of the topics have been written in the IoT World Blog. Check out the contents below:

IoT Applications

IoT Tips

Smart Cities

IoT Infographics

FAVORIOT Products and Services

IoT and IR 4.0 in Malaysia

IoT Challenges

Generation-IoT

Things About IoT

Sign-up – Please inform me of your new IoT Adventure eBook!

How to Become a Thought Leader – The Beginning

Here’s my personal story how I began my IoT Thought Leadership journey. From Zero to an Influencer.

From Zero to an IoT Thought Leader. When does it all start?

Here’s the story.

One of my staff bumped into me, and he mentioned, “Congratulations, Dr. Mazlan, I saw your name as one of the IoT Thought Leaders.“

I was very shocked and asked. “Where did you get the news?” and he said, “I saw in one of the Internet reports.“

He gave me the link, and I quickly viewed the report from Onalytica entitled “The Internet of Tings 2014 – Top 100 Thought Leaders.” Wow! It was a pleasant surprise.

A couple of weeks earlier, I was very depressed and frustrated when my boss did not approve my application to attend IoT Asia 2014. I applied for the trip with two of my staff to attend the first IoT event in the region, yet only two of my staff applications were approved but not mine.

Our organization started the work on IoT almost two years earlier, and I thought this would be my best opportunity to hear from the industry leaders.

But the news that my staff brought to me was very unexpected. I wondered – how do I get to be selected by a prestigious organization like Onalytica?

The news spread very fast in the organization, with many people congratulating me. And one of them is the HR Vice President; she congratulated, “Dr. Mazlan, you are now a Thought Leader. That’s an amazing achievement!“

But since I have never bothered to know what a “Thought Leader is,” I began to wonder what I did to gain that recognition? And what exactly is a Thought Leader?

How Onalytica Picked the Top 100 IoT Thought Leaders

Onalytica took in all Twitter conversations using the hashtags #IoT and #InternetOfThings and created a network of the top stakeholders discussing the subject. The network diagram of the top 100 is shown below.

I was thrilled to be ranked No. 20th on the list with Kevin Ashton (Father of IoT ranked 11th). And, of course, very proud to be the only Malaysian (or probably Asian) on the list!

But really, how do I reach that stage? Is it by accident? In a way, most probably the answer is yes, but I didn’t realize that the things I did were actually how a Thought Leader should do – by influencing others.

It started probably 1 or 2 years earlier when my team was working on a research area called Wireless Sensor Network, 6LoWPAN (IPv6 Low Powered Area Network), and Internet of Things (IoT).

And during 2012 to 2014, I was a frequent social media user on LinkedIn and Twitter. Whatever I read on IoT topics, I will share this on Twitter and LinkedIn and use that hashtag #IoT. This includes sharing my thoughts about the industry in IoT.

This was when my circle of influence widened with more Twitter users following my Tweets. That’s how these Tweets are captured and analyzed by Onalytica.

The Start of an IoT Thought Leadership

Two years later, in 2016, I was the first Malaysian IoT Speaker in IoT Asia 2016 (“Issues and Challenges of Deploying a Smart Citizen Engagement Solution,” IoT Asia 2016, Singapore Expo, 30-31 March 201). The same event was when my boss rejected my application to attend in 2014. This time, the host invited me to speak with all expenses paid.

That was the beginning of the Thought Leadership journey, whereby I was invited to many speaking engagements as Keynote Speaker, Invited Speaker, TEDx Speaker, and many others. I created an IoT Blog called “IoT World” which became my official channel to share my thoughts and knowledge.

Other than the recognition from Onalytica (Onalytica Report can be downloaded here), I was ranked among Top 50 Global Thought Leaders on the Internet of Things (February 2019) and Digital Disruption (October 2019) by Thinkers360, Top 50 Most Impactful Smart Cities Leaders by World CSR Congress 2017, ranked Top 10 in IoT Top 100 Influencers by Postscapes 2017 & 2018,

It all started with a rejection….. From Zero to an IoT Thought Leader
Dr. Mazlan Abbas

Real Books vs. E-Books – Why I Choose

But I have this terrible habit of not finishing the book I read or didn’t even start reading them. And the worst part, sometimes I buy the same book twice because I don’t remember whether I have purchased it before or not.

When books are converted into digital, it changes how we consume knowledge. It also changes the way the reading habit.

This is what happened to me. I used to buy many print books (real books) and am proud to have a “library” to place the texts on proper shelves.
Books on my shelves.

And then, I began to start to download E-Books, and I began to read them finally. And the best part, I managed to read them till the last page!

Initially, I was convinced that Real Books are far better than E-Books because it doesn’t feel the same holding a book compared to something just digital.

Why E-Books are better than Real Books Click To Tweet

BBut due to the Covid-19 lockdown, I started to read more E-Books and have changed my habit of reading. Below are some of the reasons:

Freedom – I can read the E-Book anywhere. I need to carry multiple of them with print books if I want to read more than one book. Of course, real books are heavy to carry. During travel, you don’t want to carry heavy luggage unnecessarily. What if you don’t like to read that book and that is the only book you have?
Easy to Highlight – Since I bought an iPad with a Stylus called Pencil, it simplifies me to jot down or highlight specific points or facts in the E-Book. And it does not destroy or dirty the E-Book because you can still erase the highlights quickly.
Only Digital – Some books are only published in digital form. Or you can convert a web article into PDF and read it like an E-Book. You don’t have to waste printing the papers.
Cheap or Free – E-Books are far more affordable than real books. And you can find free or “free” E-Books on the web.

Furthermore, I will be writing my E-Book called IoT Adventure and hopefully complete it by 2022.