Develop interview questions based on your book or content for media interviews or a FAQ section of your website. Authors often need to create interview questions when they’re being interviewed by the media, and AI can generate these questions. Also, when creating the FAQ for author websites, AI can be used to either initially identify the questions, or discover questions that should be asked that aren’t on the initial list.
In today’s tech-driven world, artificial intelligence has become a key enabler of business success. But the question remains — how can businesses effectively harness AI to address their unique challenges while staying true to ethical principles? To explore this topic further, we are interviewing Cathy Fyock
Cathy is The Business Book Strategist and works with professionals who want to write a nonfiction book about their expertise as a strategy to grow their business, brand, and influence. She is the author of 12 books and has worked with more than 250 professionals to help them become published authors. She believes that authors change the world, one word at a time.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path in AI?
As a book coach, I’ve suspected for several years that AI would have a significant impact on the author’s journey, especially with my authors who don’t consider themselves writers — they consider themselves experts and thought leaders. Yet, I’ve also found that professionals who lean too heavily on AI may find themselves writing content that is devoid of humanity, lacks their voice, and at worst, is unintentionally plagiarizing. So, how do authors walk this tightrope in using this new business tool ethically and authentically?
Nearly three years ago, I began exploring AI to test its capabilities and understand how to use this tool best and develop content that retains the voice, the heart, and the soul of the author. While I don’t have all the answers, I am learning how to harness AI’s power to improve productivity and reduce the time it takes to write a solid piece of content.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started working with artificial intelligence?
My clients and I were exploring AI, and we asked AI to write a bio about each of us. All of the bios, while eloquently stated, were often dead wrong. It claimed that I had authored books with nonexistent titles, served on nonexistent boards, and received new credentials. We learned then that we should all proceed with caution when relying on AI and double-check all sources.
You are a successful leader in the AI space. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
I consider myself creative, curious, and bold, and each has been instrumental in my success. I love to explore new ideas and concepts, and discover ways to see a tried and true topic or process in a new light. I’m not bashful about discovering new approaches, and these traits have served me well when tackling AI and authorship issues.
Let’s jump to the primary focus of our interview. Can you share a specific example of how you or your organization used AI to solve a major business challenge? What was the problem, and how did AI help address it?
I want to be able to help my authors write books, articles, and other content pieces using AI, so I decided to write a short ebook with AI to test my processes. I began with a blog post that I had already written on what I supposed might be my next book. I then asked AI to write a summary and outline, and ultimately, the chapter contents. The result was what I had suspected: decent content, but lacking in stories, case studies, and examples that would make the writing come alive. I was able to ask AI about the best ways to insert my own experiences, and ultimately, I manually inserted these where appropriate, asking AI to review my work. The final test required a review by a few of my professional colleagues who know my voice and who are natural AI skeptics to determine if my voice was represented. After manually making final edits, the manuscript was ready for professional editing and layout.
I now have an ebook that I will use as a valuable lead magnet to let prospects know my value proposition, and to show my clients how to use AI as the powerful tool it is.
What are some of the common misconceptions you’ve encountered about using AI in business? How do you address those misconceptions?
Some believe that AI can replace authors, and this is furthest from the truth for books and content that represent the author’s brand, voice, and thought leadership. Great writing must contain original thinking.
I believe authors can rely on AI to support their book marketing efforts. For example, once the book is written, AI can help authors find call-outs to feature in the narrative and then use these in social media posts. AI can also identify posts and articles that can be excerpted from the manuscript. Book summaries can be expertly written by AI and then tweaked by the author. Other marketing copy that AI can derive from the book’s manuscript includes social media posts, media releases, copy for speaker author one-sheets, and more.
In your opinion, what is the most significant way AI can make a positive impact on businesses today?
Authors using AI can find that it can assist them by generating ideas, identifying blind spots, and saving valuable time. For example, I love to use AI to reveal what I missed in covering a topic. I’ve asked AI, what is missing from this article that I still need to cover? Or, what contrarian positions might I raise with this approach? AI can also be used to tailor the voice to different readers/customers (write this for a fifth grader, or write this to appeal to Millennials). It can quickly summarize content to help with research or review of a topic.
AI can also assist with various book promotion elements, including author information, book summaries, pull-quotes, excerpted articles, and effective book promotion strategies.
Ok, let’s dive deeper. Based on your experience and research, can you please share “5 Ways AI Can Solve Complex Business Problems”? These can be strategies, insights, or tools that companies can use to make the most of AI in addressing their challenges. If possible, please share examples or stories for each.
Write your book summary. Once you’ve written the book, AI can write the summary. It can also help with title selection. For example, one author wanted to determine if the title she’d chosen was the right title for the book, so we asked AI to write a book summary based just on her title. We discovered that the title was both descriptive and accurate.
2. Discover excerpted articles and posts. Once authors have written the content for their books, then AI can quickly and easily identify shorter pieces that can be used for the book’s promotion, or to continue to promote the author’s business. This was the concept I developed in my book, Blog2Book. Once you’ve developed content you can repurpose it for your readers.
3. Create content based on your thought leadership. Most authors who are writing nonfiction books about their expertise also need to write to promote their business, and AI can be a tool to help generate both the topics and the content. I have asked AI to generate reader questions, or questions from my clients, that I can then answer and use as ongoing content for my website and social media.
4. Create a social media strategy. Once an author has written a book, AI can identify chunks of content that can be used for blog posts, articles, and social media memes. It can also be used to create a calendar for social media posts.
5. Develop interview questions based on your book or content for media interviews or a FAQ section of your website. Authors often need to create interview questions when they’re being interviewed by the media, and AI can generate these questions. Also, when creating the FAQ for author websites, AI can be used to either initially identify the questions, or discover questions that should be asked that aren’t on the initial list.
How can smaller businesses or startups, with limited budgets, begin to integrate AI into their operations effectively?
I am a book coach with my own solo business and no staff, and I have used AI. Begin by exploring/playing with AI, trying free tools. Attend industry/profession-specific training. Regularly read articles on AI. Finally, for those organizations with staff, create an internal task force for introducing opportunities by identifying staff who are already interested in AI.
In your opinion, how will AI continue to shape the business world over the next 5–10 years? Are there any trends or emerging innovations you’re particularly excited about?
I don’t think we’ve begun to realize all the implications of AI in the writing community, in part because authors are terrified that they will lose their jobs. Instead of shunning AI, I believe writers should explore it to understand how to use it effectively. I think that writers will not be replaced with AI, but they will be replaced with authors who know how to use AI.
How do you think the use of AI to solve business problems influences relationships with customers, employees, and the broader community?
When authors use AI, they have access to a valuable resource that saves time, maximizes productivity, and provides a broader lens for identifying blind spots.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people through AI, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
AI is a tool that should be used with the support of a professional book coach when writing a book to grow your business. Here are some of my thoughts on why AI + coach is the winning combination. (Note: This could be used as a text box).
Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work, and yes, it can be an incredible tool for writers. From generating ideas to polishing grammar, AI has a place in the author’s toolbox. But if you think AI can replace the role of a book coach, think again.
Here’s why.
Authenticity matters. Your readers want your story, not a mash-up of borrowed phrases from a database. A coach helps you uncover your unique voice and ensures that your book reflects who you are and what you stand for. AI can suggest words, but it can’t deliver authenticity.
AI is not a coach, it’s a tool. Just as you wouldn’t expect a treadmill to replace a personal trainer, you shouldn’t expect AI to provide the encouragement, accountability, and strategy that a book coach brings. AI can give you prompts; a coach helps you actually finish the marathon.
You need accountability. Left to its own devices, AI won’t call you out when you procrastinate. A coach will. Having someone invested in your success makes it harder to push your writing goals aside and easier to stay on track.
Storytelling is emotional. Readers connect with nonfiction books that evoke an emotional response. AI doesn’t know what it’s like to cry over a childhood memory or celebrate a hard-won success. A coach helps you tap into those stories and shape them so they resonate.
Judgment counts. AI can give you endless lists of marketing tactics, but only a coach can help you decide which ones fit your book, your brand, and your audience. Human perspective is essential in making strategic choices that set your book apart.
At the end of the day, AI is a powerful assistant. But it’s not the solution. A book coach brings the wisdom, accountability, and human connection that no algorithm can provide. Writing a book is not just about words on a page; it’s about your voice, your vision, and your impact. And that’s something you don’t want to leave to a machine.
As my colleague and fellow book coach Allie Pleiter says, “Do you need a prompt or a pro?”
How can our readers further follow you online?
Readers can learn more by visiting my website:
Also, if you’re interested in my ebook written with AI, titled Word by Word: The Transformative Power of Authorship, you can send me an email at Cathy@CathyFyock.com and request Word by Word.
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
Cathy Fyock On How Artificial Intelligence Can Solve Business Problems was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.