In this article, we will explore two exciting ways to create podcasts and audio content using AI tools. First, we’ll talk about Google NotebookLM and its NotebookLM Podcast feature.
Then, we’ll compare it to using ChatGPT in combination with ElevenLabs—especially the ElevenLabs Clone Voice function that lets you speak in your own voice.
We’ll look at how both methods work, their pros and cons, and why you might choose one over the other. By the end, you’ll understand how NotebookLM and ChatGPT + ElevenLabs stack up when it comes to making engaging podcast episodes. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- What is Google NotebookLM?
- An Overview of NotebookLM Podcast Features
- What Makes NotebookLM Different?
- What is ChatGPT?
- How to Use ChatGPT for Podcasts
- Introducing ElevenLabs and the ElevenLabs Clone Voice
- ChatGPT + ElevenLabs vs. NotebookLM Podcast
- Pros and Cons of NotebookLM Podcast vs. ChatGPT + ElevenLabs
- Best Practices for Creating Podcast Scripts
- SEO Tips for Podcast Creators
- Real-World Use Cases
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
1. What Is Google NotebookLM?
Google NotebookLM is an AI-powered note-taking tool and information manager. It aims to help users stay organized, plan projects, and keep track of ideas in a single, integrated space.
NotebookLM was introduced as part of Google’s push into AI-driven tools, blending machine learning with everyday productivity tasks. Instead of just typing or scribbling your notes, NotebookLM can use natural language processing to better understand your text and even generate helpful insights or suggestions.
- AI Integration: NotebookLM uses Google’s machine learning models to analyze your notes in smart ways, such as summarizing text, extracting main ideas, or even suggesting new angles on a topic.
- Collaboration: Like many of Google’s tools, NotebookLM allows you to share your notes with others for real-time collaboration.
- Ease of Use: The interface is designed to be clean and straightforward, so new users can adapt quickly.
Because it is developed by Google, NotebookLM integrates smoothly with other services you might already use, like Google Docs, Google Drive, and Gmail. This makes it more convenient if you’re already part of the Google ecosystem.
2. An Overview of NotebookLM Podcast Features
One of the lesser-known but super interesting aspects of NotebookLM is its NotebookLM Podcast feature. This feature allows you to take your notes and convert them into audio form. It’s sort of like having a personal narrator who reads your notes, summaries, or bullet points out loud.
How NotebookLM Podcast Works
- Text-to-Speech: NotebookLM’s text-to-speech engine takes your written notes and converts them into spoken words.
- Generic Voices: Currently, the NotebookLM Podcast feature offers a range of AI-generated voices, but these are mostly generic. They do not include the ability to clone your unique tone or accent.
Easy Setup: All you need to do is select the notes you want to turn into audio, choose a voice, and hit play or export. The system handles the rest.
Why People Use NotebookLM Podcast
- Simplicity: If you already use NotebookLM to keep your notes organized, turning those notes into a podcast-like audio is a natural extension of the workflow.
- Accessibility: Some people prefer to listen to content rather than read it, and NotebookLM Podcast makes this really easy.
- Productivity: It saves time if you’d rather listen to your notes while you exercise, commute, or do chores.
3. What Makes NotebookLM Different?
NotebookLM stands out because it is developed by Google, which knows how to handle large sets of data in a user-friendly way.
The tool is also integrated into Google’s ecosystem, so you can sync with your existing Google Docs and Drive folders. The AI behind NotebookLM is built to improve note organization, summarization, and collaboration.
However, NotebookLM Podcast uses a standard text-to-speech system that lacks personalization. You can select from a set of AI voices, but you can’t clone your own voice. This limitation is where tools like ChatGPT and ElevenLabs might appeal to creators who want a more personal touch.
4. What Is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is an AI language model by OpenAI that generates human-like text based on prompts. It can help you brainstorm ideas, write articles, craft marketing copy, or create entire scripts for podcasts.
It uses deep learning methods to understand context, grammar, and even style, making it a powerful tool for content creation.
Why Use ChatGPT?
- Flexibility: You can use ChatGPT for almost any writing-related task, from drafting emails to creating detailed short stories.
- Customizable: You can give ChatGPT instructions on the tone, style, and format you want for your content, including ChatGPT Podcast Scripts.
- Continual Improvement: As more people use ChatGPT, the model is fine-tuned with additional data and user feedback, often improving its understanding and capabilities.
5. How To Use ChatGPT for Podcasts
If you want to create a podcast using ChatGPT, you can start by asking the AI to generate ChatGPT Podcast Scripts. For example, you might instruct ChatGPT, “Write a 10-minute podcast script about the importance of daily exercise.” ChatGPT will then provide a text that you can modify, expand, or shorten. Once you have the script, you can either record it with your own voice or use a text-to-speech tool.
The advantage here is the easy script creation. ChatGPT can help you structure your podcast topics, develop catchy intros, and even suggest interview questions if you want to bring guests on your show.
6. Introducing ElevenLabs and the ElevenLabs Clone Voice
ElevenLabs is an advanced text-to-speech platform that has gained popularity for its ElevenLabs Clone Voice feature. This function lets you record a sample of your voice and then create a synthetic voice model based on your unique speaking style. Once you’ve cloned your voice, you can convert text into audio that sounds just like you.
Key Features of ElevenLabs Clone Voice
- Voice Personalization: Instead of generic AI voices, you get a customized voice that mimics your tone, pitch, and accent.
- Natural Sounding: ElevenLabs has made significant strides in making AI voices sound lifelike and expressive.
- Versatility: You can combine the ElevenLabs Clone Voice with any text-based AI tool, like ChatGPT, to produce a realistic audio output that matches your personal brand or style.
For someone who values branding and authenticity, this can be a game-changer. Imagine having a podcast where you never even pick up a microphone, yet the final audio features your familiar voice.
7. ChatGPT + ElevenLabs vs. NotebookLM Podcast
Now, let’s dig deeper into the differences between using NotebookLM Podcast and using ChatGPT + ElevenLabs for your podcast. We will compare these approaches in four key areas:
- Voice Quality and Personalization
- Ease of Use
- Content Creation
- Workflow Integration
1. Voice Quality and Personalization
- NotebookLM Podcast: Uses standard AI-generated voices without the ability to clone your voice. The audio quality is decent, but it lacks a personal feel.
- ChatGPT + ElevenLabs: Lets you create a ChatGPT Podcast script and then use ElevenLabs Clone Voice to produce audio that sounds exactly like you. This is a big advantage if you want a more authentic connection with your listeners.
2. Ease of Use
- NotebookLM Podcast: Extremely simple to convert notes to audio if you’re already using NotebookLM for note-taking.
- ChatGPT + ElevenLabs: Requires additional steps—first generating a script in ChatGPT, then cloning your voice in ElevenLabs, and finally merging them to produce the audio. It’s a bit more involved, but still user-friendly once you set it up.
3. Content Creation
- NotebookLM Podcast: Mainly designed for reading aloud your existing notes. If your notes are detailed, it can create basic audio summaries without extra fuss. However, you might be limited if you want structured podcast episodes with intros, main topics, and outros.
- ChatGPT + ElevenLabs: Provides full content creation capabilities. You can ask ChatGPT for outlines, anecdotes, jokes, and detailed explanations. Then you can record that script using your cloned voice on ElevenLabs. This approach offers more customization for your ChatGPT Podcast Scripts.
4. Workflow Integration
- NotebookLM Podcast: Great if you’re already using Google’s ecosystem to manage all your work. If your entire life is on Google Drive, the path is smooth.
- ChatGPT + ElevenLabs: You’ll work with multiple tools—OpenAI’s ChatGPT and ElevenLabs’ interface or API. While there’s a small learning curve, it offers a robust and versatile workflow for serious podcast creators who want control over every aspect of production.
8. Pros and Cons of NotebookLM Podcast vs. ChatGPT + ElevenLabs
NotebookLM Podcast Pros
- User-Friendly: Perfect for beginners who want a quick way to convert notes into audio.
- Google Integration: Syncs smoothly with Google Docs, Drive, and other Google services.
- Simplicity: If your main goal is to listen to your notes, it does the job easily.
NotebookLM Podcast Cons
- Generic Voices: You can’t customize or clone your own voice, which can reduce authenticity.
- Limited Creative Control: Not ideal for creating full-fledged NotebookLM Podcast episodes with intros, transitions, and interviews.
- Fewer Advanced Features: It focuses on note-reading rather than professional podcast production.
ChatGPT + ElevenLabs Pros
- Personalized Voice: With ElevenLabs Clone Voice, your podcast can sound just like you without manually recording every word.
- Rich Content Generation: ChatGPT can create scripts, show segments, and even entire outlines for your podcast series.
- Creative Freedom: You can craft nearly any style or format, from casual chats to deep-dive interviews.
ChatGPT + ElevenLabs Cons
- More Setup: Requires two different platforms—OpenAI’s ChatGPT and the ElevenLabs system.
- Learning Curve: May take some time to understand how to clone your voice and integrate scripts.
- Potential Cost: While there are free trials, advanced features usually come with subscription plans or usage fees.
9. Best Practices for Creating Podcast Scripts
Whether you’re using NotebookLM Podcast or ChatGPT + ElevenLabs, good scriptwriting is key to making a compelling show. Here are some best practices:
- Keep It Conversational: Write as if you’re speaking to one person, not a huge audience. This makes your podcast feel more personal.
- Use Simple Language: Aim for an 8th grade reading level. Avoid big words and long sentences that can confuse your listeners.
- Tell Stories: People remember stories more than facts or figures. Include personal anecdotes or case studies to illustrate your points.
- Add Clear Sections: Break your podcast into segments, like an intro, main topic, summary, and outro, so listeners can follow easily.
- Include Questions: Ask thought-provoking questions to keep your audience engaged, even if you aren’t taking live responses.
10. SEO Tips for Podcast Creators
Creating a ChatGPT Podcast or NotebookLM Podcast isn’t just about producing audio; you also want people to find your content online. Here are some SEO tips:
- Use Relevant Keywords: Include terms like “Google NotebookLM,” “NotebookLM,” “NotebookLM Podcast,” “ChatGPT Podcast Scripts,” “ElevenLabs,” and “ElevenLabs Clone Voice” in your episode titles, descriptions, and blog posts.
- Write Detailed Show Notes: Transcribe your episodes or create a detailed summary. Search engines love text, and this helps your podcast rank higher.
- Optimize Metadata: If you upload your podcast to hosting platforms, fill out the title, description, and tags carefully. Make sure to use the keywords you’ve researched.
- Promote on Social Media: Linking to your podcast from Facebook, Twitter (X), Instagram, or YouTube can help boost its visibility.
- Encourage Reviews: Podcast reviews on platforms like Apple Podcasts or Spotify can improve your credibility and increase discoverability.
11. Real-World Use Cases
Use Case 1: A Solo Entrepreneur’s Daily Update
Imagine you are a solo entrepreneur who wants to share daily business tips but doesn’t have time to record a new podcast episode every morning.
You jot down your notes in NotebookLM and quickly convert them into a NotebookLM Podcast. This is a simple and fast approach, but your voice lacks that personal warmth since it’s just a generic AI speaker.
Use Case 2: Branded Educational Podcast
You run an online course or membership site, and you want a weekly podcast that feels authentically “you.” You use ChatGPT to generate a helpful script about a topic your audience is curious about, like “Advanced SEO Techniques.”
Then, you pop that script into ElevenLabs Clone Voice and produce an audio file in your own voice. Your listeners won’t even know you didn’t speak those words yourself, and it saves a ton of time.
Use Case 3: Repurposing Existing Content
You have dozens of written articles or blog posts on your website and you want to convert them into audio to reach a wider audience. With NotebookLM Podcast, you can batch process your Google Docs or notes for quick audio versions, although the voice will be generic.
Alternatively, you can feed each article to ChatGPT to refine the text into a more conversational script, then use your ElevenLabs Clone Voice to record them. This route is more time-consuming but offers a polished, personal finish.
12. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I integrate NotebookLM with ChatGPT?
Not directly. NotebookLM is owned by Google, while ChatGPT is a tool from OpenAI. They are separate platforms with no official native integration. However, you could manually copy text from NotebookLM into ChatGPT, or vice versa.
Q2: Which AI voice sounds most natural?
At the time of writing, ElevenLabs Clone Voice is known for producing some of the most natural-sounding results, especially since it can use your own voice. NotebookLM Podcast has decent voices, but they are less personalized.
Q3: What is the cost of using NotebookLM vs. ChatGPT + ElevenLabs?
Costs can vary. Some features of NotebookLM are free with a Google account, while advanced features might require a subscription if introduced in the future. ChatGPT has both free and paid versions (ChatGPT Plus). ElevenLabs also has subscription tiers for voice cloning. Always check official pricing pages for the most current info.
Q4: Can I edit the audio output?
Yes, you can download the audio file from both NotebookLM Podcast (if available in your region) and ElevenLabs. You can then edit the file in any audio editing software, adding music, sound effects, or transitions.
Q5: Is it legal to clone my voice with ElevenLabs?
Yes, as long as you’re cloning your own voice or have permission from the person whose voice you want to clone. Always make sure you follow local laws and platform guidelines.
13. Conclusion
Choosing between Google NotebookLM and its NotebookLM Podcast feature versus ChatGPT in combination with ElevenLabs Clone Voice depends on your goals, budget, and how much personalization you want for your podcast.
If you’re looking for the easiest route and you’re already taking notes in the Google ecosystem, NotebookLM Podcast can quickly transform your written notes into a shareable audio format. However, you’ll be limited to generic AI voices and have less creative control over your final product.
On the other hand, ChatGPT + ElevenLabs offers endless opportunities for custom script writing and ElevenLabs Clone Voice personalization. This approach shines for marketers, educators, and solo entrepreneurs who want to build a personal brand.
By using ChatGPT Podcast Scripts and voicing them through ElevenLabs, you can achieve a podcast that sounds just like you—even if you don’t have time to sit down and record every single episode.
Before you decide, consider how important authenticity, creative freedom, and integration are for your workflow.
Each method has its own strengths, and you can even combine them to some extent—using NotebookLM for brainstorming and ChatGPT + ElevenLabs for final production.
Whatever path you choose, the rise of AI in podcasting means there’s never been a better time to start experimenting with new ways to share your ideas.
So, if you’re excited to create a NotebookLM Podcast in your own voice, note that you’d need to switch to something like ChatGPT plus ElevenLabs for that level of personalization.
And if you’re just looking for a quick and easy audio version of your notes, NotebookLM Podcast might be enough.
Either way, the most important thing is to keep your audience interested with high-quality content and an authentic connection. That’s how you’ll grow your podcast and stand out in a crowded digital landscape.
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