Grok AI

Grok, the latest AI platform from X (formerly known as Twitter), a range of AI capabilities all in one convenient place.

To access Grok, users need an $8 subscription to X Premium, which comes with additional perks apart from Grok access and can be renewed on a monthly or annual basis.

Recently, X unveiled Grok-2, an upgraded AI model that surpasses ChatGPT and Claude in performance.

This enhanced model elevates various aspects, from coding outputs to text and image generation.

One unique feature that distinguishes Grok from other AI platforms is its “Fun Mode,” which injects a more light-hearted, casual, and humorous tone into its results, deviating from the typical formal and serious academic style.

Where and How to Access Grok

I can tell you all about Grok, which you can access through X, formerly known as Twitter, as part of their premium subscription plan.

X currently offers three different levels of subscription: Basic, Premium, and Premium+. It’s worth noting that only Premium and Premium+ users have access to Grok.

If you’re really into social media marketing, you might already have an X Premium subscription, as it comes with a bunch of other benefits on the platform besides Grok access.

If you don’t have a subscription yet, there are some perks that might catch your eye, like access to their AI platform.

You may have noticed users with a blue checkmark next to their name, which used to just mean they were verified.

Now, that checkmark signifies Premium tier members.

Along with the checkmark and Grok access, you can also make money from your posts by getting a cut of the ad revenue generated by X.

For those whose posts consistently reach a wide audience, this could be an additional source of income.

Premium users also have to deal with fewer ads, although the reduction varies among the different tiers.

Ads stay the same for Basic members, are cut in half for Premium users, and are nearly nonexistent for Premium+ users.

If you’re a frequent X user, this alone could be a huge bonus, as ads can really clutter up your feed.

All subscription tiers get the ability to edit posts within an hour of posting, share longer videos, and write longer posts that exceed the usual 280-character limit.

This is especially useful for those who use X for marketing and need to share more info or details.

In terms of pricing, X’s subscription plans are quite reasonable, with the option of a monthly or annual plan.

If you go for the annual plan, you’ll save a bit on your monthly costs. The Basic tier is a steal at just $3 per month or $32 per year, but it doesn’t include Grok access.

The Premium tier costs $8 per month or $84 per year, while the Premium+ tier will set you back $16 per month or $168 per year.

You can switch your subscription tier at any time. In most cases, if you downgrade your subscription, you’ll keep access to your current tier’s features until the next billing cycle, and if you upgrade, you’ll get your new features right away.

Once you’ve got your Premium subscription, you can start using Grok by clicking on the tab for it on the left side of the X website, right under the “Messages” tab.

This will open up an interface for you to start using Grok immediately.

What Grok Can Do

Grok offers users four main functions to explore.

It can serve as a text bot like ChatGPT, generate images akin to Midjourney, assist in coding, and provide insights on current trends based on real-time data.

For many marketers, Grok proves handy as it consolidates multiple tasks in one place.

Moreover, if you’re already using X as a marketing platform, transitioning to Grok should feel seamless.

Switching between text generation and image creation doesn’t require tweaking settings; a simple prompt change does the trick.

The images clearly demonstrate how altering your request to Grok dictates the type of output it produces.

Apart from text and images, Grok is also adept at coding. In one example, it generated HTML code for an e-commerce website’s buy button.

It also emphasized the need to integrate this code with a JavaScript function for full functionality.

Thanks to its integration with X, Grok can furnish marketers with real-time marketing insights.

By querying Grok about trending fitness products, for instance, it recommended a product, summarized its key features, highlighted user interests, and shared relevant popular tweets.

These marketing insights can be invaluable for marketers looking to tap into new niches.

With data constantly updating, you’ll stay ahead of the curve on emerging products that pique public interest.

Grok Prompting Basics

Just like any other platform, using Grok effectively involves understanding how to get it to the output you want.

Grok seems to respond well to specific instructions compared to some other platforms, but you still to be careful with how you phrase your prompts.

The first step is to clearly state the type of output you’re looking for.

Whether it’s asking Grok to “write an email about” something or “generate an image of,” you need to be upfront about your request.

If you don’t specify the format of the output you want, Grok will have to make an educated guess.

For example, when prompted with “buy button” instead of “generate an image of a buy button,” it simply provided general information without generating the image.

Being precise in your prompts is key to getting the desired results.

There’s no strict language requirement for different formats. Using “Create a picture” or “Generate an image” will yield the same outcome.

As long as your request is clear enough for Grok to understand, it will deliver accordingly.

However, when it comes to the rest of your prompt, being more detailed can be beneficial.

For instance, specifying a paragraph format and informal language for an email prompt resulted in a different output compared to a formal list of talking points.

Unlike some AI models, Grok doesn’t provide specific guidelines for parameters or language usage.

But as long as you’re direct and specific in your prompts, Grok should be able to handle them effectively.

Another feature unique to Grok is the fun mode, which allows for a more casual and relaxed tone in the generated content.

To enable or disable this mode, simply toggle the “Fun mode” switch in the dropdown menu on the Grok page.

Fun mode may not be everyone’s cup of tea, as it introduces jokes and slang terms.

However, if this aligns with your audience and brand image, it could be a good fit for you.

Use Grok for Marketing Information

When it comes to Grok being deeply intertwined with X, it has ability to keep you informed about the current discussions happening within specific niche communities.

This feature not only provides you with general, up-to-date news but also offers valuable insights into the latest market trends.

It proves especially helpful for those who lack the time to through numerous news sources related to their niche.

By utilizing Grok, you can effortlessly stay informed about the latest developments without wasting precious time scrolling through endless news headlines.

For instance, if your niche revolves around wearable technology, a fast-paced and constantly evolving industry, keeping track of the constant influx of news articles can be overwhelming.

Instead of getting lost in a sea of information, you can simply ask Grok, as demonstrated in the following example, to provide you with the most recent news updates.

There are several ways to request Grok for the latest news updates.

In the previous example, we used the prompt “Give me the latest news,” but you can also ask questions like “What are the current trends in” or “What are the emerging topics in” to receive relevant information.

One unique aspect of Grok’s news and trends feature is that it displays popular posts related to the prompt at the bottom of the response.

This allows you to explore additional information on the topic and read responses from other users, enhancing your understanding of your niche.

This not only saves time but also proves invaluable for individuals new to their respective markets.

When entering a new niche, the multitude of discussions and topics can be overwhelming, making it easy to miss out on emerging trends unless you’re closely monitoring the conversation.

By simply inquiring about upcoming trends, you can gain a clear understanding of the topics that interest people in your niche, along with examples and reasons for their popularity.

Grok is a reliable source for staying updated on market trends without the need to scour multiple sources, as it leverages X’s post data to identify trending topics and gauge their popularity.

Even if you’re undecided about which niche to focus on, Grok can still be a valuable resource.

In the example below, we asked for recommendations on emerging niches that any marketer could explore, and Grok provided a list of growing niches along with brief descriptions for each.

This feature is beneficial for individuals starting their marketing careers from scratch or those seeking to venture into new, trending niches beyond their current focus.

Generate Images Using Grok

I’ve been exploring Grok lately, and I must say, it’s quite impressive in generating images, much like Midjourney.

The platform utilizes Flux for its images, and the level of realism it achieves is truly unmatched.

To get the best images for your projects using Grok, it’s essential to be specific in your prompt.

For instance, if you want a vector art illustration of a laptop on a desk, a vague prompt like “laptop on a desk” will likely result in a basic and realistic image.

One remarkable aspect is Grok’s attention to detail, like the clear and accurate numbers on a clock in an image.

It’s a refreshing change from other AI image generators that often miss these small details.

By adding specific instructions, such as requesting a particular art style, the image can be dramatically transformed.

Flat vector illustrations are more commonly used for stock images and advertisements.

Now, let’s challenge Grok with a more complex task involving text in the image.

While many AI image generators struggle with text placement, Grok excels in this aspect.

By simply adding a request for text on the laptop screen saying “Limited offer!” the result is impressive.

Although the image may change slightly in terms of angle and color scheme, Grok’s ability to accurately place the text with correct spelling, punctuation, and capitalization remains consistent.

With additional specificity in the prompt, such as specifying colors and the laptop’s orientation, you can achieve the exact image you envision.

Grok’s versatility in art styles and proficiency in incorporating text sets it apart from other AI image platforms.

While Grok may have limitations like the inability to change image aspect ratios, it excels in real-time data integration.

This unique feature allows you to tap into current discussions and trends within your target demographic, providing valuable insights into consumer sentiment and behaviors.

When it comes to handling complex prompts that basic tools like ChatGPT struggle with, Grok-2 effortlessly rises to the challenge.