Beyond the Big 4: Essential AI Tools for Content Creation
- Drew Polenske
- Oct 7
- 4 min read
Tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Copilot are very impactful when it comes to ideation, script writing, content planning, video creation, and organization. Beyond the “Big 4,” however, there are other game-changing AI tools that can take your social media content from a concept to a polished post.
ElevenLabs: Your AI Voice Actor
ElevenLabs generates realistic, AI-powered voice overs that sound like a real human. Type what you want said, choose your delivery speed and voice, and simply hit generate.
If your delivery sounds unnatural, adjust spaces and punctuation in your prompt. Commas, spaces, and other punctuation create pauses in speech, which can drastically improve how natural your AI-voiceover sounds.
ElevenLabs is best for:
Educational and informative content
Product explanations
Any video needing consistent, professional narration
CapCut: The Editing Powerhouse
If there is one tool on this list that you have heard of, it is likely CapCut. This free video editing app packs professional features into a beginner-friendly interface. CapCut offers trimming, effects, transitions, text animations, and even AI-powered editing tools.
The most efficient, yet effective, feature of CapCut is templates. Templates are the pre-built video structures to sync to trending sounds and use popular editing styles. You can search templates related to your niche, drop in your photos or clips, and you have ready-to-use content in minutes.
CapCut is best for:
Short form TikTok and Instagram content
Trending video formats
Creators who want professional results without a complex learning process
Here is a quick CapCut tutorial for beginners.
Canva: Simplified Design
Canva is perfect for designing product posters, editing photos, and creating graphics with thousands of customizable and pre-made templates. Canva also offers optional AI features such as background removal and photo enhancement.
While Canva also offers video editing features, they’re choppy compared to CapCut.
Stick to Canva for:
Graphics
Photo editing
Design work
These elements can then be imported into CapCut for video editing.
The AI Video Duo: Sora & Runway
These two platforms represent the cutting edge of text-to-video and video-to-video AI technology, each with unique strengths for different needs.
Sora 2: Jaw-Dropping Video Generator
OpenAI’s newest release, Sora 2, takes text-to-video creation to the next level.
This update delivers:
More realistic physics
Improved scene consistency
Fully synced audio for natural-sounding voice and sound effects
Users can also insert themselves into scenes using the new “Cameo” feature. With OpenAI’s release of Sora 2, Sora has become one of the most advanced text-to-video AI platforms available to the public.
Sora 2 is currently available through an invite-only iOS app and for ChatGPT Plus users. Each video is automatically watermarked to ensure AI use transparency.
Download the new Sora app here.
Runway: Flexible Video Creation
Runway offers both text-to-video and video-to-video generation.
Video-to-video creation allows you to transform or extend an existing video clip
Text-to-video allows you to create a video from scratch.
The free tier allows you to test the platform, while premium enables 4K video creation, removes watermarks, and reduces wait times for creation.
Runway is best for creators wanting to experiment without immediate financial commitment compared to other AI tools that require an immediate subscription.
Choosing Your Content Creation Tools
You do not need to use all of these tools at once! Instead, start with the basics and expand to fit your needs from there.
For basic social media content consider CapCut for video editing and Canva for photo editing. These tools cover most, if not all, features a creator needs to succeed, and they are both free!
Consider trying ElevenLabs if you are creating informative content, product explanations, or any video needing professional narration.
For AI-generated footage, choose based on your budget and needs. ChatGPT Plus users should consider Sora 2, while budget-conscious consumers can start with Runway’s free tier.
While ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Copilot can help you plan and strategize, tools such as CapCut, Canva, ElevenLabs, Sora, and Runway can help you execute. These platforms can help you turn ideas into actual photo and video content. Most offer free tiers or trials, so you are free to experiment without financial risk.
Creating content on social media doesn’t have to be a solo project. AI tools can help assist and handle the heavy lifting, while you can focus on content that connects with your audience and represents your brand.
About the Author
Drew Polenske is a marketing student at Baldwin Wallace University and social media influencer with hands-on experience in marketing, social media strategy, and brand storytelling. He has worked with companies such as Life360 and Grail Talent, creating impactful social media content and data-driven campaigns featured in major publications like The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Drew is passionate about connecting brands with audiences through creative and strategic marketing campaigns.
Connect with Drew on LinkedIn.