Everyone has an opinion on ChatGPT. We’re writers, so…obviously, we do, too.

The explosion of AI writing tools, from ChatGPT to Google's Bard, has changed the discussion around AI among the writing community. Their output can often be scarily good and rattling for a freelance writer who may have spent a decade or more honing their craft. Similar AI tools generate stunning humanlike or fantastical images, and it's not just freelance writers who feel replaceable.

So what does it mean for you as an established writer or someone just entering the industry? Is AI a better writer than you? Is this the end game? Is there still a reason to be hopeful? And can AI writing tools help you do your job more efficiently? In this episode, we discuss all of these thoughts and more.

Is AI going to wreck your freelance writing career?

AI can generate content much faster and cheaper than working with a freelance writer. So, there's a clear business case for using it, and, as a writer, it's natural to be nervous. That said, the quality of content that AI generates is questionable - it's often generic and won't necessarily help move the needle for your communication goals.

“A lot of AI-generated content is repetitive, lacks a conversational tone, and misses important things like external insights that any good writer or journalist would know how to do.”

If you're a beginner writer or someone churning out a lot of low-quality content, you have reason to be concerned, as AI could potentially do your job. AI is a good writer who can build well-constructed sentences, so it makes a case for weeding out people who can't write well or have poor grammar and punctuation skills.

However, people doing high-quality work that reflects subject matter expertise have an advantage because they are doing things that AI can't yet do. For more nuanced writing, such as anecdotal pieces or personalized content, like writing a case study, AI does not yet have the chops to replace human writers.

The key to surviving and thriving in your writing career (at least at the moment) is to work towards building yourself as a writing specialist rather than a generalist. As a freelance writer who may have previously received a range of writing jobs, you might lose some of the low-level work to an AI tool.

The case for AI

The role of the freelance writer with these tools is undoubtedly evolving - they are becoming prompt creators or editing content that is AI-generated rather than writing the first drafts themselves. With this, some writers have even been able to cut out subcontractors, leaving them with higher profit margins.

“AI lets writers work with more clients because they use ChatGPT to replace their subcontractors.”

Here are some ways writers use AI to hone their craft and improve efficiency.

Answering questions: If you're writing an article on the customer service industry, you could ask ChatGPT, 'What are some ways for a company to improve their customer service?' and get a helpful answer much faster than Google.
Creating briefs: AI tools can be helpful with generating briefs and jumping off points for sections of an article, allowing you to give subcontractors sharper direction and get better output.
Generating first drafts - You could shift focus to content strategy while powering the actual writing with AI. AI tools can also quickly generate the first draft of a piece so you can shift your focus to editing and take on more bulk editing projects.
SEO ideation - AI tools can also help create article outlines with sections based on what users are looking for.

How to adapt to an AI-writing world

If you're not using AI, you're falling behind. It’s being said too much on social media, but there’s some truth to it. Like any new technology, there's a period of transition that can feel intimidating till you find your place as a writer in this new world. The other inescapable fact is it's happening so fast, and we're expected to evolve at lightning speed.

The important thing to remember is this: there will always be clients who need and are willing to pay for high-quality work. So, focus on being curious, experimenting with these tools, keeping up with the news, and staying on top of your game. All the while, continue to hone your craft and build on your expertise, delivering deep content that makes people laugh, pause or think, 'that was some really good copywriting.'

It's still a lot of work to use ChatGPT, and you need to be good at your prompts to get the best work. AI writing often lacks elements that take a piece from good to great and make it widely shared. There are also occasionally bandwidth limitations, so make sure you're using AI as an assistant and not leaning heavily on it.

Consider using AI in your freelance writing process

Look for areas in your business where you can benefit most from AI's assistance: brainstorming, writing a proposal for a retainer, or getting over writer's block. At the same time, think about what you offer that is relatively AI-proof and shift your focus to that kind of work.

The bottom line is we don't know everything about AI and how it will shape our world in the future, but we're curious to learn, and hopefully, you are, too.

ChatGPT, Google Bard, and The Wild Word Of AI Writing Tools