One thing has modified in 2025.
I’m getting extra shopper inquiries and listening to of extra success from different freelance writers.
Again in 2024, it wasn’t like this.
I didn’t get many inquires and relied on my present shopper listing, and all I noticed on LinkedIn and X have been posts about AI and the way it’s ruining our freelance writing trade.
So, what offers?
I really feel that the AI bubble lastly burst and companies are seeing how these instruments are NOT saving them time or cash (in the long term).
And I’ve proof for this declare!
What’s This About AI Taking Over?
In case you’re a brand new freelance author, then I’m positive you’ve heard of ChatGPT.
It’s everywhere in the information of teenagers utilizing it for remedy or how grown males are utilizing it for companionship.
ChatGPT isn’t going away, and it’s solely going to get extra highly effective.
So, when ChatGPT entered the scene, at first, I used to be like, “Oh, this sucks!”
And it did.
The primary iteration of ChatGPT couldn’t write lengthy paragraphs, was extraordinarily repetitive and supplied no new concepts, simply regurgitated ones it discovered.
I’m secureI assumed.
Effectively, fast-forward round ten months and I noticed an enchancment in AI. I began dabbling in AI and utilizing it for my private blogs.
I used to be discovering success too, and determined to make use of increasingly AI.
After which…..the purchasers that have been hiring me, mentioned it was OKAY to make use of AI….simply make certain to run it by an AI detector device (that they advisable).
Okay. So, companies are okay so long as it comes out human.
Certain, I can use AI in my workflow and I did.
However, right here’s the factor that many new writers overlook or aren’t doing.
You CAN’T use AI on matters you already know NOTHING about.
Right here’s a remark I acquired and it sums up this concept:
So, for me, once I use AI for shopper work, I solely use it for sure issues like:
- Serving to me end a sentence if I’ve author’s block (which I’ve once I’m wired)
- Give me examples (like podcasts examples or SME’s – material specialists)
- Summarize an article for me for analysis
- Discover credible sources/stats (that I reality examine)
You’ll be able to see, I take advantage of AI as an assistant, and never a device to take over.
I’m the author, AI is the device.
Freelance Writers Grew to become Anxious And Misplaced Jobs
I’m not going to lie right here, however there have been freelance writers that misplaced jobs to AI.
However these weren’t simply ANY freelance writers; they have been “low degree” search engine optimisation writers that have been already making an attempt to chop corners earlier than AI happened.
There have been different causes or issues that have been taking place throughout this time.
I imply 2024 was the wild wild west for the AI explosion and aftermath.
With all of this swirling round, in fact, writers have been anxious and scared.
A few of my college students determined it wasn’t for them.
Others simply went 100% into AI and promoted themselves as an AI author for companies the place they will pump out 50 articles per day.
For me, I watched and analyzed.
I nonetheless landed purchasers and had purchasers inform me it’s okay to make use of AI.
I used to be okay and advantageous.
Then 2025 hit.
Corporations Are Discovering AI Isn’t Worthwhile
A report from the College of Copenhagen shared that out of 25,000 employees studied throughout 7,000 workplaces, the affect of AI was… underwhelming.
Most noticed only a 3% time financial savings, and solely a tiny portion of that led to noticeable earnings development—round 3 to 7%.
The takeaway?
AI isn’t changing everybody or unlocking huge productiveness positive factors. No less than not but. Regardless of the hype, the numbers inform a unique story.
And I’m seeing this LIVE within the wild with inquiries I’m getting.
One was an AI device who explicitly instructed me they wished authentic SME content material, not AI in any respect for use.
The opposite wished SME content material the place I can share my experiences, and one other one mentioned one thing related.
Corporations have been discovering that chatbots or AI writers simply weren’t saving them time. They even needed to go and re-write the content material or severely edit the content material.
What This Means for Freelance Writers
I truthfully really feel 2025 is the begin to a brand new panorama for content material creation.
However this implies there isn’t room for writers who reduce corners or are attempting to pump out content material for a couple of dollars for dozens of purchasers.
That is the period to be the sought-after author.
In my course, Writeto1kI train you find out how to construct a sustainable freelance writing enterprise so that you could turn into that go-to author for companies in a selected trade.
However, let’s undergo some key areas you can begin shaping at present so that you could turn into that go-to author.
1. Change into an Knowledgeable in Your Area of interest
I’ve a variety of weblog posts and YouTube movies on discovering your worthwhile area of interest.
Why?
As a result of it’s uber essential to have a distinct segment that makes you cash.
Not all freelance writing niches are worthwhile, but when cash isn’t your finish aim, then you’ll be able to feasibly decide any area of interest and be blissful about it.
I assume, although, that most individuals studying this need to begin freelance writing to make a facet earnings as a result of they need to keep dwelling.
I imply, that was a giant cause why I wished to strive freelance writing.
However I didn’t have a distinct segment I used to be an skilled in once I first began.
I picked any and all niches to jot down for and you already know what? It proved profitable….in 2014.
I don’t imagine this method would achieve success now (psst….Kelly’s remark I shared tells you why).
As a substitute, it’s essential to discover a area of interest and turn into the skilled in that area of interest. This may take you time.
It took me a number of years to study digital advertising and some extra to hone my area of interest to SaaS companies.
So, when selecting your freelance writing area of interest it’s okay to select one that’s worthwhile.
Take a look at my video to get some concepts:
In case you discover one, then study that area of interest in and out.
It’s okay to make use of ChatGPT to LEARN about this area of interest.
Then discover the purchasers or companies in that area of interest and begin participating with them on social media.
I do that once I get inquiries from companies.
I observe them on social media and work together with “them.” I’m fairly positive I’m interacting with the corporate’s social media advertising staff however that’s okay!
2. Goal Notable Manufacturers
One other factor to beat AI or to return forward of the AI “monster” is to focus on notable manufacturers.
Now I’m not saying these massive manufacturers don’t use AI however the ones which have, have been burned. Keep in mind when Males’s Well being journal have been caught utilizing AI?
Or extra just lately, US Information sited a summer time studying listing however it was utilizing AI to make up that listing and AI advisable non-existent books to learn.
However there are manufacturers that worth their message and content material and need to work with good freelance writers.
So make an inventory of all of the manufacturers you need to work with, after which from there, create a shopper ladder the place the highest rung is your final shopper model and the bottom rung is step one or first kind of shopper to get to that notable model.
I share this technique in an Instagram submit so make certain to test it out!
Now you’ve got a plan and technique to land notable manufacturers for freelance writing!
3. Exceed Deadlines
Lastly, you’ll be able to work on exceeding deadlines. It is a HUGE factor you are able to do that goes a good distance in a shopper’s eyes.
They keep in mind the writers that go above and past, and I’ve constructed my freelance companies off of this concept.
I all the time set an inside deadline that’s just a few days forward of the deadline.
I like getting work sooner than anticipated, so I do know that purchasers will really feel the identical.
I’ve employed writers up to now, and I had some that did this and others who waited till the final minute of the day to show of their work.
I used to be floored! If it’s due Friday, I’m working and ready…12 pm goes, 3 pm goes, 5 pm goes, 8 pm goes oh and at 8:59 I get the piece.
I don’t work previous 3 pm…and naturally I’m not going to be that shopper that claims, “due Friday, no later than 3pm.”
I imply NO ONE says that proper?
However there are writers who take benefit and do that, and it makes me a bit offended that I waited all day to get the piece and now must work on it the following day.
So, don’t be this sort of author!
Set an inside deadline and go by that solely.
You want time to analysis the piece, write the content material, edit the content material and finalize the content material.
I labored arduous on writing 3,000 phrases rapidly.
This meant I may flip in my work earlier and never be wired the remainder of the week making an attempt to scramble to complete the article.
However even should you can’t write quick, most purchasers offer you 10 days to show in your work. So you’ll be able to set an inside deadline of 5 days and that must be sufficient time to have a accomplished article to show in.
The New Age of AI
Issues are nonetheless a bit not sure about AI, however for now I see the brand new age of AI backing off within the on-line content material world and permitting us, the professionals, take over.
As a contract author, what are you seeing in your small business or on social media concerning AI and writing?
Are you seeing the identical as me or not?
I’d love to listen to your perspective.
