Weighing the Challenges and Opportunities for Freelance Writers in the Age of AI

 

A discussion arose at one of my freelancer group last night. We talked about the chances for content writers with the rise of AI. 

The rise of AI writing tools has totally shaken up the freelance writing scene! Everyone's buzzing about how these tools might take over our jobs! Many digital agencies also compete to build their own AI tools to attract their business clients. 

However, it must be remembered that these tools are not a replacement for human writers, but rather a new set of tools that can be used to augment and enhance the writing process. 

Despite the fact that AI is merely a tool, as freelance content writers, we should always be aware that both our challenges and opportunities have became bigger. 

Challenges for freelance writers 

Many people think that AI will replace the job of content writer because content creation is much easier, faster, and cheaper with AI. For example, you only need to pay fee of as much as $20 per month for ChatGPT Pro. Compare this with the rate of a content writer, which can reach $30-%50 per article of 500 words. 

It also can't be helped if clients start to see content creation as a commodity, putting pressure on freelance rates. Some basic writing tasks may become automated, requiring freelancers to develop new skills and specialize in areas where AI cannot compete. 

Opportunities for freelance writers 

As I mentioned earlier, AI has the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency of our content creation process. With the help of AI, we can automate repetitive tasks such as research and data analysis, completing them in a matter of seconds. Take the Search Generative Experience, which was introduced by Google in May 2023, as an example. 

In the past, you will have needed hours to define your article's competitors. But with the present SGE, you can simply choose those that are on SGE summaries or those on follow up queries. Brain dumping ideas, composing strategies, drawing an outline, re-writing content from different perspectives—so many jobs can be done in a few minutes with AI. 

It means you can tap into new markets that require large volumes of content, such as e-commerce product descriptions or social media posts. 

You should also remember, that AI will always need a prompt to result in an answer. In other words you still have the opportunity to secure work.

Adapting and thriving in the AI era 

Since the widespread use of AI in the content creation realm, I often ask for some expert’s advice on how freelancers should adapt and thrive nowadays. I also read some articles that discuss strategies for freelancers to go forward in the AI era. 

Below, I summarized strategies that may help you manage as a freelance content writer nowadays. 

1. Take AI as your best friend 

Instead of viewing AI as a threat, you can collaborate with AI writing tools to enhance your productivity and effectiveness. 

You can use Grammarly, Quilt Bolt for tasks such as grammar and spell-checking (oh, it is not a sponsored post anyway). Or you may love Gemini, POE, ChatGPT, or Llama to generate topic ideas, or optimize content for search engines. 

By combining their expertise with AI capabilities, freelancers can deliver higher-quality work more efficiently. 

2. Focus on your unique value 

While AI tools can automate certain aspects of content creation, you can differentiate yourself by offering unique value that goes beyond what AI can provide. This can include creativity, critical thinking, storytelling abilities, or deep subject matter expertise. 

3. Develop a niche expertise 

I understand that the debate surrounding whether to offer services across a wide range of topics or focus on a niche area of expertise is ongoing. But in hindsight, AI tools may have limitations when it comes to understanding and catering to highly specialized or niche topics. Certain industries or subjects require insightful and customized content that AI tools may struggle to provide. 

While an AI tool may write something like, 

'Discover the power of our innovative SaaS solution that revolutionizes project management, “Our robust platform provides seamless collaboration, real-time updates, and advanced analytics to streamline your workflow and maximize productivity,'” - 

But, it is only you who can accurately describe the real problems you face on a daily basis and how the software helps you overcome those challenges. 

We also know, that, as AI writing tools become more sophisticated, it's crucial for freelance writers to develop specialized skills. Below, I gather some examples of specialized skills that can help you stay competitive 

Creative writing 

• Fiction writing: Novels, short stories, scripts, poetry 
• Copywriting: Advertising, marketing materials, website content 
• Content writing: Blog posts, articles, and social media content 
• Technical writing: User manuals, white papers, product descriptions 

Technical skills

• SEO writing: Optimizing content for search engines 
• Data analysis and visualization: Creating compelling data-driven content 
• Programming and coding: Building interactive content or integrating with APIs 
• Content management systems (CMS): WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla 

Niche expertise

• Industry-specific knowledge: Healthcare, finance, technology, and education 
• Subject matter expertise: Science, history, law, engineering 
• Cultural competency: Understanding different audiences and tailoring content accordingly 

Additional technical skills

• Translation and localization: Adapting content for different languages and cultures 
• Audio and video production: Creating podcasts, videos, and other multimedia scripts 
• Research and analysis: Gathering and interpreting information for content creation 
• Project management: Planning, executing, and delivering projects on time and within budget 

Additional soft skills

• Strong communication skills: Writing clearly, concisely, and persuasively 
• Collaboration and teamwork: Working effectively with clients and other stakeholders 
• Time management and organization: Meeting deadlines and managing multiple projects 
• Problem-solving and critical thinking: Identifying and addressing client needs 

4. Continuous learning and upskilling 

Invest in learning new skills, particularly in areas that AI is less likely to dominate, such as creative thinking, emotional intelligence, and high-touch services. Stay updated on the latest AI tools and technologies to remain competitive. 

5. Forging rock-solid connection with clients 

I believe that providing personal attention, excellent communication, and delivering high-quality work are mandatory for building strong relationships with clients. When discussing the idea of focusing on business clients, one of my friends disagreed, concerned that it could lead to heartbreak. 

However, in my opinion, establishing a strong relationship with a client not only allows for the development of a solid portfolio but also presents opportunities to receive valuable references. 

6. Ride the wave of ever-changing market demands 

Stay alert to the evolving market demands driven by AI and adjust your services accordingly. You can identify emerging niches, explore new content formats, or offer specialized AI-related services such as rewriting AI content, content optimization for AI algorithms, or AI-driven content strategy consulting. 

Before the good bye ... 

In conclusion, AI writing tools are not a threat to freelance writers, but rather a new set of tools that can enhance and expedite the writing process. Embrace AI as your comrade and develop specialized skills to thrive in this expanding landscape.