Content material writing has modified A LOT since I first began means again in 2014.
After I landed my first freelance writing jobs, you would do fairly nicely should you knew find out how to analysis a subject, write a useful 1,000-2,000-word weblog publish, sprinkle in the appropriate key phrases and make Google joyful.
After all, you continue to wanted to be a very good author, however the precise writing was an enormous a part of what shoppers have been paying you for.
Then AI got here alongside and utterly shook issues up. Thanks AI! Not!
I really began writing about AI and what it might imply for freelance writers again in 2023, when ChatGPT was nonetheless comparatively new and writers have been beginning to wonder if this was going to take all our jobs.
And I’ve stored a reasonably shut pulse on it ever since.
I’ve watched AI go from one thing corporations have been experimenting with to one thing that’s now constructed into virtually EVERY content material advertising and marketing workflow.
I’ve additionally watched freelance writing jobs change and seen shopper expectations change with the developments.
And I’ve modified the way in which I method content material for my very own SaaS shoppers due to it.
As a result of right here’s the truth:
Anybody can open an AI software now, sort in a immediate and have 1,000 phrases sitting in entrance of them in seconds.
And should you’re making an attempt to turn into a contract author, I do know that may sound fairly scary.
You could be considering, Why would an organization pay me $500, $1,000 or extra for an article after they can technically get AI to “write” one for them?
However after watching this play out for the previous few years, I don’t suppose the chance for freelance writers is disappearing.
What’s worthwhile a few freelance author is altering.
Placing phrases on a web page isn’t probably the most worthwhile half anymore. Consumer’s need what YOU convey to these phrases.
And I’m seeing this an increasing number of with the SaaS content material I write, too.
That’s why I believe studying find out how to turn into a greater freelance content material author proper now’s far more than writing. So, should you don’t know what that “far more” stuff is, carry on studying!
AI Makes Content material Sooner — However Is It Making It Higher?
I’ll be the primary to say that AI appears to work good within the running a blog world. I’ve a number of area of interest websites and AI has helped me write quicker and put out content material a the next price.
And corporations know that AI may help enhance velocity.
Based on the Content material Advertising Institute’s 2025 B2B analysis, 81% of B2B entrepreneurs stated their groups have been already utilizing generative AI instruments, up from 72% the 12 months earlier than.
And what are they getting from it?
51% stated AI resulted in fewer tedious duties, whereas 45% stated it created extra environment friendly workflows.
So, sure.
AI helps advertising and marketing groups transfer FASTER.
And this isn’t simply entrepreneurs saying they really feel extra productive, both.
One research revealed in Science checked out 453 college-educated professionals finishing skilled writing duties. The folks utilizing ChatGPT accomplished their work 40% quicker on common.
That’s HUGE!
However whereas AI may help us produce content material quicker, that doesn’t essentially imply corporations are abruptly producing higher, extra worthwhile content material.
In that very same Content material Advertising Institute analysis, solely 17% of B2B entrepreneurs rated AI-generated content material as wonderful or superb.
One other 35% rated it solely “truthful.” And solely 4% of B2B entrepreneurs reported having a excessive degree of belief in generative AI outputs.
So we’re producing content material quicker…however we’re nonetheless questioning the standard of what we’re producing. I do know I’m each time I learn content material on-line these days…was that written by AI?
And different folks appear to be noticing this too.
A 2026 Gartner survey discovered that 49% of U.S. customers consider generative AI has made the standard of content material accessible to them WORSE.
For Gen Z and millennials, that quantity jumps to 57%. That’s loopy, eh?
As a result of the chance isn’t essentially in competing with AI to see who can crank out a 2,000-word article the quickest.
AI already wins that race!
The chance is in the whole lot that occurs BEFORE these phrases make it onto the web page.
- The analysis & interviews
- The unique examples
- The statistics you utilize
- The primary-hand expertise you will have
- The skilled opinions from SMEs or case research
- The angle no person else considered
That’s the stuff that takes time. And it’s additionally the stuff that may make your content material value studying.
That’s why for my weblog posts, I at all times attempt to use examples from LinkedIn, or use first hand expertise of issues I went by to assist make my writing extra valuavle to you!
So whereas corporations can completely use AI to hurry up elements of the content material creation course of, I believe the writers who turn into MORE worthwhile are going to be those who know find out how to use the talents under to make them extra enticing to potential shoppers.
And that brings me to the seven abilities I believe content material writers want now.
1. Spend Extra Time Researching Than Writing
After I first began freelance writing, I spent most of my time writing the primary draft and remaining draft. I barely spent anytime researching as I’d analysis as I wrote.
It was high quality, I used to be getting paid and touchdown amazig shoppers.
However now? To land a very good paying freelance writing job, spend 60% researching, 25% drafting and 15% enhancing.
You don’t must comply with this precisely, simply know that as a contract content material author RIGHT NOW, you should spend far more time researching as a result of that’s what will assist you to stand out within the period of AI.
After I’m writing for a SaaS shopper, I don’t need to open the primary three articles rating on Google, rearrange what they stated and name it a brand new article.
That’s probably not creating something and I’m only a collector of stats and examples…not what a high-paying freelance author does.
As a substitute, I’m on the lookout for data that provides the article one thing the opposite posts DON’T have.
That is generally known as data acquire.
Mainly, what new data does your article add to the dialog? And there are 4 actually good methods you are able to do this:
- Interview an skilled
- Gather unique information
- Analyze present data in a brand new means
- Share first-hand expertise
In case your complete article is solely summarizing data that already exists on-line, you’re competing with 1000’s of different articles AND AI.
However if you add one thing unique or add an SME quote, it’s going to give worth and provides somebody WANTING to learn your shopper piece.
2. Get Good at Interviewing Consultants
The thought of including case research, interviews or subject material experience into your content material is one thing I’ve identified for a very long time and present how I do it it in my masterclass, Writing a B2B $1000 Article.
As of this 12 months, it’s type of obligatory to have interview abilities to jot down B2B or SaaS content material. You most likely don’t want this ability for different varieties of writing niches like journey, leisure, and even sports activities….however you already know what? Even these niches would profit from interviews from necessary folks, don’t you suppose a hockey publish could be extra worthwhile if they’d a quote from a hockey participant?
And also you don’t must be the world’s main skilled on e mail advertising and marketing, cybersecurity, mission administration or eCommerce. That’s okay!
Your job as the author is usually to seek out the one who IS the skilled and pull the helpful data out of them.
One 30-minute interview may give you adequate materials for a 2,500-word article, a number of LinkedIn posts, a e-newsletter and doubtlessly much more content material.
That’s a LOT of content material from one dialog. However to have all of that content material from an interview, means you should ask the appropriate questions. Don’t ask,”What are your finest ideas?”
As a substitute, you need questions that uncover issues you’ll be able to’t discover by Googling.
For instance:
What’s the usual recommendation about this matter, and the place does it crumble?
Or:
What do most individuals get mistaken about this?
Or one in all my favorites:
What did you consider 5 years in the past that you simply don’t consider anymore?
Now you’re getting someplace! You’re pulling out opinions, experiences and tales that don’t exist already in 25 competing articles.
And right here’s one other little interviewing tip: Don’t be afraid of silence. Let the particular person end their thought. If they are saying one thing shocking, ask WHY.
Then ask why once more.
That’s typically the place you’ll discover the quote or concept that makes all the article value studying. However how do you acquire expertise should you don’t have a contract writing job?
What I’d do is figure on this ability with discovery calls and if you arrange Zoom calls for brand spanking new shoppers.
This can be a nice time to ask a number of questions on their content material wants, what they need the write to do or speak about and what assets have they got for you.
3. Create Your Personal Knowledge
I do know –
“Unique analysis” feels like one thing an enormous advertising and marketing firm does with a $50,000 price range, proper?
Nicely, a minimum of that’s what I assumed.
However that’s not true and should you don’t already know, creating unique content material could be straightforward. You may survey your LinkedIn viewers or ballot your e-newsletter subscribers.
That’s straightforward eh?
From that you would ask questions inside an business group or you would even analyze responses out of your shopper’s prospects.
I just lately created a survey for freelance writers. I’m asking how AI is impacting their enterprise and I’m compiling responses to jot down a report.
Ideally, I need to collect 100–200 responses from 5 to eight questions, together with one or two open-ended questions that allow folks clarify their solutions.
For shopper items, you are able to do this too by asking issues no person is asking.
That’s the place your article can turn into REALLY fascinating.
As a substitute of asking:
“How necessary is AI to your content material technique?”
Ask:
“What number of instances did your crew use AI to create content material final month?”
See the distinction?
One asks for an opinion.
The opposite offers you precise habits you’ll be able to analyzen after which your article isn’t repeating one other firm’s statistic.
You could have your OWN statistic.
4. Discover Unique Insights With out Working a Survey
I simply advised you I’m surveying my viewers, however what occurs should you don’t have an viewers OR a shopper doesn’t have a whole bunch of consumers you’ll be able to survey?
You’ll be able to nonetheless create unique analysis.
Take a group of publicly accessible data and analyze it your self (or use ChatGPT to do it for you by asking it easy questions you need to use to make your personal concepts).
You may take a look at:
- software program opinions
- Reddit or discussion board discussions
- YouTube feedback
- job listings
- app opinions
- buyer assist discussions
- social media feedback
Let’s say you’re writing about e mail advertising and marketing platforms.
As a substitute of claiming:
“Ease of use is necessary when selecting an e mail advertising and marketing platform.”
You may analyze 200 latest opinions from a number of fashionable e mail advertising and marketing platforms.
Possibly you uncover:
Of the 200 opinions analyzed, 61 talked about onboarding difficulties whereas solely 9 talked about value.
THAT is fascinating as a result of that actual perception didn’t exist till you probably did the work to uncover it.
After all, earlier than you get excited to create a survey, ensure that the shopper doesn’t have already got this unique analysis.
For instance, for my beehiiv shopper, they typically create reviews about who’s utilizing their e-newsletter platform and as a substitute of drawing from different reviews, once I write for them, I can use their inside reporting.
5. Use Your Personal Expertise
To make writing simpler for you, generally it’s finest to make use of your personal expertise, if it is sensible and if the shopper permits it.
Through the years, I’ve been employed for MY subject material experience and for these shoppers, I’m inspired to jot down in first particular person.
Now, don’t be discouraged if you see these examples. I’ve taken years to construct up my SME expertise. For you, you don’t have to attend that lengthy.
You’ll be able to nonetheless use your personal expertise in different methods.
For instance, what should you’re writing about instructing somebody find out how to create a LinkedIn publish?
Create the publish and doc the steps. You’ll be able to take screenshots to indicate the whole lot after which after a while, take a look at the analytics to research.
I just lately created a podcast on a not-so-nice factor that occurred to me (and the way I’m extraordinarily upset by it) for my paid Substack customers.
These experiences give me issues to speak about that aren’t sitting inside someone else’s article.
So for you, method this as saying:
Right here’s what I attempted. Right here’s what occurred. Right here’s what I realized.
That alone could make your content material MUCH extra helpful.
6. Construct Your Analysis File BEFORE You Begin Writing
One factor I used to do once I write articles for shoppers, is to analysis whereas I write. I imply, I nonetheless do that however I don’t do it for almost all of my publish.
What occurs is that writing and stopping to discover a stat and writing once more, disrupts your circulation and it takes a LONG time to finishe the publish or article.
As a substitute, do your considering first. Earlier than you write the article, create a analysis doc (after studying over the content material temporary the shopper offers you to jot down the article).
I would come with issues like:
- Statistics and their unique sources
- Skilled quotes
- Screenshots
- Examples
- Competitor articles
That is additionally my “dump” file the place I’ll simply dump something I would like for that article.
Then create your define.
So, consider analysis and writing like this:
The define is the place the considering occurs. The draft is the place the typing occurs.
7. Study How one can Write for Google AND AI Search
How folks search on-line has modified modified since once I started freelance writing again in 2014.
It use to be, you go to Google and kind “freelance writing” after which learn a weblog publish about it.
Now, individuals are asking questions and utilizing Googl’e AI or different AI instruments to seek out the solutions.
And this opens up the world of reply engine optimization (AEO) and generative engine optimization (GEO). This can be a “new” ability all writers ought to find out about.
However for one thing you need to use RIGHT NOW, begin writing with the reply in thoughts. This implies answering the query rapidly.
In case your H2 says:
How A lot Ought to a Freelance Author Cost?
Don’t spend 4 paragraphs explaining how the freelance writing business has advanced.
ANSWER THE QUESTION.
Then clarify it after which assist it.
It is best to give an instance or two and inform the reader what to do with that data.
Your content material must also be particular. As a substitute of writing:
“Many B2B entrepreneurs battle with restricted assets.”
Give me the quantity.
- Who was surveyed?
- How many individuals?
- When was the analysis carried out?
- Who carried out it?
- What precisely did they discover?
Attempt to assist your writing with these questions in thoughts.
So, The place SHOULD Writers Use AI?
I’m not anti-AI and I do know AI is a useful software in my enterprise (and must be for your enterprise).
However I exploit it as an assistant. There are many locations the place AI can velocity up your workflow.
You may use it for:
- Transcribing an interview
- Summarizing a report you’re additionally going to learn
- Brainstorming headline variations
- Serving to restructure an overview you’ve already created
- Discovering gaps in your argument
- Recognizing repetition
- Enhancing awkward sentences
- Serving to if you’re observing a clean web page
The supply makes a helpful distinction: use AI for elements of the job that don’t create the unique data acquire, moderately than outsourcing the very issues that make the article distinctive.
That’s fairly near how I method AI in my very own freelance writing enterprise.
AI can ASSIST my considering. I don’t need it changing my considering.
The Freelance Writers Who Will Stand Out Aren’t Simply “Writers”
I hope you don’t suppose this can be a lot to JUST land a contract writing job.
You’ll be able to nonetheless land work with out all of those abilities, however if you wish to make good cash, it’s necessary to begin enthusiastic about methods to face out if you pitch to job advertisements.
Sharing that you are able to do unique content material and supply uniuqe insights could be a straightforward technique to land work.
So, inform me, are you discovering that writers want these abilities these days?
Lte me know within the feedback!