One thing has modified in 2025.
I’m getting extra consumer 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 consumer record, 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 provides?
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?
When you’re a brand new freelance author, then I’m certain 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 provided no new concepts, simply regurgitated ones it discovered.
I’m secure, I believed.
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 more AI.
After which…..the shoppers that have been hiring me, stated it was OKAY to make use of AI….simply be certain to run it by an AI detector device (that they really helpful).
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 neglect or aren’t doing.
You CAN’T use AI on matters NOTHING about.
Right here’s a remark I obtained and it sums up this concept:
So, for me, after I use AI for consumer work, I solely use it for sure issues like:
- Serving to me end a sentence if I’ve author’s block (which I’ve after I’m stressed)
- Give me examples (like podcasts examples or SME’s – material consultants)
- Summarize an article for me for analysis
- Discover credible sources/stats (that I reality examine)
You possibly can see, I exploit 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 attempting to chop corners earlier than AI happened.
There have been different causes or issues that have been occurring throughout this time.
I imply 2024 was the wild wild west for the AI explosion and aftermath.
With all of this swirling round, after all, 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’ll pump out 50 articles per day.
For me, I watched and analyzed.
I nonetheless landed shoppers and had shoppers inform me it’s okay to make use of AI.
I used to be okay and effective.
Then 2025 hit.
Corporations Are Discovering AI Isn’t Worthwhile
A report from the College of Copenhagen shared that out of 25,000 staff studied throughout 7,000 workplaces, the impression of AI was… underwhelming.
Most noticed only a 3% time financial savings, and solely a tiny portion of that led to noticeable revenue development—round 3 to 7%.
The takeaway?
AI isn’t changing everybody or unlocking large productiveness beneficial properties. No less than not but. Regardless of the hype, the numbers inform a special 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 needed unique SME content material, not AI in any respect for use.
The opposite needed SME content material the place I can share my experiences, and one other one stated 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 lower corners or are attempting to pump out content material for a couple of dollars for dozens of shoppers.
That is the period to be the sought-after author.
In my course, Writeto1k, I educate you methods to construct a sustainable freelance writing enterprise as a way to change into that go-to author for companies in a selected trade.
However, let’s undergo some key areas you can begin shaping in the present day as a way to change into that go-to author.
1. Change into an Knowledgeable in Your Area of interest
I’ve a whole lot of weblog posts and YouTube movies on discovering your worthwhile area of interest.
Why?
As a result of it’s uber vital 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 may feasibly decide any area of interest and be pleased about it.
I assume, although, that most individuals studying this wish to begin freelance writing to make a facet revenue as a result of they wish to keep house.
I imply, that was an enormous motive why I needed to strive freelance writing.
However I didn’t have a distinct segment I used to be an professional in after I first began.
I picked any and all niches to jot down for and what? It proved profitable….in 2014.
I don’t consider this method would achieve success now (psst….Kelly’s remark I shared tells you why).
As an alternative, you want to discover a area of interest and change into the professional in that area of interest. This may take you time.
It took me a number of years to be taught digital advertising and marketing 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:
When you discover one, then be taught that area of interest inside and outside.
It’s okay to make use of ChatGPT to LEARN about this area of interest.
Then discover the shoppers or companies in that area of interest and begin participating with them on social media.
I do that after I get inquiries from companies.
I comply with them on social media and work together with “them.” I’m fairly certain I’m interacting with the corporate’s social media advertising and marketing crew however that’s okay!
2. Goal Notable Manufacturers
One other factor to beat AI or to come back 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 record nevertheless it was utilizing AI to make up that record and AI really helpful non-existent books to learn.
However there are manufacturers that worth their message and content material and wish to work with good freelance writers.
So make a listing of all of the manufacturers you wish to work with, after which from there, create a consumer ladder the place the highest rung is your final consumer model and the bottom rung is step one or first kind of consumer to get to that notable model.
I share this technique in an Instagram put up so be certain to test it out!
Now you may have a plan and technique to land notable manufacturers for freelance writing!
3. Exceed Deadlines
Lastly, you may work on exceeding deadlines. It is a HUGE factor you are able to do that goes a good distance in a consumer’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 at all times set an inner deadline that’s a number of days forward of the deadline.
I really like getting work sooner than anticipated, so I do know that shoppers 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 consumer 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 need to work on it the following day.
So, don’t be one of these author!
Set an inner 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 laborious on writing 3,000 phrases shortly.
This meant I may flip in my work earlier and never be stressed the remainder of the week attempting to scramble to complete the article.
However even in case you can’t write quick, most shoppers provide you with 10 days to show in your work. So you may set an inner deadline of 5 days and that ought to be sufficient time to have a accomplished article to show in.
The New Age of AI
Issues are nonetheless a bit uncertain 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 enterprise 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.