Anyone else tired of hearing how bots are going to wipe out freelancing?
Chat GPT, BARD, whatever. None of that should be of concern to serious freelancers.
While there is some truth to the rumor that bots could generate content successfully enough that some writers could be out of work soon, it’s not a done deal. Nor is it a widespread truth, and here’s why:
[bctt tweet=”Bots will not save your client’s brand or reputation. #freelancewriting #freelancing” username=”LoriWidmer”]
Let’s use an example sent to me by our own Gabriella, whose reaction was just as incredulous as mine over this HARO (Help A Reporter Out) response to her query:
Regarding your request for Real estate brokers: Whatsafety technology have you added to your office? My name is Hxxxx jane, Realestate brokerage owners at (website URL removed). Let me answer this question frommy own experience in this field. Here is my take on your query: I wouldsuggest our best way of security, which protect on-site workers and consumerswho come to our office. Two-Factor Authentication: We are using Two-factorauthentication (2FA), which is an extra layer of security that added toonline accounts of our company to ensure that only authorized personnel haveaccess. 2FA requires us to provide two forms of identification: a passwordand a second factor, such as a fingerprint or a security token. By adding 2FAto our online accounts, we protect sensitive information from cyber threats,such as hacking and phishing. —————————————————————————————————————————If you
Got that? Hurts the eyes, doesn’t it? While I can’t swear that this was bot written, it does have all the earmarks. How can I tell? This was the Subject line. Yep. The subject line. Not the message body. That was just as poorly punctuated, but somehow shorter.
This person may be real. The company is indeed real. However, the business has zero to do with real estate. It’s a cutting tool manufacturer. Because that kind of response is perfect for the real estate market, right?
Reasons Why Writers Are Safe
That’s just one reason why I think we writers have little to fear with the advent of AI and bot-style writing. I argue that some writers already wrote like bots, but I digress. Then again, they may be the ones in danger of being replaced …
For those professional writers who are working with higher-end clients, I think there’s little to fear because:
- Companies rely on communication to attract business
- Brand alignment is crucial for coherent messaging
- Reputations are hard-won and easily damaged
- Smart clients won’t go cheap
Ah, but there will be clients that think taking the cheap way will work.
Those are not your clients.
No way you should be clinging to clients who would replace you with an application just to save a buck. They don’t value writing nor do they value the skills veteran writers can bring to the table.
Instead, you want the clients who see you as an asset, a partner, a trusted collaborator. Because if you’re doing it right, you are all of those things.
But you might be a writer who still competes for work on job boards. If so, you might have some worrying to do. Or some work to do to insulate you from the impact of bot-generated content. Do the work. It will be worth it.
Start here:
- Stop using job boards/postings as your primary source of clients
- Find better ways to attract clients (try reading a few of these posts)
- Step up your marketing game (read some of these posts to get your game on)
- Learn the warning signs that a client doesn’t value your skills
- Fish in deeper waters
- Always aim higher
I know it sounds like a tough climb from job boards, but it isn’t. If I can, you can. Really. Respect your talent and skill. Do something today that improves your freelance writing business.
You with me?
Writers, what are your thoughts on how bots will impact your business?
It’s really curious, Lori!
I got so angry with these off-topic and stupid responses that I started responding and telling them politely not to respond further. I expected to get at least one telling me I was rude. Not a single response. Gotta be a bot, right?
No way bots or AI are replacing us. They’re going to get people in so much trouble.
But we do have an issue. AI and ChatGPT are scraping the internet as they generate copy. They’ll essentially be stealing our copywritten materials. There will be so many lawsuits over whether these bots are stealing works. Ugh!
Bots can’t be reasoned with? There’s a flaw in the design, Gabriella! đŸ˜‰
The scraping of content is also my biggest issue, too. It’s a minefield of potential litigation and well-deserved if these companies are hell-bent on cutting corners on their communications.
Every piece of bot-generated copy I’ve seen reads like it was written by a high schooler (in dire need of an editor) who’s trying to pad a 500-word essay with oversimplifications and a lot of repetition.
LOL That’s a great way to put it, Paula. Agreed.
This morning I received a bot-generated email about how some cut-rate AI company’s services will take away the stress of, you know, writing a blog about writing.
ROFL! Paula, that’s hilarious! I suppose they’ll just scrape content, reorder it and call it a day? Hell, I know some bloggers who used to do that. Not right no matter how it’s happening.
Must be something in the water–I was tweeting along the same lines about this topic today. (And of course we agree lol.)
AI will serve the same purpose for text as free clipart and stock images do for graphics: It’s a way for clients who don’t care much about quality to fill up their websites, blogs, brochures, etc. And it will look and sound like it: GIGO.
Still, the GPTs will get more sophisticated—and like Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction, they will not be ignored. As creatives, we’ll need to figure out where they fit in our toolbox.
We do indeed agree, Jake. Like minds and all that. đŸ˜‰
I believe you’re right in both respects. The more immediate impact of AI is already showing up and it’s not much to worry about if you work with higher-profile clients. The ones who may feel the AI impact are those who look for clients through job postings or content generation sites. I suspect AI is about as good as any writer forced to string together 20 or so SEO keywords in one paragraph.
I hope AI becomes more of an aid for writers and creatives much like current tools like Grammarly or any translation app. I noticed one AI-driven bot: DeepL Write, which could be used to improve work or, as I would use it, to come up with fresh ways to spin something.