If you’re a copywriter or content writer who is worried about AI replacing you, you’ve come to the right place!

Here are five suggestions on how to be irreplaceable as a copywriter in the age of AI.

AI has become such a huge buzzword recently. It seems like every day, someone finds a new way to make some process easier using AI. As it continues to be incorporated into our lives, some troubling questions arise, such as “Will artificial intelligence turn on us one day and take over the world (is there a Sarah Connor in the crowd)?” or maybe a little more pressing, “Will AI take my job?”

With the booming rise of ChatGPT, Jasper, and 100’s of other sophisticated AI chatbots, the latter question seems to be a timely and existential one for copywriters, as we wonder if AI is going to make our jobs obsolete. To tackle this issue, we went straight to the source (ChatGPT) and asked:

“Will AI replace copywriters?”

The response we received was complex, but in a nutshell, no, AI still cannot replicate all aspects of effective copywriting. However, copywriters have a fair share of adapting to do in order to stay ahead of the curve. So without further ado, here are the 5 skills you need to hone to futureproof your copywriting business.

Originality

AI tools write content based on already existing trends and patterns and don’t have the ability to originate outside-the-box thoughts like a human. Copywriters should exercise their unique thought processes to develop original ideas and potentially be the trendsetters (on which AI may later build its future content). This tip is probably the hardest to implement, but those who are able to exploit their creativity and originality are sure to have a competitive advantage over AI and other copywriters.

The Human Aspect

Capitalizing on other human-exclusive traits also allows copywriters to one-up AI writing tools and maintain the need for a human behind the keyboard. Examples may be:

• Applying emotional intelligence and storytelling techniques to evoke a specific reaction in readers or speak directly to their needs and preferences
• Utilizing one’s individual perspective, writing style, and tone of voice
• Quality control and fact-checking – AI sometimes delivers facts that are just not true and without a copywriter to QA them, a business’s credibility can be damaged due to inaccuracy

Strategy

AI-generated content lacks context and strategic thinking. It will be nearly impossible to teach a tool the business’s broader marketing strategy so it puts together copy that aligns with overall business goals and takes all other marketing communication (past, present, and future) into consideration. Humans, on the other hand, possess this capacity, and copywriters who can do it well will be in demand.

Learning to Work With AI

Copywriters need to see AI as a friend rather than a foe. AI can be a powerful tool to help streamline the writing process, add that extra oomph to your content, and combat writer’s block. Writers can use AI to generate initial frameworks and ideas for their content, reducing brainstorming time and allowing them to focus on the actual writing.

Mastering the art of prompt writing is another essential skill for copywriters who want to use AI as their not-so-secret weapon. The quality of AI’s writing is very much dependent on the quality of the prompt and knowing how to write prompts that will produce the best content can make a huge difference. (get a list of 10 Amazing Prompts courtesy of Mark Schafer and the RISE community).

Moreover, it can be used to prevent repetitiveness, especially when promoting the same product or service multiple times (think social media or product descriptions).

Continuous Learning

Treating AI as a tool to make your writing more efficient can free up much-needed time for ongoing growth. In this day and age where there are new trends popping up almost every day, copywriters must stay on top of news, trends, and AI advancements they can use. Those who will adapt early will have an advantage over competitors and the opportunity to become thought leaders in the space.

This new wave of AI may be a little scary, but it sure doesn’t signify the death of copywriting as a profession. On the contrary, it signifies its evolution. As long as we focus on consistently improving the above five skills, we can become much better and much more efficient copywriters, which means more work, more growth opportunities, and a lot more fun. As researchers from MIT put it:

“For the foreseeable future, the most promising uses of AI will not involve computers replacing people, but rather, people and computers working together—as ‘superminds’—to do both cognitive and physical tasks that could not be done before.”

Artificial intelligence can help with far more than just writing. There are countless new tools launched all the time which can help with graphic design, video editing, website building, and much more (there is even one that will help you with home decor ideas). Make a habit of exploring these tools (Here’s a great place to start) to revamp your copywriting and content creation abilities and become irreplaceable in the age of AI.

Parting thoughts:

The tools are out there now for you to start experimenting. Don’t be afraid of AI; use it to your advantage. If you want to be irreplaceable as a copywriter in the age of AI, use it for yourself. Start now if you haven’t already. Those copywriters who try to avoid it altogether are the most likely to be replaced by it.

To your success!

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This is a guest blog written by Eyal Britstein, freelance content creator and social media consultant.