What does this say? AI Is Simply Your Sidekick, Not the Star
For those who’ve been scrolling LinkedIn currently, you may’ve caught that OpenAI job submit for a Content material Strategist.
They’re in search of somebody with 6–10 years of expertise to deal with voice, tone, search engine optimisation, and primarily make ChatGPT.com’s content material stand out.
Wage as much as $393K 🤯. That’s 3x of what builders are paid within the US.
(in U.S. {dollars})
The corporate that’s obtained everybody pondering AI can crank out killer copy is out right here hiring a human to steer the ship. It’s humorous, proper? But it surely’s additionally a wake-up name.
I’ve been writing for years. Ghostwriting, constructing my very own stuff on Medium, and I’ve seen tech waves come and go.
Bear in mind when the web exploded? All of the sudden, you would discover information on something in seconds.
No extra library journeys or encyclopedia hunts.
However right here’s the factor: what you discovered wasn’t all the time spot-on.
Half the time, it was outdated, biased, or flat-out incorrect.
You needed to dig, cross-check, and piece it collectively your self. The web sped up the search, but it surely didn’t change the pondering.
AI’s the identical cope with creation. Instruments like ChatGPT allow you to spit out drafts, outlines, and even full items loopy quick. Sort a immediate, hit enter, and growth, phrases on the web page.
However accuracy? Context? That real-life taste that makes writing stick? Nope. AI pulls from patterns in information, not from really dwelling the factor.
For those who’re writing about fixing a leaky faucet, AI may listing steps, but it surely hasn’t felt the frustration of a stripped screw or the satisfaction of a job executed proper.
It hasn’t tasted unhealthy espresso whereas brainstorming at 2 AM. That’s the place we are available.
AI is your assistant helpful for grunt work, however you’re the one calling photographs.
This OpenAI gig proves it. They’re not letting AI run wild; they want a human to form it, take a look at it, and guarantee it drives actual outcomes, reminiscent of site visitors and consumer love.
If the kings of AI are betting on people for technique, why are we panicking? It’s not about AI taking up, it’s about us getting smarter with it.
Look, I’ve been utilizing AI in my workflow because it turned obtainable. It helps me brainstorm extra effectively or refine phrasing after I’m caught. However I by no means let it personal the ultimate product.
That’s the way you stage up with out promoting out. For those who’re a author, particularly in case you’re simply beginning out and feeling that AI dread, take a chill tablet.
Deal with it like a software, not a risk.
Under, I’ll define a 5-step framework to combine AI into your every day routine. It’s stuff I’ve executed myself.
No hype, simply what works in apply to jot down higher, crank out extra, and yeah, pull in additional money with out your stuff feeling robotic.
Step 1: Use AI for Mind Dumps, However Edit Like It’s Your Child’s Homework
First off, whenever you’re gazing a clean web page, don’t sweat the beginning line. Pull up an AI software, Perplexity, ChatGPT, Grok, no matter’s free and fast, and dump your uncooked ideas as a immediate.
Say you’re writing about morning routines.
Immediate: “Give me a tough define on constructing a stable morning routine primarily based on these factors: espresso first, no telephone for 30 minutes, fast stroll.”
It’ll spit again a construction in seconds.
In apply, this implies you skip the “what do I say subsequent” stall.
However right here’s the important thing: deal with that output like a child’s first draft homework. Learn it line by line, cross out the tasteless elements, and rewrite in your voice.
Add tales out of your life, like how skipping that stroll as soon as wrecked your day. Verify the details too; AI can generally combine up particulars. I do that for each submit: AI gives the skeleton, and I add the meat.
Why trouble? It speeds you up with out shedding soul. Freshmen waste hours outlining; this cuts it to minutes. For cash, it permits you to tackle extra gigs.
If a consumer requests a weblog submit, use AI to generate concepts, then refine and customise them. You’ll end sooner, cost the identical, and pocket extra per hour.
Simply bear in mind, if it sounds generic, scrap it.
Your readers spot fakes. I’ve turned down AI-heavy initiatives as a result of they felt off; sticking to this strategy retains high quality excessive and shoppers coming again. Over time, you’ll prepare your eye to identify AI fluff, making your edits sharper.
Intention for 60%-70% your phrases in the long run. That’s the way you construct belief and repeat work.
Step 2: Let AI Deal with Analysis Chores, Then Join the Dots Your self
Analysis can drag on without end, particularly in case you’re new and don’t know the place to look. Use AI to compile concise summaries from its present data. For a bit on distant work instruments
Immediate: “Record 5 well-liked distant instruments with professionals and cons, primarily based on frequent consumer suggestions.”
It’ll offer you a beginning listing. Slack for chat, Trello for duties, and so on.
Virtually, this implies copying the data into your doc as notes, reasonably than copying and pasting it into your writing.
Now, go confirm. Learn G2 critiques on Reddit or boards.
AI may say Zoom is nice for the whole lot, however you already know from utilizing it that audio glitches suck in massive conferences. Weave in these actual bits. I all the time add my ideas, reminiscent of how I ditched one software as a result of it crashed throughout a pitch.
This step saves time on the hunt, letting you give attention to insights. For freshmen, it builds confidence; you be taught what’s on the market with out having to scroll endlessly.
From a monetary perspective, it means dealing with complicated matters effectively.
For those who’re freelancing on Upwork, bidding on jobs that require analysis with AI will get you 80% of the best way there shortly; your tweaks make it skilled. Purchasers pay for depth, not pace, so that you ship each.
However frequent sense: AI’s data cuts off sooner or later, so double-check dates or information. I’ve caught errors reminiscent of outdated statistics, hallucinations, and factually incorrect statements. Fixing them retains your rep stable.
Finish aim? Your piece feels lived-in, not regurgitated. Do that, and also you’ll stand out in a sea of shallow content material.
Step 3: Check AI for Variations, Decide the Finest, and Twist It Personally
While you’re drafting, AI’s good for spinning choices. Write a paragraph your self, then immediate AI:
“Give me 3 methods to rephrase this paragraph on why habits matter, retaining it beneath 100 phrases every. Grill this draft to make it higher.”
You’ll get tweaks. Possibly one punchier, yet one more story-like.
In actual life, this entails evaluating them aspect by aspect in your doc. Choose the strongest components, mix them along with your unique, and add a private contact.
For habits, add: “I attempted this after bombing a deadline. Modified the whole lot.” Why? AI variations assist break ruts, however they lack your edge.
For brand new writers, this fights perfectionism; you see a number of paths with out overthinking.
It boosts your output, turning one thought into variations for weblog, e mail, and social media.
Cash angle: Repurpose good. Write a core submit, use AI to adapt for shoppers or your publication.
Cost per platform with out ranging from scratch. I do that for my weblog posts. AI helps with variant copies for social media. High quality stays since you’re the filter.
Ditch something that’s bland.
Sense examine: If it doesn’t sound such as you, redo.
Over weeks, you’ll get higher at prompts, making AI your silent companion.
This fashion, you produce extra with out burning out, and your distinctive voice shines, drawing loyal readers who’re prepared to pay for subscriptions or books.
Step 4: Use AI to Spot Weak Spots, Repair Them With Your Intestine
After a draft, run it via AI for suggestions.
Immediate: “Learn this draft on productiveness hacks. Level out repetitive elements, unclear spots, and recommend fixes with out rewriting.”
It’ll flag stuff like “this sentence rambles” or “add examples right here.”
Virtually, be aware these in margins, then repair your self. Don’t let AI rewrite. Use your judgment.
If it signifies {that a} part is weak, take into consideration why. Maybe it will be simpler with a real-life instance out of your week, reminiscent of a hack that failed hilariously.
I all the time learn aloud after; AI misses circulation points. My favorite approach to edit mercilessly. Kill your darlings, they are saying.
Freshmen profit as a result of it teaches self-editing with out the necessity for an expert mentor. You be taught patterns, like overusing “mainly.” For earnings, polished work lands higher gigs.
Purchasers discover clear copy; it results in upsells, reminiscent of a collection of merchandise. I’ve used this to refine emails that convert subscribers to paid AI spots, and I tone them right down to a extra human strategy.
However confirm: AI suggestions might be off-base, like suggesting cuts that kill your hook. Belief your intestine; it’s your piece.
This step maintains top-notch high quality whereas streamlining the revision course of. Do it persistently, and also you’ll lower modifying time in half, releasing hours for extra paid work. It’s like having a free beta reader who doesn’t complain.
Step 5: Observe AI’s Function in Your Course of, Modify to Maintain It in Verify
Lastly, log how you utilize AI every session.
After writing, be aware: “Used for define, saved 20 minutes. Edited 80% myself.” Use a easy be aware app or sheet.
In apply, evaluate weekly: The place did AI assist most? The place did it result in fixes? Tweak, possibly restrict to analysis if drafts really feel stiff. This retains AI as an assistant, not a crutch.
For starters, it builds consciousness; you see you’re nonetheless the motive force. Cash comes from effectivity. Spot patterns like AI rushing analysis, so take research-heavy jobs.
I observe to make sure my voice dominates, which results in higher charges, as shoppers worth originality.
Widespread Sense: If logs present over-reliance, pull again; rewrite absolutely generally. To maintain your mind feeling alive.
This maintains high quality in the long run, stopping burnout and producing unique output.
Over time, you’ll refine a workflow that scales output with out sacrificing high quality. Readers stick as a result of it’s you, not a machine. That’s the way you flip writing into a gradual revenue.
