Nick Usborne's Blog

August 27, 2025

How to Thrive as a Freelancer When the System Isn’t Built for You

Sovereign freelancers

One of the hardest lessons for freelancers to learn is that the system we’re working inside isn’t exactly optimized to help us succeed.

Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr? They’re designed to maximize their own profits, not yours. Payment processors? They’ll hold back your money if it protects them, even if it hurts you. Corporate procurement systems? They’re built to squeeze the most out of contractors while giving the least in return.

Even governments, when you think about taxes and regulations, aren’t exactly bending over backwards to make life easier for independent workers.

At first, this can feel overwhelming. Almost like the whole world is tilted against you. And in some ways, it is.

But here’s the shift that changes everything: once you stop expecting the system to take care of you, you can start taking care of yourself.

You can build your own safeguards, your own leverage, and your own kind of sovereign power.

The Trap of Dependence

When you rely too heavily on platforms, a single algorithm change can bury your profile. When one client makes up most of your income, a single “we’re going in another direction” email can derail your finances. When you depend on one payment service, a glitch can leave you scrambling for weeks.

But as an independent, you always have another option: to build things that can’t be taken from you.

Owning What’s Yours

Platforms can kick you off. Employers can fire you. Clients can walk away. But nobody can take away what you truly own.

That’s why sovereignty as a freelancer starts with building assets that belong to you:

Your own website.Your own brand and reputation.Your own frameworks, processes, and intellectual property.Your own audience—email subscribers, not just social followers.

These aren’t just nice-to-haves. They’re your foundation. The stronger they are, the less fragile you become.

Being Right Isn’t Enough

Here’s another tough truth: being right doesn’t guarantee you’ll get justice.

You can be right when a client ghosts an invoice, but unless you’ve protected yourself with deposits and contracts, you may never see that money.

You can be right that platforms undervalue your skills, but that won’t change how their algorithm works.

That’s why you stop relying on fairness. You take responsibility for your own protection. Clear boundaries, deposits up front, diversified clients.

These aren’t just “best practices.” They’re shields.

Your Edge Over the System

It’s easy to feel small compared to the big institutions you brush up against. But their size is also their weakness.

They’re slow. Heavy. Impersonal.

You’re not. You can adapt faster than a corporate department. You can respond with more empathy than an algorithm. You can show up as human in ways that no procurement process, platform, or AI tool ever can.

That’s your edge. And when you double down on it – storytelling, emotional connection, agility – you stop playing by their rules. You make your own.

The Bigger Lesson

The system isn’t built for freelancers. But that’s okay. Because you don’t need it to be.

The moment you stop waiting for the system’s protection, and start building your own, you change the game.

You move from dependency to sovereignty.

From fragility to resilience.

From replaceable to indispensable.

That’s how freelancers thrive in a world that often seems tilted against them.

These are the lessons I share in my course, The Sovereign Freelancer.

And the sovereign mindset is the protection you need during those uncertain time.

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Published on August 27, 2025 05:21

May 14, 2025

When the AI’s story is better than your own, it’s time to spill the ketchup.

imperfection beats AI every time

I’m working on a whole new project. Pretty much an entirely new business.

To help me build everything, I’ve been using a Custom GPT, which has a knowledge base of everything I have been doing for the project so far. In other words, it knows as much about the business as I do.

For fun, I asked it to make up an origin story for the company. Something fun, and maybe a little tongue-in-cheek.

Twenty seconds, later I had the full origin story.

It was really, really good. It made me smile, and laugh out loud.

It was entertaining, but not something I could ever use.

I then went back and asked for a “real” and “credible” origin story.

This version wasn’t as entertaining, but it was still very good. I could absolutely use it on the About page of my new website.

The trouble is… it isn’t true.

So I won’t use it.

This points to a serious problem…

When AI-generated content becomes this good, this fast, and this inexpensive, you can make up pretty much anything you want, at scale.

I can use AI to write 100 blog posts a day, under a pen name or a variety of different pen names. I can use it to manage thousands of bots that interact on social media, pretending to be real people.

And yes, people are already doing this.

It’s a problem, because tools like ChatGPT are now capable of writing well enough to fool most people, most of the time.

With words this cheap, authenticity becomes invaluable.

It’s time for us real humans to come out from behind the curtain.

Step out with some real stories, even if they’re not wildly original.

Record yourself on video, even if you’re not that comfortable in front of a camera.

Hold a meeting or webinar on Zoom, and don’t worry if you have a technical issue.

Write something without using Grammarly, or asking Claude to edit it for style.

Get out of the office, go to the employee picnic, say a few words on camera, even if you did spill ketchup on your t-shirt.

In other words, do the things that humans do.

Even the messy things.

Especially the messy things.

In a world of mass-produced, AI-generated content and stories, the value of authenticity goes through the roof.

Your customer or clients will trust you – and buy more from you – not in spite of the ketchup stain, but because of it.

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Published on May 14, 2025 12:07

May 4, 2025

Introducing Sovereign CoPilot — An AI Assistant and Coach for the Sovereign Freelancer Course

This isn’t like my usual posts. More like an announcement. And it’s a BIG one.

And yes, it’s a pitch too.

I just trained and integrated an AI assistant into the Sovereign Freelancer course.

Student enrollment now includes the Sovereign CoPilot — an always-on guide as you learn, build, and grow your freelance business.

Here’s what the Sovereign CoPilot does…

1. Learning Assistant

As you move through the course, you might have questions, need clarification, or want to see examples of how Sovereign principles apply in real-world situations. Just ask your CoPilot.

Confused about how to set a boundary? Wondering how to reframe your service offering in a sovereign voice? Need an example of a confident response to a vague client request? Just ask.

CoPilot is trained to explain, simplify, and provide examples — always aligned with the Sovereign Freelancer mindset. It’s like having a private tutor who speaks the language of sovereignty.

2. Execution Partner

Learning is powerful — but doing is where transformation happens.

Sovereign CoPilot helps you apply what you’re learning directly into your freelance practice. It can:

Review and rewrite your client emails to sound more strategic.
Strengthen your proposals to position you as a true partner, not a task-taker.
Help you build better contracts that protect your boundaries and your value.
Role-play tricky client conversations to help you respond with clarity and confidence.

Whether it’s drafting your first sovereign proposal or preparing a boundary-setting email to a demanding client, CoPilot is ready to work alongside you.

3. Personal Mindset Coach

Building a sovereign business isn’t just about strategy and tactics. It’s also about mindset.

There will be moments when old doubts creep in. Times when setting a strong boundary feels uncomfortable. Situations where saying “no” feels risky.

Sovereign CoPilot is here to remind you of who you are: a sovereign business owner.

Ask it for a reframe. Ask it how a sovereign freelancer would think about a tough situation. Lean on it when you need a nudge back toward clarity, confidence, and strategic thinking.

This ongoing mindset support ensures that you don’t just “learn sovereignty” — you live it.

Why Sovereign CoPilot Is a Gamechanger

This is more than just an added feature. It’s a major evolution of the Sovereign Freelancer experience.

Most courses simply offer content. Sovereign Freelancer now offers continuous real-time support while you’re going through the course, and building your business. Instead of learning passively, you now have a true interactive partner.

You’re no longer left wondering if you’re applying the course principles correctly. You’re no longer alone when drafting your next proposal. You’re no longer guessing how to respond to a difficult client.

With Sovereign CoPilot, you have strategic, sovereign-aligned support every step of the way.

And best of all, there are no ongoing fees to use CoPilot once you enroll. Every student receives 100 monthly credits (uses).

This is the future of learning. I can see a time when every course includes its own AI assistant.

Not yet enrolled? Learn more about The Sovereign Freelancer course here…

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Published on May 04, 2025 16:43

April 14, 2025

How one sheet of paper can level the balance of power between you and your clients

signing a freeance contract

The power dynamic between a freelancer and client generally leans towards the client.

It’s the client who decides whether or not to give you the project, and they also get to determine the budget.

Granted, if you’re a triple-A writer or designer, you’ll weald a little more power.

But for the rest of us?

A lot of it comes down to mindset.

If you think you have to bend to every whim of your clients, you do.

If you believe you have no power within the relationship, you don’t.

Strangely, when the balance of power leans away from you, it’s often less about the client insisting on power, and more about you denying it.

Because you do have power.

After all, the client came to you because they didn’t have your skillset within their company. They need your skills.

Step one is simply to believe in yourself and your value.

Give yourself a good talking to and remind yourself of the skills you bring to the table.

And if a little self talk doesn’t do the trick, here is a simple change you can make to how you start working with every new client.

Present your own set of business onboarding documents.

This is a powerful way to signal to both your clients and to yourself that you are a fellow professional of equal standing.

Instead of waiting for a new client to send over the paperwork, step up with your own.

“I have a Contract prepared, if you’d like me to send it over.”

“I have an NDA document I can complete and sign, if that’s something you want for this project.”

“I have a workflow document, which helps bring some clarity to how I work with my clients.”

“I have an AI Policy document, if you’d like to know where and how I use AI.”

Often, just one or two of these documents will suffice for any given project. And sometimes the client will ask that you use their documents, which have been approved by their own lawyers.

But the fact that you have these documents, and are ready to step up with them, sends an important signal.

It says, “I’m a fellow professional.”

And, ”I control my own work practices.”

Do this at the very outset of your relationship, you’ve set the balance of power within a comfortable middle ground.

This is just one way to establish your own sovereignty

In my latest course, the Sovereign Freelancer, I explore many ways in which you can take more control of your freelance life, and your relationships with your clients.

Also, included with the course is an onboarding document package, which includes all the documents listed above.

Learn more about The Sovereign Freelancer here…

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Published on April 14, 2025 05:42

April 7, 2025

Why Sovereignty Is the New Success Metric for Freelancers

Freelancer working in her office with a poster on the wall that says

We live in uncertain times.

Political discourse seems more divisive than ever.

Many world economies are in a state of turmoil.

And the rise of AI threatens the careers of knowledge workers everywhere.

It’s little wonder so many freelancers feel concerned about their future. How can you grow and thrive in the face of so much uncertainty?

First, let’s diagnose the underlying cause…

We feel anxious because we have no control over the world around us.

There’s nothing we can do about the economies of the world. And there’s no way we can halt or slow down the rise of AI and its ability to write, code and design.

That sense of being powerless is deeply disturbing.

“It’s just me is a sea of chaos. There’s nothing I can do!”

Not so fast.

First, we never have been able to control the world around us.

Second, there are plenty of things we can control.

Here are some things I can control when I sit down to work tomorrow…

I choose to avoid doomscrolling through what’s going wrong in the world before I start my workday. Not helpful.

I choose to spend 20 minutes catching up with what’s new with AI. This helps me pivot from seeing AI as an enemy to seeing it as a way to amplify my gifts.

I choose to make that hard phone call and establish boundaries with the client who expects me to work at weekends.

I choose to stand up, stretch and take some deep breaths every 20 to 30 minutes.

I choose to update my website and LinkedIn profile to better articulate my brand, my strengths, and my value.

I choose to make an appointment with my accountant to asking about whether there are ways to reduce my tax bills.

I choose to stop work at 4:30 and spend an hour exercising… walking, cycling, gardening.

None of these tasks are earth shattering… But I just spent my day in the driver’s seat. I’ve led the way forward. I made my own choices.

That collection of small wins leads to a feeling of control.

And when you feel in control, you feel good.

In fact, feeling in control of your life and your work has a positive impact on both your mental and physical health.

This is what it means to be a Sovereign Freelancer.

Sovereign Freelancers have high agency. They see themselves as small business owners, not just freelancers for hire.

They take control of every aspect of their freelance business.

They move fast, acting on their professional decisions with clarity and intention.

They don’t wait and react. They step ahead and are proactive.

They choose the clients they want, define their own value, and shape their future.

And what they never, ever do is say, “It’s just me is a sea of chaos. There’s nothing I can do!”

If that sounds good, but you’re not quite sure how to get there, learn more about my course, The Sovereign Freelancer.

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Published on April 07, 2025 09:50

February 10, 2025

As a freelancer, how much attention do you pay to your health?

As freelancers we work alone.

Because we work alone, our health matters a lot. We don’t get paid sick days, and we don’t have any company health insurance.

And I’m not just talking about something like a case of the flu that keeps you away from your desk for a full week. You can plan for maybe a couple of weeks a year when you feel too unwell to work.

But how about the number of days when you do sit down to work, but are not feeling well enough to give 100%? Or even 50%?

I’m not a medical professional, so I’ll leave your general state of health to you and your doctor.

But… after working as a freelancer for over 40 years…

Sitting at your desk all day can take a toll on your health

When you spend 8 or more hours a day at your desk, everything feels fine… for a while. Years, even. And then you notice the back aches, and the wrist pain, the leg cramps, and so on.

I used to have terrible lower back pain. And yes, it impacted my productivity, and probably the quality of my work. It’s hard to do your best work when you’re in pain.

So I began to pay more attention to my work space.

First, I bought a kneeling chair, which promotes better spinal alignment by tilting the pelvis forward and maintaining the natural curve of the lower back. It made a huge difference, and I haven’t suffered from back pain for years now.

Next, I treated myself to a standing desk. I say treated, but it didn’t cost me any more than a regular desk. The benefit? I can adjust the desk’s height. I can have it at a regular height for typing, and then switch to standing height if I’m on a Zoom call, or recording a video.

The point being, I don’t spend the whole day in just one position.

Also, mindful of the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle, I began to pay more attention to my diet. I used to snack way too much, and put on some unhealthy pounds. There was nothing I could purchase to cure that habit. I just had to be more mindful, and control those snacking impulses.

Also, I balance my sitting down time with activity time. That means standing up and walking around a little every 20 to 30 minutes. (Not to the kitchen!) And it means stopping work in time to take some exercise each day.

Depending on the time of year, you’ll find me cycling, hiking, kayaking, or cross-country skiing at the end of the day. For really bad weather days, I have a rowing machine in the basement.

Just keep moving.

Which brings us to our mental health.

Again, not a medical professional. But I’ve been very aware of my own state of mental health over the decades.

Freelancing, for all its benefits, can be stressful. It can cause anxiety. It can contribute to feelings of loneliness and depression.

Being alone doesn’t help. As freelancers we can’t easily go for a coffee with work friends, or simply share work challenges with colleagues.

A few years ago, I conducted a survey about depression among freelance writers. 40% of respondents said they had experienced depression at some point.

That 40% included me. I’ve had to deal with periods of depression for decades now.

For some people, medication may be the answer, or therapy.

For me, one answer has been to keep moving… preferably outside, and preferably in nature. From my home I can cycle to a wooded park where I often see deer, foxes, wild turkeys, and chipmunks.

When I see a family of deer, I stop my bike, stand still… and can literally feel my brain being bathed in happiness hormones like serotonin.

Is this an instant or total cure for me when I feel depressed? No, but it certainly helps.

This topic deserves far more space than I can give it in a single blog post. In fact, I’m exploring the possibility of creating a new course devoted to wellness for freelancers.

Physical + mental wellness contributes to financial success.

It’s hard to do your best work, attract the highest paying clients, and come up with creative new directions for your business if you’re not feeling at your best.

Focusing on your physical and mental wellness isn’t a luxury. It’s core to your success as a freelancer.

Look after yourself! 🙂

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Published on February 10, 2025 05:26

January 20, 2025

Don’t Let AI Dull Your Creativity

As a writer, marketer and product creator, I find myself working with AI every day.

I use it for research, ideation, outlining, proofreading and more. I can barely imagine getting my work done without AI.

And yet…

Does working with AI make me more creative or less creative?

I started working as a trainee copywriter at a London ad agency in 1979. I was just four years out of school.

I hadn’t gone to university, although I had a place waiting for me.

Instead, I worked in a quarry. I went to art school in London. I travelled. I spent a year living in a small village in central Turkey.

And when I went to my interview at the ad agency, it was pretty random. I just needed a job.

And they gave me one.

A year or so later I asked the HR guy why on earth he had hired me, considering I had zero qualifications.

I remember to this day what he said, “You seemed different.”

That doesn’t sound like much of a qualification. But back then, when you were hiring for an ad agency creative department, you wanted different.

My creative partner was also different.

I was the copywriter, and Peter was the art director. We worked together every workday for several years.

Peter was different too. Quite the character. He was also a good 20 years older than me. We came from very different backgrounds. He was obsessively tidy. I was messy. We were chalk and cheese.

Peter was also an incredibly talented art director. He taught me a huge amount. And we did some really good work together, often starting with a brainstorming session over a long lunch and at least one bottle of wine.

A pair of imperfect and different people, bouncing random ideas around, and spilling a little wine on the tablecloth.

That’s how our creative ideas were born.

ChatGPT isn’t like Peter at all.

I miss those times.

And as much as I value working with ChatGPT, it’s not the same.

Plus, everyone else is working with the exact same tools.

Not the same at all.

As a result, I think there’s a danger we’ll become used to a marketing world where creative output that is ordinary and predictable is labeled as being “best in class”.

The solution?  By all means keep working with tools like ChatGPT. They’re amazing. And writers who don’t use them are putting themselves at a huge disadvantage.

But recognize that AI isn’t your best creative partner. AI isn’t messy enough, random enough, human enough.

As freelancers, maybe we need to stop working alone.

I work alone from home. But over the last few years I’ve made an effort to build an informal network of creative colleagues I can reach out to when I want to brainstorm some ideas.

Nothing formal. No money changes hands. We’re just available to each other to provide feedback on first drafts, designs, ideas, and so on.

If you can find some fellow creatives locally, so much the better. You can get together over coffee or lunch. If not, email and Zoom can work.

Long story short… AI is amazing and here to stay, and we should leverage it to the maximum extent possible.

But I don’t think AI is your best creative partner.

To achieve your highest level of creativity, you need to double down on being human, being different, and working with others.

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Published on January 20, 2025 10:58

December 18, 2024

Level Up Your Copywriting Game with Some Advanced AI Techniques

[NOTE: In my last post I worked with GPT4o to help me convert some presentation materials into a post. In this post I worked with Gemini 1.5 Pro with Deep Research to research opportunities for copywriters working with AI. It took a bit of back and forth, but I’m happy with what we finally came up with.]

This post is specifically for copywriters and content creators who are already familiar with the basics of LLMs (Large Language Models) and are ready to take their AI skills to the next level.

We’ll look at some more advanced techniques and strategies that will help you unlock the full potential of AI and stay ahead of the curve.

Ride the wave or be drowned by the wave!

Beyond Basic Prompts

Forget simple commands like “write a product description.” It’s time to get creative and strategic with your prompts. Think of yourself as a conductor, guiding the AI orchestra to produce a symphony of content.

Here are some advanced prompt engineering techniques to try:

*   Framework-Based Prompts: Leverage copywriting frameworks like AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) or PAS (Problem, Agitation, Solution) to structure your prompts and guide the AI towards more advanced copywriting outcomes.

*   Persona-Driven Prompts:  Incorporate detailed buyer personas into your prompts to ensure the AI generates copy that resonates with your target audience. (I’ve mentioned this in previous posts… but have you tried it yet?)

*   Style and Tone Control:  Train the AI to mimic your writing style or a specific brand voice by providing examples of your previous work or a style guide.

*   Iterative Refinement: Don’t settle for the first output. Use follow-up prompts to refine the AI’s response, providing feedback and guidance to achieve the desired result.

Advanced AI Applications for Copywriters

Beyond generating basic copy and content, AI can be used for a variety of advanced tasks that can significantly streamline your workflow and enhance your creativity.

*   Content Strategy and Planning: Use AI to analyze competitor content, identify trending topics, and – based on what you learn – generate content calendars for your client projects.

*   Market Research and Analysis: Leverage AI to gather insights about your target audience, analyze customer feedback, and identify new market opportunities.

*   Personalized Content Creation:  Create dynamic content that adapts to individual user preferences and behaviors.

*   Content Repurposing and Optimization: Transform existing content into different formats (e.g., blog posts into social media updates) and optimize it for different platforms.

The Embracing the Future of Copywriting with a Human-AI Partnership

As AI continues to evolve, we can use it to empower us with new tools and capabilities.

The most successful copywriters in the age of AI will be those who can effectively partner with these technologies, leveraging their strengths while retaining their unique human touch. Yes, that means adding a high level of Emotional Intelligence to AI-assisted copy and content.

Finally, I recommend you try Gemini 1.5 Pro with Deep Research.  It’s a good choice for the more advanced AI applications we just went through. Pick one of those applications and use it to help you with an upcoming project.

As an exercise you can try right now, tackle this one: “Content Strategy and Planning: Use AI to analyze competitor content, identify trending topics, and generate content calendars for your own client projects.”

Want to learn more about AI and Emotional Intelligence? Check out my course, Futureproof Copywriting.

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Published on December 18, 2024 13:37

December 2, 2024

Empathy Mapping is An Essential Tool for Futureproof Copywriting

[NOTE: This post was written in part by GPT 4o, working from the slides and transcripts of a presentation I gave on Empathy Mapping.]

While AI tools like ChatGPT have revolutionized content creation, the human touch remains irreplaceable.

At the heart of this human element lies Empathy Mapping—a structured approach that helps writers better understand their audience. Rooted in emotional intelligence (EI), empathy mapping is a pathway to creating authentic, impactful copy.

As I often say… If you don’t know who you’re talking to, how can you know what to say?

What is Empathy Mapping?

Empathy mapping is a framework designed to delve into the emotions, thoughts, and behaviors of your audience. It encourages copywriters to consider not just what people say but what they think, feel, and do.

This multidimensional approach helps go beyond surface-level data, fostering connections that build trust and loyalty.

That’s what makes it so powerful.

At its core, an empathy map includes four quadrants:

Says: Direct quotes or statements from the user.Thinks: The user’s internal thoughts, often unspoken.Does: Observable actions or behaviors.Feels: Emotional responses, both positive and negative.Why Empathy Mapping Matters in Copywriting

While AI excels at analyzing data and generating content, it cannot genuinely empathize. It may simulate sentiment, but true emotional connection—the kind that wins hearts and minds—is uniquely human. Empathy mapping bridges this gap, enabling copywriters to create content that feels personalized, relevant, and emotionally intelligent.

For example, imagine crafting a campaign for a SaaS product. An empathy map might reveal that a prospective buyer says they need seamless integration, thinks about team adoption challenges, does peer research in forums, and feels cautious yet optimistic. Armed with these insights, a copywriter can tailor their messaging to address specific concerns and aspirations.

How to Create an Empathy Map

Creating an empathy map involves collecting data through interviews, observations, and secondary research. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Define Your Audience: Start with a clear persona based on your most valuable prospects.

Gather Data: Conduct interviews, study customer reviews, analyze customer service transcripts, and observe user behaviors.

Fill the Quadrants:

Says: Include direct quotes from surveys or interviews.Thinks: Infer underlying thoughts from feedback and behavior.Does: Document actions like browsing habits or buying patterns.Feels: Capture emotions such as excitement, anxiety, or frustration.

Apply Insights: Use the empathy map to inform your copy. Write with the mindset of sitting across from your reader, engaging in a genuine, respectful conversation.

Applying Empathy Mapping with AI

In the context of Futureproof Copywriting, empathy mapping pairs seamlessly with AI. While AI can handle tasks like data analysis and drafting, empathy maps provide the emotional intelligence layer that AI lacks..

Conclusion

In the age of AI, empathy mapping is a vital tool for futureproofing your copywriting. It’s about seeing the world through your audience’s eyes, walking in their shoes, and writing with emotional resonance.

When combined with the efficiency of AI and the authenticity of conversational copy, empathy mapping transforms ordinary copy into extraordinary storytelling.

It also transforms YOU into a copywriter who can’t be replaced by AI writing models or tools. You become futureproof.

Learn about my course, Futureproof Copywriting.

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Published on December 02, 2024 08:01

November 18, 2024

Don’t be fooled by the “slowdown” in AI news and progress.

For much of this year, AI has been front page news. On top of that, new and more capable models and model versions were being announced on an almost weekly basis.

But now, things seem a little quieter.

When we read about AI in mainstream media, it’s often speculation about an AI bubble. And there’s plenty of chatter about Large Language Models – LLMs – hitting a ceiling, or at least a major slowdown, when it comes to new advances.

OK, you may think, time to relax. This AI thing isn’t going to take over the world – or my job – after all.

Not so fast.

There’s a significant time lapse between the arrival of any new technology and its mainstream adoption by companies and organizations.

While there may be fewer headlines on the topic of AI, companies are finally figuring out how to apply it across multiple business use cases.

Beware the “we’re augmenting our human talent” storyline.

Smart companies are working out how to benefit from the use of AI. They’ve identified the best use cases, and have overcome issues relating to privacy, security, copyright and IP.

Finally, almost two years after the first launch of ChatGPT, we’re seeing AI being applied in more and more places… in PR, accounting, legal, administration, marketing… and more.

To assuage people’s fears about losing jobs to AI, the PR departments of these companies feed us messages about how their use of AI isn’t going to impact jobs. They’re going to use AI to “augment and add value to the work of our human talent”.

But then… the next week, those self-same companies announce a new round of layoffs.

This is happening slowly for now… but will soon start accelerating.

The majority of companies are still at the learning curve stage. They have yet to implement AI across multiple departments in their organizations.

But the rate of adoption is going to accelerate. Once companies see their competitors benefiting from AI, they’ll race to keep up. They’ll have no choice.

This means more AI for more use cases, and more pressure on employees to justify their roles.

Your last chance to lean in and claim your unique value in an AI world.

Once you’re lost work to an AI, it’s going to be almost impossible to win it back.

This is why – in spite of the current state of “calm” – there is a real urgency when it comes to protecting your future.

Across all professions, step one is to lean in and learn as much about AI as you can. Become that essential employee who knows more than others, and can help guide her managers or bosses.

For digital copywriters and content writers I can offer more concrete advice and help in the form of my course, Futureproof Copywriting.

The Futureproof Copywriting course gives you all the training you need to thrive in the fast-changing world of Artificial Intelligence. The course goes beyond simply protecting your income. It explores ways to leverage AI to help you achieve more, and earn more.

Find out more about the Futureproof Copywriting course.

The post Don’t be fooled by the “slowdown” in AI news and progress. appeared first on Writing for the web - online copywriting and content writing..

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Published on November 18, 2024 07:46

Nick Usborne's Blog

Nick Usborne
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