How Mid-Career Freelancers Should Think About AI (Without Panicking)

I’m somewhere in the middle on AI.

I’m not one of those people who think it’s going to save the world and revolutionize everything overnight. But I’m also not in the camp that thinks we should shut it all down and pretend it doesn’t exist.

The reality? AI is here.

It’s the technology we’re moving forward with, and we all have to figure it out as we go.

I’ve been freelancing for over a decade now, earning six figures writing for B2B fintech and financial services companies. And I use AI tools every single day. But not in the way a lot of people think.

So if you’re a mid-career freelancer wondering how to think about AI tools without either panicking or blindly jumping on the hype train, here’s my take on AI for freelancer writers.

Let’s Get the Uncomfortable Stuff Out of the Way

There are legitimate concerns about AI. The environmental impact is real. The ethical questions around training data are valid. Has my writing been used to train these models for free? Probably.

I get it.

And I understand why some people are really excited about AI and why others hate it. No judgment either way — people can decide for themselves how to use it or not use it at all.

I’d just say one key thing. If some clients specifically don’t want you to use AI, then don’t use it. Or at the very least, have a conversation with them about exactly how you’re using it so they understand what you mean.

Because here’s the thing — when most people say “AI,” they’re thinking about copying and pasting ChatGPT outputs.

But that’s not what being strategic really looks like. Here’s how I think about AI for freelance writers: it’s a tool, not a threat. But only if you use it the right way.

Where AI Actually Helps (And Where It Absolutely Sucks)

AI is a great tool for a lot of things that have sped up my processes:

• Research way faster
• Brainstorm ideas and create outlines
• Grammar and spell check
• Formatting
• Breaking down complex topics more clearly

But here’s where people go wrong: giving it a crappy 1-sentence prompt, copy-pasting what comes out, and calling it a day. That’s probably why AI gets a bad rap from some people, because that approach produces garbage.

What I’ve actually found is that working with AI in a more strategic way does help me think more clearly. I really need to think about the audience, the goal of the article, the WHY behind something.

I have prompts that create intake forms and ask me in-depth questions on a topic before I start writing, that helps me zero in on what’s important, what matters to the audience, and gets rid of the fluff.

If you’re brand new to freelance writing or doing work that anyone with medium-level prompt engineering skills can create, you’re probably in trouble. The barrier to entry is lower, and the commodity work is going to get squeezed.

The people who were willing to pay me $10-20 an article to churn out SEO garbage can just do that in 15 minutes on ChatGPT a million times a month.

But if you’re a mid-career freelancer with relationships, expertise, and critical thinking skills? You’re actually in a pretty good position.

What Makes You AI-Resistant (Probably More Than You Think)

Here’s what AI can’t easily replicate:

Your industry relationships and expertise

I’ve spent 13 years writing in a very specific niche, focusing on B2B writing in fintech and financial services. I have connections with brands and editors I’ve built over the years. I have deep knowledge of the space, so if AI spits out something random, I’m very good at knowing when it’s hallucinating and making things up.

Your access to real people

I do a lot of work speaking with subject matter experts and industry executives. You get knowledge, connections, and insights that AI can’t replicate. AI can’t tell me a specific story (that’s true) or anecdote or what someone’s hearing from their peers behind the scenes in the industry.

Your ability to do strategic, thought leadership content

I’m not writing generic blog posts about “10 Tips for Saving Money.” I’m writing pieces that require interviewing multiple experts, synthesizing complex information, and providing strategic insights. That’s a lot harder to replace.

Your ability to write FOR AI

This is a big one. Everyone used to write mega posts, stuff them with keywords, and buy backlinks to land in the top 5 Google results. Now we all get that AI-generated answer at the top of search results. Some of them suck, some are great. But a LOT of clients want to BE that answer.

If I ask ChatGPT “what are the best trade publications to learn about B2B banking,” it’s actually going to link to specific publications. Your client wants to be in that list.

You can guarantee American Banker is thrilled they’re on both lists, that’s actually driving traffic.

Learning how to write in a way that AI identifies your content as high-quality and pulls it into answers is becoming a valuable skill.

The Strategic Opportunities Most People Are Missing

If you’re strategic and forward-thinking, there are actually a ton of possibilities right now.

Ways freelancers are already making money with AI:

• Creating custom GPTs for clients with monthly retainers for updates
• Offering AI strategy consulting for companies in their niche
• Building workflows that edit AI-generated content and charging to polish drafts
• Packaging research services using tools like Perplexity for busy executives
• Specializing in updating and repurposing old content with AI efficiency
• Creating and selling custom prompts and SOPs

Depending on what you want to do and your skill set, there are plenty of ways to revamp, pivot, or augment what you already do and thrive in the age of AI.

Ed Gandia, who runs B2B Launcher and the AI Advantage Hub (which I’m a member of), thinks we have about 12-18 months to really learn these skills and develop a plan before we’re stuck. I tend to agree.

Right now, I’m still doing mostly writing, but I’m also working on some of these other concepts and building them out and testing. So if in a year from now the writing starts really drying up, I’ve already got my runway going versus trying to figure out what the hell I’m going to do then.

What to Do Right Now

If you haven’t already and you’re open to it, dedicate time to learning one of these tools. It’s worth spending the $20 a month for any of the pro versions of these tools and REALLY learning how to use them.

The key is instructions and prompting.

And if you don’t know how to prompt, ask AI. That’s one of the beauties of it. If I kind of know what I want but I’m not sure the best way to say it, I’ll just say here’s what I’m looking for, can you create a prompt for that? Then I test it out and iterate over time.

Here are some specific ways to start:

• Pick one AI tool and master it ($20/month is worth the investment)
• Get good at one specific skill (repurposing content, updating old posts, creating workflows)
• Build SOPs that take clients from keyword to finished post
• Focus on work that requires critical thinking and expertise
• Double down on your niche and build deeper relationships

For positioning, I’ve really honed in on my niche. I write more for clients that want thought leadership and SME interviews. I’ve been very focused on building out those relationships because you never know who might be a great source one day and then hire you for work later on.

The Reality of What’s Coming

Who knows if anyone is completely AI-proof. But the last few years have been a rollercoaster, and the next few will probably be the same.

The first decade of my freelancing career was remarkably boring — nothing very new or exciting happened. The last few years have been way more chaotic. You just have to be prepared for the ups and downs, keep thinking ahead, build your network, develop new skills, and look for opportunities.

Because there will be plenty of them.

Some people will lose out. Some will really cash in. New opportunities will pop up. How AI impacts your business and career is really up to what you do right now.

The freelancers who stay strategic, keep learning, and use AI as a tool (not a replacement) can position themselves to come out ahead.

Liz Froment

Liz Froment is a full-time freelance writer and the one who keeps Location Rebel running like a well-oiled machine. If she's not writing something informative or witty for her clients, she can most likely be found reading a good book.