Are you having FOBO (Fear Of Being Obsolete) right now? If so, you’re not alone. An estimated  81.6% of writers think they’ll lose their job due to AI. 

But is this fear well-founded? I’ll argue that it isn’t – and that AI can not only “not replace you” – but make your life easier.

Resistance to new technology is nothing new

Resistance to technological change is not a new thing, in fact it’s pretty much inbred into our DNA. We’re wary for a variety of reasons. For example it can be down to a perception that new technologies will threaten our job security, or lead to us losing power or control over our product. Or, we may simply feel uncomfortable about the disruption it will cause to our established routines. 

Slow adopters tend to miss out

Look at the slow adoption of digital photography. Film photography had an entrenched dominance that was difficult to break, with an established infrastructure around film processing, development and distribution. 

Kodak, despite inventing the first digital camera, were reluctant to commercialise it, probably for the reasons given above. Their competitors, however, were not so slow to capitalise on this innovative new technology. As Kodak lagged behind the leaders, they were estimated to have lost around $15 billion in revenue.

Stop being emotional about AI

Talk of competing with AI is nonsense. AI is just another new technology, not an entity with a consciousness that has good or bad intentions. 

When you start to look at AI dispassionately you’ll soon understand that it can be a useful partner in terms of helping you create impactful and creative content. 

Adapt or die

When people fail to understand the benefits of new technologies, or what they are supposed to do with them, they will be less likely to adopt them. 

As AWAI president (American Artists and Writers Institute) Rebecca Matter puts it : “AI is an incredible tool.” “For people who make copywriting a career, the risk isn’t AI taking their jobs, it’s that they have to adapt. That can be uncomfortable, but I think it’s a huge opportunity.”

As professional copywriters our value has always been in our ability to connect with audiences through compelling storytelling. AI doesn’t, and can’t, replace this skill. But it can give us useful tools that allow us to focus on strategy and creativity while automating repetitive tasks.

Time to build an AI copywriting toolkit?

Building your AI toolkit requires careful selection of resources that complement your specific writing needs. Here are some great tools every copywriter should consider:

For Content Creation and Ideation

• ChatGPT: Perfect for brainstorming sessions, outlining articles, and generating fresh perspectives when you’re facing writer’s block
• Headlime: Specifically designed for creating high-converting landing pages with AI-assisted headline generation
• Otter.ai: Transforms interviews into transcripts and summaries, saving hours of manual work

For Visual Content

• Canva Pro: Its AI design functionality helps copywriters create visually appealing content without graphic design expertise
• Crayo: Excellent for developing short-form video content ideas and scripts

For SEO Optimization

• Surfer SEO: Provides real-time feedback on your content’s search engine potential, suggesting keywords, content structure, and even image density

Tips for using AI effectively as a copywriter

Master Prompt Engineering

This is so important. The quality of your AI output directly correlates with the quality of your prompts. So you need to develop clear, specific instructions that should, for example, include:

• Your target audience demographics and preferences
• Desired tone and style (conversational, formal, humorous)
• Word count requirements
• Specific keywords to include
• Background context relevant to the topic

EXAMPLE: Instead of asking “Write about AI for copywriters,” try “Write a 300-word piece on how copywriters can use AI for content ideation, targeting experienced writers who are skeptical about new technology. Use a conversational tone.”

Maintain Your Creative Authority

AI tools are assistants, not replacements. The most effective approach combines AI efficiency with human creativity:

• Use AI for first drafts and research gathering
• Apply your expertise to refine and personalise, and to add your authentic voice
• ALWAYS fact-check AI-generated content before publishing
• Make sure to infuse your copy with your unique perspective and industry experience

Getting started: Low risk ways to start using AI as a copywriter

If you’re new to AI tools, start with low-risk applications including:

1. Content ideation: Generate ideas for your next blog post – some you’ll like, some you won’t but it can help with writers’ block
2. Headline testing: Create multiple headline variations to test with your audience
3. Research summaries: Compile information from multiple sources into concise briefs
4. Email templates: Develop customisable templates for client communications
5. Social media captions: Generate starter ideas for your social content

The future of copywriting in an AI world

The most successful copywriters won’t be those who resist AI, but those who take the time to identify the best AI tools and integrate them into their workflows. 

And, by doing so you’ll be able to deliver more value to your clients and impress them with:

• Faster turnaround times
• More comprehensive research (so long as you fact-check thoroughly)
• Data-driven content strategies
• Consistent quality across larger volumes of content

As a professional copywriter, your experience, judgment, and creative intuition are, and will remain, irreplaceable. AI simply allows you to enhance what you already do – brilliantly.

AI will change copywriting—no doubt about it.

But can you change in order to harness its potential and elevate your craft?

It’s essential to be upfront about your use of AI when you’re working with clients. 

Disclaimer: 90% of this content was generated by me, a human. AI helped me generate some subheading ideas. 

Photo by Elena Rouame on Unsplash