Seeking Commenters for the 2026 Survey Report

The 2026 ProCopywriters Annual Survey closed earlier this year with 573 responses. If you took part — thank you. The data is in, the report is taking shape, and we’d like your help with the next bit.

Some of this year’s findings are sharper than usual. 64% of you would, given the option, press a button to erase generative AI from the world (up from 45% last year). 43% of freelancers don’t feel they charge enough. The gender day rate gap has widened from zero in 2023 to 17% this year on a median basis. AI-generated content now reaches the client in nearly three in ten pieces of finished copy. 35% of respondents are now being told to use AI by clients or employers – almost double last year’s figure.

What the numbers can’t do is provide a personal perspective. So we’re gathering short comments from working copywriters to sit alongside the data – real voices to give the statistics life.

Below are the ten findings we’d like comments on. You don’t need to answer all of them.

Pick the one (or maybe two) you have the strongest opinion on. 

The ten stats we’d like comments on

1. The magic button. 64% of respondents said they would press a button to erase generative AI from the world entirely. That figure was 45% in 2025.

“Would you press the button? Why or why not?” Suggested: 25-50 words.

2. Asked to write unethical copy. 13% of respondents said they had been asked to write misleading or unethical copy in the past year. Of those, 23% wrote it anyway.

“Without naming the client, what happened the last time you were asked to write something you considered misleading or unethical, and what did you do?”

Suggested: 40-80 words. We’ll anonymise client details and can publish you anonymously if you’d prefer.

3. Charging enough. 43% of freelance respondents told us they don’t feel they charge enough. 23% said they weren’t sure.

“Why do you (or don’t you) feel you charge enough? What’s stopping you putting prices up – or how did you get comfortable with what you charge?”

Suggested: 30-60 words. Open to freelancers.

4. Imposter syndrome. About half of respondents put their imposter syndrome score at 7 out of 10 or higher. The figure has been stable for two years.

“When was the last time you felt like a fraud at your own job? What triggered it?”

Suggested: 30-60 words. Open to anyone.

5. Pressure to use AI. 35% of respondents said they were obliged to use AI tools by a client, employer or colleague – almost double last year’s 19%.

“What does being obliged to use AI look like in practice for you? Is it a formal mandate, indirect pressure on rates and turnaround, or something else?”

Suggested: 30-60 words. We’ll protect any client or employer identity.

6. What clients misunderstand. More than four in ten respondents said they need to educate clients about copywriting often or constantly.

“What do clients most often misunderstand about copywriting?”

Suggested: 25-50 words. The funnier and more pointed the better.

7. Freelance pain points. 70% of freelancers were ghosted at least once in the past year. 51% had a late invoice. 84% experienced scope creep on at least some projects.

“Tell us about a recent ghosting, a recent scope creep moment, or a late-invoice story from the past year. Pick whichever has the strongest story.”

Suggested: 25-50 words. Anonymise client details freely.

8. What employed copywriters want changed. Two-thirds of employed respondents are looking for some kind of change in the next 12 months. Better pay leads at 23%.

“If you could change one thing about your role tomorrow, what would it be and why?”

Suggested: 30-60 words. Open to in-house and agency-employed copywriters. We won’t identify employers.

9. What makes you stand out. Reliability (56%), professionalism (51%) and niche specialism (44%) topped the list of stand-out factors freelancers named. Branding and social following came near the bottom.

“What’s an under-rated skill or quality that’s actually helped you stand out as a freelancer?”

Suggested: 25-50 words. Sharp and specific lands best.

10. Running an agency in 2026. Agency founders flagged economic uncertainty (68%), finding the right clients (65%) and AI-generated content (44%) as their biggest obstacles.

“What’s the hardest part of running a copywriting business in 2026?”

Suggested: 40-70 words. Open to founders and partners.

How to send your reply

You can reply in the comments below, or send an email to leif AT procopywriters.co.uk.

A few practical notes:

• Length. Anywhere within the suggested word count is fine.
• Attribution. We’ll publish your name and a one-line bio (e.g. “Freelance copywriter, 8 years’ experience”). If you’d prefer to be anonymised, just say so when you reply.
• Editing. We may edit lightly for length and clarity but won’t change meaning. We’ll send the final wording for sign-off before anything goes to print.
• Inclusion. We can’t guarantee that all quotes will be used.
• Privacy. We won’t publish anything that could identify a specific client, employer or colleague.

The report goes to print in July and reaches several thousand copywriters in the UK and beyond. Your comment will sit alongside the data in front of all of them.

Thanks for being part of this year’s report – both the numbers and the voices.