Friday, 5 March 2025
Early into the year and things feel a bit … slow. Enquiries aren’t flying, and that little voice in my head is whispering, ‘Are people using AI instead of me?’
I won’t lie, it’s knocked my confidence a bit. It’s that uneasy feeling when you’re doing all the right things, but the results are slow to come in. And then the overthinking starts.
If you’re a freelancer, a small business owner, or just someone who relies on clients coming to you, you may relate to this feeling.
The self-doubt creeps in, and you start wondering, ‘Have I done something wrong? Have I been replaced by a robot?’
The AI vs Human Copywriting Showdown
So, let’s put it to the test. I asked ChatGPT to write a short paragraph about why businesses should use a professional copywriter for press releases. Here’s what it gave me.
ChatGPT: ‘Professional copywriters craft compelling press releases that effectively communicate key messages, engage target audiences, and enhance brand reputation. With expertise in tone, structure and storytelling, they ensure clear, concise and impactful messaging that captures media attention.’
Okay, it ticks the boxes. But does it feel human? Does it sound like something I’d actually say to a client? Nope. It’s polished, but it’s soulless.
Now, here’s my take.
Sophie Seddon: ‘A good press release is a story that makes people sit up and take notice. It grabs a journalist’s attention, sparks curiosity, and gets your business in front of the right audience. AI can put words together, but it doesn’t know how to make them sing.’
See the difference? One reads like a textbook, the other has personality. AI is a great tool but when it comes to storytelling, emotion and psychology, it can’t replace human thinking.
Should You Speak for Free?
While I’m out here defending the value of human expertise, I’m also speaking at an event in Leeds for free. So, by giving my services for free does that contradict everything I’ve just said? Not necessarily.
I have had these very conversations with my husband. It’s a hard balance, especially when you’re trying to build credibility but also make a living.
Lucy Hall recently shared her take on this great LinkedIn post, highlighting that there’s no right or wrong answer. It’s about knowing your worth and choosing what works for you.
Speaking for free can be valuable if it gets you in front of the right people, builds credibility, or opens doors to paid opportunities. But should you always do it? Absolutely not.
Your time, knowledge, and experience have value. It’s about knowing when to say yes, and when to say ‘thanks, but this is my price’.
For me, it’s always the give back or a strategic yes for visibility, networking and positioning you as an expert in the room.
The Reality Check
Yes, AI is here, and yes, business can be slow sometimes. But does that mean I should panic? No. Clients don’t just need words. They need the right words, with the right message, for the right audience, at the right time. That’s where humans win every time.
But I’ll be honest. Some days, I do panic. Some days, I wonder if I need to change everything. And then I remember, I’ve been here before. The work will come, and when it does, it’ll be because people want me, not just words on a screen.
So, if you’re feeling the wobbles, remember this, your expertise, your experience, and your voice still matter. AI isn’t replacing you, it’s just making it clearer why real, human connection is so valuable.
Have you had similar thoughts lately or are you team AI all the way?