7 Ways Writers Can Build AI-Proof Jobs

Key Takeaways:

• The majority of writers and editors today believe they have the worst AI-proof jobs out there, and they're clueless when it comes to applying generative AI.
• Freelancers have always been underpaid, and AI is not the cause of their job insecurity but an accelerant that widens the divide between those who adapt and those who don't.
• Simply having a personal website is no longer enough; writers need to focus on AI Search Optimization (AISO) and getting their content into AI-visible platforms to stay relevant in their careers.

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Today, I’m going to say something that’ll ruffle feathers—but someone has to say it for the sake of AI-proofing our jobs. That is…

The majority of writers and editors today are clueless when it comes to generative AI.

Why should you care? Because whether you love it, hate it, or fear it, generative AI is reshaping the media landscape faster than most realize—and those who can’t adapt or differentiate will soon find themselves irrelevant.

We’re witnessing an ideological war that is quietly dividing our profession. On one side, you have descriptivists—folks open to change, ready to embrace generative AI and the many language quirks it ushers in. On the other, you find prescriptivists—guardians of tradition, fiercely protecting the sanctity of their craft against what they see as linguistic vandalism.

But history holds a lesson for the skeptics. In the 1970s, video display terminals terrified editors, convinced they would become mere machine operators. They called it the death of personalized editing. As they saw it, this led to a marked decline in the quality of the newspaper. Yet, newspapers thrived. Portable terminals, such as the Teleram P-1800 introduced in the mid-1970s, allowed reporters to write and transmit articles directly from the field. This innovation streamlined the news production process, enabling faster reporting and more efficient workflows. Journalists could now focus more on content creation, as the technology simplified many of the mechanical aspects of their work.

In the ‘80s, the alarm bells rang again when early AI appeared in newsrooms, writing basic copy. Writers scoffed, editors panicked, convinced these primitive systems would strip away creativity and judgment. Believing machines were lousy stand-ins for human judgment, they feared these rudimentary AIs would box writers into formulaic patterns, dictated by software.

Even word processors scared the shit out of some writers and editors. As one observer put it at the time, a word processor seemed like “something with a mind of its own that might impose its own android habits on the user.” Renowned authors like Wendell Berry and Ray Bradbury refused to touch computers, swearing they’d destroy art and creativity. In his 1987 essay “Why I Am Not Going to Buy a Computer,” Berry argued that using a computer would not improve his writing and might even disrupt the creative process. Berry effectively said, “Show me a computer that can write better than Dante, and then we’ll talk.” While Bradbury — ironically, a futurist in his fiction — declared “I hate the internet! I hate computers!”

Yet again, the art and craft marched forward.

The same anti-technology bias is alive and well today. Freelance writers fear generative AI is eating their lunch, turning careers into gig work, pushing writers toward ramen dinners while bosses enjoy piña coladas funded by AI-driven savings…

Take this post from freelance writer and SEO expert Brianna Jeane the other day:

“Freelance writers, let’s face it: AI’s got us on the ropes. Most of us are out here scraping by, refreshing tabs like a slot machine, while AI gives your former/potential boss extra piña coladas while we’re sipping instant ramen. Brutal, right?

The next $100 you score for that measly 1,000-word piece, don’t blow it on fancy skincare, girlies, and guys; ditch the beer sesh with the crew. Take that crisp Benjamin and build a website.

$9 – Buy a domain (Namecheap, Bluehost, Hostinger, whatever’s not trash).   $35 – Get a solid hosting plan (more storage, multiple domains).

Transfer it to WordPress and DIY the site (YouTube tutorials got you).

Employers drool over WordPress chops, and you might just be their shiny new toy (a sharp addition to your resume).

Your homepage should feature your headshot, portfolio, and standout sample pieces that showcase your unique voice and skill, ones that prove you’re not just another AI clone.

Now, here’s the bold move in your ‘Resources’ section: post 4 articles a day. Pick a niche that hooks readers. It could be global breaking news for journos, the insane U.S. medical insurance mess for healthcare writers, or whatever pulls them in. SEO the living hell out of it with keywords, backlinks, meta tags, all that jazz.

Swap guest posts with your writer buddies. Someone scrolling might just trip over your brilliance and think, ‘This one. I need this one.’

Long shot? Sure, but it works.

Also, unplug sometimes. Crank up some Bob Marley, sip a cold one, live, don’t just rot on the couch.”

There’s a lot here, so let’s unpack this, one point at a time:

1. Freelancers Have Always Been Underpaid. AI Didn’t Start That Fire.

“AI’s got us on the ropes… we’re sipping instant ramen.”

Let’s not rewrite history. For those of us who did it, freelancing in the 2010s wasn’t exactly easy street. Demand Media promised cash-for-content glory, then crashed spectacularly. Fiverr entered the scene promoting gigs at a race-to-the-bottom price point, and HuffPo famously paid contributors in exposure, not dollars. Digital writing gigs rarely paid bills comfortably, and most freelancers lived job-to-job, hoping for a lucky break or building strategic connections to secure steady, well-paying work.

What to prioritize instead:

Freelancers have always dealt with tough economics. AI isn’t the cause—it’s an accelerant, rapidly widening the divide between writers who cling to old ways and those who evolve. The new winners aren’t just great writers; they’re great writers who are great at prompting AI, harnessing its strengths to amplify creativity, streamline production, and boost their market value. Writers who adapt quickly and master AI-driven content strategies stand to significantly improve their earning potential, tapping into opportunities traditional freelancing never offered.

2. The Website Hustle Needs a New Playbook

“Take that $100 and build a WordPress site”

Agreed! Own your domain and build your house—but the story doesn’t end there.

Brianna seems to see a personal website as a key differentiator. Maybe a decade ago, but today, simply having a personal site isn’t enough to set you apart.

“Transfer it to WordPress and DIY the site…”

Further, you can skip the tedious YouTube tutorials. Now, you’ve got tools like Deep Research on ChatGPT, and Deep Search on Grok, to instantly guide you through building a sleek, optimized, AI-friendly site. These tools make launching your site faster, smarter, and simpler than ever.

What to prioritize instead:

Your authority now lives where the audience searches—and increasingly, that’s in AI-driven search environments like Google AIO, Perplexity, and ChatGPT Search. To stay relevant, writers need to become AI-visible. Focus on getting your content and bylines into credible, high-ranking, and easily machine-readable platforms. View your personal site as a polished digital business card rather than your entire business model.

3. AISO Is the New SEO

“Employers drool over WordPress chops…”

Maybe they used to. But today, the new currency is AI Search Optimization (AISO).

“SEO the hell out of it” was excellent advice back in 2015. But search has evolved beyond keyword stuffing and backlinks. Now, semantic relationships and entity-based retrieval dominate. Writers who understand natural language processing (NLP), semantic markup, and how LLMs interpret, summarize, and cite content will be the ones who thrive. Knowing how to use Yoast isn’t enough—you need to relearn how to be discovered by AI-driven search engines without compromising your natural writing style.

What to prioritize instead:

• Master AI Search Optimization (AISO).
• Create structured, machine-readable content using schema markup.
• Write structured content that’s driven by questions people actually ask.
• Build topical authority so that LLMs connect your name, voice, and expertise directly with your niche.

If Google, ChatGPT, or other AI-powered platforms don’t recognize your authority and content, they won’t cite you. And in a landscape where visibility depends increasingly on AI citations, being overlooked by AI means becoming invisible.

4. Content Strategy Over Volume

“Post 4 articles a day… SEO the living hell out of it…”

Posting “four articles a day” is content treadmill thinking. It burns writers out and bloats the web with mediocre content.

If you’re still optimizing headlines for old-school CTR or stuffing keywords into paragraphs, Google’s next algorithm update is going to tank your traffic. In fact, Google’s March 2025 Core update rewards "human-written" and "creator-driven" content over low-quality, Al-generated material.

Bottom line: Forget the quantity treadmill.

What to prioritize instead:

• Write with semantic relevance in mind.
• Prioritize clarity and natural language to enhance machine understanding.
• Optimize content for featured snippets and AI-generated summaries.
• Use structured data to teach LLMs what you’re about.
• Stay updated on evolving LLM trends to continuously refine your strategy.

Create deep, high-value, evergreen content that establishes you as a trusted source. One well-researched, highly cited piece can do more for your visibility than dozens of filler posts. It’s not about flooding the zone—it’s about owning a zone.

Think of AISO like 3D chess. Classical SEO is still useful, but it’s now a game full of pawns.

5. Trade Credibility, Not Just Backlinks

“Swap guest posts with your writer buddies…”

Swapping guest posts “with your writer buddies” can build backlinks, sure, but it rarely builds lasting authority. The goal shouldn’t just be traffic or backlinks, but “citability.” Basically, you want to be referenced by platforms, newsletters, and databases that AI tools crawl and learn from.

What to prioritize instead:

Instead of merely exchanging posts, exchange credibility. Collaborate and co-create content with influencers and thought leaders actively shaping your niche’s information landscape. Partner with established brands, reputable editors, and authoritative platforms already recognized by AI search engines or likely to be featured prominently in AI-driven results.

Prioritize building genuine relationships with influential figures managing newsletters, structured databases, or citation networks. Your objective isn’t just about collecting backlinks—it’s about positioning yourself as a trustworthy source regularly cited by authoritative entities recognized and respected by AI search tools.

6. Become a Trusted Source, Not ‘Just a Freelancer’

Positioning yourself as a writer-for-hire may land you gigs in the short term, but it won’t build long-term leverage. If you’re only ever seen as a content producer, you’re replaceable. But when you’re seen as a source—someone with opinions, insights, and recognizable expertise—you gain staying power.

What to prioritize instead:

Start thinking like a subject-matter expert, even if your niche feels narrow. Share insights, synthesize trends, and contribute original thinking. Platforms like LinkedIn, Substack, X, and niche forums are ideal places to show your work and shape your identity. Don’t just write—analyze. Don’t just report—interpret.

The goal is to build a strong knowledge graph around your name. That means getting your name consistently associated with key topics, themes, and questions in your field. This not only helps editors see you as a go-to voice, but it also improves how LLMs surface, cite, and contextualize your work.

In a future shaped by AI discovery, being seen as a source increases your chances of being cited, syndicated, and sought after—not just hired.

Bonus: Differentiate By Doing What AI Can’t

Large language models like ChatGPT have transformed how we write, edit, and distribute stories. And yes, there are real limitations. AI can’t grasp narrative nuance, exercise genuine judgment, or chase a lead down on Wall Street. But dismissing AI as irrelevant to quality editorial copy misses the point.

AI excels at speeding up, automating, and enhancing certain newsroom tasks. It can polish grammar, translate instantly, summarize huge datasets, uncover hidden connections, and suggest story angles you haven’t thought of yet, which you can then refine.

These tasks typically drain newsroom resources. But when used well, AI doesn’t just hand writers and editors back their time; it becomes an extension of them. Investigative journalism—built on presence, persistence, and personal thought—allows reporters to do what machines can’t: original, in-the-field reporting. Politico’s Andrew Briz understand this balance. He‘s rethinking the newsroom with smart AI integration, delivering wider reach, deeper insights, and greater flexibility. AI becomes a tool to sharpen their journos’ thoughts, bounce ideas off of, and provide “Deep Research” that it would take a human hours to find. With AI handling repetitive tasks, reporters can dig deeper, stay longer, and write stories that resonate.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Resistance to technology hasn’t protected anyone—it only delayed the inevitable.

I can’t possibly hope to change the minds of people who have made them up, but I can at least give my take on it and hope other writers realize that generative AI isn’t their enemy, but their greatest thought partner, and hope they learn how to leverage AI and their own inimitable talents to stand out rather than be left behind.

Because, as history proves time and again, those who embrace the change don’t just survive—they thrive.

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