Hi Reader,

Happy Friday!

Last week, I caught myself staring at my to-do list like it was a horror movie. Not because the work was hard, but because I’d said “yes” to too many things. It’s a freelancer hazard... we think more projects = more security, but in reality, it’s often the opposite.

A stuffed schedule leaves no space for our best ideas (or, let’s be honest, a proper lunch).

Here’s the thing: your freelance business grows when you have room to grow. That means leaving white space on your calendar, even if it feels counterintuitive.

P.S. This week on Instagram, I shared how you can build a freelance business that supports your values. See how here. And don't forget to give me a follow for regular tips and tricks!

Here's what I've been up to this week work-wise:

👉 I wrote 4 pieces for clients (Salsify, Klaviyo, and an influencer marketing tool)

👉 I refreshed 4 pieces for Shopify

👉 I managed to spend two afternoons at the beach and take Thursday morning off

⏱ Approx hours spent on client work this week: ~23

⏱ Approx hours spent on non-client work: ~2

💰 Total revenue this week: £3,900

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Friday Freelance Tip​​ ✨ ​

As most of you know, a few weeks ago I had an interview published in the Metro.

It was about my freelance journey and how I went from £20 a piece to earning six figures working with brands I love. But the part that sparked the most conversation was actually… AI.

Not surprising really, I guess.

I had a LOT of comments asking me if I was scared that AI would take my job.

And honestly, my answer is a solid no. Not right now, anyway (it would have been a more hesitant no about a year ago).

Not because I think AI is bad at writing (though… I’ve seen some things). But because I don’t see it as competition, I actually see it as my assistant.

Freelancers (especially writers) often work alone. We wear all the hats: researcher, marketer, admin assistant, social media manager, bookkeeper, client liaison… oh, and actual writer.

AI isn’t a replacement for me, but it IS a pretty handy extra pair of hands.

Here are just a few ways I use it:

• Transcribing interviews with SMEs and internal team members
• Pulling out key data points from huge documents
• Structuring messy voice notes into coherent ideas
• Summarising and organising research so I can focus on the narrative
• Brainstorming marketing ideas for my own business
• Drafting social captions and tentative outlines from pithy briefs

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Yes, it sometimes needs supervision, but so does every assistant.

And then something… odd happened this week.

I noticed one of my clients was editing a piece I’d submitted back in January. So, I messaged them to ask if they were working on the right doc because it was signed off months ago.

They replied that, yes, that was correct. It had been live for a while, but the CEO just saw it and wasn’t happy because it had been flagged as AI.

Weird, I thought. I didn’t use AI for that.

Then I opened the piece. And immediately thought: I didn’t write this.

Turns out, the client had removed sections of my original work and replaced them with AI-generated copy without telling me. And now, they were pulling my version back in.

Why they swapped it in the first place, I have no idea. But I can’t deny it was satisfying to see the “robot” words binned in favour of the human ones. Especially since they’d already paid for writing that was perfectly fine to begin with.

And this thread is something I’m seeing more and more in my client work.

Brands are actively vetoing AI-generated content. Instead, they’re commissioning interviews with industry experts, opinion-led pieces, and stories told from a unique perspective.

For all its power, AI doesn’t know what it’s like to launch a business, burn out, land a dream client, or make a life-changing decision. It doesn’t have lived experience.

And after a few years of feeling disconnected (hello lockdowns, endless screen time, everything online), I think people are craving human connection again. They want to read actual words written by actual humans. Words that feel like they came from somewhere real.

So no, I’m not scared that AI is going to take my job.

I’m actually curious. I’m using AI and I’m keeping my edge by doing what only a human can.

I truly believe the future of freelancing isn’t us vs AI, it’s us WITH AI.

But right now, the humans are still winning.

This week, we have a B2B writer from Atlanta, Georgia.

Where are you based? Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

How long have you been freelancing? 16.5 years.

What do you do? Writer for financial services and B2B.

What was your 2024 revenue? $160,000 USD.

This person freelances full-time, and this was not their highest earning year.

How much did you take as a salary?

$60,000 + distributions.

How much did you pay in taxes?

Approx $15,000 in federal and state income tax.

What were your business expenses?

Around $100 per month on my payroll service, internet, newsletter marketing and Wall Street Journal subscription. I pay my CPA $550 annually to prepare my federal and state tax returns.

This year, I also had a new website built and remodeled my home office.

Do you contribute to a pension or investments?

I contributed $14,000 to a SEP.

Do you have any hot money-management tips?

Keep your business expenses as low as possible to boost your net profit. This should be relatively easy as a self-employed freelancer, especially if you work from home. My business expenses are very low because I resist the urge to buy things I don't really need or that aren't going to directly result in more revenue or greater efficiency.

We need more Freelance Money Diaries submissions!

As you know, I'm on a mission to bring more transparency around rates in the freelancing world. And, to do that, it really helps to see what other freelancers are earning. I'd absolutely love it (and be eternally grateful) if you share your finances with us (you can do it totally anonymously!).

As always, happy freelancing :)

Lizzie ✨

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