Freelancing in the age of AI is no easy feat. Good clients are becoming harder and harder to come by, and those who stick around are often bombarded with requests for work from cash-strapped gig workers.
While many factors have influenced the dwindling of freelance work, there is one common denominator: ChatGPT. After officially launching in November 2022, ChatGPT’s popularity skyrocketed, and many other AI companies are following suit.
The free AI chatbot is designed to engage in intelligent conversations, provide insights, and automate common tasks. It can generate text instantly on virtually any subject, thus its appeal to clients in search of affordable blog posts and website content.
So, where does that leave freelance writers? For many, it’s forcing once-entrepreneurs back into traditional work environments. Many who are unable or unwilling to rejoin the outside workforce continue to struggle to find gigs and maintain a steady income.
How to Find Online Work as a Freelancer
1. Refine Your Resume and Cover Letter
If it’s been a while since you’ve reviewed your resume and cover letter, take some time to refresh these documents before applying for your next online job. In fact, you can leverage the power of AI to assist with this process. AI-driven tools can identify keywords in job postings and provide personalized suggestions that help take your CV to the next level.
2. Sign Up for Job Alerts
Technology has made it easy to keep up with the latest job postings. Many job sites allow users to sign up and receive alerts when potential matches are posted based on their profile, search history, and preferences. Automatic job alerts can save you time and increase the likelihood of securing a position that reflects your skills and abilities.
3. Don’t Use ChatGPT or Other AI Tools to Write Your CV
While ChatGPT and other AI tools can be useful for creating a rough draft, don’t use it to write your entire CV. Employers want to know that you’ve taken the time to craft your own compelling resume and cover letter. Most employers can also differentiate between a CV written by a human versus a bot, so don’t take shortcuts and make sure to re-read your documents several times before submission to ensure accuracy.
4. Establish or Improve Your Online Presence
Having a positive online presence can help you reach a wider audience of potential clients. For freelancers, this is often a strong LinkedIn profile. Upload a professional photo, a list of experience and education, and other details that could draw in clients. I also recommend creating your own website that contains a professional portfolio of your work and reviews from clients.
5. Be Prepared for Digital Interviews
It’s not uncommon for job seekers to have to go through several rounds of interviews before securing a job. In today’s AI-driven world, digital interviews are becoming the norm. Interviews conducted by AI may seem simple, but you want to go into them with the right state of mind. In addition to assessing your word choice, bots can also examine your body language and facial expressions.
10 Work-from-Home Jobs to Earn Money
- Virtual Assistant: There are still many opportunities out there for virtual assistants, either with an individual or an organization. Oftentimes, professionals need help organizing paperwork, making phone calls, and performing other administrative tasks. These jobs often require some technical skills, as well as basic equipment like an internet connection and phone.
- Freelance Writer: While content mills are a thing of the past, there are still many freelance writing jobs out there if you know where to look. Reach out to businesses, look daily at job boards, and connect with other professionals on social platforms like LinkedIn.
- Transcriptionist: If you can type over 40 WPM with little to no errors, a job as a transcriptionist may be for you. As a transcriptionist, you’ll be tasked with converting audio recordings into typed documents. You’ll need a computer, a reliable internet connection, high-quality headphones, and great typing skills. Quicktate, Scribie, and GoTranscript are a few places that hire transcriptionists.
- Online Tutor: Are you proficient in a certain subject or are just all-around knowledgeable? Consider becoming an online tutor. This side hustle is a great way to earn some extra cash. You don’t have to just teach school-aged kids. Adults also need help in certain subjects, such as criminal law or advanced college courses.
- Niche Blogger: If you have personal experience or knowledge in a particular area, start a blog and share your expertise. As a blogger, you’ll need to set up a website, maintain a content calendar, generate topic ideas, and write blog posts that appeal to your target audience. If you’re not ready to spend money or time creating a site from scratch, try a free website maker like WIX or Squarespace.
- Social Media Assistant: Nearly every business has a social media presence nowadays. It makes sense that many reach out to freelancers to help maintain this presence and build a platform of information. As a social media assistant, your job will involve posting on behalf of an organization, planning social media posts, providing recommendations for a social media strategy, and collecting feedback.
- Other Online Jobs: While these are a few of the most common online jobs, there are many more. From editing and web development to graphic design and photography, there are many jobs that you can do online to earn extra cash or develop into a full-fledged business endeavor.
Has ChatGPT impacted your ability to generate an income online? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Online Writing Gigs 