Should I fire my copywriter for AI?
Dear Hungry Typewriter,
I’ve been working with my copywriter for almost a year, and I love what she creates for me. That said, with everything AI is capable of now, I’m wondering if this is the time to save some money and learn how to use ChatGPT for my small business. What do you recommend?
Tinkering with Tech
Dear Tinkering,
I’ve wrestled with the “AI vs Copywriter” debate myself—both as a business owner who hires writers and as a writer whose clients are asking the same thing.
Let’s be honest: the appeal of AI is real. It’s fast. It’s (mostly) free. And it promises to make creative work feel easy.
But before you let your copywriter go, ask yourself:
Do I actually want to come up with the ideas, organize my thoughts, and write everything myself?
Because that’s exactly what will be on your plate.
Here’s what I’ve seen:
The clients who thrive with AI and small business ChatGPT are usually the ones who’ve already built a strong foundation.
They’ve clarified their message, defined their voice, and built a backlog of strategic content. With solid source material to feed it, AI can help them write more of what already works—faster.
The clients who struggle?
They’re often the ones who don’t love writing, feel too close to their business to explain it clearly, or rely on their copywriter as a strategic partner to sharpen ideas and stay consistent. For them, AI is more likely to freeze than free up their creative flow.
And here’s something else to consider:
Not all writing is created equal.
AI is giving content writers a run for their money—and in the right hands, it’s a helpful tool for drafting blogs, emails, or social posts. But copywriting is different. It’s not just about getting words out—it’s about building messages that move people. It requires creativity, emotional intelligence, and real strategy to turn a fuzzy founder vision into a sharp, stand-out story.
If you’ve hired a copywriter to help with content, chances are they’re doing more than you realize: protecting your voice, serving your clients, adding slip to your sales funnel, and helping your business stay visible when other demands are pulling focus.
At Hungry Typewriter, content retainers aren't our splashiest service, but they're often one of the most strategic. Month after month, we're building your voice alongside momentum, consistency, and visibility—all of which support and strengthen your brand experience.
When a client is ready to take the reins on their regular content, we know they’re set up for success—and we cheer them on every step of the way.
So before you decide to fire your copywriter, ask yourself:
Do I have a clear message, point of view, and brand voice to guide AI?
Are my current newsletters, blogs, and social content getting strong engagement?
Do I enjoy writing—and have the time and energy to do it consistently?
Will the money I save actually outweigh the creative momentum I might lose?
Is this a short-term experiment—or a long-term shift in how I want to work?
If the answer is yes—give it a try.
And if not? You might already be getting more value than AI could ever deliver.
—Kacey & the HT Team
This is Part 2.5 of a 2.5-part blog series exploring the brave new world of AI, copywriting, and human creativity. Click here to start from the beginning—and get tips, prompts, and literal brownie points for joining in the conversation.
