A freelance finance writer used GPT-4 for research and outlines and grew his income by more than 50% in a year
A Vancouver writer covering ETFs kept the actual writing for himself and used GPT-4 to speed up research, working about three hours a day.
Subject: Tony DongFreelance financial writing for publications, billed per article
Case Overview & Background
Tony Dong, a Vancouver-based freelance writer who mainly covers exchange-traded funds for outlets such as U.S. News & World Report, USA Today and TheStreet, made CA$149,000 in 2022. Business Insider reported he was on track for CA$238,000 (about $180,000) in 2023 while working fewer hours, and credits GPT-4 and other tools for part of that.
How AI Is Used
Step-by-Step Process
He asks GPT-4 specific questions about the topic and checks the sources it links.
He asks for an outline with titles and subheads.
He takes over fully for the analytical writing.
He runs drafts through Grammarly before sending them to editors.
Customer Acquisition & Distribution
Limitations, Risks & Failure Modes
What may not apply to you, and what could go wrong:
- The figure is total freelance income, so it does not isolate what AI added
- The 2023 figure was a projection in December 2023
- Results depend on a specialist niche and existing editor relationships
- He warns that GPT-4 cannot yet write analytically in a voice readers understand
Key Takeaways
- AI saved time on research and structure rather than replacing the writing
- Specialist knowledge kept his rates high
- Fewer hours, not more output, was his goal
Sources
Business Insider: A freelance writer explains how GPT-4 helped him boost his income
Note: Reports the 2022 and projected 2023 income, verified from accountant income summaries, and his GPT-4, Grammarly and Dragon workflow.
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