Luke Luby | Content Writer

So, work's going through a bit of a lull period. Guess that means I gotta start pitching to clients/agencies again.

Fuck, I hate this part of being a #copywriter.

Haven't been too online recently, so might as well pop might head in.

Randomly started playing #Fallout 2 again. New Vegas probably would've been a better choice with season two of the show out soon, but the nostalgia roped me in.

Not a chance could I get through that without my heart coming out through my throat. I'd be terrified.

Applied for a #copywriting role a few days ago, and the company replied yesterday.

The response? One sentence asking how much it'd cost for me to build a custom #ChatGPT system.

I mean, wut? Where's that come from?

Some job "offers" for #content writers, editors, etc. really blow my mind.

$400 a month for a full-time #freelance role? I mean, seriously?

And that's before taxes. The fuck?

Seeing more and more #marketing - specifically #SEO & content - agencies trying to take advantage of #writers & freelancers.

Job descriptions with terrible terms, low pay, and more red flags.

Saw it a lot (and, unfortunately, fell for it) when I got into the industry. Shame it's still happening.

I'll always be surprised by how little some potential clients want to offer #freelancers, no matter the services.

I mean, it seems like they really don't give a f*ck about paying for quality. All that matters is the bottom line.

Shit pay gets shit work, and the results end up showing that.

I keep getting cold emails and #LinkedIn messages offering backlinks for sale. (Usually for terrible/spammy websites)

Like, why? I #freelance for an agency that sells backlinks. Genuinely, what the frick?

And, I'm just a #contentwriter? I wouldn't have decision-making power anyway.

Starting to get through my #gaming backlog.

Finally got around to finishing Homefront: The Revolution. With how hit-or-miss my attention span can be, only took me close to a decade.

I don't get why Homefront got as much hate as it did. Solid game.

Just goes to show what the Drumpf administration's actual priorities are.

Hot take:

New content writers should steer clear of ChatGPT and other #AI tools.

These can be great for #content ideation and similar areas (not as a replacement). But, content writers - and #copywriters - need to understand the processes first.

Only then can you actually rely on AI tools.

One thing I keep seeing with #contentwriting job ads: shit pay.

I mean, lower-than-minimum wage when you work out the total hours needed.

And, potential clients don't understand why low-quality content writers & #copywriters apply.

Pay peanuts, get monkeys.

So, more people are reaching out directly for my #contentwriting services.

I guess I'm getting better at this adulting stuff?

If any other #freelancer has been in this position, it'd be great to get some advice!

Pretty sure it doesn't mention anything in my contract with them about it. So, I ain't sure what steps to take.

Publish one on my portfolio? Ask for one to be removed, or payment? I just don't wanna rock the boat

So, I've got a bit of a conundrum.

I freelance for an #SEO agency. Yesterday, they asked me to completely rewrite an article with new images, etc. Not great, but not a world-ender.

But, it wasn't because of the quality. Turns out, both articles were published. I got paid for one.

What gives?

With #ResidentEvil 9 being announced, now I got no excuse for catching up on the franchise.

Naturally, I just bought the remastered versions of the early games, and all the newest ones.

Fingers crossed I don't give myself a heart attack getting through them.

Sime content marketers and #SEO professionals are freaking out a little about AI overviews on search engines.

I don't get it? I mean, turning up in these is the same approach as before.

If you're doing SEO right, you're doing it right for #AI overviews. Focus on your audience & use best practices.

I was gutted when I realised she wasn't actually recruitable! Genuinely thought I was missing a few steps to get her to join the party.

Been juggling agency work, #contentwriting work directly with a client, and upskilling with @semrushofficial.bsky.social and #Hubspot.

Who says there's such a thing as a social life?

Alfira's genuinely one of the most under-rated characters in the game. Love the photo!

Quick question for #SEO pros out there;

What're you using for keyword research and clustering? I've been using #Semrush for a while, but I'm considering switching.

Anyone have any suggestions, especially when it comes to #copywriting?

So far, I've been told - by clients - that 'digital landscape' and 'diving in' are both "100%" signs that a #copywriter is using #AI.

Or, slight variations. They think the rest of the content isn't worth looking at, & context doesn't matter.

I mean, 4 words out of over 2,000? Wut?

I can't be the only one still waiting for a Dave Bautista/Marcus casting announcement, can I?

'Bleak' would be a bit of an understatement.

#AI can be a great tool, but that's exactly what it is. A tool.

It's not a substitute for human creativity, intelligence, and work.

Finally started taking a few online #marketing classes.

But rusty with #emailmarketing and a few other areas, so fingers crossed this helps.

Honestly starting to think Jon Bernthal is one of the most underrated actors going.

As much as I love him as Frank Castle / #Punisher, Bernthal's more than a few damng good roles.

I can't be the only #copywriter or #contentwriter that isn't a big fan of Grammarly & others, right?

I mean #Grammarly and others help with the technical parts of writing; like the punctuation, etc.

But, the tone and style feel a little off sometimes? Good writing often feels more fun without it.

Only just realized that two weeks ago was the seventh anniversary of when I moved to Spain.

For someone who said I'd "give it six months and see how it goes," time honestly flew.

One of the best decisions I ever made.