How AI Trends Impact Copywriters

If you are an AI denier I’ve got bad news for you.

But if you’re onboard with AI you’re in good company.

The creator of the VSL Jon Benson is a huge fan of AI.

As is Rich Schefren.

Ron Lennon.

Sam Woods.

Luke Iha.

Stefan Georgi.

And if you haven’t heard of these remarkable geniuses of the AI world then you really should get out more.

Why?

A whole new exciting world awaits you.

I’ve been in this copywriting gig game for 35 years and nothing I’ve seen compares with the awesome resource of AI.

In this post I’m going to take you behind the scenes into what’s working right now and will continue to get even better.

Prepare to be blown away (literally).

Before I show you how AI impacts you as a copywriter, you should know I’ve been using AI for the last 18 months and I’ve upped my game as a copywriter.

After reading this, you’ll up your game, be more valuable to your clients and you may even be able to charge more for your services.

Here’s two articles I found that will be useful for you to know…

Based on research available before late 2024…

The Content Marketing Institute’s study showed that 63% of copywriters who embraced AI tools reported completing projects 30-50% faster. This efficiency gain allowed them to take on more strategic work, with the average copywriter spending 40% more time on creative ideation rather than routine production.

However, the transition hasn’t been without challenges. According to Forrester Research, 68% of organizations reported tension between traditional copywriting approaches and AI-assisted methods. Copywriters who adapted to an “AI collaborator” mindset saw better outcomes than those who viewed AI as either a threat or a complete replacement.

The skill hierarchy for copywriters has evolved significantly…

1. Strategic thinking and brand storytelling remained the most valued skills that AI couldn’t easily replicate
2. AI prompt engineering became a critical differentiator, with top copywriters excelling at guiding AI systems
3. Editorial judgment (knowing when and how to refine AI outputs) emerged as more important than raw writing ability

Perhaps most telling, a Nielsen study found that content teams using AI-human collaboration models produced work that performed 22% better in engagement metrics than either all-human or all-AI approaches.

The market has responded accordingly—copywriters who positioned themselves as “AI-enhanced creative strategists” commanded 35% higher rates than those who marketed themselves as traditional writers.

LinkedIn’s latest study reveals AI literacy is the number 1 skill marketers are adding to their resumes.

This comes as no surprise with 59% of marketers already using AI in their daily work.

The pressure is real – 72% of marketers feel overwhelmed by how quickly their job is changing. Most (54%) believe AI will significantly change how they work within the next year.

But it’s not just about AI. The study shows growth and revenue skills rank second on the list. Other in-demand skills include budget management, campaign planning, and data-driven decision making – all pointing toward the same goal: delivering measurable results in a rapidly changing landscape.

Perry Marshall said this at the Titans first seminar in 2014.

I hate to admit it – but looking back he was right.

Until and unless you embrace – even have a virtual love affair with AI – you are toast.

We’ve all experiences disruptive technology that changed to way we play this game called direct response copywriting.

In my day direct mail was king, and newspaper ads were queen.

Today creativity is king, and AI is queen.

It’s the perfect marriage.

And their children are all the successful wins their parents are proud of.

Are you ready to make babies?

(Virtual ones only.)

Example 1. Brainstorming.

It’s well known that Gary Bencivenga – who is the greatest living copywriter today – said that demonstration was the best way to make your product or service believable, trustworthy and credible in the eyes of your avatar.

That said, here is a prompt you can use.

– Brainstorm three different ways I can demonstrate my product/service to my target market.

Currently I have a book out called Neurocopy – Memorise and monetise these proven copy formulas.

(Okay I know this is a shameless plug but it’s better to use a real example than a made up a product. That way you get better insights for your product or service.)

Here are three strategic approaches to demonstrate NeuroCopy

1: The “5-Minute Formula Challenge” Live Demo

• Host live 15-minute webinars where you:
• Pick someone from the audience who struggles with copy formulas
• Teach them one formula using your memory technique in 5 minutes
• Have them write a headline/opener live using the formula
• Show before/after to demonstrate instant improvement
• Key benefit: Provides immediate proof that your system works
• Perfect for LinkedIn Live, YouTube Live, or Zoom workshops

2: The “Formula Face-Off” Competition

• Create a social media challenge where:
• Participants get 30 minutes to memorize one formula using traditional methods
• Another group gets 30 minutes using your NeuroCopy system
• Both groups write copy for the same brief
• Share results and conversion differences
• Showcase winners’ success stories
• Key benefit: Creates engaging content while proving system superiority
• Perfect for LinkedIn, Facebook groups, and copywriting communities

3: The “Real-Time Transformation” Series

• Run a 7-day documented case study where:
• Select 3-5 struggling copywriters
• Film their daily progress using NeuroCopy
• Show actual client work improvements
• Track their confidence levels
• Document speed improvements
• Share their rate increases
• Key benefit: Provides comprehensive proof through real results
• Perfect for email series, YouTube content, or course testimonials

Include detailed instructions on how to perform the demonstration, as well as WHY you are recommending it.

Here are the answers I got…

Let me break down the most impactful demonstration – The “5-Minute Formula Challenge” – with detailed implementation and strategic reasoning:

THE 5-MINUTE FORMULA CHALLENGE

WHY THIS DEMONSTRATION:

• Creates immediate belief through live results
• Addresses the biggest objection (“It can’t be that fast”)
• Generates shareable moments for organic reach
• Positions you as an authority through teaching
• Provides social proof through real-time transformation
• Creates urgency when viewers see instant results

DETAILED IMPLEMENTATION:

Pre-Event Setup:

Technical Requirements

• Professional lighting (ring light minimum)
• Clear audio (USB microphone recommended)
• Stable internet connection
• Screen sharing capability
• Practice session to test all equipment

Marketing Materials

• Landing page for registrations
• Email sequence (3 emails: announcement, reminder, final call)
• Social media promotional posts
• Follow-up sequence for attendees

Demonstration Structure (45 minutes total):

Opening (5 minutes)

• Start with a hook: “Watch as I help someone memorize the 12 proof elements formula
• formula in under 5 minutes”
• Share your “never hire you again” story briefly
• Explain what viewers will learn/see

Volunteer Selection (3 minutes)

• Ask for volunteers who:
  • Currently use swipe files
  • Have trouble remembering formulas
  • Recently missed a deadline
• Select someone willing to share their screen

Live Demonstration (15 minutes)

Quick Assessment (2 minutes)

• Ask volunteer to write quick headline using the 12 proof elements formula
• Have them explain their current process
• Show their struggle/confusion points

Teaching Moment (5 minutes)

• Introduce your “Wall-Image” technique
• Walk through one formula visualization
• Show memory anchor points

Practice Phase (3 minutes)

• Guide volunteer through formula recall
• Have them recite it back
• Show immediate improvement

Application (5 minutes)

• Have them write new headline
• Compare before/after results
• Get their immediate reaction

Results & Explanation (10 minutes)

• Break down what just happened
• Explain neuroscience briefly
• Share how this applies to full system

Q&A (7 minutes)

• Answer common objections
• Address specific questions
• Build credibility through knowledge

Offer Presentation (5 minutes)

• Introduce NeuroCopy system
• Special webinar-only price
• Deadline for decision

PRACTICAL EXECUTION TIPS:

Engagement Maintenance

• Keep chat active with quick questions
• Use polls for engagement
• Call out participants by name
• Share quick wins in real-time

Content Capture

• Record the entire session
• Take screenshots of before/after
• Capture testimonial immediately
• Get permission for content use

Follow-up Strategy

• Send recording to all attendees
• Create highlight clips for social
• Get volunteer success story update
• Share results with email list

OBJECTION HANDLING:

Prepare for common resistance:

• “This seems too simple”
• “I need my swipe files”
• “What about complex formulas?”
• “Will this work for me?”

MEASUREMENT METRICS:

• Registration numbers
• Live attendance
• Engagement rates
• Conversion to sales
• Testimonial generation
• Content creation opportunities

I trust you can already see how useful and practical this is for you.

Example 2.

In 2011, storyboard artist Emma Coats tweeted Pixar’s “22 Rules For Storytelling.”

The post blew up with thousands of likes, comments, and shares. If you’ve never read the list, it’s worth reading. BUT there’s one rule that’s generated more attention than all the others combined.

And that rule is…

Rule # 4: The Story Spine

Before we get to the formula, you need to know the Story Spine didn’t originate with Pixar.

They just made it famous.

In 1997, a Pixar employee, Rebecca Stockley, walked into an improv class taught by Kenn Adams. Kenn showed his students how to tell a good story during the class. He gave them 8-sentence starters. The students put them to memory and then improvised the rest by filling in the blanks. Without the “Story Spine,” students would get lost, and the story would fall flat, regardless of how good the idea was.

Rebecca loved it.

She brought the technique back to Pixar and taught it to her peers. The company was quick to adopt it. Then, over the next decade, they launched Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc., The Incredibles, and more, all with consistent Tomatometer ratings of over 95% and millions in sales.

The Story Spine structure worked!

And now we want to help you leverage Kenn’s winning formula too! (Except instead of asking YOU to improvise the story, we’ll use the power of AI to fill in the blanks for you.)

Let’s take a look at the formula.

Pixar’s Storytelling Formula

The Story Spine is a series of eight sentences that create a dramatic story.

Like all good stories, the formula first sets up the background and introduces the inciting incident. Then it dives into the consequences before moving to the climax, resolution, and ultimately the long-term implications.

The sentences are:

Once upon a time…

Every day…

But one day…

Because of that…

Because of that…

Because of that…

Until finally…

And ever since then…

(Optional) and the moral of the story is…

In 2011, storyboard artist Emma Coats tweeted Pixar’s “22 Rules For Storytelling.”

The post blew up with thousands of likes, comments, and shares. If you’ve never read the list, it’s worth reading. BUT there’s one rule that’s generated more attention than all the others combined.

And that rule is…

Rule # 4: The Story Spine

Before we get to the formula, you need to know the Story Spine didn’t originate with Pixar.

They just made it famous.

Once you have an idea, run the following prompt with your topic included.

Prompt:

I want you to create a Story Spine for my topic.

Topic = {TOPIC}

You are master of dramatic storytelling. You embody the creativity and energy of Pixar.

Please write 1 sentence for each of the following sentence stems for my topic:

1. Once upon a time…

2. Every day…

3. One day…

4. Because of that…

5. Because of that…

6. Because of that…

7. Until finally…

8. And ever since then…

Let’s see what I can do with my logline.

A copywriter was struggling to recall copy formulas when he needed them to write for his clients and therefore clients wouldn’t hire him for more than one project but a friend told him about the book Neurocopy – memorise and monetise these proven copy formulas. And now he gets paid on retainer and has a waiting list of clients at higher fees than before.

Here is the story Claude come back with…

Once upon a time, there was a talented copywriter named Jack who had all the right skills but kept freezing up when facing the blank page, desperately searching through endless swipe files and templates while his clients waited.

Every day, Jack would promise himself “this time will be different,” only to spend hours hunting through his massive collection of formulas and references, missing deadlines and watching clients slip away with polite but firm “we’ll keep you in mind for future projects” emails.

One day, his friend Marcus, a memory champion who’d noticed Jack’s struggle, revealed how he used neuroscience-based memory techniques to permanently install complex information in his brain, and introduced him to NeuroCopy.

Because of that, Jack spent 30 minutes learning the “Wall-Image” technique from NeuroCopy and successfully memorized eight proven copy formulas that previously took him hours to reference.

Because of that, Jack completed his next client project in half the usual time, delivering a sales page that converted at 12.3% without once opening his swipe files or second-guessing his approach.

Because of that, his confidence soared, his writing flowed naturally, and his clients noticed the dramatic improvement in both his work and his professional demeanour.

Until finally, Jack’s inbox filled with referrals, his rates doubled, and clients started offering him retainer contracts instead of one-off projects.

And ever since then, Jack has maintained a waiting list of premium clients, writes confidently from memory instead of reference materials, and teaches other copywriters that success isn’t about collecting more formulas – it’s about truly mastering the ones that work.

And the moral of the story is that true confidence doesn’t come from having the largest collection of resources, but from having instant, internalised access to proven frameworks when you need them most.

Keep in mind this is just the starting point of the story. But it has saved me hours in coming up with the basis of a great story. If I invest 20 minutes or so, this will be a captivating story.

Example 3.

Social media posts.

Here is a starting prompt to give you ideas about the subjects your prospects want you to write about.

Prompt:

You’re an expert in the [    ] niche. Help me plan 35 short videos to help answer the most common, burning questions my clients have. Give me a list of 35 such questions that I can answer in my videos. Here’s what I know about my ideal clients. Use this info to help in crafting the questions.

[Customer Avatar:]

PHASE 1: IMMEDIATE IMPACT (Essential Foundations)

“How do I cut my writing time in half using formula layering?”

“What’s the fastest way to memorise copywriting formulas?”

“Which copy formula should I start with for maximum impact?”

“How do I stop staring at blank pages and start writing instantly?”

“What’s the minimum number of formulas I need to master?”

PHASE 2: CONFIDENCE BUILDING (Early Wins)

6. “How do I know my copy will convert before sending it to clients?”
7. “Can you show me how to layer formulas in a real sales letter?”
8. “How do I overcome imposter syndrome as a copywriter?”
9. “What should I show clients to prove I know what I’m doing?”
10. “How do I stop second-guessing my copy decisions?”

PHASE 3: CLIENT ACQUISITION (Income Generation)

11. “How do I justify higher rates with formula-driven copy?”
12. “What’s the best way to explain my process to prospects?”
13. “How do I position myself as a premium copywriter?”
14. “How do I handle clients who want to change my formula-based copy?”
15. “How do I turn formula mastery into a unique selling proposition?”

PHASE 4: PRACTICAL APPLICATION (Implementation)

16. “How do I combine multiple formulas without making my copy feel mechanical?”
17. “What’s the best way to adapt formulas for different industries?”
18. “How do I know which formula fits which project?”
19. “What’s the secret to making formulas sound natural?”
20. “How do I adapt these formulas for social media?”

PHASE 5: SCALING UP (Business Growth)

21. “How many clients can I handle once I master these formulas?”
22. “What’s the fastest way to build a high-converting portfolio?”
23. “Which niches respond best to formula-based copy?”
24. “How do I scale my business using these techniques?”
25. “What’s different about formulas for video scripts?”

PHASE 6: PLATFORM SPECIFIC (Diversification)

26. “How do I use these formulas in email sequences?”
27. “Can these formulas work for long-form sales letters?”
28. “How do I modify formulas for different platforms?”
29. “How do top copywriters write so quickly without sacrificing quality?”
30. “When can I call myself an expert copywriter?”

PHASE 7: MASTERY (Advanced Topics)
31. “What’s the science behind why these formulas work?”
32. “How do I create my own winning formulas?”
33. “What’s the future of formula-based copywriting?”
34. “How do I test and optimise formula effectiveness?”
35. “What are the advanced layering techniques most copywriters don’t know about?”

Phase 1: Addresses immediate pain points and builds foundation

Phase 2: Builds confidence to overcome initial hesitation

Phase 3: Focuses on monetization and client relationships

Phase 4: Deepens practical skills and versatility

Phase 5: Expands business opportunities

Phase 6: Broadens application across platforms

Phase 7: Advanced topics for mastery and innovation

These answers I could never have found without AI. By the way, I’m posting everyday on social media using these ideas.

Example 4.

Making AI even better.

Many times Chat GPT gave me answers I didn’t like.

So, I ask it to go back and redo what it gave me.

Mini prompts like these can work like magic.

• Reduce word count by 50% without losing specificity
• Increase expertise level
• Review your work
• Do it again, but better
• This is great but rewrite it more basic.
• Read the question again.
• That’s a level 1 answer. Can you give me a level 2 version that goes deeper?
• Now give me a level 3 response, the most advanced strategies you can think of.

These few prompts put you into the top 10% of anyone using AI today.

Example 5.

Brainstorming ideas.

I thought I’d save the best until last.

This is a kind of two heads are better than one idea.

If you get stuck on coming up with new ideas (Like I do often) try this prompt.

Let’s brainstorm (What) together on (specific thing). You will ask yourself (questions – how many you want). That should (goal) and you will answer those questions.

This is not an easy prompt to unravel. Instead I’m going to ask Claude to come up with persuasive calls to action for buying my book Neurocopy.

(Once again – it’s better to use a real-life example than to make something up. That way you’ll know what to look for wen you run this prompt for your business.)

Act as if you are a professional direct response copywriter who loves to use visceral, real-life, simple but dimensional language. And let’s brainstorm engaging, persuasive and attractive CTA’s together for my book Neurocopy. You will ask yourself (ten questions). That should make someone see the reasons why it’s in their best interest to buy my book Neurocopy and you will answer those questions.

If this doesn’t make you think “wow – this is awesome. I’m so glad I’ve seen this and can’t wait to use this in my copywriting business.” I can recommend a great brain transplant surgeon who is looking for second hand brains that have hardly been used. (Seriously.)

Drum roll… lights… action…

Here are the ten critical questions and answers that drive compelling CTAs for NeuroCopy:

1. What’s the deepest pain point this solves?
   The gut-wrenching moment when you’re staring at a blank page, client breathing down your neck, and your mind goes completely blank – even though you’ve read every template and swipe file out there.
2. What’s the immediate relief they’re seeking?
   That beautiful moment when copy just flows from your fingertips, no reference materials needed, because every proven formula is locked in your brain, ready to use.
3. What are they secretly afraid of?
   Being exposed as a fraud when they can’t instantly recall the formulas they’ve studied countless times, losing premium clients because they’re too slow.
4. What status transformation do they want?
   From template-dependent copywriter to confident expert who commands premium rates and has clients fighting for their attention.
5. What’s the most visceral “before” scenario?
   Sweating at 3 AM, frantically searching through swipe files, knowing another missed deadline means another lost client.
6. What’s the most vivid “after” scenario?
   Confidently writing high-converting copy while sipping coffee, checking your phone to find another £5,000 deposit from a retainer client.
7. What’s their biggest objection?
   “I’ve tried memorising formulas before – it never sticks. I need my reference materials.”
8. What’s the unique mechanism that makes this different?
   The “Wall-Image” technique that makes complex formulas stick in your brain like superglue – the same method memory champions use.
9. What’s the cost of waiting?
   Every day without this system means more hours wasted searching references, more confidence-killing second-guessing, more clients lost to faster writers.
10. What’s the dream outcome they’re chasing?
    Being the go-to copywriter who commands premium rates, never misses deadlines, and has the confidence to take on any project.

Based on these insights, here are 10 powerful CTAs:

1. “Install These 8 Formulas In Your Brain Now”
2. “Stop Searching, Start Writing – Get NeuroCopy”
3. “Transform Your Copy Brain In 30 Minutes”
4. “Ditch The Swipe Files – Write With Confidence”
5. “Unlock Your Natural Copy Flow”
6. “Join The Elite 5% Of Copywriters Who Never Need References”
7. “Write Faster, Earn More – Starting Today”
8. “Turn Your Brain Into A Copy Machine”
9. “Free Yourself From Template Dependency Forever”
10. “Install Your Copywriter’s Operating System Now”

If anyone – and I do mean anyone – who dares to tell you AI is a waste of time, do yourself a favour.

Don’t walk away from them… RUN!

The band Del Amitri wrote a song call “Let’s kiss this thing goodbye.”

An awesome track that segways into this…

You know that feeling when something shifts inside you?

When you realise you’ll never see things quite the same way again?

I had that moment 18 months ago.

Standing in my office at 3 AM, staring at endless swipe files, missing another deadline.

Something had to change.

Today, I watched myself write a sales page without opening a single reference.

The words just… flowed. Like they were always there, waiting to come out.

My client called it “the best copy I’ve ever read.”

It’s strange how life works.

Sometimes the biggest transformations happen so quietly, you barely notice them happening.

Like water slowly carving its path through rock.

I see it in other copywriters too.

The ones who’ve made this shift.

You can tell by the way they carry themselves in client meetings.

The quiet confidence.

The natural flow of their ideas.

The way clients lean in when they speak.

Then there are the others.

Still doing things the old way.

Still searching.

Still struggling.

Still wondering why some writers seem to have that “special something.”

It reminds me of what my mentor once told me…

“The best decisions don’t feel like decisions at all. They feel like something you already knew.”

I wonder if you feel it too.

That subtle pull toward a different way of working, thinking and being.

That voice inside saying there’s an easier path.

Some will keep walking the hard road.

That’s their choice to make.

Others will recognise this moment for what it is – an invitation to step into a new story