Using AI Ethically In Your Creative Work

Continuing the discussion of the previous episode the topic turns to using AI tools in your creative processes. Questions including, "Should I tell my clients I'm using AI?", "How do I incorporate AI tools without infringing someone's copyright?" and "Will clients still want to work with me when there are so many AI options out there? How do I remain relevant as a designer, illustrator, photographer?" are growing concerns for freelance creatives. Alvalyn Lundgren shares insights into how creatives can position and differentiate so that they remain relevant to their clients, and focus on the things clients need that AI cannot do which are the essential human traits necessary for creative problem-solving.

If your brand message as a freelancer is that you create excellent work, that you're a certifed software expert, or you've earned badges and certificates in subject matter areas, you're already obsolete. If your creative process relies on templates, creative marketplaces, and execution, your income is in jeopardy. If your marketing approach centers on quick and cheap, AI has already replaced you, for free. Execution is no longer a viable selling point for your creative services. What should you do? In this episode host Alvalyn Lundgren shares practical truths about how to remain irreplacable as a reliable creative partner for your clients by focusing on your most important asset: your humanity. 

As a freelance creative, do you focus more on your technical skills, on your creative talent, or problem-solving abilities to attract clients? How you position yourself determines the types of projects and clients you'll work with. Moreover, especially in this age of AI, talent and tools aren no longer enough to be able to make a living. A focus on tools and tech skills are making you obsolete. Speedy turn-around and low fees can't compete with free. You'll be easily replaced. What should you do? Shift gears and change your approach. Alvalyn shares the necessity of human-centered creative problem-solving and capitalizing on your humanity to solve business-related and life-related problems for your clients.

Overthinking solutions to a creative or business problem is all to common. We want to consider as many possibilities as we can. But when we can make the challenge appear larger than it is, we  become confused and restrained, unable to move forward toward the solutions we seek. Being at times guilty herself of overthinking, and observing how it operates in others, Alvalyn presents a three-part approach to eliminate this tendency so that we can freely move forward and accomplish our objectives.

Some key business challenges for freelance creatives include overcoming recurring problems and ensuring that daily practices are aligned with long-term strategy and purpose. We often resort to applying quick fixes which can be superficial rather than working to discover why the problems recur.  Alvalyn Lundgren discusses the differences between tips, tactics, and strategies in growing a freelance business, and shares her experience of transforming her freelance business from serving low-value clients to high-value clients. She emphasizes that while tips provide quick fixes, they are superficial and short-term, whereas tactics are planned actions based on a strategic plan to achieve long-term goals. She highlights the importance of addressing foundational issues in business, such as mindset, mission, mechanics, and messaging, stressing the need for consistent, strategic actions to build a thriving creative business. The podcast encourages listeners to implement long-term, deep-dive strategies and focused tactics rather than rely on quick fixes, and to build consistent systems and practices to support their overall business mission.    

How do you create high-value perception with a skeptical client? Why do so many clients think creative work is worth so little, or that we're charging too much? It seems they tend to look for the cheapest option. Attracting high value clients you can work with over the long term requires a change in focus and approach. While platforms like Canva and tech like AI are impacting opportunities for new projects, what we creatives need to focus on is how clients perceive our craft and our roles. In this episode Alvalyn tackles ways freelancers can position and differentiate in order to attract and keep high value clients.

Q & A episode in which I answer questions submitted by freelancers about client relationships, health insurance alternatives, transitioning from employment to self-employment, and how to begin freelancing.

Self-promotion is the practice of telling potential clients about what you do. With it you build your brand, engage prospects, and attract clients. As a freelancer, you should include self promotion strategies in your regular marketing activities. In this episode I share four essential components of your self promotion strategy. 

You can't run your freelance business on creative talent or skills. You have to develop business skills, which aren't taught in design school. The focus of degree and certificate programs is on creative expertise and portfolio development for the purposes of obtaining a job as a creative. Even those programs that do offer business courses only skim the surface of what's necessary, leaving the entrepreneurial creative out in the cold when it comes to building their businesses. In this episode I present 12 things they don't teach in design school but that you need to know if you want to build a business from your creative work.

How can you integrate your professional with your personal life to reduce stress and enjoy flexibility? How is it possible to fine-tune your productivity to gain time for non-work pursuits? Productivity is the measurable outcome of one's effort, and  to be truly productive — not just busy — we need to distinguish between efficiency and effectiveness. If we're going to be effective at getting our goals done. and not just efficient, we need to pursue an integrated life. While it's important for freelance creatives to balance business activities with professional and personal creativity, we should do so within the context of our whole life. I talk about the need to set significant goals, and eschew the myths of work-life balance and multi-tasking. Integrating, rather than balancing, work and personal life consists of managing time proportionally rather than aiming for symmetry, and provides flexibility when life impacts business and vice versa. Intentional planning with flexibility is a key strategy for becoming effective in all aspects of your life.