Written by: Vickie Sullivan | August 31, 2023
When Your Client Chooses AI Over You
There’s a lot of talk these days about how AI could take people’s jobs. As the Washington Post points out, however, it’s already happening. Companies are using generative AI, such as ChatGPT, to do things such as write marketing and social media copy. And they’re laying off staff or ending copywriting contracts with providers.
Company’s want a less-costly option. And they think AI is the solution.
You need to prepare for this. How do you respond when buyers are willing to settle for less? What do you do when the cost gap is so wide that quality can be sacrificed?
The biggest mistake you can make is to focus on the loss of quality. As the article notes, the buyers know this and have decided to use AI anyway. Instead, consider these approaches:
• Change your role: Transitions are rarely linear. Buyers often don’t know what they’re getting into. By shifting your role to the transition, you can spot opportunities to continue the relationship. (You are also waiting in the wings in case something goes wrong with the AI.)
• Change your scope: Focus on impact. If clients know quality will take a hit, what will be the impact? How will they deal with that? For example, is there a process for identifying mistakes? Do they have a way to monitor the AI’s output? By changing the outcomes from high-quality output to avoiding costly mistakes, you can use the goodwill you have with your clients differently.
The hard truth: Sometimes clients believe quality is not worth the higher price. But you can use your relationship with your client to your advantage if you stop debating their decision to use AI and look for other opportunities. In today’s economic uncertainty, staying in the game is critical.
Listen: 2 Transitions to Consider Now to Adjust to AI
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