Today I experienced first hand how AI is ruining new copywriters.

And it all started with a job application.

I put up a post looking for a new writer to join our team.

I received about 20 applications and 5 of them stood out.

Of those 5, 1 in particular caught my eye.

The applicant scored 10/10 on the questions in the application process but there was one issue.

His samples didn't match the knowledge he displayed in his answers.

I messaged him directly to ask for some more relevant samples.

After which he claimed that they were all "Lost when his Google account was hacked."

By now my bs detector was starting to go off.

I asked a few more questions that were relevant to the industry.

And this is when the cracks really started to show...

The applicant had no idea what he was talking about.

His knowledge was limited to the very basics.

Which is when I realised...

He used AI for most of his application and rewrote it in his tone.

Upon further look some of the figures he used were outdated (some AI doesn't have access to the latest data figures) and his application carefully followed everything we needed...

A little too well.

After making excuses he asked for a second chance and we concluded the process with a big no.

But this highlights a bigger problem in the writing industry.

New writers are outsourcing their thinking to AI.

They're not building the skills they need to write and research but instead are learning the prompts to get AI to do the work.

And I think this problem is only going to get worse.

So here's the thing.

AI is a great tool and can assist your copy.

But don't rely on it.

You need to be able to:

> Generate ideas

> Build client ICPs

> Write and edit copy

> Understand the research process

All without using AI.

If you can't do these basic steps you're already falling behind.

Build real skills.

Don't become an AI prompt expert.

Have a great week,

Copy "Don't overuse AI" Maverick