Full disclosure, I’m not really a marketer. When I started AP Consulting over two years ago, I had no idea what I was doing. And as much as I’d like to say I know everything now, I don’t. And that’s OK.
The Internet constitutes the most extensive repository of human knowledge to date. One thing this has taught us is that access to information can be just as crucial, if not more so, than the outright possession of knowledge. As technology advances and specialization increases, this principle becomes even more relevant.
This realization hit me early in my journey. Even though I’m deeply rooted in the technical world, I quickly learned that being good at what you do is not the same as being good at what you do. marketing what are you doing. This is a problem that many small business owners struggle with, myself included. We excel at our crafts, but often find the intricacies of marketing, particularly digital marketing, somewhat elusive.
This is where artificial intelligence (AI) comes into play. The prospect of using AI for marketing purposes may seem like a far-fetched idea reserved for deep-pocketed tech giants. However, I have found that generative AI tools are not only accessible but also incredibly effective for small businesses. They can level the playing field in digital marketing, allowing us to compete with larger companies without the need for vast resources or dedicated marketing departments.
Why use AI now
Committing to AI technology now, even in a limited capacity, lays a solid foundation for your business to easily adapt and integrate future advances in the field. As AI continues to evolve, your early experiences will provide you with valuable insights and familiarity, allowing you to seamlessly integrate more sophisticated AI tools as they become available. This proactive engagement not only enhances your current marketing strategies, but also ensures that your business remains agile and forward-thinking in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Among the most revolutionary developments in AI are large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. LLMs are sophisticated algorithms trained on large collections of textual data. They can understand and generate human-like text, engage in conversations, answer questions, and even create personalized content.
ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, stands out for its ability to understand context, generate coherent and relevant responses, and learn from each interaction to improve over time. This capability makes it a valuable tool not only for marketing but for a wide range of applications, from customer service to content creation, making it accessible and beneficial for businesses of all sizes.
How to use AI now in marketing
Navigating the world of AI marketing doesn’t necessarily mean diving deep into every tool available. For small business owners, leveraging a single AI solution can significantly impact your marketing efforts. Let me explain how the tools can be used effectively, even if you primarily use ChatGPT to streamline your marketing strategies.
For those focused on social media, integrating AI doesn’t require a complex suite of tools. Using ChatGPT, you can generate engaging content and draft posts. Think of ChatGPT as your brainstorming partner, who will help you come up with ideas that you can then plan based on your ideas and preferences.
Use ChatGPT for Content Creation, SEO
Content creation, often considered a time-consuming aspect of digital marketing, can be streamlined using AI like ChatGPT. It can help you generate ideas, create plans, or even write content for your blogs or website. This direct use of AI in your workflow can save you time and inspire creativity, without the need for additional content-focused AI tools. Be aware, however, that many organizations, including the Advanced Textiles Association, have rules regarding the use of AI-written materials on their websites and in their publications and communications.
For SEO (search engine optimization), while tools like Semrush or Moz offer detailed insights, using ChatGPT can help you understand and implement key SEO practices like optimization keywords. It can give you knowledge and feedback on topics ranging from specific SEO questions to brainstorming ideas so you can be an effective user without having to become an SEO expert. It can guide you in creating content that is not only engaging but also optimized for search engines, and it doesn’t require you to delve into in-depth analytics provided by specialized SEO tools.
The key to integrating AI into your marketing strategy, especially if you primarily use ChatGPT, is to leverage its capabilities to improve your efforts in these areas. You don’t need to use every tool available to see the benefits. Even minimal integration can lead to more effective marketing, allowing you to spend more time on your business and less on the complexities of marketing.
Start Slow and Grow
Embracing AI doesn’t mean replacing the human touch that sets small businesses apart; rather, it is about increasing our capabilities, allowing us to focus more on what we do best: creating quality products and services for our customers. By handling the analytical and repetitive aspects of marketing, AI allows us to focus on building meaningful relationships and providing exceptional service.
Getting started with AI in marketing doesn’t require an all-or-nothing approach. Start small, experiment with tools like ChatGPT and see the impact on your efforts. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to digital marketing, but integrating AI can significantly improve your strategies, efficiency, and ultimately, business growth.
AI helped me write this
And now, again, full disclosure. In writing this article, I used ChatGPT as a research and co-writing tool to improve my understanding and expression of the role of AI in marketing. ChatGPT helped me structure the article, clarify the arguments, and broaden my perspective on AI integration. My hands-on experience with ChatGPT not only enriched the content but also highlighted the real-time benefits of using AI for content creation and idea generation.
So, to my fellow small business owners, consider this not just an invitation but a call to action. Don’t be intimidated by the prospect of using AI in your business. The potential benefits far exceed the initial learning curve. Embrace AI, allow it to transform your marketing approach, and watch it unlock new avenues for growth and success in marketing and beyond.
Editor’s note: In addition to Adam Penner and AI, this article was reviewed by professional human editors. These humans corrected grammar and punctuation and improved the flow and overall composition of the piece.
Adam Penner, founder of AP Consulting and Technical Services, holds a degree in engineering physics from the Colorado School of Mines. With over six years of experience in the marine textiles industry, Penner brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to its business operations consulting, Rhino3D training and custom plugin development services. You can reach him at adam@goapconsulting.com.
