How to Leverage AI for Marketing

Two letters are appearing in headlines across the world: AI. Artificial intelligence is the latest buzz in the tech world, and has far-reaching implications in digital marketing. Instead of waiting to see what happens and hoping for the best, learn how to leverage AI to further your marketing goals. 

What Are AI Marketing Tools?

AI marketing tools are everywhere–and you may not even know you’re already using them! Essentially, it’s any tool that uses artificial intelligence to streamline, optimize, or enhance marketing operations. Some that you may be familiar with but don’t think of as AI include: 

• HubSpot

• Hootsuite

• Mailchimp

• Google Ads

• Canva

• Moz

AI is also appearing across websites in the form of chatbots and other integrations that answer users’ questions quickly. If you look closely, AI is everywhere.  

How Do AI Tools Enhance Marketing?

Whether you love or hate the idea of AI, it has a multitude of implications for the world of marketing. It has applications for: 

• Content 

• A/B testing

• Personalization

• Data analysis

• Ads

• Social media

• And the list goes on…

AI is becoming unavoidable, so it’s best to know what you’re working with and how to use it thoughtfully. 

How Do I Use AI for Marketing?

Since AI is here to stay, the key is to use it with caution and intention. Here are a few tips to help you set up your AI suite. 

#1: Start with the Right Tools

A tool is only helpful if it serves a purpose. If you’re not consistently running optimized ads as part of your ongoing marketing strategy, then there’s no need to worry about choosing AI for ads optimization. Begin by thinking through which tasks you’re doing manually that could be streamlined by AI. For example, if you find yourself working with spreadsheets constantly, let AI do some of the heavy lifting by analyzing the data and providing insights. You still own the data, but AI saves you time poring over row after row of figures. 

#2: Look for Gaps in Your Team

Marketers are often asked to do it all and juggle several different roles at once. AI can never replace a human, but it can certainly alleviate some of that pressure. Think about your most hated or time-consuming tasks. Ask yourself if AI could help you along or even serve as an educational tool to fill some of those gaps. 

#3: Understand the Shortcomings of AI

You can implement AI everywhere and still come up short. Why? Because AI is not human. AI-generated text has yet to master the intricacies of human speech and thought, so AI is only as good as its user. Be sure to go over any AI-generated materials with a critical eye. AI-exclusive text can also negatively impact SEO. These tools scour the internet for details, but fact-checking and the human touch will always have a place in marketing. 

#4: Train Your Team

Since AI isn’t foolproof, you’ll need your team to be up to speed on how you want to integrate AI into your tech stack. Take time to go over the do’s (and don’ts) of AI, and don’t be afraid to take a personalized approach. What works for one market may differ for another. It will take experimentation and documentation to make AI effective for you. 

#5: Analyze Results

After you get AI up and running for your marketing efforts, you’ll want to measure its success. Is it really achieving your goals? Is it saving time, effort, and resources as expected? Or was it better before? These are questions that only you can answer with time and intentional evaluation. Use data to back up your decisions, and be willing to experiment to find the right blend of tools. 

Drowning in AI Tools? 

If the concept of AI has you completely overwhelmed, you should know: 

1. You’re not alone.

2. BoxCrush can help! 

We have the AI knowledge and the humans to make your marketing run smoothly and efficiently. Our developers can help you integrate the best chatbot for your needs. Our designers can make sure your images don’t have that fake AI look. Our marketers can ensure that your content has all the human touch it needs to top search results. Contact our team to learn how to get started.