Curious about AI? Unsure where to start? Marketing is a solid entry point! I’ve been in marketing since 2007, and I use AI every day, all day. In fact, I’m using AI tools to ensure this article is helpful, meets the word count, and even my grandma would approve of the spelling and grammar.
Most business owners I know say they don’t understand marketing or don’t have the time for it. In this brief blog, I’ll guide you through the marketing funnel and equip you with the right tools, enabling you to automate repetitive marketing tasks, maintain consistency in your brand’s voice, and encourage more people to say yes.
1. Get noticed (awareness stage)
The very first step in attracting customers is to get noticed. At the top of your funnel, you need visibility—blog posts, social media, and visuals. ChatGPT and Copy.ai (both freemium) can assist you in brainstorming topics, writing first drafts, or reworking old content. With the paid version of ChatGPT, I can upload my complete published works, allowing it to draw from my knowledge and ensure the content aligns with my brand.
You’ll need designs or images to accompany your text. Avoid cliché clipart and refrain from copyright infringement by not downloading someone else’s images from a Google search. However, don’t create everything from scratch. Save time on design by using Canva’s built-in AI tools (freemium). Canva can suggest layouts and generate basic images that complement your content. It’s fun and easy!
2. Keep interest
Now that your text and graphics have captured attention, your job is to hold that attention. AI can help refine your writing so that your message is easy to understand. Grammarly (freemium) checks tone and clarity. (I use it every day, and the browser extension is a dream!)
3. Help them choose (consideration stage)
When potential customers compare options, quick answers help build trust. Tools like Tidio (freemium) provide AI-powered chat that can respond to common questions or guide users to the right page.
4. Encourage action (conversion)
When you’re ready to turn interest into action, testing and measurement matter. Google Analytics (free) helps you understand which pages people visit the most. Your web developer can set this up. If you’re ready to go further, tools like Unbounce and Optimizely (both paid) offer AI-assisted A/B testing to help you improve results by comparing what works best.
What AI Can’t Do
AI doesn’t understand your customers like you do. It won’t know what makes your business different. You’ll still need to review what it creates and make the final call. Think of AI as a helper or virtual assistant, not as a replacement for a human touch.
Try This
Choose one task, like writing a social post or answering an FAQ, and test an AI tool. Start small. The goal isn’t to automate everything. It’s to make your process more streamlined and effective so you can sell more.