Artificial Intelligence a Marketing friend or foe?

Over the last 18 months social media has been alive with conversations around artificial intelligence or AI as it’s known and whether or not its going to get rid of all our jobs or instead make our jobs easier. 

As someone who has always embraced technological advancements from updates to my own medical care and in my professional life I’ve enjoyed playing with the latest tools and figuring out which ones are fun, which are useful and which are more hassle than they’re worth. 

In this week’s episode of Cut Through the Noise I speak with Louise McDonnell a Social Media Sales Strategist and Coach. 

AI is redefining boundaries and expectations, prompting business leaders to question whether AI is a fleeting trend or a foundational tool for future strategies. Louise recently attended the World Social Media Marketing Conference in the United States and brought us up to date on all the latest developments. 

Out of professional curiosity I asked ChatGPT for help generating the script for the discussion including questions for Louise as well as parts of this blog to highlight the podcast episode. 

During our discussion, Louise shared several key insights on AI's current and future impact on marketing:

1.  Impact of AI on Modern Marketing:  Louise highlighted how AI tools are refining customer engagement and boosting conversion rates by personalising interactions and automating repetitive tasks.

2.  Ethical Considerations:  Our conversation also covered the ethical use of AI in marketing, emphasising the importance of balancing technology with human creativity and oversight to avoid missteps.

3.  Advice for Business Leaders:  Louise provided actionable advice for those looking to integrate AI into their marketing efforts, suggesting a gradual approach that prioritises learning and adaptation.

4.  Looking Forward:  She also discussed upcoming trends, noting that AI's role in social media marketing is poised for significant growth, presenting new opportunities and challenges.

AI Tools I regularly use

Grammarly: For spelling and grammar, however I’ve found its suggestions are not always to the same standard of English as we expect in Ireland. It tends to go for a more American style of writing, which can be irritating for an Irish reader. It’s important to know your audience.

Chat GPT: Very useful for editing and idea generation. If you pay for it you can train it and that is worth doing, however it seems to be insistent on using English US spelling and not English Ireland which again isn’t appropriate for an Irish business so be careful of that. I know some are using Chat GPT for research purposes but it does not yet have full up to date access to the internet so I still use Google as my main search engine. 

OPUS: For Video clipping. It’s a fairly basic tool and as of yet only offers vertical videos but it works well, and its transcription tool is surprisingly accurate. I don’t have time to edit my podcast videos myself so this is a very useful tool for me. I always recommend it. 

Canva: I use Canva for graphics generation but to be honest their AI tools are not as good as what I make myself, it takes more time than needed and in my opinion is not to the standard of a good graphic designer. 

Final Thoughts: 

AI is reshaping marketing landscapes, offering exciting opportunities for innovation and efficiency. As we explore these changes, it becomes clear that understanding and adapting to AI technologies is crucial for business leaders who don’t want to be left behind. 

However, I would urge you to be cautious in how you approach it. AI will never replace your personality, or way of communicating. Don’t allow AI to speak for you, instead use it as a tool to help you get through tasks more efficiently. Personally I find it can be very helpful in generating ideas when I’m struggling or with editing long form video down into short form clips for social media. 

On a personal note I also use AI to help me manage my Type 1 Diabetes through my Insulin pump and glucose monitoring system. I’m not afraid of AI in any way, but I think it’s worth being cautious and taking a slowly but surely approach. Also remember that you can’t copyright materials created by AI. 

Looking for help with your Communications?

For those interested in enhancing your marketing and communication strategies, consider how AI can be part of your toolkit. Keep informed on developments in this area and think critically about how best to integrate these advancements into your operations. Remember, it's not just about keeping up—it's about leading the way. Join us for more discussions on "Cut Through the Noise," available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe today and help us bring you more content that helps you elevate your brand though communicating with clarity and impact. 

If you're seeking personalised advice and strategies contact us at The Communications Coach. Together, we can craft a communication strategy that not only stands out but resonates deeply with your audience.

Email us today to book a discovery call on hello@thecommunicationscoach.ie