AI has completely changed how businesses approach marketing, but jumping into it isn’t always smooth sailing. While the promise of smarter, faster, and more personalized campaigns is real, there are plenty of lessons to be learned along the way.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the main things you (or any business owner) should keep in mind when using AI in marketing.
1. Start Small and Build From There
A common mistake when using AI is trying to do too much too soon. Many businesses think they need to revamp their entire marketing process to see results, but that’s rarely the case. The smartest approach is to start with small, manageable projects and then grow as you learn.
You can use AI to help you:
- Pick the best email subject lines to improve open rates.
- Test which website headlines or ads perform better.
- Use chatbots to handle common customer questions.
- Come up with content ideas.
Tip: Use AI for behind-the-scenes tasks that don’t get much attention. For example, you can get started by using Perplexity for research or TensorWave for some beta data processing related to projects you haven’t launched yet. If anything goes wrong, no one will notice and you will have the time to figure out where to go from there.
2. It’s Not About Having A Lot of Data
It’s easy to assume that the more data you have, the better your AI will work. But companies quickly realize it’s not about how much data you have: it’s about having the right data.
AI needs clean, accurate, and relevant information to give you what you want. Feeding it outdated or irrelevant data leads to messy results, no matter how advanced the system. This is why you need to focus on collecting up-to-date, real-time data and even combine mixed sources to make sure there’s room for AI to make decisions. If don’t even know how to
3. AI Doesn’t Replace Creativity—it Complements It
There’s a lot of fear that AI will take over creative jobs, but the reality is far less dramatic. Businesses that succeed with AI see it as a tool to make creative work better, not as a replacement for human ideas.
AI can help by:
- Generating multiple ad ideas tailored to different audiences.
- Offering suggestions for improving a campaign based on data.
- Creating quick mockups or visual concepts for teams to build on.
The real power comes from combining AI’s efficiency with human creativity.
Let AI dig up unexpected trends or angles. For instance, a travel company used AI to scan customer reviews and found that “quiet hotels near parks” were a big hit with certain travelers. They built a whole campaign around this niche and saw great results.
4. Trust Matters More Than Tech
AI is powerful, but it can also feel intrusive if not handled carefully. Businesses that are open and honest about how they use AI tend to build stronger customer relationships.
Some things you should definitely do when you use AI for marketing purposes are:
- Explain Your AI: Tell customers how AI personalizes their experience. For example, explain why they’re seeing certain ads or recommendations.
- Respect Privacy: Be clear about how you collect and use customer data, and always provide opt-out options.
- Avoid Over-Personalization: While personalization is a benefit of AI, going too far can make customers feel uncomfortable (e.g., ads that reference private details).
- Let your customers decide: Give customers control over how AI influences their experience.
5. Keep Experimenting
Think of AI like a partnership—it’s not something you set up and forget. It’s an ongoing process where you try new ideas, see what works, and adjust as things change. Your audience evolves, market trends shift, and even your AI tools improve over time. Companies that succeed with AI don’t look for a one-size-fits-all solution; they embrace constant experimentation.
So, what does that look like in practice? Here’s how you can keep experimenting and growing with AI:
- Play around with different ad formats: Try running video ads alongside static images. See which one grabs more attention or drives more clicks. AI can crunch the numbers and tell you what’s working.
- Pay attention to changing behaviors: People’s habits aren’t set in stone. Use AI to track shifts in how your customers interact with your brand and tweak your strategies to stay relevant.
- Experiment with timing: When’s the best time to post on social media or send out an email? AI can analyze patterns to find the sweet spot when your audience is most likely to engage.
- Run “what-if” scenarios: Some AI tools let you predict how a campaign might perform under different conditions, like launching a sale during the holidays versus mid-year. It’s a safe way to test big ideas without taking real risks.
Final Thoughts
AI is changing marketing in ways we couldn’t have imagined just a few years ago. However, it is important to understand that even great tools are just that: tools. The real value comes from knowing how to use them.
AI in marketing should be approached creatively and with an open mind. Start small, focus on quality data, be flexible and don’t forget to add a human touch to anything you do.
