Through its effective automation and optimisation of everyday tasks, AI continues to make an impact on the business world.
In fact, one of AI’s latest tools saw 1 million users try its technology within the first five days of launching. For context, it took Instagram 2.5 months to reach 1 million users, 10 months for Facebook, 24 months for Twitter and 41 months for Netflix.
This rapidly growing tool is called ChatGPT and some of its marketing uses include the creation of human-like answers to customer questions, the production of email template scripts and website code generation.
Now, you’re probably thinking,‘That sounds expensive’; however, ChatGPT and many other AI marketing tools are completely free to use and offer many benefits for business owners.
So, if you’re not already using AI, here’s how you can harness it to market your small business.
RELATED: How to automate your social media marketing.
What is AI marketing?
In simple terms, AI in marketing is the use of software or platforms to perform everyday tasks on your behalf, such as form content ideas, structure headlines and write content.
The decisions that are made to complete these tasks are formed by the machine on the basis of existing data: i.e. researching content such as articles and reports. This data is then analysed against market trends and audience behaviours to deliver a result based on what has resonated with users in the past.
For example, let’s say you want to create email marketing content that promotes the fact that your business is providing a new service. The tool will use the data you have provided to generate the email based on common selling points that have proven to be successful and will imitate your brand voice with the right prompts.
What AI marketing can do for you.
The use of AI in marketing is on the rise, with more than 30% of small businesses currently using AI tools and 60% of non-users expressing interest in them.
So, why is AI marketing growing in popularity? Here are some of the benefits it can bring to your business:
- More time: Free up time by automating administrative tasks so you can focus on more important jobs. 97% of small businesses have reduced the time spent on marketing tasks and now have more time to focus on what matters – growth, products or services and customers.
- Lower costs: Spend less on digital marketing – in fact 92% of businesses say they’ve decreased costs as a result of AI tools reducing head hours. The automation of repetitive and time-consuming tasks can free up labour costs, meaning more money can be reinvested back into the business.
- Improve your product: AI can be used as a research tool to help businesses identify how customers feel about a product or service. This information can be leveraged to refine product features and improve customer satisfaction.
Though the above figures have been collected as part of a US study, this is because the US is well-ahead of Australia when it comes to using AI technology for businesses. In fact, Australia spent just 2% of the US’ total investment on AI during 2022.
With more investment comes more learning, so Aussies can look to the US for guidance on how to apply AI in marketing and the results it can bring for small businesses.
RELATED: What is marketing automation and how can it help you?
AI marketing tools for small businesses.
There are many AI marketing tools available, making it hard to decide which are the most helpful for SMBs. We’ve compiled a list of the top AI applications for small businesses that can be easily incorporated into their marketing efforts.
ChatGPT
What does it do?
ChatGPT generates text-based content that can serve a variety of writing tasks, from social posts to video scripts. It does this by using natural language processing – an AI technique that replicates the way humans speak so that the content produced sounds like it comes from a person rather than a robot.
What can it be used for?
This AI tool can essentially be used to produce a wide variety of text-based formats including:
- Email marketing campaigns
- Social media captions and posts
- Podcast, video or radio scripts
- Customer service responses to social media feedback or complaints
- Website product descriptions
- Blog posts and articles
How do you use it?
Simply type in what you would like the tool to do. For example a local restaurant might prompt ChatGPT with ‘write an Instagram caption in a fun and engaging tone that features the benefits of our new summer seafood menu’. ChatGPI then puts together a piece of content that you can upload to your social media.
Cost:
Free in the current research phase. This means that there is no cost involved with using ChatGPT whilst the engineers are learning more about the system’s strengths and weaknesses. Once sufficient user feedback has been generated and the relevant builds have been implemented, it is likely that this will become a paid tool.
Exod.ai.
What does it do?
Exod.ai can help you develop and manage your Facebook advertisements automatically. It does this through the historical data you provide, such as engagement, reach and impressions, so it can learn about your business and its target audience to drive conversions.
What can it be used for?
- To launch Facebook Ads campaigns with Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp (which are all owned by Facebook)
- Optimise campaigns on a daily basis by adjusting budget and audience types based on the engagement generated
- Write ad copy and find images and videos if you do not have these to upload
- Identify the best performing creative in pre-existing campaigns to put those learnings into future campaigns.
How do you use it?
Select your product or service category – i.e. eCommerce – Eyewear, eCommerce – Coffee Addicts, etc. – then upload your campaign image/video or choose to use creative from Exod.ai’s database. The AI tool puts together your advertising campaign and makes it go live in Facebook Ads Manager.
Cost:
- Free, but with limited options
- $149/MONTH for unlimited ad campaigns and unlimited ad budget
Designs.ai
What does it do?
Designs.ai can design and make visual content for you to distribute through both traditional and digital marketing channels, i.e. flyers and social media. It does this through creative automation, which uses AI technology to automate creative tasks and specialised design techniques.
What can it be used for?
This AI tool can be used to design a large range of visual marketing content including:
- Logos
- Image and text-based videos
- Flyers
- Business cards
- Social media images
- Voice-over audio for videos
- Coupons and loyalty cards
- Product packaging
- Email signatures
- Infographics
How do you use it?
After you’ve decided what type of content you would like to build, you can search through Design.ai’s database of templates for something you like the look of. The AI tool will navigate you through the steps to making your piece of content, asking for your preference on a selection of fonts, colours and styles.
For image-based designs you can choose to personalise your content by uploading photography or making use of the tool’s selection of stock imagery or illustrations. Alternatively, if you are creating a voiceover you can choose the accent and language of the speech before entering the written content you would like to be read out.
Cost:
Free for 30 days, then:
- $29/MONTH – For marketers that need quick, easy projects
- $69/MONTH – For entrepreneurs and small teams that require advanced editing and professional templates
Synthesia.io
What does it do?
Synthesia.io is a content production tool that creates videos of someone talking to the camera using a script written by you. It does this through the use of AI avatars that have been based on the voices, faces and mannerisms of the actors in their database.
What can it be used for?
- How-to videos
- Training videos
- Email marketing videos
- Promo videos
- Presentations
- Technical term explainer videos
- 5-step process videos
How do you use it?
Once you have chosen what type of video you would like to produce, find the relevant Synthesio.ai video format template. Select one of the 85+ avatars from their database, followed by one of the 120+ languages and accents. Follow the steps to populate any text commentary you would like to add to the video’s visuals, as well as the voice script that the avatar will read from. Once complete, you can watch the final product within minutes.
Cost:
- Free for one video
- $30/MONTH for 10 videos
A final note.
Time, money and the ability to reach more people based on customer insights are just some of the benefits that AI marketing tools can bring for small businesses.
Try to incorporate some of the recommended AI tools from this guide into your marketing efforts and see what gains you can make as a result.
If you need help with your digital marketing, reach out to the team at Yellow Pages. From an online listing to digital display or social media ads, we’ll tailor a digital marketing solution that’s right for your business. Find out more about the marketing products we offer.
