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AI Marketing

4 Misconceptions Small Business Owners Have About AI

Andy Crestodina recently wrote about the difference between commodity content and thought leadership and the role AI can play in both.

This got me thinking about the gap between the potential benefits of AI and what some of my clients perceive it to be. There’s a noticeable knowledge gap between the beneficial use cases of AI and what small business owners think they should use AI for.

Today, I want to break down some common misconceptions I’ve encountered with clients and prospects. That way you can better understand the most efficient use cases for AI.

4 Common Misconceptions About AI

1. Using “Chat GPT” and “AI” Interchangeably

Many people use “Chat GPT” and “AI” interchangeably. But they’re not the same thing:

  • Chat GPT is a large language model (LLM). It generates text based on predictability and context. It’s one of many LLMs that have become popular over the past couple of years.
  • AI is an overarching umbrella term for all types of artificial intelligence.

Recently, a prospect asked me, “Have you heard of Chat GPT? I’m going to see if that can create a business logo for me.”

While there are AI platforms that can help you design a logo, Chat GPT is not one of them. Before implementing any AI platform, it’s essential to grasp its capabilities fully. Your success with AI depends on your understanding of the technology – otherwise, you might end up wasting time.

2. AI Does it All (and Does it Perfectly)

Many people think that AI can inherently optimize all of their tasks. It’s become a catch-all phrase when people express wanting to:

  • Optimize their time
  • Reduce their work load
  • Create high-quality content

AI can be a powerful time-saver and content generator, but it’s not magic. There’s a learning curve in the beginning; writing effective prompts is crucial for optimal results.

As Andy Crestodina points out, AI excels at creating commodity content, but it can’t replicate the unique insights and experiences that set your business apart. Your industry knowledge and customer interactions are irreplaceable.

AI can assist with creating thought leadership content, but the core ideas and experiences need to stem from your own lived experiences. That’s the human value-add that AI simply can’t replicate.

3. Everyone Else Is Using It, So I Should Too

Explore AI if it can genuinely enhance your marketing, but don’t feel pressured to adopt it just because competitors do.

Many of my clients have asked about AI and if there are ways we can use it to streamline their marketing. In many instances, we’ve started using it to refine blog content, draft newsletters, write website copy, and create ads. However, I still get questions like:

  • “What else can we be doing?”
  • “Our competitors are using it for X, shouldn’t we be too?”
  • “How can we optimize our marketing process with AI even more?”

Sometimes clients feel they need to be everywhere, posting on every platform at once. But this often leads to burnout. I’ve found that the clients who focus on consistency first find the most success in their marketing.

Misconception 4: “I Can Use It for X, So We Should Use It for X.”

Just because you can use a tool doesn’t mean you should.

For example, a few clients have asked about adding AI chatbots to their websites. While chatbots have their place, for small businesses with a handful of employees, this might be the wrong move. Chatbots can introduce an impersonal element to the customer experience and potentially hinder conversion rates by adding unnecessary steps to the user journey.

You Can Spell “Content” Without AI

The key takeaway is that you are only as good as the tools you know how to use. By understanding AI and its capabilities, small business owners can feel empowered to make informed decisions about incorporating it into their marketing strategies.

If you’re unsure where AI can optimize your marketing efforts, our team is here to help. Contact Sweet Rose Studios today to discuss your specific needs and craft a winning marketing strategy that leverages the power of AI while keeping the human touch at the forefront.