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Smart Strategies for Using AI in Marketing

By Tara Porter
Updated April 10, 2025

Everyone seems to be using AI in marketing, but are they using it for the right purposes? While AI can help marketing teams perform better and connect with customers more effectively, it’s crucial to use it responsibly.

Let’s break down some of the most effective applications of AI in marketing today:

AI in Marketing

Smarter Content Creation

We’ve all stared at a blank screen, waiting for inspiration to strike. AI removes that pain. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and VisualSP's AI Assistant generate content in seconds—blog posts, email subject lines, even entire ad campaigns.

AI-driven content creation is a game changer, but it works best when combined with human expertise. We let AI handle the first draft, then refine it to ensure it aligns with our brand voice.

Pro Tip

AI-generated content is only as good as the input. Clear prompts and human oversight make all the difference.

Predictive Analytics: Knowing What Customers Want Before They Do

AI helps us see the future. Predictive analytics processes past behaviors, customer data, and market trends to determine what customers will do next. This allows us to anticipate needs and act before customers even realize they have them.

How It Works

A fitness app using AI notices a user hasn’t logged a workout in two weeks. The app sends a motivational push notification or a personalized workout plan to re-engage them. That’s smart, data-driven marketing.

Real-Time Data-Driven Decisions

Traditional marketing analysis takes time. AI processes data in real time, allowing instant adjustments to campaigns, pricing strategies, and user experiences.

Example

An e-commerce store uses AI to analyze browsing behavior and adjust homepage content dynamically. A returning visitor sees personalized product recommendations based on past searches, increasing the chances of a purchase.

AI-Powered Ad Targeting

AI ensures marketing teams stop wasting ad spend on the wrong audience. By analyzing behavior, interests, and demographics, AI optimizes ad placements, ensuring the right message reaches the right people at the right time.

Real-World Application

Facebook and Google Ads already use AI to improve targeting. But advanced AI platforms take it further—automatically adjusting ad copy, visuals, and budget allocation in real time to maximize conversion rates.

Predictive Analytics: Knowing What Customers Want Before They Do

AI helps us see the future. Predictive analytics processes past behaviors, customer data, and market trends to determine what customers will do next. This allows us to anticipate needs and act before customers even realize they have them.

How It Works

A fitness app using AI notices a user hasn’t logged a workout in two weeks. The app sends a motivational push notification or a personalized workout plan to re-engage them. That’s smart, data-driven marketing.

AI for Real-Time Data-Driven Decisions

Traditional marketing analysis takes time. AI processes data in real time, allowing instant adjustments to campaigns, pricing strategies, and user experiences.

Example

An e-commerce store uses AI to analyze browsing behavior and adjust homepage content dynamically. A returning visitor sees personalized product recommendations based on past searches, increasing the chances of a purchase.

AI-Powered Lead Scoring

AI analyzes customer data—like website visits, email engagement, and social media interactions—to score leads based on their likelihood to convert. This gives marketing teams valuable insights about whom to prioritize, rather than having to qualify leads manually.

How It Works

Consider a software company targeting small businesses. Their AI might notice that a lead regularly visits the pricing page and opens emails about product features. As a result, the AI gives this lead a high score for conversion potential.

In contrast, another lead who only engaged once may receive a low score. By focusing on high-scoring leads, the marketing team can personalize outreach efforts, such as offering targeted demos or special promotions, leading to better conversion rates.

AI-Driven Email Nurture Campaigns

AI optimizes email sequences by sending the right message at the right time. It tracks user behavior and adapts content dynamically, ensuring leads receive relevant information based on their interests and stage in the buyer’s journey.

Example

Imagine a company offering online courses. If a lead signs up for a free webinar but doesn’t enroll in a course afterward, the AI can detect this pattern. It may then send a follow-up email featuring testimonials from successful students or a limited-time discount on the course.

Meanwhile, if another lead frequently engages with content about advanced topics, the AI might send them invitations to specialized workshops. By customizing emails like this, businesses keep leads engaged and increase their chances of conversion without overwhelming them with irrelevant information.

Chatbots for Lead Qualification

AI-powered chatbots engage prospects in real time, answer their questions, and guide them to the next step. They can also capture contact information, schedule demos, and hand off qualified leads to sales teams.

Example

When a potential customer visits a website looking for information about a software product, the chatbot can initiate a conversation by asking if they need assistance. If the visitor inquires about pricing, the chatbot provides immediate details and can capture their contact information for follow-up.

AI-Powered Ad Targeting

AI ensures marketing teams stop wasting ad spend on the wrong audience. By analyzing behavior, interests, and demographics, AI optimizes ad placements, ensuring the right message reaches the right people at the right time.

Real-World Application

Facebook and Google Ads already use AI to improve targeting. But advanced AI platforms take it further—automatically adjusting ad copy, visuals, and budget allocation in real time to maximize conversion rates.

Automated Social Media Engagement

Manually managing social media posts is exhausting. AI-driven tools schedule content, analyze engagement, and suggest the best times to post. Some platforms even generate captions and hashtags based on trending topics.

Pro Tip

We use AI to analyze which posts drive the most engagement and adjust our strategy accordingly. The result? Higher interaction rates and better customer engagement.

What AI in Marketing Can't Do for You

AI is a powerful tool, but it has limits. There are things marketing teams shouldn't rely on AI for if they want to build strong relationships and lasting brand trust.

Creativity and Original Thought

AI generates content based on patterns and existing data, but it doesn’t come up with groundbreaking ideas or create new trends. It can assist in brainstorming, but human creativity is irreplaceable when it comes to truly innovative campaigns.

Building Deep Emotional Connections

AI personalizes messaging, but real human connection requires empathy, authenticity, and emotional intelligence. Customers want to feel heard, understood, and valued—something AI alone can't achieve.

Understanding Nuanced Context

AI struggles with sarcasm, cultural nuances, and industry-specific jargon. Marketing teams should review AI-generated content to ensure it aligns with brand voice and audience expectations.

Ethical Decision-Making

AI doesn’t have morals—it follows the data. If unchecked, it can amplify biases in customer data or prioritize short-term engagement over long-term brand trust. Ethical marketing decisions still require human oversight.

Relationship-Building with Customers

Marketing is more than just delivering content—it’s about fostering trust and community. AI helps with automation, but human interactions in customer support, engagement, and brand storytelling remain critical.

Implementing AI Responsibly in Marketing

AI is powerful, but using it without guardrails can lead to ethical missteps, biased decisions, and loss of customer trust. Responsible AI ensures transparency, fairness, and long-term success. Here’s how to implement AI in marketing the right way.

AI in Marketing

Prioritize Transparency

Customers should know when they’re interacting with AI. Clearly communicate how AI is being used in marketing and customer support to maintain trust.

Address Bias in Data

AI models are only as unbiased as the data they’re trained on. Regularly audit AI-driven campaigns to identify and correct any biases that could impact decision-making.

Maintain Human Oversight

AI should assist, not replace, human decision-making. Marketing teams must review AI-generated content, customer interactions, and campaign strategies to ensure they align with ethical and brand standards.

Protect Customer Privacy

AI thrives on data, but responsible AI usage requires strict data privacy measures. Follow GDPR, CCPA, and other regulations to safeguard customer data while leveraging AI for insights.

Focus on Long-Term Customer Relationships

Avoid AI strategies that prioritize short-term engagement at the cost of long-term customer trust. Ethical AI-driven marketing builds loyalty, not just clicks.

How VisualSP Helps Companies Use AI in Marketing and Support

We know AI-driven marketing isn’t just about data—it’s about delivering real value. That’s why we built VisualSP to help organizations train and support users effectively.

Key Features of VisualSP:

In-context AI - A secure, in-app AI that simplifies AI adoption by providing context-aware insights, summarizing CRM leads, highlighting key action items in emails, and streamlining research—all with one click.

Interactive Walkthroughs – AI-powered guidance within apps helps users learn as they work.

VisualSP walkthroughs

Searchable In-Context Articles – No more digging through documentation. Users get answers exactly when they need them.

Customizable content

In-App Help Tips – AI-driven prompts provide relevant insights without disrupting workflows.

In-context Guidance

User Behavior Analytics – Screen recordings, usage data, and engagement tracking help optimize training strategies.

AI in marketing is all about efficiency, engagement, and personalization. With VisualSP, businesses can leverage AI not just to market better—but to train and support their users effectively.

Ready to see it in action? Start free with VisualSP’s base package today.

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