Are you still wondering if AI belongs in your marketing toolkit? You might be asking the wrong question entirely.
The AI Question That’s Keeping You Stuck
When AI first started making its debut as a hot topic at networking events, a business coach looked me straight in the eyes and said, “You should become the AI writer. You can teach people how to use AI to write their marketing.”
I nearly choked on my coffee.
Me? The AI evangelist? Not a chance. I was a real writer with real skills who created real content. I wasn’t about to hand my craft over to a robot that couldn’t tell the difference between genuine emotion and formulaic drivel.
I know it’s a sentiment that’s (still) shared by many. The thing is, as I started experimenting with AI, I realized there is a ton of potential for it to become a superpower for small business owners. Like anything, there are some downfalls and very scary mistakes that can be made. But that doesn’t mean we should write it off. It does mean that we should practice a bit and take a driving test before we get behind the wheel.
Right around the time I was coming around to how I could use AI writing in my business, I joined a group of women entrepreneurs for an 8-week program. It was there that I realized just how many business owners want to use AI to their full advantage, but don’t know how to start. Most importantly, they don’t want to just use AI for the sake of using it or to save time; they want it to genuinely create top-notch content for their businesses. But they’ve witnessed the not-so-pretty-reality of AI content creation like everyone else.
And that’s when I realized. I have the answers to these questions entrepreneurs are asking right now. No, not all of them, but a lot of them. So what am I doing over here not helping people by answering them and showing them the path?
If AI Scares You, You’re Not Alone
If you’re a small business owner hovering at the edges of the AI revolution, I see you!
Let’s get real for a moment. This isn’t just about technology—it’s emotional.
You built your business from nothing. Your brand voice, your messaging, your connection with your audience—these things are precious. The thought of handing any part of that over to an algorithm feels…wrong.
I get it. That’s exactly how I felt.
But there’s also the flip side: the nagging fear of being left behind. Of watching competitors leverage new technology while you’re still doing things the hard way. Of missing the chance to reclaim hours of your week that could be spent on the parts of your business you actually enjoy.
So you’re wondering: Should I be using AI for my marketing?
After plenty of experimenting and seeing the pros and cons of AI, I want to shift that question to “HOW should I be using AI for my marketing?”
The Real Question About AI Marketing
Here’s what nobody tells you when they’re busy hyping up the latest AI tool: these systems aren’t magic.
“Just type something in and then copy and paste,” people will tell you. And maybe one day it will be that simple. That day isn’t today.
If you’d be okay turning your entire business marketing system over to a day one intern with no oversight, then “just type something in and copy and paste” is great advice. I’m guessing most businesses wouldn’t, though.
So before I get into all the awesome characteristics of AI that make it a stellar business tool for marketing purposes, let’s look at what it can look like (when it’s not done well).
The Not-So-Pretty Reality of AI Content Creation
Here’s the main problem with AI content creation: it’s soulless.
Truly. I mean that.
There’s something at the heart of writing (and all forms of communication) that can’t be captured by a computer. We know this. Even highly experienced, die-hard AI lovers can’t argue with that.
However, what they can argue is that it doesn’t have to be.
AI content creation without human direction, insight, emotion, and storytelling is like a PB&J without the PB. If jam sandwiches are your thing, cool. If not, you need to treat AI writing like an intern from the outset.
Let me be candid about what happens when businesses dive into AI without understanding how to use it properly:
- Generic, soulless content that reads like it was written by, well… a robot
- Factual errors that undermine your credibility (ChatGPT often tells me it invented that super-cool sounding statistic)
- Brand voice inconsistencies that confuse your audience
- Ethical and copyright concerns that could land you in hot water
- A ton of time wasted trying to fix content that wasn’t created properly in the first place (that’s not the time-saving dream we were promised, is it?)
The Missing Ingredient: Context Is Your PB in the PB&J
After hundreds of hours experimenting with AI tools (so you don’t have to), I’ve discovered the single biggest mistake businesses make when using AI for marketing:
They don’t give the AI enough context.
AI needs two types of context to produce something worthwhile:
- Technical instructions – The specific parameters, formats, and outcomes you want
- Emotional context – The human elements that make your content resonate with real people
Without both, you’re essentially asking that clueless intern to write content about a business they know nothing about, for customers they’ve never met, in a voice they’ve never heard.
My AI Journey: From Skeptic to Strategic User
Remember that coach who suggested I become “the AI writer”? For about a year, I politely ignored his advice.
But curiosity got the better of me. I started experimenting, cautiously at first, then with newfound interest as I discovered that AI (when properly directed) could take my strategy and know-how and do the difficult, time-consuming, and thankless portion of the writing for me. It wasn’t replacing me (and no, it can’t replace you, no matter what any AI guru tells you); it was enhancing my work.
I learned that the magic isn’t in the AI itself. It’s in knowing exactly how to instruct it, how to infuse it with your unique perspective, and how to review and refine what it produces.
Now, I help small business owners create content in minutes that would have taken hours—content that’s genuinely good, genuinely on-brand, and genuinely connects with their audience.
Yes, AND… The Balanced Approach to AI Marketing
So should you use AI for your marketing?
My answer is: Yes, AND… you need to learn how to do it correctly.
You don’t need to become a tech expert or spend hundreds of hours experimenting (that’s what I did so you don’t have to). What you do need is a strategic approach that leverages AI as a collaborator rather than expecting it to be a replacement.
That’s why I’ve created Lean Marketing Lab—a place where tech-hesitant business owners can access fully-built, ready-to-use AI prompts that make content creation take 10x less time with 10x more confidence.
Because here’s what I believe: The advantages of AI shouldn’t just be for the big corporations with massive R&D budgets. Small businesses deserve these tools too—when they’re used strategically and ethically.
Ready to Stop Wondering and Start Doing?
If you’re tired of watching the AI revolution from the sidelines and ready to harness its power for your business (without sacrificing your voice or values), I’ve got you covered.
Check out my Podcast-Powered Marketing approach for a taste of how strategic AI use can transform your content creation process.
Or better yet, join us in the Lean Marketing Lab, where we’re helping small business owners just like you create high-quality content in minutes, not hours—without the learning curve, without the ethical concerns, and without losing what makes your brand special.
If there’s one thing I want to leave you with, it’s this: The future isn’t about choosing between human creativity and artificial intelligence. It’s about bringing them together in a way that serves your business and your customers better than either could alone.
