AI for Marketing – four simple steps and a starter pack

Let’s start with a confession: Ten years ago, I thought “machine learning” was a fancy term for my Nespresso. Fast-forward to 2025, and I’m now negotiating with Perplexity about whether its blog draft needs more “human-sounding sarcasm” or professional and innovative wording. Btw this article was mainly done with Perplexity as well, BUT it took a long time to get the machine to “think” my way and write my way 🙂

The marketing world has changed. AI isn’t coming—it’s here, and it’s eating your lunch if you’re not using it. So now look at : AI for marketing – four simple steps and a starter pack!

But here’s the good news: You don’t need a PhD in computer science to thrive. This guide will show you how to learn AI basics, implement them daily, and stay ahead of colleagues who still think “algorithm” is a rapper’s name.

Why AI Is Your New Marketing Sidekick

AI isn’t replacing marketers—it’s making us superheroes. Here’s where to deploy it:

1. Content Creation: Beyond “Hey ChatGPT, Write Me a Blog”

• Use Case: Generate SEO-optimized drafts, repurpose long-form content into micro-videos, or A/B test headlines.
• Pro Tip: Tools like Jasper and Copy.ai reduce content production time by 40% while maintaining brand voice.

2. Customer Insights: Stop Guessing, Start Knowing

• Use Case: Predictive analytics tools like HubSpot AI forecast customer lifetime value (CLV) with 89% accuracy.
• Example: Stitch Fix’s AI stylists analyze 85+ data points to recommend outfits customers actually keep.

3. Campaign Automation: Let Bots Do the Heavy Lifting

• Use Case: Schedule posts, optimize ad bids, and personalize emails at scale.
• Stat: Automated campaigns see 30% higher CTR than manual ones (McKinsey, 2025).

4. Personalization: Because “Dear Customer” Is Dead

• Use Case: Netflix’s thumbnail AI drives $1B/year in retention by showing you the exact scene that’ll make you click.

5. Analytics: From Data Overload to “Oh, That’s What Matters”

Step 1: Learn AI Basics Without Losing Your Soul

• Use Case: Google Analytics 4 + AI identifies hidden trends (e.g., “Your TikTok teens also love gardening podcasts”).

Free Resources to Start Today

1. Google’s AI Marketing Certification
2. Coursera: “AI for Everyone” (Andrew Ng)
3. LinkedIn Learning: “AI Foundations for Marketers”
4. Superhuman.ai AI & tech newsletter with lots of courses and material

Paid Certifications for Career Boosters

MIT Sloan: AI in Customer Experience

• Build chatbots that don’t sound like robots – $3,500

AMA: AI for Marketing Professionals

• Ethical AI frameworks + hands-on labs – $99 (members)

CertNexus AIBIZ Certification

• AI strategy for execs – $450

Step 2: Tools to Test Tomorrow Morning

AI Tool Stack for Every Budget

• Free Tier: ChatGPT-4 (content), Canva Magic Studio (design), AnswerThePublic (SEO).
• Enterprise: Salesforce Einstein (predictive lead scoring), IBM Watson (sentiment analysis).

Underrated Gem: Perplexity.ai

Think of it as ChatGPT’s nerdy cousin who cites sources. Perfect for fact-checking AI-generated claims.

Step 3: Follow These Innovators (Steal Their Ideas)

Companies to Watch

1. Netflix: Personalization engines so sharp, they know you’ll binge Stranger Things before you do.
2. Coca-Cola: Generative AI campaigns like “Create Real Magic” blend UGC with brand safety.
3. Wendy’s: Their drive-thru AI remembers your “no pickles” rage from 2023.
4. Silverside.ai next level marketing and AI tools

LinkedIn Profiles to Stalk

• Cassie Kozyrkov (Google): Explains AI ethics while hiking Machu Picchu.
• Rana el Kaliouby (Affectiva): Teaches bots to detect sarcasm (finally!).
• Daniel Miessler: Breaks down AI security without putting you to sleep.

Step 4: Your 30-Day AI Action Plan

Week 1: Audit & Learn

• Audit your workflow: Identify 2 repetitive tasks (e.g., social scheduling).
• Enroll in Google’s AI Marketing Certification (4 hours/week).

Week 2: Experiment

• Use ChatGPT to draft 3 email variants. Test open rates.
• Try Canva Magic Studio to turn a blog post into a carousel.

Week 3: Automate

• Set up HubSpot AI for lead scoring.
• Use Jasper to rewrite underperforming website copy.

Week 4: Optimize

• Analyze results: Which AI task saved the most time?
• Present findings to your team (or brag on LinkedIn).

The Future-Proof Marketer’s starter Pack

This toolkit will help you with AI for marketing, the four simple steps and the starter pack

ChatGPT-5 / Perplexity – Brainstorm campaigns,

• “Act like a Gen Z intern” for TikTok ideas,
• “act like a marketing professional” for engaging Linkedin posts

MidJourney – Create on-brand visuals

• “90s grunge aesthetic, but make it SaaS”

Gong.io – Analyze sales callsFind hidden objections even your team missed

When to Call Humans (Yes, You Still Need Them)

AI can’t:

• Navigate office politics (yet)
• Explain why the CEO’s “funny” tweet backfired
• Replace creative intuition (e.g., knowing not to use Comic Sans)

Final Boss Level: Become an AI Translator

Top marketers in 2025 aren’t coders—they’re “AI translators” who bridge tech and creativity. Your new KPIs:

1. AI ROI: Track time saved/campaign lift from AI tools.
2. Ethical Audits: Ensure AI doesn’t accidentally start a PR crisis (looking at you, chatbot that recommended glue pizza).

Your AI Starter Pack

1. Free Courses: Google AI Certification + Coursera’s “AI for Everyone”

2. Tools: ChatGPT + Canva Magic Studio

3.. Follow: Cassie Kozyrkov (LinkedIn), Netflix Engineering Blog, Zain Khan

Now go forth and automate—strategically. And remember: AI won’t steal your job. Someone using AI will.

Some of our posts so far: AI Guide for tech companies, a history of AI for Marketing

Need more inout and information? Just send a message!