Tips for how AI can help in retail - what other ways are you using AI?

• Great brainstorming partner 
  • Start with clear goals 
  • Ask for specific results
• Use to break a big project or some event planning into easy action items
• AI tools within other applications are an easy way to begin to experiment - Apple Intelligence, email apps, text apps, etc, Grammarly

Warnings and pitfalls merchants should be aware of

• Images of people and bicycles are hard for AI
  • Avoid the uncanny valley:/ - it’s close but not really
• Don’t forget to edit - inject your personality and unique voice
  • Remember that if you can prompt an AI to create something that you use to represent you or your business, anyone else can do that. 
• Don’t let the machine run unchecked, unintended consequences abound.

Here is the experiment Suzie did so you can try it yourself. Let us know how it goes!

Prompt: What are good dos and don'ts for small businesses interested in leveraging AI for help with marketing? 

Using AI for marketing can be a game-changer for small businesses, offering tools to boost personalization, streamline operations, and make data-driven decisions. Here are some do’s and don’ts to guide you in implementing AI effectively.

Do’s

1. Do Start with Clear Goals
2. Do Use AI to Enhance Personalization
3. Do Focus on High-Impact Channels First
4. Do Leverage Customer Data Responsibly
5. Do Experiment with Predictive Analytics
6. Do Train Your Team

Don’ts

1. Don’t Automate Everything
2. Don’t Rely Solely on AI for Content Creation
3. Don’t Ignore Data Privacy Regulations
4. Don’t Expect Immediate Results
5. Don’t Neglect Testing
6. Don’t Overlook Costs

Bonus: Tools to Explore

• Email and Social Media Automation

By following these tips, your small business can harness AI’s potential effectively without sacrificing the authenticity and trust you’ve built with your customers.

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Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development

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If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...