Believe it or not, more than 64% of marketers currently use AI and automation, and 38% of those who don’t say they plan to start using it soon.
What’s clear is this—the age of AI-driven marketing is here to stay, and it’s better to ride the wave than get crushed by it.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t just a nifty tool—it’s becoming the backbone of modern marketing strategies.
From predictive analytics to personalized ad campaigns, AI is rewriting the marketing playbook. This game-changing technology allows marketers (like you!) to craft smarter strategies and make decisions based on actual data instead of gut feelings.
Forget those old-school spreadsheets and generic campaigns. AI brings precision, personalization, and results.
AI isn’t the invading robot army Hollywood loves to dramatize. It’s been quietly sitting in the backseat, helping you manage PPC bids and recommending the best time to post on Instagram.
In fact, AI has been the unsung hero in platforms like Google Ads and Facebook for years, optimizing workflows and delivering nuggets of actionable insight. Now, it’s stepping up to take center stage.
Recently, our founder, Adam Ortman, was interviewed for the E-Commerce Traffic & Conversion Podcast with Scott Brandley and DJ Sprague. In the podcast, he spoke at length about how to maximize revenue with AI-enhanced social commerce.
Let’s dive into some key takeaways and draw out the impact of AI in a bit more detail.
Key AI Applications for Marketers
Here’s everything you didn’t know you needed to know about why AI is the ultimate right-hand assistant for marketers:
Customer Targeting & Behavioral Insights
AI is the Sherlock Holmes of customer targeting, decoding behaviors, habits, and intent to help you zero in on the right audience.
Using first-party data and audience segmentation tools, AI helps group your customers by shared traits or behaviors.
This isn’t just about demographics anymore; this is psychographics territory—that sweet spot where data tells you not just who your customer is but why they act the way they do.
Think about Facebook's Lookalike Audiences. AI takes your existing high-value customers and finds more just like them.
Or AI-driven predictive behavior modeling that practically screams, “Hey, this person is about to make a purchase. Hit them with an ad NOW.” It's a sixth sense for marketing.
Personalized Messaging
The days of throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping it sticks are over. Forget the tired one-size-fits-all approach. AI lets you craft messages that speak directly to individual customers—like you’re reading their minds.
The real magic is that AI uses segmentation to analyze buying habits, website interactions, and email metrics to craft messaging that resonates with each group.
Picture this—sending a coffee lover an espresso machine deal right when they’re browsing mugs. It’s genius. It’s AI.
Or say someone abandons a shopping cart. AI steps in to ping them with a timely nudge before they lose interest. It’s smart, quick, and, more importantly, it works.
Data Storytelling for Actionable Insights
If raw data is like an uncut diamond, AI is the master jeweler turning it into something stunning (and useful). AI tools like dashboards and analytics platforms do more than crunch numbers—they translate them into a storyboard of helpful insights for marketers.
What products are driving results? Where are customers dropping off in your funnel? Which demographics are performing well in a particular campaign?
Without AI, you’d spend hours puzzling over spreadsheets. With it, you’re piecing together campaign insights in half the time. It’s data storytelling made practical—showing you exactly where and how to tweak your campaigns for better results.
Optimizing Multi-Channel Marketing
Marketing today isn’t just about choosing one platform and going all-in. It’s about being everywhere and being relevant. AI lets you manage multi-channel efforts seamlessly by analyzing geographic and demographic data to recommend where to focus your energy.
For example, you might use AI to decide whether your latest ad campaign should run primarily on Instagram Stories, in regional newspapers, or across TikTok and traditional TV. AI doesn’t just identify the optimal channels for ad placement; it adjusts targeting across these mediums based on real-time insights.
The result? Every dollar spent hits harder. Every audience reached aligns more closely with your business goals.
Predictive Marketing and Automation
What if you knew what the customer wanted before they did? Sounds like a dream—but that’s predictive marketing for you. AI uses historical data, analyzes patterns, and forecasts outcomes to help marketers anticipate what works.
The beauty of predictive marketing is that it’s not just about customer acquisition. It’s about retention strategies, too. For example, you can use AI to predict which customers are on the verge of leaving and hit them with an irresistible offer. Keeping current customers is far more cost-effective than acquiring new ones—and AI knows it.
Even better, automation tools powered by AI handle repetitive tasks like email campaigns, social scheduling, and basic reporting. You get to focus on the fun stuff—like tailoring that game-changing creative concept that’ll leave the competition in the dust.
Addressing Myths and Misconceptions About AI
Despite its obvious benefits, there’s still a fair bit of pushback when it comes to using AI. Misconceptions about what it can and can’t do might scare companies off—but they shouldn’t.
Myth 1: AI is going to replace marketers.
Reality? AI is a tool, not a takeover. Think of it like your ultimate intern—super fast, incredibly smart, but it still needs guidance. AI enhances your work, freeing up your time from repetitive tasks so you can focus on the creative and strategic elements that it’s simply not equipped to handle.
Myth 2: AI can lead to creepy, invasive marketing.
Not if you use it ethically, it won’t. Transparency about the data you’re collecting and obtaining customer consent are non-negotiables. Brands that stay on the right side of these ethics build trust while still delivering personalized experiences.
Myth 3: AI is complicated and only for tech experts.
Tools like Jasper, Grammarly, or Facebook’s AI ad integrations are designed for marketers, not engineers. They simplify the process, guiding you step by step without demanding a computer science degree.
The truth is, AI lets marketers wear many hats without adding stress—it complements your skill set rather than complicating it.
How to Start Using AI in Your Marketing Strategy
If you’ve been holding off on adding AI to your marketing toolbox thinking it’s too complex or costly, think again. Here are some (free) tips to help you get started:
Step 1 – Identify Data Sources
AI thrives on data. Before you can put it to work, you need to know where your data’s coming from.
Do you have first-party data from email subscribers, past purchases, or website analytics? Great—these are your goldmines. Platforms like Google Analytics or CRM systems can be your go-tos for tapping into those first-party insights.
But don’t stop there. Consider merging other data sources such as industry benchmarks or audience behavior patterns from third-party tools.
The better your inputs, the smarter your AI will be. Think of it this way—AI is only as good as the information it’s fed. A scattered, messy collection of data won’t cut it.
Here’s a pro tip: Create a centralized data repository. It could be as simple as a spreadsheet or a sophisticated database. What matters is having everything organized and ready to plug into your AI tools as soon as you need it.
Step 2 – Choose the Right Tools
Now that your data is ready to shine, it's time to find the perfect AI tools to suit your needs. Don’t worry—this doesn't mean building out expensive, complicated systems. The market is brimming with easy-to-use AI tools designed specifically for marketers.
Need help with content creation? Tools like Jasper or good old fashioned Chat GPT can write engaging blog posts, social media captions, or even ad copy in a fraction of the time.
Looking for insights into your ad performance or consumer behavior? Predictive analytics tools such as Adobe Sensei or Pecan AI can analyze your past campaigns, predict trends, and even recommend future strategies.
And if customer retention is your focus, there are AI retargeting tools like Criteo that ensure your brand stays on your customers’ radar. The point is, whether you’re knee-deep in SEO or creating viral TikToks, there’s an AI solution out there for you.
Just make sure the tools you pick align with your goals—content generation, customer acquisition, or rewriting long emails into crisp, reader-friendly formats.
Step 3 – Test, Learn, and Optimize
AI isn’t magic—it’s a tool that gets better and more effective the more you use it. That’s why testing and tweaking are essential.
Start by running A/B tests to see how AI-driven tactics stack up against your current strategy. Maybe create two versions of the same email newsletter—one traditional, the other drafted by AI—and see which performs better.
Use both the wins and losses as lessons for constant refinement. Is your AI tool suggesting loads of keywords for your copy but none of them seem impactful? Adjust and update the tool’s data inputs. AI is like an incredibly intelligent intern—you've got to provide feedback to get the best results.
And here’s the kicker—don’t think the AI will do everything. Human intuition and oversight are still critical. You’ll need to monitor progress regularly, recalibrate your tools, and stay engaged with trends and target audience preferences as they shift.
The Future of AI in Marketing
What’s next for AI in marketing? It’s already driving personalized customer experiences, helping create tailored ads, and predicting trends. But what lies ahead is even more exciting.
Take personalization, for example. Right now, AI can analyze what your audience likes and create relevant messages. Soon, it’ll be able to personalize content in real-time—for instance, offering a dynamic website experience where visitors see offers custom-made for them the moment they land.
Another area to keep an eye on is social commerce. Platforms such as Instagram and TikTok are already moving beyond likes and followers and morphing the shopping experience into something seamless and engaging. AI is becoming the behind-the-scenes driver, analyzing what products convert best or even predicting what trends are likely to rise based on user behavior.
And it’s not just digital. Offline efforts are starting to merge with AI-enhanced strategies. For instance, some in-store experiences use AI to analyze foot traffic patterns and optimize layouts for sales. The potential for AI to bridge the gap between online and offline marketing is huge.
Ultimately, the future of AI in marketing isn't just about increasing efficiency—it’s about creating deep, meaningful connections. Those who fail to adapt may find themselves losing to competitors delivering smarter, richer experiences.
Final Thoughts
AI isn't just reserved for big brands or tech-savvy marketers anymore—it’s here for everyone, including you. It can help you understand your audience better, optimize your campaigns, and fine-tune your marketing efforts in ways you never thought possible.
If you aren’t sure where to begin, start small. Pick one tool and see how it transforms your day-to-day tasks.
Want to learn more about how to take your marketing efforts up a notch? Connect with the team at Kinetic319 to see how we can propel your business forward, and take some time to listen to the full Ecommerce Traffic & Conversion Podcast with Adam Ortman here.
With AI (and the friendly folks at Kinetic319!) taking care of the time-consuming, nitty-gritty work, you get to focus on doing what you do best—running creative, impactful marketing campaigns that keep your customers coming back for more.