So who hasn’t been talking about AI and its quirks—or the idea that AI will take over writing tasks, turning creatives into minions bowing down to superior tech?
Maybe the last part was unwarranted but that is something you have come by. And for creatives like me, it hits on a deeper level, challenging our sense of originality.
This concern is just as real for small and medium businesses because, when it comes to AI and creativity, we’re all in the same boat. And let’s admit it- AI is getting better the more we provide it with data.
So here are a few ways you can stop being on the other side and start using it for what it is good at.
Build blueprints
Whether it’s a new business idea, a new product line or even a new marketing strategy, AI can help you design the initial blueprint to get a sense of what is currently working in the market.
From a content point of view, tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, and Copy.ai spark ideas, organize rough outlines and even brainstorm headlines. Think of them as your personal creative launchpads.
For SMBs, this approach saves time and structures ideas for you without replacing your unique voice.
You’ll still have to define the angle, and the messaging—it’s just an easier way to get over the initial content hurdle. You could even integrate AI into your brainstorming sessions and generate multiple outline variations for different audience segments.
Imagine the boost your productivity will get! Your message will be sharper making sure it hits the mark.
To put things in perspective, let’s look at the example of an eco-friendly home decor store that needs some content.
- AI could draft ideas for blog posts on sustainable trends
- It could generate a social media calendar based on popular hashtags
- It could generate product descriptions in bulk
- It could streamline video content
You could add details and personal anecdotes to make your brand shine.
Automate what you hate
Small business owners wear many hats, so why not let AI handle the hats that don’t fit?
By automating routine tasks you ensure consistency. Look at chatbots- they are sophisticated enough to handle FAQs, capture leads, and provide helpful responses—without sounding robotic.
They can also segment inquiries, routing complex questions to human team members and freeing up time for interactions that require a personal touch.
And that is just one application. There are social media monitoring tools, grammar checking tools, collaboration tools, heck, even Google and MS Office have enabled AI in some areas of their software.
Let’s look at the example of an online fitness coaching platform. They could use AI for :
- Scheduling daily tips across their entire social media
- Answering common queries, like workout timings and membership options, with a chatbot.
- Create personalized workout plans and nutrition guidance based on user data, preferences and fitness levels that change and adapt over time.
- Provide feedback to users about their exercise based on videos they upload.
and a lot more…
Collect data to predict
One of AI’s superpowers is data collection for predictive insights- so instead of guessing, you can know exactly what’s working and why. But first you need to define a goal for your collected data. What do you intend to do with it?
For example, if you are an e-commerce store and want to build new campaigns for your store, you need to scrape customer insights. AI can read clicks, purchases and user interactions with your store into a data file.
This data file can then be analyzed using dedicated software to shed light on user behavior to create marketing campaigns or improve product range.
Track, alert and change
AI can keep tabs on your work once it’s out in the world. Tools like Brandwatch and Mention track sentiment and engagement, so if something’s off, AI will flag it.
Monitoring brand sentiment in real-time gives you the power to respond swiftly.
For example, if your campaign isn’t resonating, you can quickly pivot the tone or messaging or even replace the content altogether. This keeps you relevant, but more importantly, it keeps things human. Adjusting in real-time means your content remains agile.
For an SMB this kind of flexibility means a proactive brand presence, with AI acting as a real-time pulse on audience sentiment. It’s an indispensable tool.
What matters in the end?
As AI continues to evolve, the question isn’t whether it will impact businesses- it already has.
The real challenge for SMBs is how to use AI in a way that deepens, rather than dilutes, their authentic voice. If used thoughtfully, AI can elevate your message, leaving the mundane behind, so you can focus on what really matters: the ideas only humans can bring to life.
So, here’s a question: as AI shapes the future of content, what will your brand choose to say?