Introduction to AI in Local Marketing: How Small Businesses Can Benefit

As a local business owner in the Pittsburgh market, you’re probably aware that technology constantly evolves and changes how we do things. Artificial intelligence, or AI, is one of the most exciting and rapidly growing technology areas. But what exactly is AI, and how can it be used to help your local business succeed?

First of all, let’s define what AI is. Simply put, AI refers to technology that can mimic the cognitive functions of human beings, such as learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. This includes machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.  Right now, everyone is talking about AI.  Why should you listen to me?

My journey toward AI in local marketing

I have been working with emerging technology since 1983, when I started defining how the new IBM PC could be used inside retail stores to automate business processes.  My contribution to my clients has always been understanding new technologies and figuring out how they can be effectively used.  This included distributed computing, private wide area networks, use of email, workflow management, hand-held technology, smartphones, and, beginning in 2018, a deep dive into how robotics and machine learning could automate business processes.  At the same time, I have been working with small business owners for the last ten years after I left corporate America after 20 years of senior technology management. 

AI can be used in many ways to help your local business succeed.  here are eight that we will be covering in more depth over the next two months.

Eight ways that AI in local marketing can help your business

1. One of the most significant ways AI impacts local marketing efforts is through chatbots. Chatbots are computer programs that can simulate conversations with human users. They’re becoming increasingly popular for businesses of all sizes, as they can help provide 24/7 customer service and answer frequently asked questions without needing a human agent.
2. Another way that AI is impacting local marketing efforts is through the use of machine learning algorithms to analyze customer data and behavior. These algorithms can help businesses understand which marketing campaigns and strategies are working and which ones need to be revised. It can also help identify the target audience and personalize the marketing strategy.
3. AI can also be used to improve the performance of local landing pages. By analyzing user behavior and search data, AI-powered optimization tools can make suggestions for improving the design and content of your landing pages to increase conversions.
4. AI-powered content creation tools are also becoming more common. These tools can analyze your website and social media content to make suggestions for new blog posts, videos, or podcast topics that interest your target audience. This new technology can generate entire content with little human input, such as product descriptions or blog posts.
5. Artificial Intelligence can also be used to optimize website editing for local businesses. By analyzing user behavior and search data, AI-powered optimization tools can make suggestions for improving the design and content of your website to increase conversions.
6. Machine learning tools can also improve cold email and newsletter campaigns. By analyzing customer behavior and engagement data, AI-powered tools can make suggestions for enhancing your emails’ subject lines, content, and targeting to increase open and click-through rates.
7. AI can also generate more accurate buyer personas for local businesses. By analyzing data on customer behavior and engagement, AI-powered tools can make suggestions for improving the targeting of your marketing campaigns to reach the right audience.
8. AI can also gather and analyze market research data for local businesses. By analyzing data on customer behavior, AI-powered tools can make suggestions for improving products or services and identifying new growth opportunities.

Want to speak to a human about AI in local marketing?

In conclusion, AI is a rapidly growing technology that offers many benefits for local businesses. From chatbots and machine learning algorithms to AI-powered content creation tools and optimization tools, there are many ways that AI can help your local business succeed. As a local business owner, it’s essential to stay informed about the latest developments in AI and explore how this technology can be used to benefit your business.

We invite you to visit our website if you are interested in learning more about how AI can benefit your local business. I specialize in helping small businesses like yours navigate the ever-changing world of technology and stay ahead of the curve. On our website, you’ll find a wealth of information and resources on AI and how it can be used to improve your marketing efforts.  So don’t wait any longer. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter for links to understandable content on how to use AI in your business.