When I first started exploring generative AI for marketing, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I thought it would be helpful, maybe save me a few hours each week.
I had no idea it would completely change how I create content, test campaigns, and scale results.
This guide walks through exactly how I use generative AI in my marketing workflow—from content ideation all the way through publishing and promotion.
It’s not just theory either. This is a hands-on breakdown of what works, what doesn’t, and how you can make AI part of your strategy.
What Is Generative AI in Marketing?
Generative AI refers to artificial intelligence that can generate text, images, video, or other media from simple prompts.
In marketing, it’s mostly used for content creation and campaign development. Think blog posts, ad copy, emails, product descriptions, and social media content—all generated or assisted by AI.
Common Types of Generative AI Tools:
- Text-based tools: ChatGPT, Jasper, Copy.ai, Claude
- Image tools: Midjourney, DALL·E, Canva’s Magic Media
- Video tools: Pictory, Synthesia, Runway
- Presentation tools: Tome, Beautiful.ai
- Content optimization tools: Surfer SEO, Frase, MarketMuse
Generative AI allows marketers to go from idea to execution much faster, without needing to start from scratch every time.
How I Use AI for Content Ideation
One of the biggest time-wasters in marketing is brainstorming. You’re staring at a blank doc, trying to come up with ideas that are both relevant and original. That’s where AI steps in.
My Process for Generating Content Ideas:
- Keyword + Competitor Prompting
I start by feeding my AI tool with a seed keyword, along with a few links to competitors’ content. I ask it to identify gaps or angles they missed. - Audience-Based Prompting
I create personas using customer data, then ask the AI to generate content ideas tailored to those personas’ problems. - Trend Mining
I pull in current trends from Twitter, Reddit, and Google News, then ask the AI to create content angles that tie into trending conversations.
Example Output:
| Tool | Prompt | Result |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | “Generate blog topics for a SaaS product targeting marketers with limited time” | 15 ideas in 30 seconds |
| Jasper | “Give me 10 blog topics using the keyword ‘content automation’” | SEO-focused suggestions with titles |
| Claude | “Create a list of 5 pillar topics and 20 cluster topics for B2B content strategy” | Full topic map |
This process used to take me 2–3 hours a week. Now it takes 15 minutes. Better ideas. Faster execution.
Using AI to Write Blog Content
Blog writing is one of the areas where AI really shines—if you do it right. The biggest mistake I see is relying too much on AI and publishing content without editing or optimizing it. That’s a fast track to mediocre results.
Here’s the framework I use to write AI-assisted blog posts:
- Start with a clear outline
I create a structure based on SEO goals, intent, and user flow. Then I ask AI to fill in that structure, one section at a time. - Write in blocks, not full drafts
I avoid asking AI to write a 2,000-word article all at once. Instead, I guide it through smaller parts: intro, FAQ, bullets, etc. - Fact-check everything
AI can make stuff up. I check every stat, claim, or quote—especially when writing in industries like finance or healthcare. - Humanize the tone
Most AI writing sounds robotic. I rework intros, transitions, and closings to sound like me. I also remove fluff and clichés.
Table: Before and After AI Editing
| Section | Raw AI Output | Final Version |
|---|---|---|
| Intro | “In the world of digital marketing, generative AI is a powerful tool…” | “If you’re still writing content from scratch, you’re wasting time. Here’s how I use AI to speed up the process without losing quality.” |
| H2 Subheading | “The Benefits of AI-Powered Tools” | “Why I Use AI in Every Part of My Marketing Workflow” |
| Paragraph | “It is important to analyze the data before creating a campaign…” | “Before I launch anything, I ask AI to surface insights from the data. Saves hours on manual digging.” |
When done well, AI speeds up the process by 50 to 70 percent, while still leaving room for creativity and brand voice.
Email Marketing with Generative AI
Email marketing is another area where AI can do a lot of the heavy lifting—especially for segmentation, copywriting, and testing.
Here’s how I use AI in my email workflows:
1. Email Sequence Writing
I prompt the AI with my product, customer persona, and goal (conversion, upsell, retention), and it gives me a multi-step sequence.
Example:
- Welcome sequence for a $99 SaaS tool
- 5-day onboarding flow for a course
- Cart abandonment for ecommerce
2. Subject Line A/B Testing
I give AI 3–5 hooks or themes, and it writes 10 subject lines. I test the top ones based on opens and CTR.
3. Personalized Content Blocks
Using merge tags and behavioral data, I have AI write dynamic email blocks that change based on customer actions.
Table: Email Use Cases
| Email Type | What AI Helps With | Tool I Use |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome Series | Voice tone, hook generation | Jasper |
| Weekly Newsletter | Subject lines, headlines, summaries | Copy.ai |
| Sales Emails | Value stacking, CTA options | ChatGPT |
| Retargeting | Offer segmentation, urgency triggers | Claude |
I’ve seen open rates increase by up to 30% on emails generated and optimized with AI tools, especially when combined with smart list targeting.
Generative AI for Ad Copy and Landing Pages
Ad creative needs speed. Markets move fast. AI gives me the ability to test 10 different angles in the time it used to take to write one.
Where I use AI in ad campaigns:
- Facebook Ads: Primary text, headline variations, A/B test intros
- Google Ads: Responsive search ads, sitelink copy
- Landing Pages: Headlines, hero sections, feature-benefit breakdowns
My Workflow:
- I feed in product info, audience pain points, and past winning ads.
- AI gives me copy variations—hooked, emotional, benefit-driven.
- I test, refine, and split-test from there.
Sample Prompt and Result:
| Prompt | Output |
|---|---|
| “Write 5 Facebook ad headlines for a $49/month social media scheduler for freelancers” | 1. “Save 10+ hours a week—schedule smarter”2. “Your freelance assistant—without the hourly rate”3. “Post once, schedule everywhere” |
I often combine these outputs with landing pages built in tools like Unbounce or Webflow. I use AI for wireframe copy, testimonials (pulled from reviews), and CTA placement ideas.
Repurposing Content With AI
Repurposing is one of the most valuable ways to use AI. You already created the original piece—now let AI help you turn it into 5–10 other assets.
Example: From Blog to Multi-Channel Campaign
Let’s say I wrote a blog post titled “How to Use Generative AI in Email Marketing.”
I can use AI to turn that into:
- 3 LinkedIn posts (tips, stats, opinion)
- 5 tweets (quotes, pain points)
- A YouTube video script
- A podcast outline
- Email newsletter summary
- Carousel for Instagram
- Reddit AMA talking points
The best part? AI keeps the tone and language consistent, while adjusting the format for each platform.
Table: Repurposing Plan
| Original Format | Repurposed Assets | Tool Used |
|---|---|---|
| Blog Post | Social clips, quote graphics, summary email | ChatGPT + Canva |
| Webinar | Transcript blog, pull quotes, social threads | Descript + Claude |
| Podcast | SEO article, guest highlights, audiograms | ChatGPT + Pictory |
This strategy has helped me 3x my content output without increasing my team size.
Is AI Content Safe for SEO?
One of the biggest questions people ask is whether Google penalizes AI content. The answer? Not if it’s done right.
What Google Says:
- Google doesn’t care how content is created.
- It cares about quality, relevance, and user value.
- Spammy AI content gets filtered.
- High-quality, AI-assisted content ranks fine (and often better).
Tip: Always make sure your AI content is:
- Helpful and accurate
- Clear and original
- Aligned with EEAT (Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, Trust)
I use tools like Surfer SEO and NeuronWriter to guide structure and optimization after I’ve generated the first draft.
Common Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them)
AI is powerful, but there are a few traps you want to avoid:
1. Overreliance
If you rely too much on AI, your content will start to sound the same. Add your voice, story, or opinion to make it stand out.
2. Publishing Without Editing
Always review and refine. AI gets facts wrong, makes assumptions, and sometimes misses nuance.
3. Chasing Speed Over Quality
Speed is great. But your content still needs to solve real problems. Don’t sacrifice clarity or depth for fast output.
The Costs of Using Generative AI
Let’s break down some of the typical tools I use and what they cost me monthly.
| Tool | Use Case | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Instacopy | Blog content, social media, ad copy | $25/month |
| ChatGPT Plus | General writing | $20/month |
| Jasper | Blog, ads, emails | $49–$125/month |
| Copy.ai | Emails, social | $36–$99/month |
| Surfer SEO | Content optimization | $89/month |
| Claude (Anthropic) | High-end generation | Varies (based on tokens) |
On average, I spend around $250/month across tools. For what I get in return—faster workflows, better output, more experiments—it pays for itself.
If you’re just starting out, Instacopy is a solid budget-friendly entry point with a clean interface and solid output for basic marketing needs.
Final Thoughts
I didn’t expect AI to become such a critical part of my marketing workflow. But once I saw the speed and quality I could achieve, there was no going back.
This isn’t about automating everything or removing human creativity. It’s about using smart tools to remove friction so I can focus on what matters—strategy, message, and results.
If you haven’t started integrating generative AI into your process yet, now’s the time. Start small. Use it to brainstorm. Then scale from there.
The marketers winning right now are the ones using AI not just as a tool—but as a multiplier.
