Welcome to the second edition of Tech with a Twist and the first for 2025! I’m thrilled to have you back as we continue exploring how technology can transform your business while keeping that human touch intact. Today, we’ll dive deeper into crafting AI-driven marketing campaigns that connect with your audience on a personal level. This edition is packed with strategies, tools, and examples to help you strike the perfect balance between technology and humanity. Let’s get started!
AI isn’t here to replace the human touch; it’s here to amplify it. Authenticity and empathy are the keys to creating marketing campaigns that truly resonate.
Why Human-Centric Marketing Still Matters
In a world flooded with automation and AI, it’s tempting to rely solely on tech to drive your campaigns. But here’s the catch: people crave connection. Even the smartest AI can’t replace the emotional resonance of a genuine, human-centred message. Your audience wants to feel understood, not like they’re talking to a robot.
The numbers back this up: studies show that 71% of consumers feel frustrated when their experience with a brand is impersonal. On the flip side, companies that prioritize personalized, human-centric interactions see higher engagement rates, increased customer loyalty, and better conversion metrics.
The good news? AI can enhance your marketing by helping you tailor and deliver human-centric campaigns at scale. It’s not about replacing the human element but amplifying it. Let’s explore how.
3 Steps to Humanize Your AI-Driven Marketing
1. Start with Empathy
AI tools are great at crunching data, but it’s up to you to understand your audience’s emotions, needs, and pain points. Start by defining:
- Who is your ideal customer?
- What challenges do they face?
- How can your product or service solve those challenges?
Once you have these answers, use AI to dig deeper. Tools like ChatGPT can help you generate audience personas based on demographic and behavioural data. Combine this with your own insights to create campaigns that resonate.
Pro Tip: Use sentiment analysis tools like MonkeyLearn or Google’s Natural Language API to gauge your audience’s emotional responses to past content. This can guide you in crafting messages that hit the right notes.
Empathy also involves anticipating your audience’s needs. For instance, if a segment of your customers tends to abandon carts at checkout, consider using AI to analyze the reasons behind this behaviour and send them tailored follow-ups that address their concerns.
2. Use AI to Personalize at Scale
One of AI’s superpowers is its ability to deliver hyper-personalized content to large audiences. Use tools like ActiveCampaign, HubSpot, or Klaviyo to:
- Segment your audience based on their preferences and behaviours.
- Send tailored email campaigns with content that feels like it was written just for them.
For example, if someone has recently purchased a product from you, follow up with a personalized thank-you email and recommend related items based on their purchase history. AI ensures this process is efficient and effective.
Dynamic content is another game-changer. With AI, you can create ads and emails that adapt in real-time based on the viewer’s interests, location, or browsing behaviour. Imagine showing a specific product recommendation to a returning customer or tailoring your messaging to match the time of day they’re most likely to engage.
Pro Tip: Leverage dynamic content in your emails and ads. This allows you to show different messaging or images based on who’s viewing it. It’s like speaking directly to each customer’s unique needs.
Your audience doesn’t just want products or services; they want to feel seen, heard, and valued. Technology can help you deliver this at scale.
3. Add a Human Touch
No matter how sophisticated your AI tools are, there’s no substitute for authentic human input. Here’s how to balance the two:
- Write conversationally: Use AI to draft initial content but revise it to sound natural and approachable.
- Use video: Tools like Pictory and Synthesia can help you create AI-generated videos, but adding a real person’s voice or face can make it more relatable.
- Respond personally: When customers engage with your campaigns, take the time to follow up with personalized responses. AI can handle the initial engagement, but your human touch will leave a lasting impression.
Humanizing your campaigns also involves sharing your brand’s story. AI can help you structure and distribute this narrative, but the heart of the story should come from your unique experiences and vision.
Tools to Get You Started
Here are some AI tools to help you craft campaigns that feel human:
- Copy.ai: Generates high-quality copy for emails, ads, and more.
- Pictory: Turns text into engaging video content.
- ActiveCampaign: Automates email and marketing workflows.
- Adobe Sensei: AI-powered creative tools for design and content.
- Zapier: Integrates apps and automates workflows.
For advanced marketers, tools like Persado can analyze and optimize your messaging to ensure maximum emotional impact, while Mutiny can help you personalize website content dynamically. You can just experiment with these tools to streamline your processes while keeping the human element front and center.
Even the smartest AI can’t replicate the emotional resonance of a genuine, human-centred message. People crave connection—keep that at the heart of your campaigns.
The Twist: AI and the Future of Marketing
As AI continues to evolve, the line between human and machine-generated content will blur. But one thing remains constant: the need for authenticity. Your audience doesn’t just want products or services; they want to feel seen, heard, and valued. By combining AI’s efficiency with your unique perspective, you can create marketing campaigns that truly resonate.
Imagine a future where AI helps you anticipate your customers’ needs even before they articulate them. While that sounds futuristic, tools like predictive analytics and recommendation engines are already paving the way. However, it’s your ability to infuse these capabilities with empathy and authenticity that will set you apart.
Reflect: How are you currently using AI in your marketing? Are there areas where you could add more personalization or empathy? I’d love to hear your thoughts—reply to this newsletter or drop me a message.
What’s Next
In the next edition of Tech with a Twist (coming your way on the 15th of January), we’ll explore 5 Tech Tools to Supercharge Your Networking Efforts. From digital business cards to AI-powered follow-up systems, you’ll learn how to network smarter, not harder.
Until then, you can share this issue with a colleague or friend who could use a fresh perspective on marketing. And as always, stay curious and keep creating.
#StayFrosty
James Burchill
