Episode 11
The Human Touch in AI – Balancing Automation and Personalisation
In this episode of Better Marketing, Marketing Magic in Minutes, I explain the essential balance between maintaining that human touch in your marketing while riding the AI wave.
With automation on the rise, it’s tempting to let AI take the wheel, but hold up—that warmth and empathy? They're totally irreplaceable. I'll describe how AI can speed up your processes, but can’t replicate that personal connection your audience craves.
Whether crafting content or handling customer interactions, we’re all about blending smart tech with genuine engagement. So, let’s explore how to harness AI without losing your brand’s authentic vibe and keep those connections strong!
Remember to download my FREE GUIDE to get started.
Visit www.tracyheatley.com and use the code POD2025 to win a power-hour session with me!
Transcript
Foreign Hi, I'm Tracey Heatley and welcome to the Better Marketing Podcast, bringing you marketing magic in minutes.
Speaker A:In this episode, we're going to be diving into something that's absolutely essential in the age of automation.
Speaker A:Keeping that human touch in your marketing while using AI to your advantage.
Speaker A:This episode is all about that human touching AI.
Speaker A:It's about balance and optimization and personalization.
Speaker A:We're going to explore how to strike the right balance between the two.
Speaker A:Because whilst AI can help you and it can help create things even quicker than ever before so you're constantly moving faster and faster and progressing, it's a human touch that builds the trust.
Speaker A:It's a human touch that creates that real engagement, and it's that human touch that helps to keep your brand feeling authentic.
Speaker A:So I'm a strong advocate for AI, but there has to be that element of balance.
Speaker A:You'll hear me saying time and time again, it's not there to replace, it's there to assist.
Speaker A:Yes, we want to be more productive.
Speaker A:Yes, we want to use AI to maximum impact to benefit us and our businesses.
Speaker A:That authenticity must remain.
Speaker A:So let's explore how to find that sweet spot where smart tech meets meaningful marketing.
Speaker A:The rise of automation.
Speaker A:And it is on the rise, but at what cost?
Speaker A:AI powered automation is a game changer.
Speaker A:It saves time, it streamlines workflows, and it helps you scale up your marketing, from scheduling posts to sending personalized email.
Speaker A:There's so much more that AI can do.
Speaker A:But there is a risk.
Speaker A:If we lean too far into automation, if we rely too heavily on AI, we can lose the warmth, the empathy and that personal connection that our customers really crave.
Speaker A:AI mimics human behavior, but it doesn't have empathy.
Speaker A:Yes, you can train about your brand voice and yes, it can start to notice patterns in language and things like that, but it can't ever feel true empathy.
Speaker A:You've probably seen it yourself.
Speaker A:Those robotic emails, those templated replies or soulless chat interactions that just don't feel quite right.
Speaker A:We've all been on the receiving end of it.
Speaker A:It's fast, but it's forgettable.
Speaker A:So I want to talk about why the human touch still matters.
Speaker A:Even with all the smart tools in the world, people still buy from people.
Speaker A:And, you know, that's a phrase that grates on me a little bit.
Speaker A:You must have heard people saying it.
Speaker A:People buy people, people buy from people.
Speaker A:But it's true.
Speaker A:I hate to say it, it's true.
Speaker A:Your audience wants to feel seen, they want to be heard and they want to feel valued.
Speaker A:That Emotional connection can't be faked.
Speaker A:It's that that helps your business stand out.
Speaker A:So there has to be that balance.
Speaker A:When you combine the power of AI with the warmth of human LED marketing, you create something truly special, something that really resonates with your customers.
Speaker A:So instead of replacing the human element, AI should support it.
Speaker A:So how to keep your voice in AI generated content?
Speaker A:Let's talk about that.
Speaker A:Let's talk about the personalization of it.
Speaker A:Because it's using AI to write blogs, emails, social media content, they're just a few of ways where you can still sound like you.
Speaker A:You can train your AI tools using previous content key phrases, correcting it even, and guiding it.
Speaker A:So when you're using it, you're training it over time to become even more like you.
Speaker A:Make sure you edit the content it produces to match your tone, whether that's friendly, witty, professional or conversational.
Speaker A:You can guide your AI to produce what you want it to produce, but you still need to check it.
Speaker A:You still need to make sure that it's exactly what you want.
Speaker A:And you need to add your own insight stories and those local touches that reflects who you are.
Speaker A:So don't be afraid to rewrite sections.
Speaker A:Use AI as a co writer by all means, but not your ghostwriter.
Speaker A:You're the one that's in charge.
Speaker A:You're the one that needs to control it.
Speaker A:And this way your content feels more real, it will feel more relatable, and it'll be feeling like more you.
Speaker A:So the next question is when to automate and when not to.
Speaker A:So automation is brilliant, but it's not always the answer.
Speaker A:So here are some of the great places to use automation.
Speaker A:Email subscribers, for example.
Speaker A:So welcome sequences for new email subscribers, it's brilliant for that.
Speaker A:Social media post scheduling, it's brilliant for that.
Speaker A:Reminders and follow ups and events and offers, it's brilliant for that.
Speaker A:It's great for assisting with workflows.
Speaker A:But in some situations, a real human reply is far better.
Speaker A:So number one, handling complaints, things of a sensitive nature.
Speaker A:So complaints and sensitive questions, things like that.
Speaker A:Human touch will win hands down every time replying to DMs or customer service messages.
Speaker A:Human touch is important there.
Speaker A:Following up with warm leads and referrals.
Speaker A:A good rule of thumb, if empathy is needed, then go human.
Speaker A:If it's not, then maybe use AI.
Speaker A:So I'm going to give you some tips for adding warmth to AI generated content.
Speaker A:If you're using AI in your marketing, but you want to keep it warm and authentic, try these tips.
Speaker A:Write how you Speak.
Speaker A:This sounds really obvious, but you'll be amazed how many people don't do it.
Speaker A:Write as you speak.
Speaker A:Use natural phrasing.
Speaker A:Use an informal structure.
Speaker A:If that's the way that you will talk, then write how you would speak.
Speaker A:And this way, when your prospects or your clients, customers or your target audience, when they're reading what you're writing, you want them to feel like you're talking to them.
Speaker A:And you can only do that if you write how you speak.
Speaker A:Include empathy phrases like we understand that you're not alone.
Speaker A:You know, things like that that connect at an emotional level.
Speaker A:Always offer the next step, a call to action that feels friendly but not forced.
Speaker A:And don't over edit.
Speaker A:Sometimes a little imperfection feels a little bit more human.
Speaker A:One more thing, consider signing off with your name.
Speaker A:It's a small touch that can make that big difference really.
Speaker A:So to wrap up, AI can bring you massive benefits.
Speaker A:It can help you automate, it can help you streamline, and it can help you scale.
Speaker A:But it's your human touch that creates real connection.
Speaker A:Use AI as a tool, never as a replacement.
Speaker A:Keep your tone consistent, your message clear, and your heart in the conversation.
Speaker A:If you'd like help developing an AI marketing strategy that includes personalization without losing your voice, then feel free to book a three hour online AI strategy session with me or book a free 40 minute discovery call and we can have a chat and see what's right for you.
Speaker A:There's AI training services on my website available to you too.
Speaker A:And also don't forget to download my free guide, the Business Owner's Roadmap to a Better Strategy.
Speaker A: ll be able to use the code POD: Speaker A:If you use that code, you'll be automatically entered into a competition to potentially win a free power hour with me.
Speaker A:So I hope you found this useful.
Speaker A:It kind of feels like a contradiction in terms sometimes because I talk a lot about using AI to automate things, but I'm all about the ethics and I'm all about the human touch.
Speaker A:I'm all about combining the two and I hope that's come across in this episode.
Speaker A:So thanks again for tuning in to Better Marketing Marketing Magic with Minutes with me, Tracey Heatley.
Speaker A:I'm a Chartered marketer and a CIM Certified AI Marketing Specialist.
Speaker A:And I tell you that so that you have the confidence that you know that I know what I'm talking about.
Speaker A:So next time we'll be exploring AI ethics in marketing and how to stay ahead without crossing the line.
Speaker A:Ethics and AI I am really passionate about.
Speaker A:So I've got loads of good stuff coming up for you in that next episode.
Speaker A:In the meantime, remember, better marketing, better business.
