Generally speaking, AI gets a pretty bad rap. We’ve all taken a swipe at those terrible artificially generated images and poked fun at robotic copy that sticks out like a sore thumb. But us mere mortals do have an annoying habit of focusing on the negatives.
In reality, AI can (and will) help your business operate more efficiently, boost creativity and improve customer service – as long as you play to its strengths. Here’s a handful to get you started – from the conventional to the unorthodox…
Customer service that never sleeps
Chatbots are the OGs of negative criticism around AI. But in many cases they’re just misused and misunderstood. Relying on chatbots to solve complex customer problems is a recipe for disaster and an unreliable way of serving customers. Using them to answer routine requests and queries, on the other hand, can be hugely beneficial.
Fasthosts recommends: Make it clear that your chatbot is designed for simple queries, and for everything else, offer an alternative method of contact with a realistic estimate of response time. That way you can still be there for your customers 24/7.
Supercharge your brainstorming
Generative AI can be pretty amusing at times. Especially when we ask platforms like ChatGPT impossible questions that make its poor algorithm cry. But when used for practical idea generation, it can be super handy.
Fasthosts recommends: When writer’s block sets in, try typing in your brainstorming ideas as a prompt for AI to get the cogs turning. You might not get a complete list of winning copy, but it will serve as a handy jump off point at the very least – just remember to provide context and be specific about what you want.
Edit copy without an editor
When it comes to AI copywriting, everyone seems to be obsessed about using it to actually write. But here lies a problem. While the output might be grammatically correct, it probably won’t sound exactly like you and the information might not be 100% accurate. Now you have to edit it – a tricky job if you’re not a natural writer and don’t have marketing support.
Fasthosts recommends: Craft your piece of copy with the accuracy and tone of voice that you know well, and let an AI tool, like Grammarly, edit your work for readability and grammar!
Number crunching made easy
If you take care of your own bookkeeping, then you’ll know all too well that it can be a time-consuming pain. Unfortunately for you, it’s an essential part of business that you need to get right. Enter AI-powered accounting software.
Fasthosts recommends: Get familiar with cloud accounting software like Xero and Sage. With these tools, routine bookkeeping tasks like data entry and categorisation can be easily automated with minimal human error. Or just hire an accountant who knows how to use them!
Read your audience's mind
Okay, let’s finish on a fun one… We’re back with our old friend ChatGPT (other generative AI platforms are available). Does your business have a varied audience? Do you sometimes find it difficult to anticipate their behaviours or reactions when targeting them? Well, why not create an artificial persona to find out.
Fasthosts recommends: Craft a ChatGPT prompt that asks it to respond as though it were a specific audience subset, like a 25 year old male who runs a small tech business in Bristol, for example – then ask away! Just remember to use this as a rough guide only, and fact check any information you’re not 100% sure of.
AI for a boost, Fasthosts for a solution
The morale of the story is: don’t let noisy negatives overshadow the many positive AI use cases out there. The key is to understand the advantages and limitations of each AI program you use, so you can play to their strengths, saving time and money.
So trust AI for the small stuff – but always take a human approach when it comes to your web services partner. From reliable web hosting to intuitive marketing support – discover how we can support your growth journey by getting in touch today.
