Content marketing is like throwing a dinner party, but instead of spaghetti and garlic bread, you’re serving blogs, videos, and infographics. The goal? To keep everyone coming back for seconds – and maybe even asking for the recipe.
Content Marketing: Before AI
Oh, the good ol’ days of content marketing before AI. Back then, creating content felt a lot like trying to build a sandcastle during high tide.
You’d work so hard, only to have the ocean (or the internet) wash it away in seconds.
First, there was the brainstorming phase.
You’d gather your team (or just yourself and a sticky note) and ask, “What do people want to read?”
Inevitably, someone would suggest, “How about a blog post about the history of pencils?”
And you’d smile politely while secretly thinking, “We sell fitness equipment, Karen. How is this relevant?!”
Once you settled on a topic, the writing began.
Oh, the writing. You’d stare at a blank page for hours, waiting for inspiration to strike. “Does this intro grab attention?
What if I start with a joke? No, too risky. Maybe a statistic? Ugh, I hate everything I’ve written.” You’d rewrite the same paragraph 12 times until it was… fine.
Not great, but fine.
Then came the visuals.
If you weren’t a graphic designer (and let’s be honest, most of us weren’t), you’d spend hours fiddling with PowerPoint or MS Paint, trying to make an infographic that didn’t look like it was made by a five-year-old.
“Does this pie chart look professional? Or does it look like I just discovered the rainbow gradient tool and went wild?”
Next up, distribution.
You’d post your masterpiece on the blog, share it on every social media platform, and maybe even send it out in a newsletter. Then you’d wait. And wait. And wait.
“Why is no one reading this? Is it the title? Was it too boring? Too long? Did I accidentally insult someone’s favorite pie chart color?”
Finally, there were the analytics.
You’d check your website traffic to see if the blog was a hit, only to find that three people read it: your mom, your coworker, and someone who accidentally clicked the link while trying to close a pop-up ad.
Content marketing back then was a labor of love (and frustration).
It worked if you stuck with it, but it often felt like shouting into the void and hoping the void shouted back.
Content Marketing: After AI
Fast-forward to the AI-powered era, where content marketing has gone from “guess and pray” to “strategic powerhouse.”
AI tools don’t just help you create content – they help you create the right content for the right audience at the right time.
It’s like having a personal assistant, editor, and marketing strategist rolled into one.
Let’s start with brainstorming. AI tools like BuzzSumo or AnswerThePublic can analyze what’s trending in your industry and tell you what your audience is searching for.
No more random pencil history ideas – these tools give you actual data to back up your content choices.
When it’s time to write, AI tools like Jasper or Writesonic can generate blog posts, social media captions, and even email newsletters in minutes. Want a funny tone?
Professional? Shakespearean? These tools can do it all. Plus, they never get writer’s block or complain about deadlines.
For visuals, tools like Canva or Crello make creating graphics a breeze. Need an infographic? Done. Want an Instagram story template? Easy.
These tools are so user-friendly, you’ll feel like a design genius – even if your previous experience was limited to doodling stick figures.
And let’s talk about SEO. AI tools like Surfer SEO or Frase analyze your content and tell you exactly how to optimize it for search engines.
It’s like having a Google whisperer on your team, making sure your blog doesn’t just exist – it ranks.
Distribution? AI tools like Buffer or Hootsuite can schedule and post your content across multiple platforms, ensuring it reaches your audience at the perfect time.
And if you’re running ads, platforms like Adzooma can optimize your campaigns for maximum ROI.
Finally, analytics. AI-powered tools like Google Analytics or HubSpot can track your content’s performance and provide actionable insights.
“This blog got 10x the traffic because it answered a trending question.” Boom. Now you know what works – and you can do more of it.
With AI, content marketing is no longer about throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks.
It’s about crafting targeted, engaging content that resonates with your audience and drives results.
How to Teach Yourself About AI-Enhanced Content Marketing
Ready to up your content game? Here’s how to get started with AI tools that’ll save you time, stress, and possibly a few gray hairs.
Start with topic research. Use BuzzSumo or AnswerThePublic to find trending topics and questions your audience is asking.
Next, dive into content creation. Jasper and Writesonic are perfect for generating blog posts, captions, and more in minutes. Need a budget-friendly option? Try Copy.ai.
For visuals, check out Canva or Crello. Both are beginner-friendly and packed with templates for every type of content.
Optimize your content with Surfer SEO or Frase. They’ll help your blogs rank higher in search results.
Finally, track your success with Google Analytics or HubSpot. They’ll provide insights to refine your strategy and keep improving.
Your 5 Step AI Knowledge Quest Action Plan
- Find Winning Topics: Use BuzzSumo or AnswerThePublic to discover what your audience wants to read.
- Write Like a Pro: Let Jasper or Writesonic generate engaging, on-brand content.
- Create Stunning Visuals: Use Canva to design infographics, social posts, and more.
- Optimize for SEO: Let Surfer SEO or Frase ensure your content ranks on Google.
- Analyze and Adapt: Track performance with Google Analytics and use the data to improve your future content.
5 Creative AI Content Marketing Tips
- Repurpose Like a Pro: Turn your blog posts into videos, infographics, or social posts with tools like Lumen5 or Canva.
- Use Headlines That Hook: Let CoSchedule’s Headline Analyzer help you craft irresistible titles.
- Leverage AI for Research: Use ChatGPT to brainstorm content ideas or refine your outlines.
- Schedule Smarter: Post at peak times with scheduling tools like Buffer or Hootsuite.
- Test and Experiment: Use A/B testing platforms like Optimizely to see which headlines, formats, or visuals perform best.
