Information in this blog post was obtained from the Hubspot Blog, SproutSocial.com, and socialmediatoday.com.
Introduction
Have you ever been stuck on what to post, what to say in a post, or just getting content ideas in general? Artificial intelligence (AI) is a game changer in today's fast-paced social media world. Today, AI is the heart of social media, helping to generate content ideas, create realistic images, and much more. AI technologies are stepping into personalizing user experience and streamlining communication. One of the best applications of AI is through algorithms that personalize feeds based on user preferences and behavior. By analyzing large amounts of data, AI can curate content that resonates with individual users, increasing engagement and time spent on social media platforms. AI-powered tools have advanced features such as chatbots, making real-time customer service and interaction possible. Not only does AI help generate content for social media, but it also can identify harmful content, such as hate speech and misinformation, therefore promoting a safer online environment. As social media continues to evolve, so does the software AI.
Challenges with AI
AI-generated content has become pervasive on social media in a short time, creating confusion when it comes to brands using AI technology. In May 2024, Meta, a platform that builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow a business, proposed AI content disclaimers. Aubree’s blog states, “Where legislation falls short, consumer expectations (and concerns) can guide brand content creation. For example, the Q2 2024 Sprout Pulse Survey found that 80% of consumers agree that AI-generated content will lead to misinformation on social, while another 46% are less likely to buy from a brand that posts AI content” (Smith). AI has been a hit today in all forms of social media, but customers want real-life ideas, not from a system. Most consumers don’t want to feel they are being lied to or that a brand is trying to hide something from them. AI disclaims when it is used, thus showing customers that the content is not original. Another thing to add is most AI-generated visuals don’t look appealing. They usually look unrealistic and have no context within the image. When AI generates an image, it usually doesn’t come out exactly how you want it. Another challenge that might occur is privacy. Using AI does not mean that you or your computer are safe. People could get ahold of your information without you knowing. The most common challenge is lacking human touch. AI can sometimes lack the personal touch that a human being can provide. No matter how timely or sophisticated, a bot may struggle to understand the context. This might lead to misunderstanding and customer dissatisfaction.
Opportunities
Have you ever thought about using AI for your social media content? Well, if you haven't, here are some benefits of using AI in content marketing:
1. Content Creation
In 2024 AI has been reported that 43% of marketers place content creation as one of the most popular uses in content marketing. Creating content can vary from visual, written, video, and audio. Marketers are using AI to bring their content to life. The benefits of using generative AI are it can save time and increase productivity in the content creation process.
2. Trend Identification
AI is a good tool to use when you are looking to research behind trends that are occurring today. AI can spot emerging trends and topics, helping marketers stay ahead of the curve and create timely content.
3. Competitor Analysis
AI tools can monitor competitors' activities and strategies, providing insights that can inform a person's marketing efforts.
4. Enhanced Audience Targeting
AI can analyze user data to identify specific demographics and interests, improving ad targeting.
Best Practices for Using AI in Social Media
Using AI in social media is very beneficial. It can enhance experiences by personalizing content recommendations, predicting user preferences, and allowing you to get content ideas when you just can’t come up with anything. Using AI in social media can be difficult, trying to make sure you have the most relevant information and staying on task. Here are some practices for how you should use AI in social media:
Understanding Your Audience
Use AI-powered analyses to gather insight about your audience, from their behavior to preferences. Finding your target audience based on AI insights can help make your social media communications more effective.
Personalize Your Content
Most of the content created by AI will be robotic. You will need to review the content to ensure it is relevant before it goes live. Make sure to add your personal touch to the context. This will make it more engaging for your audience and increase the chances of them sharing it.
Use Automation Effectively
AI can do various tasks for you, from scheduling posts to automating the first responses to user queries. Use this tool to manage routine tasks efficiently, freeing up your time. Some platforms do not allow automation, so make sure you know which platforms will allow it.
AI Tips and Tricks
So, how do you start using AI to help create your content? You start by thinking of what you want to post, then you decide what platform you want to post on. Once you figure out all the little things then you go to ChatGPT and search for what you are looking for. ChatGPT can help summarize posts so they can experiment with updates to find the words that are more attractive to readers. Always start small so you can understand the applications AI has. You also need to monitor the performance of AI. More frequently than you think, AI is not always right. It is most important that you do some research after you find what you're looking for. An example would be the trends with social media and what platform is doing the best. When you look that up in ChatGPT, it could give you false information. You should also consider still being creative with what you are going to post. When looking at a post you don’t want someone to think that it was made by AI, you want someone to think that you made it with your creativity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the new existence of AI in social media has transformed how we interact, communicate, and share information. While it offers opportunities for content creation, finding occurring trends, and finding a target audience, it also presents significant challenges. Some challenges may include privacy concerns, nonrelevant information, and bad graphics. This system is here to stay and we marketers need to navigate through this to benefit our platforms. By using AI, we can get content done and posted on time.
Disclaimer: No AI was injured in the production of this content. AI (ChatGPT) was used as a tool to supplement, enhance, and make suggestions in writing this blog post.
Resources
HubSpot. (n.d.). AI in content marketing: How creators and marketers are using artificial intelligence. HubSpot. https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/ai-in-content-marketing
Sprout Social. (2023, July 25). AI disclaimer: What you need to know about AI-generated content. https://sproutsocial.com/insights/ai-disclaimer/
Social Media Today. (2023, July 10). AI tips for social media marketing trends. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/ai-tips-social-media-marketing-trends/704554/
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