3 Game-Changing AI Tools Every Small-Business Marketer Should Try

Are you trying to balance lead generation and brand awareness with "making it pretty," and all while interpreting the analytics and creating ROI reports for leadership? You must work in marketing. And we all know that any title that includes the world "marketing" has always been synonymous with "wearing many hats." Like most of us, you're feeling stretched thin and there's little reprieve in sight.

What can you do?

Ask your boss to hire more people? Tell them you need less work?

Grin and bear it?

AI tools just might be the parachute you need to float back down to solid ground.

I know, I know... everyone is worried on some level that AI will put you out of a job. I don't think AI will be replacing you any time soon, but I do think marketers using AI will.

I like to think of AI as another trend, you want to be on the forefront to go viral, not embarass yourself playing catch-up once it's over.

Don't be scared, be curious.

Plenty of AI-powered solutions are designed to save you time, make your efforts more efficient, and even help you level up your marketing game.

This blog dives into the top three AI tools that small marketing departments should be trying. Not only will I cover the benefits, but I'll also be upfront about the limitations as a marketer myself, so you can make the right choices for your company.

1. Jasper AI

Why It’s a Game-Changer

If writing takes up the bulk of your time, meet Jasper AI, your new bff for content creation. Jasper is an AI writing assistant that can develop everything from engaging social media captions to full-blown blog posts. It’s particularly useful for crafting compelling ad copy, email campaigns, and other written content to resonate with your audience.

Key benefits include:

• Streamlined Content Creation: Jasper generates high-quality, human-like content in minutes, perfect for when deadlines are tight. (It's output also uses remarkably fewer emdashes, haha)

• Tone and Style Customization: You can fine-tune Jasper’s tone to match your brand voice, whether it’s formal, friendly, or humorous. (You'll need the pro package)

• SEO Optimization: It integrates seamlessly with tools like SEMRush to help craft content that ranks well on search engines.

What's the Catch?

While Jasper is powerful, it’s not perfect.

• Learning Curve: It might take a bit of experimenting to get the best results. You’ll need to tweak prompts and double-check output for accuracy.

• Cost: Pricing may feel steep for teams working on tight budgets, especially when advanced features are needed.

• Human Touch Needed: Jasper can’t replace creativity or completely nail your brand voice. You’ll still want to review its work to ensure it aligns with your brand and audience.

Pro Tip

Don't view Jasper as a replacement for yourself or your team, but rather as a helpful assistant. Use it for first drafts or brainstorming sessions to help speed up the content creation process.

As advanced as technology has become, it still cannot replace the human touch when it comes to creativity and maintaining your brand voice. It's still important to review and refine any work done by Jasper to ensure that it aligns with your brand and resonates with your audience.

2. Canva

Why It’s a Game-Changer

Visual content is king in marketing. Canva, an old favorite among us marketers for its intuitive design features, now has an AI-powered Magic Design tool that enhances your workflow. Whether you're designing social media posts, presentations, or infographics, this tool helps turn your ideas into professional-grade visuals.

Key benefits include:

• Automated Design Recommendations: Simply upload an image or text, and Magic Design suggests templates tailored to your content.

• Time-Saving Creativity: Forget fumbling with layouts or color palettes; if you program it correctly, the tool does the heavy lifting, so your team can focus on strategy.

• Accessible for Non-Designers: It’s user-friendly, so if you’re not a design pro, you can still create stunning visuals in minutes.

What's The Catch?

• Limited Customization Options: While it’s great for quick designs, complex projects with unique branding assets might feel limited.

• Overreliance on Templates: Using templates excessively can make your content feel less original or distinct.

• Paid Features are a Must: Some of the advanced AI tools and premium design elements aren’t free, which can be a barrier if you’re watching your expenses.

Pro Tip

Use Canva for efficiency to create visual content at scale or to save your graphic designer from drowning in requests, but add personal touches to keep your visuals one-of-a-kind. You'll still need to leverage design professionals to do the heavy lifting on key items like trade show booths or the real foundational brand-building.

3. HubSpot’s AI Marketing Hub

Why It’s a Game-Changer

HubSpot has long been a go-to for inbound marketing, and its AI Marketing Hub makes it even more powerful. From email campaigns to data analytics, its AI capabilities streamline repetitive tasks while offering actionable insights to refine your strategies.'

Key benefits include:

• Perfect for Targeted Campaigns: HubSpot uses AI to analyze your customer data and recommend the right audience for each campaign.

• Enhanced Personalization: It predicts user behavior, allowing you to create highly personalized experiences that resonate and convert.

• Comprehensive AI Tools: From email subject line optimization to chatbot creation, HubSpot covers a range of marketing needs.

What's The Catch?

• Complex for Beginners: HubSpot’s AI features are powerful but can feel overwhelming for newcomers. Setup and implementation might require some training and support.

• Pricing: HubSpot’s advanced features don’t come cheap, which might stretch the budget of smaller teams.

• Works Best Long-Term: While immediate benefits exist, its full potential shines when you’ve gathered enough data over time.

Pro Tip

Make the most of their free tier to get started, then upgrade as your needs grow. Also, ensure you have corporate buy-in from the top down for CRM usage. This could be a fundamental change to your organization, and if implemented poorly, it will become a nightmare. Remember, garbage in, garbage out.

Choosing the Right Tools for Your Team

AI tools like Jasper, Canva, and HubSpot can significantly enhance your marketing results—but not every tool will suit every team. Cho

osing the right one depends on the goals and pain points of your department.

• Need help with content? Try Jasper for effortlessly written copy, but ensure you're working within the tool for brand voice fine-tuning.

• Visuals stressing you out? Canva’s AI design tools simplify graphic creation at scale, but won't replace a professional for niche requirements

• Want to do it all? HubSpot is a comprehensive solution that ties everything together, but requires a lot of attention to implement properly.

Final Thoughts

With the rise of AI tools in marketing, small departments now have access to resources that once seemed out of reach. The key is to choose tools that complement your needs, not complicate them.

Start with free or basic plans to test which options work best for your team. And remember, AI can’t replace the magic of authentic human creativity—but it can make your job a whole lot easier.

Looking to take your marketing strategy to the next level?

At Entandem Marketing Solutions, we’re here to help! Whether you’re evaluating AI tools or need guidance implementing the right solutions for your team, our experts are ready to support you every step of the way. Reach out to us today and see how we can save you time, boost results, and simplify your marketing efforts.