The Power of AI Marketing: A Personal Experience

  Do you ever think that an ad is speaking directly to you? Have you looked for something on the internet and then found the same product showing up on every website and social media platform including Facebook and Instagram and your emails? It’s no coincidence. This is how AI-driven marketing works. 

  When  AI Marketing Got My Attention  

    I recently was shopping at different types of basketball shoes but decided to shy away from making a purchase. Within a short time after that, I started to see advertisements for the shoes I had viewed on Instagram. One brand, in particular, caught my eye. Their ad wasn’t just an advertisement for the shoes; it also had a limited-time discount and a note that the product was running out of stock.  It was hard to ignore! The ads knew what I wanted to buy, and they used my data to create personalized messages that created a sense of urgent need. Even though a part of me was amazed by this, another part of me was uncomfortable with the idea of being monitored without knowing in a sense.  

Did It Work?  

    The short answer? Yes and no. I did not make a purchase right away, but I did click on the ad, and later on, I signed up for their newsletter. Just what I needed.. giving them more data and information. I thought if they were going to keep sending me ads then I might as well just stick it out and look for a good sale. 

What Could Have Been Better?  

    As great as AI marketing is, there were a few things that could have made the experience even better for me:

1. Instant  Discount: If the company had included a discount code in the ad, I would have been more inclined to make a purchase immediately.  

2. More Personalization: Following up with an email that provided similar products or customer reviews could have increased trust and encouraged me to go to the checkout.  

3. Less Repetition: The same ad over and over was frustrating. Customer testimonials and comparison charts, for example, would have maintained my attention for a longer period of time.  

Final Thoughts 

    AI marketing is everywhere, and it is transforming the way we shop, and this cannot be denied, whether we like it or not. It can be a bit uneasy and annoying sometimes, but it is also a great way for brands to make our shopping experience better. What companies need to do is to get the right level of personalization without it being too much, and to make things engaging without being overstimlating with constant pop-ups.  

My question for you?

Have you ever been swayed by an AI-created ad to make a purchase? Did it make you buy something or vice versa? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!