Is AI Killing Marketing in 2023?

The marketing industry is in the throes of an existential crisis.

The fear? That AI is killing marketing.

AI chatbots and other tools have indeed exploded, advancing at an unprecedented speed in both sophistication and popularity. The good news is: AI is not killing marketing, per se. It’s just that people think that AI can do all their work. When AI tools, such as ChatGPT, write all your articles, emails, and other copy, the result is bland, boring, repetitive content.

With so much information and noise competing for people's attention, it's becoming harder and harder to cut through the clutter and get noticed. This is not new. We experience the same issues each time new technologies emerge.

For example, in the past, marketers could rely on mass media channels like TV, radio, and newspapers to reach a broad audience. But with the fragmentation of media, and the rise of personalized content, it's becoming harder to reach a large audience with a single message.

Fortunately, consumers are evolving along with the AI trend. They’re increasingly skeptical of traditional marketing tactics and are looking for more authentic, transparent brands. They want to connect with companies that share their values and have a genuine interest in their well-being.

Is There a Future for Email Marketing? What “Mad Men” Teaches Us About Marketing

Don Draper is a fictional character in the television series "Mad Men" who worked in the advertising industry during the 1960s.

In the final season of the show, Don reaches a breaking point and leaves his advertising agency, McCann Erickson.

There are a few reasons Don leaves McCann Erickson. First, he is struggling with a personal crisis and feels unfulfilled in his career. Don also becomes disillusioned with the advertising industry, which he feels has become increasingly shallow and lacking in creativity. (Sound familiar?)

After leaving McCann Erickson, Don embarks on a road trip, and eventually finds himself at a spiritual retreat in California. It is here that he has a breakthrough and comes to terms with his past, allowing him to move forward with a new sense of purpose.

It is strongly implied that he experiences a creative epiphany that will allow him to return to the advertising industry with renewed passion and vision. The scene cuts to the famous "I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke" commercial from 1971, suggesting that Don used his newfound clarity to create the iconic ad, which became a cultural touchstone of the 1970s.

While not a perfect analogy, marketers can take heart from Don’s experience. If we are willing to let go of the way things used to be, we can embrace the new and use AI tools to shape better, more creative content than ever before.

How They Killed Marketing in 2023

So, is email dead as a marketing channel? No. But, while email marketing is not dead, traditional marketing is.

While you may not have heard this before, it's true. Suppose your business still spends most of its marketing budget on conventional methods, like print advertising and TV commercials. In that case, you need to wake up and smell the coffee—because your competitors are doing it better than ever before.

Traditional marketing is expensive and increasingly ineffective. The internet has changed how people interact with brands, so traditional marketing methods don't work like they once did.

How to Revive Marketing in 2023

The first stage of the marketing revival is to let go of the traditional marketing mindset. Stop thinking about how you can reach customers and start thinking about how the customer finds you.

The second step is recognizing that there are better ways to reach your customers than traditional methods like advertising and PR. The best way to do this is through social media, content marketing (like blogs), email marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and video marketing.

For example, email marketing has consistently been shown to have a high return on investment (ROI). According to some studies, email marketing can generate up to $42 for every $1 spent, making it one of the most cost-effective marketing channels.

Is Email Marketing Dead in 2023?

Email marketing is trending as the #1 tool for marketers to differentiate themselves and their business.

In fact, email marketing continues to be a highly effective way for businesses to reach their target audience and engage with their customers. Here are a few reasons email marketing is still relevant:

• Direct and Personalized: Email marketing allows businesses to communicate directly with their customers and personalize their messaging based on their interests and behaviors. This can help build stronger relationships with customers and increase their loyalty to the brand.
  
  beehiiv offers personalization features that enable businesses to tailor their messages to individual subscribers, increasing the relevance and effectiveness of their email campaigns.

• Mobile-friendly: With the majority of people now accessing their email on mobile devices, email marketing has evolved to be more mobile-friendly, with responsive designs that look great on any device.

beehiiv offers a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, even for those who are new to email marketing. One of the compliments we get most often is how easy it is to set up!

• Automation: Advances in email marketing technology have made it easier for businesses to automate their email campaigns, allowing them to reach customers at the right time with the right message.

beehiiv offers automation features that allow businesses to send targeted messages to their subscribers based on their behaviors and interests, increasing the chances of engagement and conversion.

• Analytics can help marketers better understand customer behavior, preferences, and needs. Marketers can identify patterns and trends that inform future marketing strategies by analyzing customer interactions with a brand.
  
  beehiiv offers robust analytics tools that allow businesses to track the performance of their email campaigns, measure engagement rates, and optimize their messaging for better results.

• Referrals: A referral program is a formalized system that incentivizes customers to refer new business to a company. These programs typically offer rewards or discounts to customers who successfully refer someone new.

Morning Brew used referrals at the core of their strategy to grow over 6M subscribers. With beehiiv, you can do the same! Here is their blueprint for 6M subscribers.

Conclusion

Email marketing is not dead; it’s simply been reborn. While new marketing channels and strategies are constantly emerging, email marketing remains a valuable tool for businesses looking to connect with their audience and drive results.

With the increase of AI and new technologies, 2023 will be the year for professionals to separate themselves from amateurs.

With beehiiv, you can easily stand out from the rest. Sign up now!