If you’ve just been tasked with “figuring out AI marketing,” you’re not alone. Many marketing managers are hearing this from leadership but aren’t sure how to translate the buzz into clear action steps. The good news: you don’t need to become a data scientist to start. Here’s a practical roadmap.
Step 1: Clarify the Goal
Before touching any tools, ask your CEO what “AI marketing” means to them. Do they want:
- Efficiency — saving time on content creation and reporting?
- Growth — driving more leads and pipeline?
- Innovation — positioning the company as forward-thinking?
Knowing this will keep you from chasing shiny tools without results.
Step 2: Audit What You Already Have
AI works best when layered onto existing systems. Take stock of:
- Your CRM/marketing platform (HubSpot, Salesforce, etc.)
- Your content library (blogs, case studies, webinars)
- Your channels (Google Ads, LinkedIn, email campaigns)
This gives you the foundation to apply AI where it matters most.
Step 3: Start Small, Automate Tasks You Already Do
Quick wins build confidence. Examples:
- Content drafting: Use GPT-powered tools to create first drafts of blog posts, emails, or ad copy.
- SEO optimization: AI can analyze keywords, competitors, and structure for better rankings.
- Social media: Automate captions, hashtags, and scheduling.
- Reporting: Use AI to summarize campaign performance into executive-friendly dashboards.
Step 4: Build Workflows, Not Just Prompts
AI isn’t just about asking questions. Create repeatable workflows:
- Weekly blog + LinkedIn post generated and scheduled
- Monthly performance summary emailed to leadership
- Auto-replies or chatbot flows that qualify leads
This shows leadership that AI is operational, not experimental.
Step 5: Upskill & Experiment
Dedicate a few hours each week to learn:
- Which AI tools integrate with your stack (HubSpot, Microsoft Copilot, Jasper, etc.)
- How competitors are using AI in ads and SEO
- Best practices for AI prompting and compliance (brand tone, accuracy, privacy)
Step 6: Prove ROI Quickly
Create a simple before-and-after story:
- “It used to take 4 hours to draft a case study. With AI, it takes 1 hour.”
- “We doubled social output with no extra headcount.”
- “We cut reporting time from 2 days to 2 hours.”
These stories make AI real for your CEO.
Final Word
If your CEO wants you to “do AI marketing,” start small. Pick one or two areas where AI saves time or improves results, build repeatable workflows, and show measurable impact. From there, you can expand — with confidence and momentum.
AI marketing isn’t about replacing people. It’s about amplifying your team’s strengths and giving you the tools to do more with less.