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Are you getting fewer and fewer customer enquiries? Did you assume it’s mostly down to the economy?
It’s entirely possible that most, or almost all of this, is because half your prospects are now eager to avoid you.
This is big.
Let’s go!
As everyone reading this will have noticed, posts on LinkedIn have started to sound increasingly familiar. The same is true of the messages you see on social platforms and even in flyers.
As you know, this is down to the mainstream use of AI for content and copy. Most of you will be using it, as small business owners were very early adopters.
I recommend you stop.
Here’s why.
Deep, dangerous camouflage
Regular readers will know that when small business owners in the same industry offer a similar range of services, charged similar prices, etc., it camouflages them. In short: they sound so similar, that none stood out.
THIS IS SO MUCH WORSE!
Around a year ago, the camouflage became even worse for their business. And in the past few months, it’s become full-on dangerous.
That’s because just as you quickly spot content written by AI, so can your prospects. You no longer offer similar(ish) services, prices, etc., to your competitors you offer them with an AI voice, just like they do.
Danger?
No. DEEP danger!
You, your business and your services have now relocated into the AI bucket. This bucket contains businesses of every stripe, which consumers identify as sounding familiar to each other. You’re in there with pest control, accountancy, roofing, web design, bars… everything giving off that familiar messaging signal.
Why is this massive problem getting even worse?
50%, (and growing) of prospects will avoid you
For around a year, AI marketing messaging was a minority thing. As usage increased, people started to look out for it. Now, we’re unconsciously looking for ‘tells’ whenever we read content. We’re spotting it, without even trying.
We’re also witnessing a huge, and growing, AI pushback. In March, an AI survey from Gartner found 68% of people frequently wonder whether the AI content and information they see is real! Your prospects simply do not trust it.
And in that same survey above, 50% of people said they prefer NOT to give their business to brands using it. This number is growing.
As I wrote recently, on it’s own, AI content (not copywriting) looks okay. It reads fine, too. That’s why millions and millions of small business owners use it daily. And no one ever thinks THEIR AI copy looks like AI. After all, they edited it. Probably unaware EVERYONE edits it.
Here’s the thing: AI copy is everywhere, always with that familiarity… it’s putting your business into a group that’s being avoided. It’s causing prospects to consider if what you’re saying is even real.
It’s your decision, but I recommend you get out of that group.
Keep your messaging human.
Use AI where it works for you, turning a 1-hour boring task into a 10-second breeze.
But for goodness sake, make your connection with your marketplace human and trusted. That’s where the GROWING demand is.
IMPORTANT: If you want to make more sales, boost your profits and grow an amazing business, this will help you!