Why a Marketer Obsessed with Authenticity Teaches AI

If you know me, you know I’m all about authenticity. Humanizing brands, creating real connections, and building businesses that feel personal and purpose-driven—those are my jam. So, it might seem a little… off-brand that I also teach small business owners how to use AI tools like ChatGPT.

I get it. AI doesn’t exactly scream “authentic” or “human.” It’s literally a machine. So, why would someone like me—who believes in making marketing deeply human—lean into a technology that feels anything but?

Here’s why: because AI isn’t the enemy of authenticity. It’s the tool that helps us do it better, faster, and more purposefully.

Let me explain.

AI Isn’t the Problem. Misuse Is.

When people hear “AI in marketing,” they often picture soulless automation—bots flooding social media, writing lifeless ad copy, and cranking out cookie-cutter blog posts. And they’re not wrong; that can happen.

But here’s the thing: AI isn’t the one making bad marketing decisions. We are. AI is just a tool—it’s how we use it that matters.

For me, AI is like a supercharged assistant. It can handle the grunt work, freeing up time for what really matters: strategy, storytelling, and connecting with people. When you use AI on purpose, it becomes a way to amplify your voice, not replace it.

The Human Connection Comes First

Let’s get one thing straight: authenticity isn’t optional in marketing anymore. People are craving connection more than ever. They want to know there’s a real person behind the business.

What I teach isn’t about letting AI run the show. It’s about using AI to help you show up more often, with more impact, and in ways that feel real to your audience.

Here’s how I approach it:

1. AI Saves You Time: Imagine if AI could draft your blog posts, brainstorm captions, or outline your emails. That’s hours back in your day to focus on bigger, more meaningful projects.
2. You Shape the Voice: AI can spit out words, but only you can shape them into something that sounds like you. The magic comes in adding your humor, passion, and perspective.
3. Focus on What Matters: When you let AI handle the repetitive stuff, you can spend more time connecting with your audience, engaging in conversations, and building relationships.

Why I Teach AI

Here’s the honest truth: I teach AI because I believe it’s the future of marketing. And if we’re going to navigate this new world, we need to do it with intention.

I could sit here and rail against AI, but it’s not going anywhere. Ignoring it won’t make it disappear. Instead, I’d rather empower solopreneurs and small business owners to use it—ethically, purposefully, and in ways that align with their values.

AI with a Human Twist

Teaching AI isn’t about replacing the human touch. It’s about scaling it.

• It’s about showing small business owners how to work smarter so they can focus on the human side of their business.
• It’s about helping them stay consistent in their marketing without burning out.
• And it’s about giving them the tools to create brands that feel real, relatable, and, yes, authentic.

Need Help Navigating AI?

If you’re curious about how AI can fit into your brand strategy without losing your authenticity, I’ve got some resources for you:

• Check Out My Book, Brand Worth Loving: This is where I dig into how to build a brand that stands out—AI or no AI. No matter where you are with AI, you need to feed a strong brand into AI to get good marketing out of it. So if you're brand isn't strong, fix that so AI knows how to make it shine.

• Take My ChatGPT On Purpose Mini-Course: Think of this as your AI survival guide. In this course, I’ll show you exactly how to use ChatGPT for marketing to save time, stay authentic, and grow your business—without losing your voice or values. 

A Note on Authenticity and AI

I also recently wrote about how AI is changing the game on social media and advertising—and why that’s actually a huge opportunity for small businesses. If you’re still feeling unsure about where AI fits in, I recommend checking out this blog for a deeper dive.

At the end of the day, authenticity isn’t about how you create. It’s about why. And as long as you stay rooted in your purpose, no tool—AI or otherwise—will ever take that away.

Let’s embrace the future, but do it with purpose. Your brand. Built to go big, do good, and stay human.

Hayley xo