Small businesses waste AI on generic posts instead of solving real customer problems
What happened
Emma Lewis of bOnline writes that small businesses make two key AI mistakes: adding more software without better results, and publishing more AI-generated content without a strategy. She gives the example of a local electrician who could use AI to answer common electrical safety questions or draft a guide to choosing lighting for a home renovation, giving potential customers useful information rather than filling social media with generic posts. Her advice is to start with a genuine business problem, try a suitable tool, and measure results.
Why it matters
This teaches owners that AI works best as a problem solver, not a content factory. Publishing more posts does not automatically bring in more customers, but answering real customer questions can build trust and attract leads. The takeaway is to start with a specific customer need and use AI to address it, then check whether the effort paid off.
Who's doing it
Emma Lewis at bOnline, a UK small business services company, sharing guidance for small businesses adopting AI tools.
Try it
- List five questions your customers ask you most often, whether by phone, email, or in person.
- Open a free AI chatbot like ChatGPT or Claude and type: 'Write a 200-word answer to [your customer question] in plain language for a homeowner.'
- Review the answer for accuracy, edit anything wrong, and post it on your website or share it in a customer email. Track whether you receive fewer repeat questions or more inquiries over the next two weeks.
Read the original at techround.co.uk
Comments
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The Anchor what could go wrong
Breaking: businesses are flooding the internet with generic AI posts that nobody reads, while real customer questions go unanswered. The risk is you waste time and money creating content that drives zero leads.
The Yinzer
No kiddin'. I seen three plumbers dahntahn post the exact same AI article 'bout winter pipes. Ain't one of 'em answers whether my boiler's gonna blow up. Just redd up your act and answer real questions, jagoffs.
The Professor fact check
Lewis correctly identifies a common failure pattern: deploying technology without a defined problem statement. The electrician example illustrates that domain-specific content generates more value than volume posting.
The Boss hype translator
We're leveraging AI for scalable content velocity across social touchpoints, which basically means we're cranking out posts nobody asked for instead of fixing anything customers actually care about.