Greetings, Humans. Artificial Intelligence and Direct Marketing
March 23, 2023   Dave Lewis

I love playing with new things, and there are few things newer than ChatGPT.  In case you’re not familiar with it, I asked ChatGPT to describe itself in 50 words or less:

ChatGPT is a large language model trained by Open AI that can generate human-like responses to text-based prompts. It is designed to understand and respond to a wide range of topics and can be used for various applications, including customer service, language translation, and educational purposes.

Technology like this has a lot of positive and negative possibilities.  For many companies, customer service functions can be handled more efficiently than existing automated service systems.  For a teacher it makes it difficult to know if a student’s work is original or computer generated.  As AI models become more sophisticated, the difference may not matter.

For marketers, AI may offer insights into how you can approach different markets and audiences.  I recently wrote a Linked In post encouraging my connections to consider attending the MFSA conference at the end of March.  I didn’t love how I worded it, so I asked ChatGPT for help.  Our discussion follows.  (Anything in italics is quoting ChatGPT.)

Me:

Can you word this better for me?

I’ll be in Grapevine, Texas at the end of this month for the MFSA annual conference. Here’s why you should be there, too:

• It’s one of the few in-person conferences left in the mailing industry.

• You will learn valuable things, even if you think you’re a know-it-all like I think I am

• You will have fun.

• The weather is pretty nice in Dallas in spring.

• I may buy you a drink. I cannot do that on a ZOOM call.

You’ve been sitting in that home office too long – come on down to Grapevine and hang with some real live people. Learn more about it here:

ChatGPT:

I will be attending the MFSA annual conference in Grapevine, Texas at the end of this month and I strongly encourage you to join me. Here are just a few reasons why:

  • This conference is one of the few remaining in-person events in the mailing industry, providing a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders and peers face-to-face.
  • Regardless of your level of expertise, you will gain valuable insights and knowledge that can benefit you and your business.
  • You can expect to have a great time at the conference, as it's not all work and no play!
  • The weather in Dallas during spring is pleasant and adds to the overall enjoyable experience.
  • And who knows? I may even buy you a drink! Something that's impossible to do over a virtual Zoom call.

If you've been cooped up in your home office for too long, it's time to break free and mingle with real people. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity. Visit the following link to learn more about the conference.

Me:  Can you add just a touch of humor?

ChatGPT:

Absolutely! How about this:

Hey there, my fellow mailing industry comrades! I'm excited to let you know that I'll be swapping my sweatpants for some snazzy conference attire and heading to Grapevine, Texas for the MFSA annual conference at the end of this month. And you know what? You should join me! Not only is it one of the few remaining in-person conferences, but I promise you'll learn something new - even if you already think you know everything like I do (just kidding, of course).

But seriously, who wouldn't want to hang out with some real live people for a change? Plus, the weather in Dallas during spring is perfect for getting some fresh air and soaking up some knowledge. And hey, if you see me there, I might just buy you a drink - because let's be honest, it's not like I can do that over a Zoom call. So come on down to Grapevine and let's have some fun! Check out the link below for more info.

Me:  How would you say this differently if you were addressing nuns?

ChatGPT:

If I were addressing nuns, I would likely adjust the tone and language to be more formal and respectful. Here's an example:

Greetings, esteemed sisters in Christ! I am honored to inform you that I will be attending the MFSA annual conference in Grapevine, Texas at the end of this month, and I humbly extend an invitation for you to join me.

As devoted women of faith, I have no doubt that you are already well-versed in many aspects of the mailing industry. However, I assure you that this conference will provide valuable opportunities for continued learning and growth.

Not only will you have the chance to expand your knowledge, but you will also have the pleasure of meeting and networking with other industry professionals in person. And as we all know, face-to-face interactions are priceless in our increasingly virtual world.

I would be honored to share this experience with you, and perhaps even buy you a refreshing drink if the opportunity arises. Please consider joining me in Grapevine and let us continue to grow in knowledge and faith together. For more information, please visit the link below.

May God bless you and guide you always.

Me:  A 50-word version addressed to sixth graders

ChatGPT:

Hey sixth graders! Guess what? I'm going to a super cool conference in Grapevine, Texas all about mailing stuff. You can come too! You'll learn new things, have fun, and maybe even get a free drink from me. Let's hang out and learn together! Check out the link below.

Me:  In Portuguese?

ChatGPT:

Sure! Here's a 50-word version addressed to sixth graders in Portuguese:

Ei, alunos do sexto ano! Adivinhem só? Vou para uma conferência super legal em Grapevine, Texas, tudo sobre envio de correspondências. Vocês também podem ir! Vocês vão aprender coisas novas, se divertir e talvez até ganhar uma bebida grátis de mim. Vamos aprender juntos! Confiram o link abaixo.

The possibilities are endless (and a little addictive.)  But imagine the possibilities when you are creating copy for marketing campaigns that reach out to different audiences.  The AI can’t create your offer or draft your original (at least not as well as you), but it can help you refine your message for different audiences.  ChatGPT doesn’t care about your cause – it only knows language.  Like any tool it needs a skilled operator who understands and cares about your cause or your product.  But as a tool, it can be a good one.  Or, as ChatGPT would say:

Although it is just a tool, it has the potential to be quite useful.



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