addressing the AI elephant in the room

Update: 2025-10-29

Description

In this thoughtful and transparent episode, Liz Wilcox — the Fresh Princess of Email Marketing — tackles the question everyone's asking: how should small business owners use AI in their email marketing? Liz shares her honest experience experimenting with ChatGPT, why she believes AI shouldn't replace your writing, and how to use it wisely — as a support tool, not a substitute for your voice.

Episode Highlights

Liz's honest confession: she doesn't use AI daily — her assistant Patricia uses it occasionally to write podcast descriptions or brainstorm topics.
The story behind this episode: inspired by a longtime email reader named Andrea (or possibly Andrea).
Liz's first real use of AI came during a writer's retreat in 2025 — she used ChatGPT to duplicate her existing email sequences, not write new ones.
- She prompted it with past emails and asked it to adjust them for new topics.
- The keyword: duplicate, not create.
Her core belief: AI can help with ideas and efficiency, but should never replace your unique human connection.
Why "human to human" writing still wins — readers can feel when content is AI-generated, and it dulls authenticity.
Liz's quirky self-check moment: wearing a "Delulu" shirt and cat ears to boost her mood while recording — a perfect metaphor for authenticity in marketing.
The deeper message: struggling through writing builds resilience, skill, and creativity — essential traits for entrepreneurship.
The Chick-fil-A vs. McDonald's analogy:
- Both use AI, but Chick-fil-A uses it to enhance human interaction, while McDonald's uses it to replace it.
- Chick-fil-A, open six days a week, earns more per store than McDonald's because it maintains that personal touch.
- The takeaway: use AI to support connection, not eliminate it.
Final encouragement: if you have neurodivergent needs or energy limits, use AI as needed — but challenge yourself to stay present in your writing.

Key Takeaways

AI should enhance, not replace: Use it to duplicate, refine, or brainstorm — not to write for you.
Human connection wins: Readers can feel authenticity in your words.
Struggle builds skill: Writing your own emails helps you grow as a business owner.
Tech as a tool: Follow Chick-fil-A's model — use AI to elevate, not eliminate, the human experience.
Grace and growth: Adapt AI to your capacity, but keep your voice at the heart of your message.