The Do’s and Don’ts of Using AI for Social Media

Rachael Luckham

Artificial intelligence (AI) is really starting to make people rethink the way that they approach social media marketing. If you’re a Charity or Purpose-Driven business just getting started with your AI journey, it offers powerful tools to save time and increase creativity. To help you get the most out of AI, here are the essential do’s and don’ts to keep in mind.

Do: Use AI as an Assistant:

Don’t get us wrong, AI is fantastic for streamlining tasks and boosting productivity. But one of the most important messages we’ll continue to share is that it’s no substitute for a real, experienced team member.

Don’t forget, social media thrives on authenticity, and so while AI can assist with things like content creation, it will always be crucial to have human insight.

An experienced Social Media Manager, or Marketing Expert, will be able to:

Ensure all AI output is tailored to match your brand’s unique tone of voice.
Understand your audience’s emotional and cultural context and make amendments to AI output.
Engage with comments and build genuine connections.

Remember! AI should enhance your work, not replace the thoughtful creativity of your team.

Don’t: Post AI Outputs Without Vetting Them:

From experience, we know that AI-generated content can sometimes miss the mark! And we wouldn’t blame anyone for getting carried away with the amount of output that AI can generate following your prompt for, say, social media captions.

Whether it’s because we’re using AI, or because AI outputs are more obvious these days, we’ll never be able to remind you enough about the importance of reviewing what has been created for you.

So! Always review and refine outputs before sharing AI generated content. This will avoid:

Inconsistent Branding: Ensure AI-written captions and visuals align with your tone and style.
Bias and Inaccuracy: AI tools can unintentionally reinforce biases or produce incorrect information.
Fact-check everything!
Generic Content: Customise AI-generated ideas to make them relevant and engaging for your specific audience.

We know that time is often a big factor in why organisations (or individuals) aren’t regularly posting to their social media accounts. Yes, AI is going to save you A LOT of time! But remember, these outputs are never ‘post ready’.

Do: Leverage AI for a Wide Range of Social Media Tasks

So how can you use AI for social media? Well, AI can support you in a number of ways, including (but not limited to!):

Content Creation: Use AI tools like Canva to design visuals or generate templates.
Caption Writing: Get inspiration for captions and then tweak them to suit your tone.
Analytics: Tools like Hootsuite Insights can help you analyse performance trends and audience behaviour.
Scheduling: Platforms such as Buffer and Later can automate your posting schedule, freeing up even more time.

By experimenting with AI across these tasks, you’ll discover where it adds the most value to your workflow. Remember, there are so many different AI tools on the market and we’re pretty certain that even more will follow.

Don’t: Overlook Ethical Considerations

This is likely one of the most important sections of this post. AI should be used thoughtfully and responsibly… You’re responsible for ensuring that any data remains protected, and that outputs are free from unconscious biases.

Keep these ethical principles in mind:

Avoid Plagiarism: Make sure that any AI-generated text or visuals are original or correctly licensed.
Respect Privacy: Be cautious with data-driven insights and respect your audience’s privacy rights. If you’re wanting to review data that includes personal information we’d recommend investing in a ‘Pro’ plan.
Be Transparent: If you’re using AI-generated content, be open about it when appropriate. Use the tags available on Social Media Platforms and include an AI policy on your website.

Unsure about whether to disclose your AI use? We posted about this recently.

Do: Explore the Right Tools for the Job

There are so many tools on the market right now but not all AI tools are created equal. Here are a few recommendations to help you get started:

Visuals: Canva for design templates, Ideogram for AI-assisted graphic/image creation.
Text: ChatGPT or Jasper for drafting captions and blog outlines.
Video: Veed for editing and transcribing videos.
Analytics: Sprout Social or Hootsuite Insights for data-driven decision-making.

We’d recommend experimenting with different tools to find what works best for your needs. When it comes to signing up to a ‘Pro Plan’, opting in for monthly subscriptions can be the better option than the annual plan. This means you can tirl all the best features without being tied in. If you’re unsure if the platform is right for you, even if it looks great – ask an expert!

Don’t: Get Overwhelmed:

On the subject of available AI Tools. It can feel overwhelming if you try to use everything at once. We’d recommend that you start with one or two tools that address your most pressing needs and build from there.

If you’re not sure what those needs are, it’s likely you’re looking for help with your social media (that’s how you found this!). So, ChatGPT and Canva may be the best places for you to begin.

You can then focus on learning the basics before diving into any advanced features and paying for ‘Pro’ plans or upgraded tools.

Ready take the next steps?

AI has the potential to transform your social media, but its success depends on how you use it. Follow these do’s and don’ts to ensure you’re getting the best results while maintaining your brand’s integrity.

To help you get started, we’ve created an AI Made Easy Starter Kit that you can download today. It’s packed with practical examples and ideas to make your AI journey easier and more effective.

And if you’re eager to learn more, check out our How to Use AI for Social Media blog for more thoughts on AI usage!

Start small, stay ethical, and let AI become your most valuable assistant! Until next time, Stay Social!

Download our latest ‘Top Tips for TikTok’ PDF and start winning!