Ways to use AI inside Constant Contact while staying true to how you communicate
AI has become part of everyday email marketing conversations. For many business owners, that brings both curiosity and hesitation. They would like to leverage AI but are concerned it could make email marketing more complicated than necessary. Additionally, there is concern that they will sound robotic and not genuine.
I have found that, when working with small-business clients, AI works best as a support tool. It can help reduce friction and save time when there is already a clear sense of what you want to say. It does not replace thinking, experience, or intention.
AI works best when given good prompts
When working with small-business clients, one pattern consistently appears. AI is often expected to “do marketing” rather than assist with it, which usually leads to frustration.
AI can only work with what it is given. If the message hasn’t been thought through, the audience is too broad, or the email's goal isn’t defined, the output reflects it. The result may look polished, but it often does not sound like something the business would normally send.
That does not mean AI is ineffective. It means it needs specific guidance.
Start with what you are trying to say
Before using any AI feature, pause and answer two simple questions: what are you trying to communicate, and what do you want someone to do next?
Even a rough draft written in your own words is enough. AI tends to be more helpful when it is refining an idea rather than inventing one. Many people find it useful to think of AI as a helper that can clean up language, suggest alternatives, or help move past a blank screen.
The more context you provide, the more usable the results tend to be. For example, who are you, to whom you are speaking, what are you trying to say, and in what tone of voice do you speak (e.g., directive, friendly, etc)
How AI Is Being Used in Email Today
Constant Contact includes AI features built into the platform that support everyday email marketing tasks without requiring additional tools or a change in workflow.
When working with small business clients, I most often see AI used to support existing work, not replace it. Common uses include:
Reviewing subject lines to help reduce issues that can affect delivery
Drafting an initial version of an email that can then be edited and personalized
Reworking existing content instead of starting from scratch
Maintaining consistency across emails when time is limited
These features ground your message in the business’s own words while adding a layer of support.
A Simple Way to Start Using AI in Your Email
If you’re new to using AI, the easiest place to begin is with something you were already planning to send.
Write the email the way you normally would. Before sending, use AI to review or refine the subject line, looking for potential issues or small improvements. This keeps you in control of the message while adding a second set of eyes before it goes out.
AI can feel intimidating when it’s framed as something you need to master. What I’ve seen is that comfort comes from use, not from understanding every feature upfront. Starting with a low-risk email is often enough to see where AI helps and where you prefer to rely on your own judgment.
Used this way, AI doesn’t add complexity to email marketing. It tends to make the process feel more manageable.
Readers interested in hands-on learning can explore AI education for business owners, which focuses on practical training for using AI tools responsibly in business and marketing.
