30/04/2026
Let’s talk about small businesses using AI to promote!
As a local business, we should want to uplift and support our fellow small business owners in the community.
Using AI, known for its large energy consumptions; mass water usage and electronic waste, to promote your business is 1. damaging to the environment, 2. off-putting for the ever growing amount of people that dislike AI, resulting in losing their custom, and 3. takes away opportunities from local creators.
We know that we don’t have masses of money to use for advertising - but this is where we can be equally smart AND supportive about it!
Let’s talk about schools/students/small creators that are looking to gain some experience and showcase their work; these talented people would jump at the opportunity to create something to be used by a local brand/business - ideally not for free! We should never expect free labour, they would of course need payment, but perhaps you can come to an agreement on a swap for your services, with a shoutout on the advert with a link to their pages, anything that helps them get seen! Exposure is important when you’re first starting out. Plus, why would you not want to help support your local community?
Setting up a competition for an advert at a local school, with the winner receiving some kind of service or small cash prize doesn’t only help the creators, but also helps YOU link with your community and show some care for those around you! Without the use of terrible low value AI rubbish. They’re not exactly… cinematic. Let’s be honest here, it is slop.
Here’s an example of how NOT to respond to this idea! Plus, blocking customers from leaving honest feedback doesn’t change anyone’s mind - it just makes you look ignorant ☹️🥀