Statista reports that the GenAI market was valued at $12.05 billion in 2022 and will reach $350 billion by 2030. Also, a Gartner report predicts that 100 million people will use generative AI by 2026.

Growing startups see this as a way to stand out, while a few would worry that GenAI could be a costly affair.

The truth is that any small venture, including a bootstrapped one, can use AI-driven methods without draining its budget.

Let’s explore how GenAI can work for your brand.

What Is GenAI?

Generative AI is a type of machine learning technology that helps create new outputs based on patterns found in existing data. These well-equipped systems help build original content – text, images, audio, or video – by learning patterns from existing data.

Startups can use GenAI to create media assets that scan massive datasets to identify patterns and relationships. Unlike traditional AI (which predicts or classifies), GenAI generates new outputs.

Types of GenAI

• Text generation: it uses language-based models. Tools for writing blog posts, ads, or code include ChatGPT (OpenAI) or Claude (Anthropic)
• Image generation: MidJourney and DALL-E (OpenAI) turn text prompts into logos, social media visuals, or product mockups
• Audio-based: ElevenLabs clones voices or creates podcasts from scripts – also, systems like Jukebox craft original music tracks
• Video generation: Synthesia produces explainer videos with AI avatars

How to use GenAI to promote your startup?

Marketing your startup can overwhelm you, especially with big businesses promoting themselves, thanks to their deep pockets.

Sure, your bootstrapped startup may make you feel you’re outspent, outstaffed, and outgunned.

But here’s the secret – you’re not outsmarted.

Generative AI flips the script as it can take up the role of an on-demand marketer, designer, and copywriter – think of an AI employee.

Sure, you’ve probably dabbled with ChatGPT for blogs or MidJourney for logos.

Now, let’s level up and explore practical tips to start using GenAI to promote the startup.

Build 24/7 AI chat tool

Training AI models on your product documentation or FAQ to offer instant assistance on your website or social channels. It helps reduce support tickets and keeps potential buyers happy.

Run tests for quality assurance, just like you would for any application or tool, to ensure that your chatbots remain relevant and meaningful.

Such quality assurance for your chatbot makes sure that the responses are more accurate, helpful, and consistent with your brand’s tone.

Collect more data and understand everyday customer interactions to gradually expand your AI chatbot’s capabilities and allow it to handle a broader range of questions and tasks.

You can integrate user feedback by incorporating simple prompts like ‘Was this answer helpful?’ You can also stimulate conversations to test how well the chatbot handles different types of conversations.

Tools: Tars or Landbot lets you train chatbots on your FAQs, pricing, or onboarding steps. For complex queries, use Intercom’s Fin to pull data from your help docs.

Tip: start with a simple ‘Welcome’ bot on your website. Expand as you gather data.

Ultimately, you’d track essential metrics such as response accuracy, resolution time, and user satisfaction scores.

Do personalised email outreach

Email campaigns can often feel cold if they don’t directly address individual interests. AI systems can fix that by analysing data on past purchases, browsing behaviour, or demographic details.

The model then suggests subject lines, body text, or special offers based on each group’s preferences.

This tailored approach boosts open rates and click-through rates. You can test different AI-generated drafts to see which tone and format get the best results. Adjust and refine until you find the perfect match for your subscribers.

ChatGPT or Jasper to draft email campaigns, social posts, or landing pages that speak directly to niche audiences.

Example: a Cloud ERP company promoting its inventory management module can personalise outreach by segmenting businesses based on order volume or stock turnover rates. AI tools can then generate tailored emails highlighting how their system optimises stock levels and reduces waste. Similarly, feed customer pain points into a tool like Copy.ai to generate 10 variants of a LinkedIn ad. Test, refine, and scale the winner.

Cost: free tiers (e.g., ChatGPT) or $20-$40/month for advanced features.

Perform quick prototyping for branding

Starting a new brand look typically involves multiple design drafts, which can be time-consuming. AI art generators help by delivering quick samples of logos, mascots, or site layouts.

You can blend the best elements from different AI-generated concepts and then let your designers fine-tune the final version. This way, you skip part of the long process of creating everything from scratch.

Feed the AI a few references to see what fresh twists emerge. This is a budget-friendly approach to experimenting with design ideas.

Tools: Canvas Magic Design generates social media templates.

Usage: share these with customers, asking them to post photos or videos using your product. Repurpose the best ones.

Wrapping up

You won’t be replacing creativity with Generative AI! Instead, amplify what you’ve got.

For startups, you may turn one person into a content team, a marketer into a data scientist, or a demo into a viral clip.

Start small: pick one task (like drafting emails) and let AI handle the heavy lifting – tweak, test, and scale.

Begin with quick testing such that even a bootstrapped venture can see significant progress. Stay curious, keep experimenting, and let AI handle the tasks that free you up for bigger goals.