When I first started messing around with AI, it wasn't to try to keep up with the cool new tech tool (that we were all low-key panicked would take our jobs). I just wanted to free up my brain from the never-ending to-do list that comes with agency life. Over time, those experiments turned into daily workflows that make everything from client communication to creative strategy smoother and more efficient.
Recently, at FTF's Annual Summit 2025, I shared a few of these with the team, and it sparked a great conversation about how approachable and practical AI can really be. Here's a look at the ways I, a Senior Digital Marketing & Client Strategy Leader at FTF, use it in our day-to-day work (and even at home).
1. Smarter Client Communication
Do you feel like your inbox is out to get you? Same. AI has become a great partner in helping me stay on top of client communication, especially when juggling multiple accounts.
For meetings, I rely on Otter to record and transcribe discussions, summarize key takeaways, and highlight action items for both our team and the client. That means I can jump straight into writing a concise follow-up email, rather than sorting through pages of notes.
And when I have to send a touchy message or explain something complicated? I'll pop it into ChatGPT, Claude, or GrammarlyGO, and ask them to help me find the right words. I don't want to sound like a robot – just an AM who gets it.
2. Automating the Boring Stuff
Let's be real, nobody dreams of project management spreadsheets. Automation is my cheat code. AI sets up project folders, names them, builds out subfolders — all that annoying stuff. Task lists? They practically write themselves now, straight from meeting notes, thanks to Notion AI or Asana.
Some examples:
- Project management automation. Automatically create new project folders, naming conventions, and subfolders as soon as a new client or campaign kicks off.
- Task organization. Generate action lists or project plans directly from meeting summaries or briefs. Tools like Zapier, Notion AI, or Asana's Smart Fields make this surprisingly easy.
- Content development automation. Use spreadsheet-based prompts to create structured content that fits platform-specific rules, like:
=AI("Write primary text (125 chars or less) for " & A2 & " using " & B2 & ". Return on a single line.")- This helps generate social copy that automatically fits within channel requirements, saving tons of editing time later.
And when I need social copy, I use spreadsheet prompts so AI spits out text that actually fits the rules for each platform. It saves me a ton of time (and headaches) later. Add up all these little shortcuts, and suddenly I've got actual time back for the stuff I enjoy.
3. Drafting Strategy Decks (with a Little AI Collaboration)
AI has become my creative co-strategist when it comes to building decks and presentations.
I'll often start with an Otter transcript or a client brief, feed that context into ChatGPT or Claude, and ask for a draft deck outline. From there, I refine the narrative and then go back and forth with AI to pressure-test the logic, tighten the story, and polish phrasing.
That iterative conversation is where the magic happens. It's a dialogue that helps push my thinking, challenge assumptions, and get to a sharper strategy faster.
From there, I'll even ask AI to suggest visuals, layout options, or slide structures; tools like Gamma, Beautiful.ai, or even Miro's AI Assist make it easy to turn a rough draft into something visually engaging.
The key isn't to replace the creative process; it's to accelerate it.
4. Creating Visuals with AI
Designing stuff used to mean endless back-and-forth. Now, with AI, I can whip up images that fit a client's brand or mood in minutes. At FTF, we've got an AI Creative Studio setup. We use it to either create brand-new assets or remix what we already have. Campaign images, social graphics, e-comm mockups; AI makes it all faster and easier, and we don't have to worry about losing that brand vibe.
- Creating from scratch. When you need net-new creative assets built entirely from a brief or concept.
- Reimagining from inspiration. When you have existing visuals, themes, or moodboards that need to be expanded or remixed.
Whether it's campaign imagery, e-commerce mockups, or social assets, AI helps us tell stories visually at a pace that was unthinkable even a year ago, without sacrificing quality or brand integrity.
5. AI Off The Clock
AI's not just for work. I use it for all kinds of personal stuff too. At work, I'll let AI scan reports, sum up long docs, or give me fresh campaign ideas. It even helps me make sense of data, so I'm not stuck decoding spreadsheets for hours.
At home, AI plans my meals, helps with calorie counts, suggests vacation spots, and even helps polish up my resume or LinkedIn. Anything that saves me time or makes life simpler? I'm here for it.
At the end of the day, AI's just a really handy helper. It takes the stress out of the little things, so I can focus on what really matters, or maybe just enjoy an extra coffee break.
6. A Few Lessons Learned
After experimenting with AI across so many areas, a few guiding principles have stuck with me:
- Be specific. The clearer your input, the better your output.
- Use the right tool for the right job. Not every prompt belongs in ChatGPT. Try Claude for nuance, Gemini for visuals, or Otter for transcription.
- Treat it like a collaborator. Ask questions, refine, iterate.
- Never skip the human edit. AI drafts; you revise.
An AI Strategy That's Built for the Future
AI isn't replacing creative work; it's reframing it. It's helping us move faster, think broader, and deliver smarter, but the best results come when we bring our expertise, empathy, and intuition to the table too.
If you've been curious about using AI in your own workflow, start small. Pick one repetitive task, one messy process, or one creative challenge, and experiment. Let AI do the heavy lifting, and then make it yours.