Roll Up Your Sleeves and Figure It Out: Why Curiosity Wins in the Age of AI

In today’s world of marketing and business, the ability to figure things out on the fly is more valuable than ever. Just ask Joanne Gore, who in Chapter 5 of her book Thriving in Chaos: Lessons Learned as a Corporate Marketer, shares how her curious nature launched her into the world of tech and how she turned every unfamiliar tool into an opportunity. 

From mastering phototypesetters and floppy disks to coding, Joanne’s passion for learning fast didn’t just get her through the chaos, it helped her thrive in it. And now, 30 years later, that same mindset is essential as we face one of the most transformational tools of our time. You guessed it: Artificial Intelligence. 

AI Isn’t Just a Trend — It’s a Transformation 

Many marketers today are staring down AI with a mix of excitement and confusion. The good news? You don’t need to be an AI expert. You just need to be curious (and willing to roll up your sleeves). 

No learned skill goes to waste. — Joanne Gore 

That line hits even harder in the age of AI. Whether it’s touch typing, coding, content writing, or strategic thinking, every skill you’ve developed can now be augmented, not replaced, by AI tools.  

In her recent presentation at Graphics Canada, Joanne outlined how marketers can harness AI as a 24/7 junior team member. Here are her top five AI tips for better business results:  

Tip #1: Prompt Like a Pro 

Writing great prompts is like writing a great brief. The clearer you are, the better your results. 

Try this: Write a 100-word LinkedIn post promoting interactive print. Use a professional but enthusiastic tone and end with a question to drive engagement. Make your instructions actionable and specific. And always check the output for factual accuracy. AI doesn’t fact-check unless you tell it to.  

Tip #2: Train Your Tools 

AI works best when it knows you. Feed it your brand’s tone, your writing samples, and your preferences. For example, Joanne always avoids heavy jargon and ensures every piece ends with a strong call-to-action. By training AI on your content style and brand guidelines, you’ll save time and avoid rewriting drafts that don’t sound like you. 

Tip #3: Always Be Generating 

Let AI do the grunt work so you can focus on big-picture strategy. Use it to: 

• Summarize meeting notes 

• Draft emails 

• Repurpose blog posts into social content 

• Outline presentations 

• Create proposal templates 

Remember, it’s not about replacing creativity, it’s about freeing it. 

Tip #4: Spark Ideation 

When you’re stuck or need a fresh perspective, AI can help you brainstorm and refine ideas. Use it to test campaign hooks, A/B test subject lines, develop Ideal Customer Profiles, or analyze which pieces of content are resonating. You’ll be amazed what pops up when you throw a spark into the machine. 

Tip #5: Integrate AI into Your Workflow 

AI works best when it’s not an afterthought. Embed it into the tools you already use. There is space to use it in your CRM, your email platform, your project management system. When it’s part of the flow, you save hours and increase output without burnout. 

And if you missed her Graphic’s Canada presentation, or just want to go deeper, you’re in luck. JGC is hosting a free LinkedIn Live webinar on May 28 at 12pm EST.  

The webinar, titled How to Use AI to Boost Your Marketing Efforts, will walk you through practical ways AI can support your marketing work, from content creation to campaign planning, A/B testing, and even persona development.  

At JGC, we know AI is here to support marketers. And as print marketers, we understand how tough it can be to juggle everything from campaign planning to content creation to buyer engagement.  

We’ve worn all the hats, and we’re here to show you how AI can help you wear fewer. 

 🤸Joanne’s Tip for Better Business  

Make space every week to try a new tool, test an AI workflow, or learn a shortcut.  

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Want more marketing strategies backed by real-world experience? “Curiosity has yet to kill this cat.” —Joanne Gore 
Whether you’re exploring a new marketing platform or teaching AI your brand’s voice, one thing remains constant: your curiosity is your superpower.  

We hope to see you online on May 28th!  

This blog is brought to you by Chapter 5 of Thriving in Chaos: Lessons Learned as a Corporate Marketer, available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.