
As an email marketer, your job is a tough one: trying to send the right message, to the right person, at the perfect moment. And reaching this goal is as hard as catching unicorns - you may do everything right, prepare for every possible condition, polish your segments and emails, and still miss the target. Mostly, because unicorns are magical beasts so you will need an equally powerful help. You will need the “magic” of AI.
But, let's get real here, the stakes are high. AI is no longer something you can choose. It is a technology you need to run your business.The generative AI market is projected to grow from $8 billion in 2021 to over $110 billion by 2030, and companies already utilising these tools report a25% increase in customer engagement alongside a30% reduction in operational costs. The time for consideration has already passed. Now you need to act.
So, if you are still building segments manually, or worse - building them based on outdated scoring, you not only waste your time but also miss the target by miles. So, before you start the “hunt”, equip yourself with a helper. In this article we will explore how to use AI Sidekick to replace hours of manual execution with minutes of intelligent automation, turning your Customer Data Platform (CDP) into a revenue-generating marketing automation machine.
The Problem: The "Growth Ceiling" of Manual Segmentation
So why do so many brands still seem to be stuck in the dark ages, relying on the "spray and pray" approach, even though everyone knows that segmented campaigns drive real results? The answer lies in a fundamental clash between ambition and execution.
Manual segmentation imposes a "growth ceiling" on your business through three distinct paralysing factors:
The data trap: Traditional segmentation is all stuck in the past. You export a CSV on Monday morning, you clean it on Tuesday and then you send out the campaign on Thursday. And by then, your customer has already bought something from a competitor or lost all interest. Manual segments are obsolete the moment they're created, failing to capture that real-time intent that drives actual conversions.
The complexity barrier: Defining high-value micro-segments—such as "customers who viewed winter coats > 3 times in the last 7 days but haven't purchased" - can be a total nightmare. You need complex boolean logic, or at least a bit of SQL knowledge. And that technical hurdle just forces agile marketers to rely on data analysts, turning a 5 minute idea into a 5 day ticket.
The content bottleneck: And this is the silent killer of personalisation. Even if you can identify five distinct micro-segments, you're still faced with the impossible task of writing unique, on-brand copy and visuals for each one. For most lean marketing teams, that triples the workload, and makes "one-size-fits-all" the only way to survive.
So, you've got the data, but you just can't unlock it. You're technically "segmenting", but you're not really engaging at the same speed as your customers.
The Solution: AI Sidekick as Your Virtual Partner In Crime
AI Sidekick isn't just a feature, it's an intelligent layer that's been integrated right into the SALESmanago platform. And it makes use of all the latest and greatest algorithms and Natural Language Processing (NLP) tech to bridge the gap between raw data and creative output.
It flips your role on its head, from data wrangler to marketer. Instead of fiddling with filters and filter lists, you just use natural language to describe the audience you want to target. And instead of staring at a blank screen trying to think of the perfect words, you use AI to generate engaging content and brand-aligned images instantly.
Comparison: Traditional Workflow vs. AI Sidekick
| Feature | Traditional Manual Workflow | AI Sidekick Workflow |
|---|---|---|
| Segmentation | Requires manual selection of filters, inclusion/exclusion logic, and deep platform knowledge. | Natural Language Processing: Simply type "Contacts from Spain who clicked an email in the last 30 days". |
| Content Creation | Manual copywriting and translation for multiple languages. High risk of writer's block. | Generative AI: Instantly drafts, translates, and rephrases content for different audiences and tones. |
| Visuals | Reliance on stock photos or waiting for the graphics team. | Image Generation: Creates stunning, brand-aligned images and edits them on the fly. |
| Optimisation | Subjective guessing or A/B testing that takes days to yield results. | Predictive scoring: "Rate my content" feature provides immediate feedback on clarity and engagement potential. |
Practical Guide: How to Deploy AI Sidekick
Here is your step-by-step guide to launching a hyper-targeted campaign in minutes, not days.
Step 1: Segment by "Talking" to Your Data
Forget the complexity of drag-and-drop builders for ad-hoc campaigns. Use the Natural Language Processing capabilities in the Segmentation Center.
Open the Segmentation Center in SALESmanago.
Type your request. Describe the group you want to target in plain English (or any other language).
Prompt Example: "Contacts from Spain who opened any email in the last 30 days but did not make a purchase".
Let AI Build It. AI Sidekick translates your text into specific selectors (including inclusions and exclusions) instantly.
One-Click Application. Review the automatically generated name and description, then apply the segment immediately.
The Result: You have a highly specific, active audience ready for retargeting without touching a single manual filter.

Step 2: Generate Targeted Copy in Seconds
Now that you have your segment (e.g., "Engaged Non-Buyers"), you need a message that resonates.
Open the Email Design Studio.
Activate AI Sidekick. Select the "Generate content" tool.
Input your Goal. Tell the AI what you need.
Prompt Example: "Write a short, urgent email offering a 10% discount to customers who have been browsing winter coats. Use a friendly, persuasive tone."
Refine and Polish. Use the "Rewrite" function to adjust the tone or the "Catchy phrase" tool for subject lines. Finally, use "Rate my email" to get an objective score on clarity and engagement potential before you hit send.
Step 3: Create Custom Visuals on the Fly
Visuals drive engagement, but stock photos often feel generic.
Select the Image Widget in the email editor.
Describe your Vision. Ask AI Sidekick to create an image that matches your specific campaign theme.
Prompt Example: "A cozy winter scene with a stylish coat, soft lighting, photorealistic style."
Generate and Edit. The AI creates unique, brand-aligned images in seconds. You can even edit or add AI-generated alt text directly within the tool.
Step 4: Optimise Channel & Timing
Don't just guess when to send; let the data decide.
Best Channel Selection: Use AI to determine if this specific segment prefers Email, SMS, or Web Push, ensuring you reach them where they are most likely to convert.
Send at the Perfect Moment: Leverage historical data to schedule the campaign at the optimal time for engagement.
Conclusion: Speed is Your New Strategy
By adopting AI Sidekick, you aren't just saving time; you are unlocking a new level of agility. You can now run micro-segmented campaigns that used to take days in just a few minutes.
While85% of leaders anticipate a productivity boom, the real win goes to those who can actually implement it without any hassle. AI Sidekick lets you get a grip on a powerful marketing tool without having to invest loads of time in learning the ropes. It basically gives your marketing team a whole new engine for growth - one that you can just plug into your dashboard and start using.
Ready to see the difference? Go to your SALESmanago dashboard and start your first AI-powered segmentation today.
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