How to revolutionize your market segmentation with genAI

What if I told you the most powerful use of generative AI isn’t content creation, but rather, it’s strategic planning? 

I will prove it to you in this practical demonstration, where I show you how to leverage my favorite AI models (Claude, ChatGPT and Perplexity) to transform your approach to market segmentation. 

Traditional segmentation approaches are limited by individual bias and time-consuming research. By using AI strategically, we can move beyond basic demographic segmentation to uncover unique market opportunities that might otherwise be overlooked.

In this walkthrough, I introduce an innovative “meta-prompting” methodology, where one AI model helps craft optimal prompts for others, creating a more comprehensive and validated segmentation analysis. 

Unlike traditional methods that might rely on a single consultant’s perspective or limited market research, this AI-driven approach provides multiple viewpoints simultaneously. In other words, it’s like having several strategic consultants at the table. 

This process helps marketers cast a wider net during the ideation phase, ensuring no valuable segments are missed before moving into targeting and positioning.

What makes this approach particularly valuable is its ability to not just identify segments, but to predict their potential profitability based on current market trends. 

I’m going to show you how to iteratively refine segments, validate findings across multiple AI models, and blend AI insights with human expertise and company data. This creates a more robust, efficient and forward-looking segmentation process that can be especially valuable when launching new products or refreshing existing market strategies.

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Key takeaways

• You can use multiple AI models to validate your segmentation findings and avoid blind spots.
• Start with “meta-prompting,” using one AI model to write better prompts for others.
• Look beyond demographics to uncover value-driven segments.
• Leverage AI’s predictive capabilities to evaluate segment profitability.
• Combine AI insights with your industry expertise and company data.
• Iterate and refine your segments through follow-up questions.
• Don’t forget to bring your own expertise and reaction to the AI-generated insights.
• Consider using the pro versions of AI tools for the most up-to-date and comprehensive results.

Dig deeper: How to use ChatGPT to simulate martech tools and marketing strategy

See the prompts

First meta-prompt:

Please help me write an initial prompt for ChatGPT and Perplexity that will help me begin the segmentation process for my AI marketing consulting business. The goal is to ideate on as many potential segments as possible before beginning the targeting or selection process. Ask me any questions that will help you provide the most valuable output.

Claude’s response:

I’ll help you craft an effective prompt for segmentation ideation. First, let me ask a few key questions to better understand your business context:

What specific types of AI consulting services do you currently offer or plan to offer? (For example: AI strategy, implementation, training, specific AI applications, etc.)

This will help us ensure the segmentation prompt generates relevant customer groups that align with your service capabilities.

Final prompt for Perplexity, ChatGPT, and Claude:

I need help brainstorming potential market segments for an AI marketing consulting business with the following parameters:

Services: AI marketing strategy, training, and consulting with expertise in content marketing and experiential marketing

Geographic focus: English-speaking clients in North America, UK, and Europe

Goal: Generate comprehensive list of potential customer segments before evaluation/selection

Please provide an extensive list of potential segments considering the following dimensions:

• Company characteristics (size, industry, business model, etc.).
• AI/Marketing maturity levels.
• Specific marketing pain points or goals.
• Content/experiential marketing needs.
• Buying behavior and decision-making processes.
• Budget/investment capacity.

For each dimension, provide both obvious and non-obvious segment possibilities. Include rationale for why each segment might be valuable to consider.

After listing segments by dimension, suggest interesting cross-segment combinations that might reveal unique niches.

Follow-up meta-prompt:

This prompt worked great. Now I need a follow up prompt that will ask the LLM to predict which identified segments will be the most profitable based upon AI trends over the last six months or so.

Final meta-prompt:

Based on the segments identified in our previous analysis, evaluate which would likely be most profitable for an AI marketing consultancy focused on generative AI for content marketing. Consider recent trends (past 6 months) in:

Content creation and strategy needs:

• Which segments are facing the biggest content scaling challenges?
• Who has the highest content production costs?
• Which segments are most actively experimenting with AI content tools?

Budget and ROI factors:

• Which segments have demonstrated willingness to invest in AI content solutions?
• Where is the gap between AI expertise and content needs greatest?
• Which segments have the most compelling ROI case for AI content automation?

Competitive dynamics:

• Which segments are underserved by existing AI marketing consultants?
• Where is there growing demand but limited expert support?
• Which segments are actively seeking guidance on AI content strategy?

For each promising segment, please:

• Rank potential profitability (High/Medium/Low)
• Identify key trends supporting the profitability assessment
• Note any time-sensitive opportunities or first-mover advantages
• Highlight potential challenges or barriers to serving this segment
• Prioritize segments where recent trends suggest both immediate need and long-term growth potential.

Would you like me to:

• Add specific generative AI tools/capabilities to consider?
• Include other trend dimensions?
• Focus on particular aspects of content marketing?

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