We’ve all come across AI-generated content that feels robotic—bland, generic, and utterly forgettable.
Other AI content is sharp, engaging, and nearly indistinguishable from human writing.
The difference between meh and mesmerizing is iteration.
Think of it as a collaboration. AI is like a powerful research assistant and brainstorming partner, but you need to keep giving it feedback to make it better–just as you would do with a human assistant or partner.
Many people make the mistake of treating AI like a search engine—enter a prompt, take the first response, and move on. But expert users know that the first answer is just a starting point.
They refine their prompts, give feedback, and fine-tune responses to turn mediocre results into exceptional ones.
Think of AI like a senior-level assistant who’s brilliant but can’t read your mind. It’s capable, but it needs guidance to understand exactly what you want.
The best part? Each new iteration takes only seconds to execute, a tiny investment in time that can pay off in big wins.
Watch the short demo video below to see how we approach generating a press release, then read on to learn why iteration is the key to getting the best results, along with some real-world examples.
How It Works
Here’s a breakdown of the video demo.
Because we’re using Media Shower’s AI Platform, the AI already knows all about our company. If you’re using another AI tool, you will need to give it more information.
We can begin by entering a simple prompt:
Prompt: “Media Shower wins Company of the Year award for the 10th year running.”
The AI generates a basic press release. It’s fine, but fine isn’t good enough. Instead of settling, you iterate:
Feedback: “Make it 100 words longer and include a quote from CEO John Hargrave.”
The AI revises, adding more substance. But you’re still not done.
Feedback: “Make the tone more enthusiastic and add a customer testimonial.”
Each tweak brings the draft closer to what you really need. This back-and-forth collaboration is how you get truly great results from AI.
How to Iterate with AI
To unlock AI’s full potential, make iteration–or collaboration–a habit. Here are some tips.
- Start broad, then refine. Give AI a general direction, then narrow it down with feedback.
- Be specific. The more details you provide, the better the results.
- Ask for alternatives. If the response isn’t quite right, request a new angle or format.
- Test different prompts. Small tweaks can lead to big improvements in output.
- Keep iterating. The first answer is rarely the best—treat AI like a creative partner, not an answer machine.
Real-World Examples
Let’s look at how two fictional businesses use iteration to get the most from their AI tools.
Example 1: Refining content ideas
BrightPath Consulting, a digital marketing agency, wants fresh content ideas for a SaaS client. Content manager Josh starts with a simple AI prompt:
Prompt: “Give me five blog post ideas for a SaaS startup looking to improve customer retention.”
The AI generates a decent list:
Josh knows the ideas could be better. So, he iterates:
Feedback: “Make the ideas more data-driven and include trending SaaS industry insights.”
The AI revises and responds with a much more compelling plan:
With a single iteration request, Josh transformed a generic list of blog ideas into a data-driven, industry-relevant content plan. The AI incorporated statistics, case studies, and SaaS retention trends, making the topics more compelling and actionable.
What started as a basic list evolved into a strategic, high-value content roadmap, giving BrightPath Consulting a stronger foundation for their marketing efforts.
Example 2: Perfecting AI-generated email campaigns
FreshBites, a meal kit delivery company, wants an engaging promotional email for their new plant-based meal kits. Growth marketer Jess starts with a straightforward request:
Prompt: “Write a promotional email for our new line of plant-based meal kits.”
The AI drafts a solid but generic email:
Jess thinks this pretty good, but it’s missing FreshBites’ playful brand voice, so she tweaks it:
Feedback: “Make it more conversational and engaging.”
The AI revises:
With iteration, the email becomes more compelling, on-brand, and persuasive.
Marketer Takeaway
To get the best results from AI, never settle for the first AI-generated response. Whether you’re brainstorming content ideas or crafting marketing materials, iteration is the key to getting AI to produce truly exceptional results.
Media Shower’s AI Platform helps you shape AI-generated content from rough draft to polished perfection. Click here for a free trial.
