During a Gold Rush, Sell Shovels
A personal letter from Paul Chaney, AI Marketing Ethics Digest publisher.
"Selling shovels during a gold rush" is a phrase that originated during the California gold rush of the mid-19th century. It refers to the idea that while many prospectors failed to make money panning for gold, those who sold them tools and supplies profited handsomely.
Few can doubt that the evolution of generative AI, fostered by its poster child ChatGPT, is a booming trend of “gold rush” proportions on which marketers are trying to capitalize.
Our goal with the AI Marketing Ethics Digest (AIMED) is to provide "shovels" through AI marketing ethics insights, advice, news updates, and resources.
We are not out to get rich from this trend but profit another way — to become the newsletter of record on AI ethics and its impact on marketing practices and how marketers can use AI ethically in their campaigns.
To fully embody the “selling shovels” idiom, we plan to develop even more practical tools and resources, including:
Templates
Checklists
Training modules
Links to software solutions that help subscribers implement ethical practices in their marketing efforts.
Other plans on the drawing board include:
Partnerships. Partner with companies that develop AI tools and offer ethical audits or consultations.
Interactive Content. Webinars, workshops, and interactive Q&A sessions.
Community Building. Nurture a community where subscribers can share experiences, ask questions, and get peer support.
Premium Services. Introduce premium services like personalized ethics audits, exclusive reports, and one-on-one consultations.
Other Industry Sectors. Branch out other newsletters focusing on industry sectors like healthcare, education, and human resources.
While we believe focusing on AI ethics as it applies to marketing is still on the horizon, we know the time will come when it's front and center. If AIMED can be a beneficial resource when that happens, we will have achieved our goal.
We Cherish Your Support
For those interested, there are several ways you can support our efforts:
Become a premium subscriber.
Gift others with a premium subscription.
Share weekly issues with friends and colleagues.
Join the Leaderboard by referring others and receiving rewards.
Whether or not you choose any of those options, you honor us by being a subscriber — and you have our sincerest thanks.
Respectfully,
Paul Chaney, Publisher
AI Marketing Ethics Digest