After almost 100 episodes of the AI Six podcast, I’ve decided to share the five top AI skills you need right now.
Hello and welcome to the AI Six podcast. I do the hard work on AI so you don’t have to.
In this episode, I’m breaking down the top five AI skills I believe every marketer, creative, and comms professional needs to thrive in 2025 and beyond. These aren’t theoretical trends; they’re real, practical, and already transforming how I work every day. Whether you’re just starting your AI journey or levelling up, these five skills will give you the edge.
Skill 1: Prompt Engineering: The New Writing Superpower
Prompting isn’t just typing in questions, it’s the art of guiding AI to give you exactly what you need.
Think of it like briefing the world’s smartest assistant. Want tone-perfect copy? A 10-slide deck in minutes? A translation that actually sounds human? That all starts with a good prompt.
I teach my clients to treat prompts like briefs: give it context, tone, and examples. And remember: iterate. Prompting is a dialogue, not a one-shot.
Try this: “Rewrite this paragraph in a confident, conversational tone for LinkedIn, limited to 100 words. The target audience is senior comms professionals.”
Skill 2: Automating Workflows – Reclaim Your Time
AI isn’t just about content. It’s about time.
From inbox summaries to social media scheduling, you can use tools like Zapier, Make, or Notion AI to remove repetitive admin.
In one radio station I worked with, we automated their show prep and promo asset creation using a blend of Whisper AI, Descript, and Canva, saving the team hours every week.
Quick win: Use ChatGPT + Zapier to auto-generate captions when you upload a video to Google Drive.
Skill 3: Content Creation with AI: Faster, Not Faker
Content isn’t dead. But bad content is.
With tools like Opus Clip, Descript, and Adobe Enhance, you can produce scroll-stopping video and audio with minimal gear.
But here’s the thing: AI is here to enhance, not replace. Your voice, your opinion, your human edge, that’s what matters.
My tip: Repurpose your long-form content into 10 micro-content pieces with the help of AI, and batch it. Speed is your new creative currency.
Skill 4: AI for Lead Generation: Smarter Funnels, Not Spam
The days of cold DMs and clunky emails are over. AI can help you research leads, personalise outreach, and even write better follow-ups.
I use LinkedUp Sales and ChatGPT to research prospects, create high-converting message sequences, and test what’s working. Its data meets empathy.
Example: “Summarise this person’s LinkedIn profile and write a personalised message introducing my AI marketing course, keeping it concise and benefit-led.”
Skill 5: Creating Custom GPTs – Build Your AI Sidekick
Imagine having an AI trained in your voice, your brand, and your workflows. That’s what Custom GPTs allow.
I’ve built Custom GPTs for course delivery, podcast prep, and even content strategy. It’s like having a mini-me that never gets tired.
If you’re creating repeatable content, writing in a specific voice, or onboarding clients, this is a game-changer.
Prompt: “Create a Custom GPT that acts as a brand tone checker for social media posts. It should align with a friendly, expert, and clear voice.”
So those are my top five. You don’t need to master all of them overnight. But start with one — the one that speaks to your biggest pain point.
AI isn’t about doing everything. It’s about doing the right things, better.
And remember, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or excited (or both), you’re not alone. That’s why I started the AI Six podcast: to make sense of all this, together.
So, a final reminder, you need to master:
- Prompt Engineering
- Automating Workflows
- Content Creation with AI
- AI for Lead Generation
- Creating Custom GPTs
About the Podcast Host
Joanne Sweeney is a specialist in public-sector marketing and digital communications. She’s the author of Public Sector Marketing Pro and the creator of the Professional Diploma in AI for Public Sector Marketing. With years of experience in training, consulting, and advocating for digital transformation, Joanne provides insight and guidance for government agencies navigating the digital landscape. She is also the host of the award-winning Public Sector Marketing Show podcast.
