Blind Model Test LIVE: Audience Participation & Polls | Chatbot Builder AI

Imagine transforming your business communications with AI-powered chatbots that not only handle customer interactions but also engage your audience in fun, unexpected ways.

That’s exactly what we dove into during a recent live session where we tested AI models in real time, engaged the audience with polls, and launched a groundbreaking lead generation campaign using AI-generated superhero-style profile images.

This article breaks down how we did it, the lessons learned, and how you can leverage similar strategies to boost your chatbot platform’s engagement and lead gen success.

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From Front Desk to AI Frontlines: The Personal Story Behind the Strategy

Before diving into the cutting-edge AI tools, it’s essential to understand the roots of this approach. The journey began with a simple front desk job at a Hilton hotel during college.

Handling phones, managing reservations, and learning the hospitality business inside out provided invaluable insights into customer service challenges—especially the constant balancing act between in-person guests and phone inquiries.

These early experiences fueled the idea of using AI chatbots to ease the burden on front desk agents, especially when overwhelmed with calls.

Imagine a professor role-playing as a front desk agent, bombarded with calls from a large audience, unable to keep up.

Enter the AI agent, which can answer calls simultaneously without breaking a sweat, providing consistent, personalized responses.

This real-world problem-solving mindset is at the core of chatbot development: using AI not just as a novelty, but as a tangible tool to improve business operations.

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Why Personalization and the Human Touch Still Matter in AI

Even with AI’s rise, the personal touch remains king.

The hospitality industry teaches us that creating memorable impressions through personalization is the "big unlock."

"At the end of the day, I still am a big believer of what got me into the hospitality world… making an impression on people with personalization, that personal touch."

AI can handle volume and complexity, but the magic happens when it mimics the grace and empathy of a skilled human, especially when dealing with difficult situations or irate customers.

The goal is not to replace humans but to empower them to focus on what matters most while AI handles repetitive or high-volume tasks.

Launching a Surprise-and-Delight Lead Generation Campaign

The highlight of the session was building a surprise-and-delight lead generation campaign using AI-powered image editing. The concept was simple yet powerful:

• Post a Facebook lead gen post asking users to comment.
• Automatically capture the commenter’s profile photo.
• Use AI (Google Gemini LLM) to transform their photo into a Pixar-style superhero image, reflecting a positive vibe and their comment.
• Reply publicly with the enhanced image as a surprise.
• Send a private message inviting them to share their email for further engagement.

This approach leverages the power of meaningful comments, which are highly valued by social media algorithms, to boost organic reach and engagement.

It also creates a memorable, personalized interaction that makes users feel like “the boss and the bomb,” enhancing brand affinity.

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Crafting the Perfect Engagement Post

Using AI to help write the Facebook post copy, we tested hooks like:

• "If your business had a superpower, what would it be?"
• "Ever wondered what your superhero alter ego looks like?"
• "What secret AI superpower would you want?"

The goal was to spark curiosity without giving away the surprise, enticing qualified business owners and agency entrepreneurs to engage.

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Behind the Scenes: How It Works

Technically, the campaign runs on a two-flow system:

1. Public Reply Flow: When a user comments, the system grabs their profile picture and saves it to a custom field. It then uses the Gemini LLM to edit the image into a Pixar-style hero portrait, incorporating the user's comment for personality.
2. Private Reply Flow: After the public surprise, the user receives a personalized private message encouraging them to share their email. Upon providing it, the system generates a “Welcome to CBB Nation” crowned Pixar image, further deepening the relationship.

This smart automation not only drives engagement but also builds an email list for ongoing marketing efforts.

Handling Challenges and Learning from Failures

Not everything went smoothly. Attempts to generate superhero images using Google AI Studio hit roadblocks due to content policy restrictions.

The AI sometimes refused to create images with words like "superhero" or "superman," resulting in failed generations or poor-quality outputs.

Luckily, the team pivoted by using images provided by community members and layering branded logos on top, maintaining the campaign’s momentum.

This experience highlights the importance of flexibility and creativity when integrating AI tools, as well as the need to anticipate potential limitations in content generation platforms.

Maximizing Ad Performance with Targeted Audiences and Engagement

The campaign was boosted with a carefully chosen target audience:

• Age range from 21 to 65+ to target serious business owners and agency entrepreneurs.
• Geographic targeting across North America including the US, Canada, and Mexico.
• Interest targeting on social media, digital marketing, AI computing, and influencer-based interests like Gary Vee and Snoop Dogg.
• Income targeting to reach higher-value prospects likely to invest in AI chatbot solutions.

These parameters ensured the ad reached qualified leads who are most likely to benefit from and engage with Chatbot Builder AI’s platform.

Controlling Usage and Managing Resources

With AI image generation being resource-intensive, the team implemented limits to prevent abuse:

• Users can generate up to five images per day.
• After hitting the limit, they are politely informed and encouraged to return the next day.
• Automated resets occur after 23 hours to optimize system performance.

This balance ensures users have a great experience while protecting system resources.

Community Engagement and Real-Time Results

The campaign quickly gained traction, accumulating over 35 comments within 40 minutes.

Community members shared their Pixar-style images, sparking excitement and further engagement.

The host personally interacted with commenters, adding a human touch to the AI-powered campaign.

This blend of technology and genuine connection is a key takeaway for anyone looking to build engaged audiences in the AI era.

Key Takeaways and What You Can Do Next

• Leverage Personal Stories: Ground your AI strategies in real-world problems and experiences to make them relatable and impactful.
• Personalize with AI: Use AI not just for automation but to deliver personalized, memorable experiences that delight your audience.
• Design Surprise-and-Delight Campaigns: Create engaging lead gen tactics that reward interactions with fun, unexpected surprises.
• Be Ready to Pivot: AI tools have limitations; be creative and flexible in overcoming content and policy challenges.
• Target Smartly: Use precise ad targeting and audience segmentation to maximize your budget and attract quality leads.
• Implement Usage Controls: Protect your AI resources by setting sensible limits on usage.
• Engage Authentically: Combine AI automation with genuine human interaction to build trust and community.

Ready to try your own AI-powered chatbot campaign?

Start by identifying a real pain point in your business or industry, then build a fun, interactive lead gen strategy that leverages AI’s personalization and automation capabilities.

Remember, it’s not just about the technology—it’s about making your customers feel like superheroes in their own right.

For more insights and tutorials on chatbot building and AI integration, join the growing community at Chatbot Builder AI and share your experiences!