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Author Archives: Holly

  1. Is AI Damaging or Helping Businesses in 2026?

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    In 2023, AI was a novelty.
    In 2024, it was an experiment.
    Now, in 2026, the question is no longer if you’re using AI, but how.

    As the technology matures, a clear divide is emerging. For some businesses, AI has become a genuine growth engine. For others, it’s quietly eroding quality, trust and differentiation.

    So where do you stand?

    Is AI truly helping your business thrive – or causing more harm than good?

    We see both sides of this debate every day. And the truth is far more nuanced than a simple yes or no. The critical distinction isn’t AI itself. It’s how it’s being implemented.

    The Damage of Generic AI

    Businesses were promised greater efficiency and innovation through AI.
    The reality for many has been a flood of mediocrity.

    Bland content.
    Uninspiring marketing.
    Robotic customer service.

    All churned out by generic, off-the-shelf tools.

    Diluted Brand Voice

    When AI is used to ghostwrite everything from social posts to blog articles without strategic human input, it strips away what makes a brand unique.

    Customers are increasingly adept at spotting AI generated content. When they do, trust drops and your brand starts to feel unauthentic. As we explored in our piece on the true power of social media, authenticity is paramount.

    Data Privacy & Security Risk

    Relying on public AI models can expose sensitive business data. Feeding proprietary information into systems not designed around your security protocols is a significant and often overlooked risk.

    Misleading Insights

    Generic AI, without tailored datasets or expert interpretation, can produce insights that are shallow or simply wrong. That leads to decisions based on flawed assumptions rather than real understanding.

    The Bottom Line

    AI doesn’t damage businesses. Unstrategic use of it does.

    Using generic tools to cut corners makes brands forgettable, weakens trust and kills the very creativity AI was meant to enhance.

    How +24 Utilise AI

    Forward thinking businesses aren’t just adopting AI.
    They’re architecting it.

    At +24, we move beyond chatbots and bolt on tools. We integrate bespoke AI solutions that quietly power our operations and give our clients a genuine competitive edge.

    Custom AI is built to:

    • Integrate seamlessly
    • Solve specific challenges
    • Unlock tailored opportunities

    Here’s how we’re doing it.

    Precision in Prediction

    Many businesses still rely on reactive forecasting – looking backwards to predict forwards.

    We use AI to analyse vast datasets and advanced algorithms to anticipate future trends with far greater accuracy. Research from industry experts at McKinsey shows that AI driven forecasting can reduce supply chain errors by 30-50%, leading to a 65% reduction in lost sales due to stockouts.

    We apply these principles across client projects:

    • Inventory systems that predict demand fluctuations
    • Marketing platforms that anticipate seasonal trends
    • Forecasting models built into real operational workflows

    Not generic plugins. Purpose built intelligence.

    Our Digital Junior: Streamlining the Small Stuff

    We treat AI as our ultimate “office junior” and “junior designer”.

    It handles repetitive, time consuming tasks so our senior team can focus on high level strategy and delivery.

    AI supports us with:

    • Rapid data collation and summarisation
    • Turning raw information into clear insights
    • Image cut-outs, background extensions and quick design fixes

    By automating low skill but essential work, we keep workflows lean, turnarounds fast and ensure your budget is spent on expert thinking, not manual labour.

    Hybrid Visual Creation: Beyond the “AI Look”

    AI image and video generation allows us to create assets that would otherwise be out of budget or physically impossible to capture.

    But using a simple prompt isn’t enough.

    The internet is already flooded with obvious “AI images”. We go much further.

    We integrate cutting edge generation tools directly into professional image manipulation and video editing workflows. Combined with human artistry, this produces visuals that are:

    • Unique
    • On brand
    • Convincing
    • High end

    We don’t generate images.
    We create bespoke visual content.

    So, Is AI Damaging or Helping Businesses in 2026?

    AI is damaging businesses that treat it as a shortcut, replacing strategy, creativity and authentic engagement.

    AI is helping businesses that treat it as infrastructure, a powerful, integrated system designed to enhance human capability and solve real problems.

    The winners in 2026 are investing in bespoke solutions and structural AI that forms the backbone of their operation.

    At +24, we stay ahead of the technology so you don’t have to. We find smarter ways to stretch budgets, sharpen brands and build systems that actually move the needle.

    If you’re ready to move beyond the chatbot and start building AI that genuinely drives your business forward, contact us today:

    info@24marketing.co.uk
    0333 344 7124

  2. 4 Essential Reasons Your Brand Strategy Must Prioritise Video

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    From the moment you scroll through Instagram to the second you land on YouTube, one thing is clear – video dominates. It’s now the most consumed and most rewarded content format across every major platform. And if your brand is still relying primarily on static images, here’s the reality: you’re already falling behind.

    Consumer behaviour has shifted. Platforms have shifted. Technology has shifted. The brands leading in engagement, visibility and conversion all have one thing in common: video at the centre of their strategy.

    Below are the four essential reasons video must take priority if you want your brand to stay competitive, visible and memorable in 2026.

    Your Pocket Potential

    One of the biggest misconceptions that keeps brands from creating video is the belief that you need high budget cameras, specialist lenses and a professional lighting setup. The truth? Most of the technical capabilities once reserved for production studios already exist in your smartphone, including:

    • 108MP primary sensors
    • Wide angle and telephoto lenses
    • 4K recording at 60fps
    • 240fps slow motion
    • HDR support for dynamic lighting
    • Optical image stabilisation
    • Manual pro-video controls

    Five years ago, these features were considered “professional kit.” Today, they’re standard.

    This matters because it removes the biggest barrier most brands face: starting. You don’t need to wait for an equipment upgrade. You don’t need a studio. You simply need consistency, creativity and the decision to hit record.

    By embracing the device already in your pocket, you unlock a level of content production that would’ve cost thousands not long ago – and that accessibility levels the playing field for businesses of every size.

    Algorithms Favouritism

    If you want to understand why video is non-negotiable, just look at the platforms themselves. Every major social channel has redesigned its algorithm to prioritise video over static content.

    Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri has openly stated that the platform is “no longer a photo-sharing app,” and the user data supports it – more than half of all time spent on Instagram is now on video.

    What this means in practice:

    • Static posts are deprioritised in the feed
    • Video receives significantly more reach and engagement
    • Platforms reward accounts that consistently post video
    • Your competitors’ videos will outrank your images – every time

    In fact:

    • Video posts can receive up to 2× more engagement than static posts
    • Brands using video report 93% ROI
    • TikTok’s average watch time continues to rise year on year
    • LinkedIn video posts generate higher dwell time, boosting ranking

    The takeaway? You can’t beat the algorithm, so align with it instead of working against it.

    Search Longevity

    Google, which owns YouTube, is increasingly favouring video content in search results. A well-optimised video is:

    • 53 x more likely to appear on the first page of Google than text alone
    • And unlike short lived social content, a single high quality video can:
    • Attract consistent organic traffic
    • Strengthen your website’s SEO
    • Build trust with high-intent customers
    • Improve dwell time – another SEO signal

    Think of video as a long-term digital asset.
    Your Instagram stories disappear.
    Your blog posts quietly fade.

    But your YouTube videos build momentum over time and continue working for you long after publication.

    Brands that produce informative, keyword driven video content often see traffic grow steadily for months, even years, because Google understands that users engage more deeply with video than any other content format.

    The Retention Power

    If your goal is to be remembered, video is your most powerful tool.

    Audiences retain:

    • 95% of what they learn in a video
    • Compared to just 10% when reading text

    This isn’t just a statistic – it’s a psychological advantage. Video combines visuals, audio, motion and emotion, making your message more memorable and more persuasive.

    Even more compelling:

    • Video is 1,200% more shareable than text and images combined

    This means video doesn’t just reach people, it moves them enough to act, respond and share. And in an era where attention is the ultimate currency, formats that inspire action are invaluable.

    Whether you’re explaining a service, showcasing a product, sharing a behind the scenes moment or building brand trust, video connects faster and deeper than any other medium.

    Time To Take Action

    The landscape is clear:

    • Platforms demand video
    • Audiences prefer video
    • SEO rewards video
    • Your phone can create video

    The gap between brands embracing video and those clinging to outdated content formats is widening rapidly. If you want to compete, grow and stay relevant, now is the moment to make video the priority – not an afterthought.

    At +24, we specialise in developing, filming and delivering full-stack video content strategies that maximise organic reach and drive measurable results. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to scale your output, we can help you turn video into your most powerful marketing asset.

    Contact us today: info@24marketing.co.uk | 0333 344 7124

  3. How Bespoke Software Solves Business Inefficiencies and Drives Growth

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    For many people, the word software sounds complicated. But the truth is, the best software does one simple thing – it solves problems. It’s not about lines of code or complex IT systems; it’s about finding smarter, faster ways to make your business run better.

    Every business faces similar challenges: data and information getting lost or overlooked, communications breaking down or departments misaligned on tasks and deadlines. All of this slows processes down. A bespoke software solution can transform those pain points into opportunities for growth.

    At +24, we rarely hear, “We need software.” What we hear is, “We need a better way to do this.” Whether it’s streamlining operations, automating tasks or organising data more effectively, the right software becomes the invisible engine behind your transformational growth.

    Why Bespoke Software Outperforms Off-the-Shelf Solutions

    Every business is unique, so why settle for one-size-fits-all systems? Off-the-shelf software often forces your team to work around its limitations, creating friction instead of removing it. Bespoke software does the opposite. By designing solutions around your business, we can tackle the exact challenges holding you back and free your team to focus on what they do best.

    How This Can impact Your Business

    When built strategically, bespoke software makes your processes smarter and faster. It can automate repetitive tasks, provide instant visibility into performance and connect every part of your business into one seamless ecosystem. The result is greater efficiency, fewer errors and more time spent on the work that actually drives growth.

    How We Turn Pain Points Into Progression

    Every successful software project starts with a problem – inefficient workflows, scattered data or bottlenecks slowing your team down. Once we’ve identified your pain points, we map your workflows to uncover where technology can deliver the greatest impact. From there, we design a system tailored to your business, streamlining your operations so your team can focus on what truly matters.

    Software That Grows With You

    We believe software should work for you, not the other way around. That’s why we don’t just build systems – we create solutions with you.

    From day one, we partner with your team to understand your challenges and goals, ensuring every feature has a purpose, every function adds value and every decision supports your growth strategy.

    Whether it’s optimising operations, automating workflows or enhancing customer experience, our bespoke software evolves with your business. As your needs change, we continue refining, optimising and innovating so your technology evolves as your business grows.

    Your next stage of growth could start with solving just one problem. So what are you waiting for? Let’s make it happen.

    Contact us today at info@24marketing.co.uk or call 0333 344 7124.