Quick Answer
For search, voice, and "just tell me what to do".
Instead of static personas, create a living model: a shared document fed by real customer language, with AI summarizing patterns weekly.
Key Takeaways:
- Personas should be behavior + context, not demographics.
- Use real data: calls, emails, comments, support tickets.
- Keep personas tied to offers and stages of awareness.
- Update monthly to avoid stale assumptions.
Playbook
Collect raw data: 20 sales call notes, 50 emails, 100 comments/reviews.
Ask AI to cluster: goals, fears, misconceptions, buying triggers, language.
Create a persona sheet: JTBD, objections, proof needs, preferred channels.
Add 'message tests': hooks and CTAs that match the persona's words.
Update on a schedule (monthly) as new data arrives.
Common Pitfalls
- Basing personas on imagination or internal opinions.
- Using one persona for multiple distinct offers.
- Not storing original quotes (you lose the language advantage).
Metrics to Track
CTR by persona
Reply rate
Conversion rate
Sales cycle length
FAQ
What makes a persona 'living'?
It's updated regularly from new customer language and behavior data, so your messaging evolves with the market instead of freezing in time.
What data should I use first?
Start with sales calls and emails. They contain the highest-intent language and the clearest objections to address.
How many personas do I need?
Often 1–3 per offer. Fewer is better if each persona has clear behaviors, objections, and triggers you can tailor messaging to.
Related Reading
Next: browse the hub or explore AI Operations.