Problem Statement
The core problem was two-fold: 1) Demonstrating the precision of Sprinklr's native AI to a broad marketing audience in a tangible, instant-value way, and 2) Creating a high-value, low-friction tool that could consistently generate high-quality, top-of-funnel leads for our Sales team.
The Design and Execution Challenge
Our primary challenge was translating the complex logic of a high-end AI model into a simple, three-step user interface. We had to balance the power of the AI—which requires rich context about topic, audience, and tone—with the user's need for a tool that delivered instant gratification.
Iteration and Alignment
Developing the free AI tool demanded constant alignment between design and engineering. I partnered closely with the AI+ team to interpret their technical needs and translate them into a simple, intuitive user flow. Our earliest concept included five separate input fields, but usability testing revealed that the complexity would deter users. Through several design iterations, we streamlined the interface to three concise inputs—Post Description, Audience Definition, and Tone—which struck the right balance between context and efficiency.
Working with the Marketing team surfaced another key challenge: lead capture. Their initial proposal involved a detailed, multi-step form. I reasoned that this level of friction would discourage engagement, especially for a free utility. We ultimately adopted a phased entry model, where a single email field unlocked full access. This approach preserved the product’s ease of use while still satisfying marketing’s data goals.
The Strategic Change: Tone as a Differentiator
Our strategic challenge was showing how Sprinklr's AI was superior to generic generators. This led to a key design pivot: emphasizing Tone as a mandatory input (e.g., Professional, Empathetic, Bold). This was a conscious decision to showcase the AI's sophistication—its ability to generate hashtags that support a brand’s voice and personality, not just its subject matter. This single move elevated the free tool into a powerful demonstration of our underlying AI differentiation.
Product Thinking: Expanding Utility
While the tool excels at generation, its strategic weakness is its lack of post-generation guidance. To bridge the gap between the free tool and the paid platform, I propose adding a "Post Performance Predictor" feature. This would use Sprinklr AI+ to run a quick, hypothetical analysis on the generated hashtags, offering instant feedback like: "These hashtags could increase your post reach by 15-20% but will face high competition." This transforms the generator into a miniature analytics suite, creating a tangible link between the free utility and the predictive power of the full Sprinklr platform.
Outcome
The final execution of the Hashtag Generator was a resounding success, establishing the tool as a reliable lead magnet and AI showcase:
Lead Generation: The tool achieved a healthy session-to-lead conversion rate that successfully established a robust, high-quality pipeline for the Sales team.
AI Adoption: The inclusion of the Tone input was widely appreciated, effectively demonstrating the precision and sophistication of Sprinklr AI+ to the target market.
User Adoption: The simplified, low-friction design ensured a high rate of successful hashtag generation and user compliance with the three-step input process.
