Notes from the Helix team

Field notes.

Practical notes on AI GTM operations, audits, signals, and content systems. We run Helix on Helix first - what works ends up here.

LatestJun 6, 20264 min readJenna Maroney

AI Share of Voice Explained: Why a Low Number Might Be Fine

Your AI share of voice percentage needs context. A low number could be exactly right for your market position.

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Jun 6, 20265 min readJustin Henriksen

AI Lead Generation Tools: What ROI Actually Looks Like

Most SMBs measure AI lead gen wrong. The real ROI comes from embedding AI SDR agents into your site to qualify visitors who are already interested, not from spraying more outbound messages.

Jun 5, 20264 min readAda Mendez

Fractional AI Officers: When to Hire One

Most SMBs should start with an AI consultant engagement before committing to ongoing fractional support. Here's how to decide which path fits your stage.

Jun 5, 20264 min readMatt Merrill

Keep Brand Voice When You Scale With AI

Six months in, your AI content library sounds nothing like you. Here is how to fix that before it gets worse.

Jun 4, 20264 min readAda Mendez

Your AI Content Is Only As Good As Your Brief

Brafton's research shows that marketers who add context and constraints to prompts get better output and spend less time editing. Here's what that looks like in practice.

Jun 3, 20264 min readJenna Maroney

AI Can Destroy Brand Trust Fast

Using AI as your company voice compromises your strongest leverage. Here is how SMBs can avoid ai brand trust risks and keep automation from ruining their reputation.

Jun 2, 20263 min readJustin Henriksen

39 Marketing Automation Statistics for 2026: What SMBs Actually Need to Know

GTM8020 compiled 39 statistics on marketing automation for 2026. Here's what matters for SMBs running lean GTM stacks and trying to improve ROI without adding headcount.

Jun 2, 20263 min readJustin Henriksen

AI Sales Agents for SMBs: What Actually Works

Stop hiring junior SDRs to burn through leads. AI sales agents handle the grueling outreach and follow-up so your small business can close deals without the overhead.

Jun 1, 20263 min readMatt Merrill

AI Personalization in Marketing Automation: What SMBs Actually Need to Know

AI personalization is now accessible for SMBs. Here's how to use customer behavior data to deliver personalized experiences without a massive tech stack.

Jun 1, 20264 min readJustin Henriksen

2026 Is When AI Marketing Automation Actually Pays Off

InsiderOne calls 2026 the tipping point for AI marketing automation ROI. Here's what that actually means for SMBs running lean GTM stacks.

May 30, 20264 min readJustin Henriksen

Microsoft Advertising AI Max: What SMBs Should Actually Test

Microsoft's Activate 2026 event unveiled AI Max and several ad platform upgrades. Here's what SMB advertisers should test now and what to ignore.

May 30, 20265 min readMatt Merrill

AI Handles Execution. Judgment Just Got More Valuable.

Forbes Councils nailed it: AI automates execution work, which means your judgment calls matter more. Here's what SMBs should do with that insight.

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