420 Tapping Into Tech: How Ben Frieders Uses AI to Elevate Water Treatment Marketing

“Continue to learn something new every day.”

What happens when a Navy-trained water chemistry expert dives into AI-powered marketing? You get Ben Frieders—Marketing and Business Development Manager at ChemREADY—who’s turning the tide on how water treatment professionals use tech.

Whether you’re still skeptical of AI or already exploring tools like ChatGPT, this episode offers a masterclass in practical, professional applications tailored for the water treatment world.

From the Navy to Water Treatment: Ben’s Story

Ben Frieders shares his journey from operating nuclear submarines to leading marketing at ChemREADY. His technical background in water chemistry uniquely shaped how he approaches strategy, and service.

The Power of Rising Tide Mastermind

Ben explains how a peer group like Rising Tide transformed his professional growth—giving him weekly accountability, mentorship, and a place to talk shop without explanation.

AI in Action: Real Tools, Real Impact

Ben discusses how ChemREADY uses:

ChatGPT for blog and email creation

Sora to generate custom videos

11 Labs to automate audio narration

And more, all while respecting quality control and intellectual property

Prompt Engineering Tips from a Pro

Ben offers his personal playbook for building effective prompts—from defining identity and goals to making AI ask you the right questions. He even shares how to make AI generate its own prompt for best results.

AI for Technical Data Analysis

Learn how Ben’s team uploads water treatment reports into ChatGPT to uncover trends, troubleshoot issues, and build insight-driven recommendations for clients.

Balancing Trust and Tech

Ben emphasizes that AI is just a tool—not a replacement for professionals. He shares how he uses AI to amplify strategy, not replace human judgment.

AI isn’t a shortcut—it’s a skill. Whether you’re in sales, marketing, service, or strategy, learning how to prompt and guide AI tools will set you apart in the water treatment industry.

Curious how your peers are using AI? Share your go-to tools and discoveries with us on LinkedIn. And if you haven’t yet, sign up for our newsletter to get bonus content and tools that go beyond the episode.

Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!

Timestamps

01:51 – Trace Blackmore shares insights on building client relationships, the value of communication, and recognizing your role in the water treatment industry

07:02 – Water You Know with James McDonald

08:26 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals

09:01 – Interview with Ben Frieders, Marketing and Business Development Manager at ChemREADY

20:40 – How ChemREADY uses AI tools in Marketing

37:17 – Using AI in Technical Operations – data interpretation and client analysis

Quotes

“AI is still just a tool. It’s not the end all be all—you still need to continually modify the output.”

“Once you learn how to talk to AI, it becomes more of your friend and not your enemy.”

“The more details the better. Precision of language gives you the first best chance to get the output you want.”

“Start slow, experience the models, and see how AI is going to work best for you.”

Connect with Ben Frieders

Phone: (317) 719-1452