Ways to use AI tools as a small business owner
Just as websites and e-commerce once levelled the playing field for small businesses, AI is now doing the same by providing access to tools that were once exclusive to large corporations. The challenge, of course, is knowing where AI fits into your workflow and how to make the most of it. Like any technology, AI isn’t a magic bullet—it still requires your human perspective. Think about building a website: a well-designed site can be incredibly effective, but only if you supply the right information, images, and branding elements. Handing over no direction to a web designer would result in a generic and disconnected site. The same applies to AI—garbage in, garbage out. But when used strategically, AI can be a powerful asset in helping you scale your business.
Streamlining Processes and Documentation
One of the biggest hurdles solopreneurs face is transitioning from running everything themselves to hiring and managing a team. As your business grows, documenting your processes becomes essential—otherwise, you’ll spend endless hours training new employees, only to start over if they leave. AI-powered tools like Scribe can generate step-by-step guides with screenshots, making it easy to create standardized procedures without spending extra time manually writing instructions. By automating documentation, you can maintain consistency across tasks, onboard new hires faster, and free yourself up to focus on high-impact work instead of repetitive training.
AI as Your Writing Assistant
As a solo entrepreneur, you wear many hats—marketer, strategist, and content creator, just to name a few. AI can serve as a powerful writing assistant, helping refine your messaging and streamline content creation. However, it’s important to remember that AI works best when you provide clear guidance. Simply inputting a vague headline won’t produce high-quality content. Instead, if you define your audience, tone, and key points, AI can help structure and enhance your writing. While it won’t replace your unique insights and creativity, AI can eliminate writer’s block, refine drafts, and save valuable time. Used wisely, it enhances your brand rather than diluting it with generic content.
Breaking Through Creative Blocks
Every entrepreneur faces moments of creative fatigue, and AI can be a great tool for sparking inspiration. Artists have long used structured prompts to overcome creative blocks, and the same concept applies to business owners. Whether it’s brainstorming new product ideas, generating engaging blog topics, or experimenting with different messaging approaches, AI can provide fresh perspectives. I’ve personally used AI-generated chord sequences for songwriting and ChatGPT for ideating blog topics relevant to entrepreneurs. By treating AI as a collaborator rather than a replacement for creativity, you can unlock new ideas and keep your business moving forward.
AI isn’t here to replace the human touch—it’s here to amplify your strengths. When used thoughtfully, AI can help you automate repetitive tasks, refine your content, and spark new ideas, giving you more time to focus on the parts of your business that truly require your expertise. The key is knowing how to integrate AI strategically, ensuring it supports your goals rather than dictating them.