Does AI scare you? Do you think of the Matrix or yearn for the world that once was? Do you mentally reject having an AI strategy for your business?
You’re not alone. So many people still loathe the idea of AI, without realising how much it’s already in their lives. It influences how you shop, gives you directions via your sat nav, and powers your beloved Alexa or Siri. And that’s just for starters.
Yet the moment someone suggests you need an AI strategy for your business, the shutters go down.
Too scary.
Too difficult to understand.
Too expensive.
BUT — business magazines insist that AI strategy and investment will be key to success over the next 4–5 years.
So, where does that leave the one-man bands and small businesses that aren’t tech-savvy or sitting on cash reserves?
Usually? Closing their ears.
And trust me — I’m the worst. The very worst when it comes to mental blocks around tech and AI.
When I started researching and writing books, I had the unfortunate habit of mentally zoning out if anyone mentioned computing, tech, or AI. But the incredible people I’ve had the privilege of learning from have completely changed my view.
A tech specialist who changed my thinking
Someone who changed the way I thought about Tech by simplifying it right down was an amazing entrepreneur called Ben Talin, whom I spoke to when I was researching Start for Success.
Ben advises both businesses and government bodies, and he told me everyone always asks the same thing: “How can we go more digital?” But Ben says the real question is: “How can we use our potential better?”
He often sees businesses where poor integration causes chaos. One company he worked with was still taking orders by hand, full of errors, then photocopying them through multiple departments, with no real-time idea of what was in stock.
The solution? Assign QR codes to each product and load that data into an app. Far cheaper than building a full website — and far more efficient.
This was a wake-up call for me. It’s so easy to fall prey to pushy salespeople claiming your business will fail without expensive AI solutions. But most of the time, not only do you not need all that, it won’t solve the real issues anyway.
You can buy the fanciest laptop and still write rubbish.
Tech is just a tool — and so is AI.
Tech is just a tool – and so is AI
Where to start:
An AI strategy shouldn’t start with calling a salesperson.
No one else knows your priorities, your workflow, or your pain points. That’s your job. And that’s exactly where a simple AI strategy begins: with what you need to save time, improve quality, or make more money.
Still glazing over? Would you really say no to being more effective with less effort?
That’s all we’re talking about: tools to make life easier.
Start by writing down the tasks you hate — the ones that take too much time or drain your energy. Research what AI tools exist to help with those. Below, I’ve listed a few easy, mostly free examples.
Once you’ve found something promising, dig deeper. Will it save time? Does it fit with your current systems? Will it scale as your business grows?
Then — and only then — look at costs. Factor in the time and training you (and your team, if relevant) will need. If the return on investment isn’t clear, walk away. Looking modern is not the same as running smart.
Think of AI tools as you would any other business resource. Just because it’s AI doesn’t mean you park your common sense.
Plan out the investment
I use the term investment loosely because so many tools have free or “freemium” options. True, learning takes time, but the upfront costs can be minimal, and the gains dramatic.
Social Media Posts
For many small businesses, social media posting is a massive pain. It takes too much time and/or the results are poor, and, for most small businesses, marketing is a great place to start your AI strategy.
A common pain point. Marketing is often the easiest starting point for an AI strategy.
- Scheduling: All major platforms now offer free, built-in scheduling. Want more? Look for tools that let you post across multiple channels at once.
- Designing: Canva’s Magic Studio now uses AI to help create images and videos. Their Magic Write tool helps with captions and marketing copy.
Writing Correctly
- The free version handles spelling and grammar across emails, documents, and websites. (I personally find the paid version a bit heavy-handed, but many love it.)
- ChatGPT, Writesonic, and Hypotenuse all help create blogs, product descriptions, and more. Try them and see what suits your voice and style.
Information and research
- Perplexity. Think of it as a next-gen search engine. It brings answers instantly, without endless link-clicking. Free and potentially game-changing.
Sales and Customer Support
- ChatFuel and Copy.ai are Great for lead generation, upselling, and more refined sales messaging.
- ChatGPT and MobileMonkey Automate customer service and inquiries. Quick to set up, and MobileMonkey even has a ten-minute training system.
No-code apps
Think an app is out of reach? Not anymore.
Bubble and Adalo. These “no-code” platforms let you build apps or automate processes without a developer.
Bonus: Fun (and surprisingly useful) AI tools
These may not be part of your core AI strategy, but they’re fun — and help make AI feel less intimidating.
- Jukebox or Musenet: Create original music by prompting a style or artist.
- Anything World If you’re into gaming, explore this free platform to create animations and worlds.
Note: I haven’t personally used all of these tools — they’re suggestions to explore, not endorsements
The Simple Key to Mastering Your AI Strategy
All these tools are within reach — some take just minutes to learn.
Here are five rules to keep in mind:
- You’ve probably already used AI — don’t fear it.
- AI is not a solution — if your business systems are a mess, fix those first.
- Ignore what others are doing — your needs are what matter.
- Solve real problems — not hypothetical ones.
- You don’t need to spend a fortune — most tools are free to try.
And one final thought: stop calling it an “AI strategy.” The phrase alone is enough to trigger overwhelm.
Just find something that helps you work smarter, saves you time, and gets better results. That’s more than enough — and it’s what a real strategy is all about.
