The AI tools powering my one-person business

Last week was a whirlwind, and I couldn’t send out my usual letter due to a family emergency (thankfully, everything’s okay now). But I'm back, and this week, we're diving into something I get asked a lot about: how I use AI in my business. So, here’s my current AI stack and how these tools are helping me build as a solo entrepreneur.

Why AI?

First off, I’m always experimenting with AI tools to see what fits and what doesn’t. I believe that for one-person businesses, AI is a game-changer. Sam Altman once mentioned that one person, leveraging AI, could create a business worth billions. Now, I'm nowhere near that, but I can confidently say AI is saving me more than 20 hours a week.

My AI Team

1. ChatGPT
My business partner
The cornerstone of my daily operations. ChatGPT isn't just a tool; it's my brainstorming partner, proposal assistant, and content co-creator. I've been using it for over a year, and by now, it knows my style, my prompts, and processes that save me hours. Whether discussing business strategy, drafting client emails or sparking new content ideas, it’s like having an assistant ready to sharpen every idea.

2. Perplexity
My research assistant
Think of Perplexity as the upgraded version of Google. It’s my go-to for rapid research and data validation, providing reliable insights and sources all in one place. If I need to pull current trends or fact-check information without diving deep, Perplexity makes it happen.

3. Gamma
My presentation assistant
When I need polished presentations without losing a day to formatting, Gamma steps up. I feed it notes and bullet points, and it delivers a visually appealing deck that looks professional. Perfect for workshops and client pitches where first impressions matter.

4. Ideogram 
My art director
For generating high-quality text-to-image content, Ideogram has become my new ally. It’s like Midjourney’s cousin but works better for my needs. From newsletter imagery to unique social posts, it helps elevate my visuals effortlessly.

5. Canva 
My design assistant
Canva has levelled up with its AI features. Beyond standard design, the AI functions assist with auto-generating layouts, creating quick mock-ups, and even removing backgrounds with a single click. Shout-out to Brian for the Canva guidance.

6. Notion AI
My project manager
Notion has been a staple in my workflow for years, but with its new AI integration, I can organise, summarise, and even ideate in one place. It helps keep my notes coherent and structured, which is a big win for managing multiple client projects.

7. Fireflies
My note taker
Client calls are busy, and notes can slip through the cracks. Fireflies records, transcribes, and highlights key points from meetings. This means I never miss important details and can revisit notes without needing to write everything down in real-time.

8. Supergrow
My Linkedin assistant
Supergrow has become my support tool for LinkedIn. When I need to craft a carousel post or format content for better readability, it’s there to guide the process and elevate my outreach.

9. Munch
My video editor
For repurposing long-form video content into snappy, engaging social media clips, Munch has been a game changer. It finds high-impact moments and creates shorter, attention-grabbing edits that are ready to share.

How to start using AI in your business

If you're new to AI, it can feel overwhelming. Here’s my take:

• Start small: Choose one tool to test out

• Set a routine: Spend 30 mins a day learning and integrating it into your workflow

• Evaluate: See how much time it saves or what improvements you notice

I believe that AI is fundamental for anyone looking to run a highly efficient one-person business. It’s not perfect, and there’s always trial and error, but the value it adds to my day-to-day is undeniable.

My Week: Personal Insights

• Out and About: I attended the British & Irish Lions launch in London – a great reminder of the value of in-person networking and capturing fresh content.

• Speaking Opportunities: A recent LinkedIn post sparked promising leads for potential speaking engagements on athlete brand building next year. It’s a testament to the power of putting yourself out there. Just ask.

• Slowing Down: I’ve been reminded this week about the importance of pacing myself - not chasing shallow engagement or striving for constant output but nurturing deeper connections and trying to develop more meaningful work.

• RTA Ads: Our Rugby Trainer Academy ads have been exceeding expectations, with clicks as low as £0.05. The takeaway? Always keep testing and adapting. Now, we’re focusing on our Black Friday strategy - wish us luck.

Well, that's all for this issue. I hope you enjoyed it.

See you next Thursday.

Keep building,

A