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Hello, and welcome to another episode of AI Guides for Small Businesses. I'm your host, Ken Tucker, and today we’re examining how small business owners are already using AI, even if they don't realize it. AI feels like a buzzword, right? Big tech. Sci-fi. Something for Google or Tesla—not your small business. But what if I told you… you’re already using it? And it's helping you cut costs, improve service, and win more business every single day—without even realizing it.
So before we dive into how you’re already using AI in your business, let’s take a second to clear up a big misconception: When most people hear “AI,” they think of robots, sci-fi movies, or some massive tech company doing something mysterious in the cloud.
But the truth is, AI is already baked into tools you're using every day—and it's not some futuristic tech. It’s right here, right now. At its core, AI just means software that can learn or make decisions based on data. It helps automate things, make predictions, and save you time. And guess what? You don’t need to know how it works. You just need to know that it does work—for you.
And in this episode, I’m going to show you how AI is already helping your business…and how to start using it intentionally to get even more results.
Alright, let’s start with something fun. I’m going to give you five examples of AI tools you’re probably using right now—and you may not even realize they’re powered by AI.
1. Email Marketing Platforms Let’s talk Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or even HubSpot. When you schedule emails and it recommends a “best time to send”? That’s AI. When it suggests a subject line? Also AI. It’s learning from your audience’s behavior—when they open, click, ignore—and adjusting accordingly to get you better results.
2. Google Maps / Google Business Profile You ever wonder how Google knows when your business is “popular” or shows you in local searches? That’s AI analyzing behavior—where people are, what they’re searching for, and what kind of businesses they’re likely to visit. If you have a Google Business Profile, you’re already being ranked by AI!
3. Smartphones: Voice-to-Text and Autocorrect Raise your hand if you’ve ever used voice-to-text. 🙋♂️ That’s AI using speech recognition to convert your voice into words. And autocorrect? Predictive text? All powered by AI learning how you type and communicate.
4. Facebook and Instagram Ads If you’ve ever run a Facebook or Instagram ad—even just boosted a post—AI is what helps target the right people. It figures out who’s most likely to click or buy, and it optimizes your ad delivery in real time. You don’t have to be a data expert—that’s the AI’s job.
5. Online Review Tools (Google, Yelp, etc.) AI is quietly doing a lot here—flagging fake reviews, detecting sentiment (positive or negative), and even suggesting responses in some platforms. So when you see that “Reply with a thank you” button? Yup, AI again. So if you’ve ever thought, “I’m not using AI,” surprise! You already are. Now let’s go a little deeper…
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—why some small business owners are still hesitant to use AI more intentionally. I hear these three concerns all the time.
Concern 1: “It’s too expensive.” I get it. Budgets are tight. But most AI tools today are either free or already included in tools you’re paying for. Mailchimp, for example, includes AI features even at their basic level. Chatbots? Many offer trials or low-cost versions. So it’s not about spending more—it’s about using what you already have more effectively.
Concern 2: “It’s too technical.” Good news: You don’t need to be a developer. Most tools are drag-and-drop, or they guide you step-by-step. We’re not talking coding—this is more like, “Click here, write your message, go live.” If you can use Canva or post on Instagram, you can use AI tools.
Concern 3: “It’ll make my business feel less personal.” This one hits home. No one wants to sound like a robot. But here’s the thing—AI actually frees you up to be more human. Try this... call 636-337-3102. You’ll be able to speak directly with our AI Voice Assistant... sounds pretty human, right? If AI handles the repetitive stuff—like scheduling appointments, replying to FAQs, or following up with a lead—you can spend more time having real conversations and delivering amazing service.
Okay, now that we’ve cleared the air, let’s talk next steps. How can you use AI on purpose to get better results?
Here are a few simple ideas you can try this week:
- Add a chatbot to your website like AI Bots IQ. It can answer FAQs, qualify leads, and even help book appointments.
- Use review response tools like Google Review Suite IQ to manage reviews and generate replies quickly.
- Try ChatGPT for writing your next email newsletter or social media post. Just tell it what you want to say—it’ll help you write faster (and better).
- Use Zapier to connect apps and automate repetitive tasks. For example, when someone fills out a form on your website, it can automatically add them to your CRM and send a welcome email.
These are tools that save you time, reduce costs, and help you operate like a bigger business—even if it’s just you and a couple team members...
Before we wrap up, I want to leave you with a quick takeaway: You’re already using AI, even if you didn’t know it—and it’s helping your business run more efficiently, whether that’s through smarter marketing, better customer service, or cost-saving automations.
But now that you know, you can start using it more intentionally.
And to help with that, I’ve put together a free resource called: “AI for Small Biz Toolkit”. No tech skills required—just practical ideas you can implement right away.
Grab it at changescapeweb.com/ai-for-small-biz-toolkit and start saving time and money with tools you’re probably halfway using already.
Remember—AI isn’t here to replace you. It’s here to support you. To help you show up, grow up, and scale up—without burning out. Thanks for listening, and I’ll catch you in the next episode.