AI for Small Businesses: Work Smarter, Save Time, and Grow Faster

Are you a small business owner juggling countless tasks while trying to keep your customers happy? In this episode of the Talk About Digital Podcast, Mark A Preston demystifies AI and explains how it can be your secret weapon to save time, reduce stress, and unlock growth—without needing to be a tech expert.

Discover:

• What AI really is (hint: it’s not a robot) and how it fits seamlessly into your business.
• Practical ways AI can handle repetitive tasks, from answering customer queries to scheduling social media posts.
• Affordable, user-friendly tools like ChatGPT, Canva’s Magic Write, and Zapier designed for small businesses.
• A real-life success story of Sarah, a skincare business owner, who used AI to improve customer service while focusing on what she loves.

This episode will show you how to start small, pick the right tools, and implement AI step by step. Don’t miss the exclusive TAD Takeaway: a simple action you can try today to experience the time-saving power of AI. It’s time to work smarter, not harder, and enjoy running your business again!

Connect with the Host - Mark A Preston:

Website: https://www.markapreston.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markprestonseo/
X: https://x.com/MarkPreston1969
Mark's Latest Book: Customer Growth Unlocked

This podcast is produced by Voice It Podcast Agency
https://voiceitpodcastagency.co.uk

Transcript

[00:00:00] Mark A Preston: Welcome to Talk About Digital, the podcast for small and medium sized businesses looking to grow new customers through impactful, low cost digital marketing strategies. Have you invested in digital marketing with zero positive impact? If this sounds like you, then this is the place for you. Each week, we provide actionable steps to move your business forward with our TAD Takeaway, helping you to harness your biggest asset, yourself, to achieve big impact with minimal investment.

[00:00:36] Stay tuned as we dive into the world of digital marketing, offering insights and advice that will transform your business. Let's get started. Hello and welcome to this week's episode of the Talk About Digital podcast. I'm Mark A. Preston and today we are diving into a topic that might seem futuristic or even intimidating at first, AI for small businesses.

[00:01:01] But stick with me because this episode isn't about tech jargon or flashy trends, it's about you and how AI can make a real difference in growing your business and servicing your business. Your customers better. Let's start by addressing the elephant in the room. When most people hear AI, they picture a robot or something out of a sci fi movie.

[00:01:26] But here's the truth. AI, or known as Artificial Intelligence, is simply a tool. And just like any tool, it's designed to make your life easier, save you time and more importantly, help you grow your business without needing to become a tech wizard. Let me take you on a journey, now picture this. You run a small business.

[00:01:52] Maybe it's a coffee shop, a landscaping service, or even a candle making company. You're stretched thin. You're answering emails, managing orders, posting on social media, and trying to keep up with customers needs. Does this sound familiar? Well, I know it does because you're not alone. Many small business owners feel like they're juggling 10 jobs at once.

[00:02:18] Yeah, we all know that feeling, don't we? Now imagine this. What if there was a way to take some of that weight off your shoulders? What if you could focus more on what you love about your business, whether it's crafting, servicing customers, or growing your team? while still getting everything else done.

[00:02:40] That's where AI comes in. Now, at its core, AI is about automation and smart decision making. For small businesses, it's not about replacing people. That is so important for you to hear. It's not about replacing people. It's about helping you work smarter, not harder. Think of AI. There's an extra pair of hands that's always ready to help it.

[00:03:10] Now, here's a simple example. You've probably interacted with AI already, but without even realizing it, when you use tools like email filters that sort out spam or chatbots that answer basic customer questions on your website. Now that's AI. It's not intimidating. It's just practical. Now let's get real.

[00:03:37] The world is moving fast and customers expect quick personalised service. AI can help you deliver that without burning yourself out. It's like having a full time assistant who never takes a break and always works behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly. For example, AI can analyze data to help you understand what your customers want.

[00:04:06] It can schedule social media posts so you're always visible online, even when you're busy. And it can handle repetitive tasks like sending follow up emails or reminding you about overdue invoices. But the best part, you don't need to hire a tech team or invest in a fortune to use AI. There are simple tools available that are designed specifically for small businesses.

[00:04:38] Now you might be thinking, that sounds great Mark, but how do I actually use AI in my business? Now let's break it down step by step. One. Start small. You don't need to overhaul your entire business to get started with AI. Pick one area, Where you're struggling, for example, if you're spending too much time answering the same customer questions, try adding a chatbot to your website.

[00:05:10] Tools like ChatGPT can handle common queries and free up your time. Two, look for tools that fit your needs. If you're trying to improve your marketing, AI tools like Canva's Magic Write or MailChimp's AI powered suggestions can help create engaging content. For customer insights, tools like Google Analytics use AI to show you trends and behaviours that you can act on.

[00:05:42] Three, Automate repetitive tasks. Think about the tasks you do over and over and over again. Whether it's sending appointment reminders or following up with leads, tools like Zapier or HubSpot can automate these processes for you. And four, learn as you go. Do not need to know everything about AI up front.

[00:06:08] Most tools are user friendly and come with tutorials or support teams to help you get started. Take it one step at a time. Now, let me share a story about Sarah, who runs a small skincare business. Sarah felt overwhelmed trying to manage her customer service emails. While always growing her brand, she decided to try an AI powered chatbot to answer the most common customer questions like, when will my order ship?

[00:06:40] Or what's your returns policy? Within weeks, Sarah noticed a huge difference. Customers were getting faster responses and she had more time to focus on creating new products and connecting with her community. She didn't need to become a tech expert to make this happen. She just needed the right tools.

[00:07:05] This is AI and it's what it's all about, freeing you up to focus on what matters most to you and your customers. Now it's time for today's tag takeaway. Here's one golden tip you can implement right now. Choose one AI tool and try it for a week. It could be something simple like setting up a chatbot for your website or using an AI powered scheduling tool for social media.

[00:07:38] Just one tool. See how it feels, see how much time it saves, and build from there. Small steps can lead to big changes. So, there you have it. AI isn't about replacing you. It's about supporting you. It's a way to work smarter, grow faster, and still have time to enjoy running your business. Now, give it a try, and let me know how it works for you.

[00:08:07] Thanks for tuning into the talk about digital podcast. Don't forget to subscribe and share this episode with all the small business owners who might find it useful until next time I'm Mark A. Preston helping you unlock your customer growth potential. One step at a time. Thank you for tuning into the talk about digital podcast.

[00:08:29] Remember, every small step you take brings you closer to your business goals. If you found today's episode helpful, subscribe to our podcast and sign up to your free 12 week TA customer growth course@www.talk about digital co uk to receive even more customer generating tips and in size. Until next time, keep.

[00:08:54] Harnessing your strengths and making actionable, impactful moves in your digital marketing journey. See you soon.