Getting started with AI as a solotrepreneur
- Naomh McElhatton
- Aug 11
- 3 min read
Running a one-person business means you’re the CEO, marketer, accountant, customer service rep, and operations manager all rolled into one. Your time is your most valuable asset, and there’s never enough of it.
That’s why AI can be a game-changer for solo entrepreneurs. You don’t need a tech degree or a big budget. You just need to know where to start and how to use AI to make your life easier.
When you hear AI, it might sound like something for big companies with data scientists and massive budgets. But in reality, AI tools are now affordable, easy to use, and perfect for solo operators!
The first step is to ignore the noise and focus on what slows you down. Ask yourself:
What tasks do I repeat every day or week?
Where do I spend hours on something that doesn’t generate revenue directly?
What jobs would I love to hand off if I could?
Try One Tool at a Time
You don’t need to “implement AI” across your whole business on day one. Just start with one tool that tackles one problem.
Here are a few examples:
Content creation: ChatGPT, Jasper, or Copy.ai can help you write blog posts, emails, or social media content in minutes.
Admin automation: Zapier or Make can connect your apps and automate repetitive actions like sending invoices or logging client details.
Transcription & notes: Otter.ai or Fireflies can record and summarise meetings or ideas on the go.
Design: Canva’s Magic Write or Adobe Express can help you create professional graphics quickly.
Pick one, learn it well, and then decide if you want to add another. Build AI Into Your Routine
The biggest mistake solo business owners make is trying AI once, getting a result they don’t love, and giving up. AI works best when you learn how to ask the right questions (prompts) and make it part of your workflow.
For example:
Use ChatGPT every Monday to draft your weekly LinkedIn post.
Automate your invoice reminders so they send automatically every Friday.
Record every client call and have it transcribed for your records.
(The more consistently you use AI, the more time you’ll save). Keep the Human Touch
AI is there to help you, not replace you. Your personality, expertise, and relationships are what make people buy from you. AI simply helps you get more done with less stress.
Always review and personalise anything AI produces. Think of it like an assistant who’s great at drafts and ideas, but still needs your final approval. Measure the Impact
After a month, check in with yourself:
How much time have you saved?
Has the quality of your output improved?
Do you feel less overwhelmed?
(If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track).
As a one-man band, you don’t have spare hours or staff. But with AI, you can free up time, work smarter, and focus on the parts of your business you love.
Below is a checklist to get you started, use this guide to start small, save time, and grow your business with AI:
Identify Your Pain Points
Write down the three tasks that take up the most time each week.
Highlight any repetitive admin jobs (invoicing, emails, scheduling).
Note areas where you’d like better quality or faster turnaround (content, design, customer replies).
Choose One AI Tool to Start
Pick one tool that matches your biggest pain point:
Integrate AI Into Your Routine
Decide when you’ll use it (for example, Mondays for social media posts, Fridays for invoicing).
Create prompts or templates you can reuse.
Automate at least one regular task this month.
Keep the Human Touch!
Review all AI outputs before sending or publishing.
Add your own personality, tone, and expertise.
Double-check facts and numbers.
Measure the Impact After 30 Days
Time saved each week (in hours).
Improvement in quality (rated on a scale of 1–10).
Reduction in stress or workload (rated on a scale of 1–10).
Decide whether to keep, expand, or switch to a new AI tool.
At the Business of AI Club, we help small business owners learn how to use AI simply, effectively, and without jargon. If you want to find out which tools could work for you? Email training@businessofai.club
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