Level Up Your A Game with Smarter Marketing and AI Strategies That Deliver Results
On August 14th, we gathered a small but mighty group of entrepreneurs for our Smarter Marketing + AI Skills Workshop, and let me tell you, the conversations hit exactly where business owners need support right now.
AI isn’t just a buzzword anymore. It’s here, it’s changing how people search, and it’s changing how customers connect with businesses. But here’s the kicker, while AI can help us work smarter, what actually drives growth is still the same thing it’s always been…authentic, human content.
AI: Assistant, Not Replacement
We talked a lot about how to use AI the right way. Tools like ChatGPT can draft emails, brainstorm ideas, or even help with pricing models, but it’s not about letting it do the talking for you. It’s about using AI to free up your time so you can focus on creating content that sounds like you.
As I told the group –> AI can help you scale, but your story is what sells.
Google Business = The Underdog MVP
If there was one theme we kept circling back to, it was the power of Google Business.
Regular posts, reviews, and updates can put you on the map (literally).
Your Instagram posts now show up in Google search (yep, reels included).
And…surprise! Bing launched its own business profile that syncs with Google, giving you even more visibility with zero extra effort.
One of our attendees, Giovanni (who runs a tile business), is living proof. He gets steady leads and five-star reviews through Google Business without even having a website. That’s how powerful it is when you use it consistently.
Content That Clicks
Our small group agreed: the content that resonates most isn’t the “perfectly produced” kind. It’s the stuff that feels real.
Here are a few of the winning ideas we came up with:
Before-and-after transformations (people love a good reveal).
Quick testimonials even if they’re casual clips from happy clients.
Behind-the-scenes moments that show the human side of what you do.
Justin, from Cause of A Kind, said it best: authenticity beats polish every time. Couldn’t agree more!
Putting AI Into Action
We shared simple, practical ways to start using AI today:
Drafting clearer emails and texts
Using CapCut to turn long videos into quick clips.
Leveraging the OneUp app to post across multiple platforms in minutes.
Francisco, who runs a video production company called Bigode Rocks, left ready to experiment more with AI so he can spend less time worrying about posting and more time creating. That’s exactly the kind of shift these tools are designed for.
What We’re Taking Forward
At the end of the workshop, we made a pact to keep things simple but consistent:
Update Google Business profiles weekly.
Test out Bing’s new business listing.
Spend one intentional hour a week on content and visibility.
And yes, open that free ChatGPT account and actually talk to it like a teammate.
Because it’s not about doing everything. It’s about doing the right things consistently.
Final Thoughts
Workshops like this remind me why I love these conversations so much, small business owners learning from each other, swapping real strategies, and leaving with a plan that actually feels doable.
Here’s what I want you to take away, even if you couldn’t be there → AI is a powerful tool, but it’s your authenticity that makes the impact. When you combine the two, smart tech + your real voice, that’s when growth gets exciting.
A huge thank you to everyone who made this workshop one of my favorites yet. And good news, we’re planning the next one in person. Stay tuned for details!
Until then, keep showing up, stay consistent!
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