How to Use AI Tools Effectively as a Business Owner

11 min read

AI-powered tools are being used by everyone these days, generating all kinds of content, from drawing cats as Hogwarts students to writing poems. Some AI can even write code! It’s only natural that business owners might think that using AI will help them simplify their business processes.

While AI can certainly be helpful, if you don’t know how to use the technology effectively, then all its features won’t get you far.

Whether you’re a business owner who is new to using AI or a seasoned entrepreneur looking for better returns, this blog post will provide helpful tips on how to use AI to get your work done efficiently. Read on to learn more!

Determine What You Need From an AI Tool

When it comes to using AI tools for business tasks, many entrepreneurs don’t know where to begin. It’s best to first figure out which tasks you need help with, then find the right AI tool for the job. You will save a lot of time by planning ahead.

Start by finding what work can be improved using an AI tool. For example:

Writing ecommerce copy such as product descriptions, website content, social media posts, or email copy.
Generating images, videos, and texts for ads.
Editing and improving product pictures.
Automating repetitive tasks, like social media posting or replying to simple customer requests.

Once you have identified what needs improvement, it’s time to choose the best AI tool for the task. Research different tools before selecting one that is best for you and fits in your budget. There are free AI-powered tools, too, if you want to keep your costs low.

For example, if you don’t have a designer on your team, you might benefit from tools like Looka. It can generate branded images for various marketing assets, from business cards to social media posts.

For more details on specific tools, check out our article about AI-based tools for business owners below. It explains how you can use AI to streamline your business processes. The article also gives an overview of some affordable and helpful tools you can try.

Keep in mind that the treatment of AI-generated content under copyright law is still an open question. No matter what tool you use, make sure you always read its Terms and Conditions.

Test Out Different AI Tools and Learn How to Use Them

When it comes to choosing the right AI tools, you won’t know if they’re the best for your business until you test them out. After all, what works well for one company may not work for yours. Test out different AI tools to find the right tool for you. You can test the AI by giving it prompts and seeing what it comes up with.

After you test several tools and choose the one that you like the best, it’s time to learn more about using them. Learning about the features and prompts that each AI tool provides can make all the difference when it comes to your business operations.

For example, you might already be familiar with the graphic design tool Canva, which is commonly used to create social media images, presentations, logos, etc. But did you know you can use it for writing product descriptions too?

An example of a prompt given to an AI tool and the result

You have plenty of resources at hand that can help you learn about how to use AI tools most effectively, from YouTube tutorials to entire online courses. For example, the AI-based copywriting tool Jasper holds weekly webinars for their users to teach them how to utilize their AI.

How to Write Effective Prompts for AI Tools

Prompts are specific instructions or cues that you provide to guide an AI tool’s response. These can be in the form of keywords, phrases, or questions. Writing good AI prompts isn’t rocket science, but it does require some effort to get the best results.

A successful AI prompt is focused and concise. Start by being as straightforward as possible; this is not the time to use creative language or complicated phrasings. Provide a direct question or command that an AI system can easily interpret and act on.

For instance, when writing product descriptions, providing specifics about your target audience—such as age or interests—can make it easier for your AI tool to produce meaningful results.

For the best results, follow these steps when writing a prompt:

Define your objective—what do you want AI to do?
Provide context for the task.
Provide clear instructions.
Give examples (where possible) of what you want.

Let’s break down those steps into a real-world example:

Your objective is to write a social media post that announces a sale in your online store. But when you give an AI copywriting tool vague instructions, here is the type of result you might get:

Not great, right?

Instead, you want to provide as much context as possible. Here’s an example of how to write a prompt for an AI:

First, provide the context:
You’re a business owner who sells handmade soap. You’re running an online sale and need to announce it on social media.

Then, give clear instructions:
Write a short Instagram post that announces a sale. Discounts are up to 30% this week only. The language of the post should be fun and light-hearted. The post should be engaging and encourage potential customers to check out the deal while it’s still available.

Finally, add some examples (optional):
Use a pun or a joke, like in this example: “Regular prices are on vacation. Check out our summer sale!”

With the result of the specific and detailed prompt we’ve crafted above:

The difference between giving vague and detailed prompts is obvious. Without properly crafted prompts, even the most powerful AI won’t provide your business with the expected results.

Now let’s edit the result a bit to ensure it’s ready to go live:

This summer, soap prices are taking a dive! 🤑 Check out our website for amazing discounts of up to 30% on all products. This week only! Get your hands on our handmade soaps before the deals take off. #HandmadeSoap #YourBrandName #SummerSale

Note: While AI tools can help you start creating content, it is essential to tailor it to your brand, style, and messaging voice. Integrating personalization, storytelling, humor, and emotional appeals can make the content more engaging and memorable.

Keep those tips in mind as you check out AI tools. With a little practice and some research, you’ll soon be writing top-notch AI prompts that will support your business goals like a pro.

Prompt Templates for AI-Based Tools

To help you get started with writing AI prompts, we’ve compiled a few templates that you can use as a guide. Below are the AI prompt templates created specifically with business-related tasks in mind. You’ll find all kinds of templates for email marketing prompts, as well as prompts for social media marketing, advertising, and blogging.

For the best results, download these AI prompt templates:

Let’s Review

Utilizing AI-based tools can help relieve you of mundane tasks, so let an AI do the heavy lifting while you handle more strategic activities. However, remember to take time to decide what you need from an AI tool, learn how to use it, and test out different options before making a decision.

You’ll want to master the art of writing clear and detailed prompts–it’ll make a huge difference in speeding up your business tasks. To improve the accuracy and relevance of AI-generated content, give as much information as possible about your product, audience, brand tone, and campaign objectives. Provide examples of previous marketing campaigns and their outcomes to assist the AI in identifying successful strategies and areas for improvement.

To ensure the content fits your brand and campaign objective, as well as resonates with your target audience, always edit AI-generated materials. AI can produce really great content, but you’ll want to change it according to your brand’s messaging.

If using AI tools as a business owner still seems overwhelming, don’t worry—we have some great content coming down the pipeline to help simplify the process of using AI solutions for all your entrepreneurial needs. Stay tuned!

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About the author

Anastasia Prokofieva is a content writer at Ecwid. She writes about online marketing and promotion to make entrepreneurs’ daily routine easier and more rewarding. She also has a soft spot for cats, chocolate, and making kombucha at home.