Are you a small business owner feeling overwhelmed by AI? You're not alone. While enterprise companies throw massive budgets at custom AI solutions, you're wondering how to get started without breaking the bank or spending hours learning complex prompts.
In this episode, I sit down with Phil Pallen, author of AI for Small Business and creative branding expert, who reveals the simple framework that's helping small business owners find immediate AI wins. Phil shares his journey from studying media and entertainment business to starting his own branding agency in 2011 when his first three clients - a makeup artist, real estate agent, and jewelry designer - all needed help with social media. He also tells the fascinating story of how a client's suggestion to put his tutorial videos on YouTube led to a major publisher reaching out about writing a book on AI.
But here's what makes this conversation different: Phil isn't selling you on the latest shiny AI tool. Instead, he's sharing a practical time-tracking method that helps you identify exactly where AI can make the biggest impact in YOUR business - starting with the tasks you hate doing most.
You'll discover why custom GPTs aren't the answer for 95% of businesses, how to use AI projects to organize client conversations for better brand storytelling, and Phil's controversial take on why perfect prompts are a myth. Plus, he reveals the email automation system that saves him hours every week (hint: it's not just AI).
Whether you're just getting started with AI or feeling scattered across multiple tools, this episode will help you create a sustainable, systematic approach that makes you better at what you already do - not just faster.
What You'll Learn:
- The 3-question framework for identifying AI opportunities in your business
- Why tracking your time is the secret to finding AI quick wins
- How to organize AI conversations using projects (and why custom GPTs usually aren't worth it)
- Phil's email automation system that handles affiliate pitches automatically
- The tools Phil uses daily for client work and content creation
- Why AI should enhance your excellence, not replace your expertise
- Common pitfalls small business owners make when implementing AI
Links Mentioned in This Episode
Phil Pallen's Book: AI for Small Business (Available at all major bookstores)
Time Tracking Tools:
Email Organization Tools:
AI Tools Discussed:
- ChatGPT Projects: chat.openai.com
- C
Learn More:
- Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon
- Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon
- Join My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/
- Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmo
- Download My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaffer.com/books/
- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/nealschaffer
- All My Podcast Show Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com
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