Zachary Schaefer . May 9, 2025

Must-Have AI Tools I Need as a Small Business Owner

a modern office workspace showcases diverse professionals engaged in a dynamic cybersecurity brainstorming session, surrounded by digital screens displaying intricate data visuals and security analytics.

The New Secret Weapon for Smart Business Growth? AI.

If you’re a small business owner looking to scale, here’s a hard truth: your competition isn’t just younger or faster — they’re using AI to work smarter.

But here’s the good news: you don’t need to be tech-savvy to use AI. You just need the right tools — and the right strategy.

At Whiskey River Media, we work with dozens of Gen X and Baby Boomer entrepreneurs who are serious about growth. Most don’t want another shiny object — they want efficiency, profitability, and peace of mind.

So we built this guide for you.

Here are the 5 AI tools every business owner should be using to save time, reduce marketing costs, and scale with confidence.

1. Jasper AI — Fast, Effective Content Creation

Best For: Website copy, blog posts, email marketing, product descriptions

If content feels like a time suck, Jasper AI can help you write faster and smarter. It uses advanced natural language processing to generate copy that sounds like you — or better. You can create entire blogs, landing pages, and social posts in minutes.

Why It Works:

  • Eliminates writer’s block
  • Speeds up content production
  • Helps maintain consistent messaging

Learn more about Jasper AI.

2. Surfer SEO — Get Found on Google (Without Guessing)

Best For: Blog posts, SEO copywriting, improving organic traffic

Surfer SEO works hand-in-hand with Jasper. It gives you real-time, data-backed SEO guidance as you write. Want to rank on page one? This tool shows you exactly what keywords to include — and how your content stacks up against the competition.

Why It Works:

  • Optimizes for Google as you write
  • Shows content score vs. top-ranking pages
  • Increases chances of ranking with minimal effort

Search Keywords: SEO tools for small business, Surfer SEO guide

3. Pictory — Turn Text into Video Automatically

Best For: Creating short-form videos for social media, YouTube, and ads

Video drives engagement, but editing is a headache. Pictory uses AI to turn blog posts or scripts into professional-looking videos in minutes. No tech skills needed — just plug in your script or URL.

Why It Works:

  • Saves hours on video creation
  • Helps repurpose blog content for more reach
  • Adds subtitles, stock footage, and branding automatically

Search Keywords: AI video tool for small business, best tools for video marketing

4. ChatGPT (with Custom GPTs) — Your Marketing Sidekick

Best For: Marketing ideas, email drafts, customer service scripts, brainstorming

ChatGPT is a game-changer for quick, intelligent copy and strategy. Create a custom GPT trained on your business, and you’ll have a marketing assistant that works 24/7 — for free or at minimal cost.

Why It Works:

  • Great for idea generation and troubleshooting
  • Helps non-marketers sound professional
  • Easily customizable for your business voice

Search Keywords: How small businesses use ChatGPT, ChatGPT prompts for entrepreneurs

5. HubSpot CRM with AI Integration — Smarter Customer Management

Best For: Managing leads, follow-ups, email marketing, pipeline tracking

HubSpot has AI features built into its CRM that help you prioritize leads, automate emails, and track sales performance. It’s intuitive and scalable — perfect for business owners who need a simple system to keep sales moving.

Why It Works:

  • Automates repetitive sales tasks
  • Keeps your team organized
  • Integrates with email, forms, and more

Search Keywords: best CRM with AI, HubSpot for small business

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let AI Intimidate You — Let It Empower You

You don’t need to overhaul your business to take advantage of AI — you just need a smarter system. Start small. Pick one or two of these tools. Test them out. Let them do the heavy lifting.

At Whiskey River Media, we help founders like you build scalable, exit-ready brands — and AI is one of our biggest leverage points.