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Cover of AI for Small Business Owners and Managers: a gold AI node connected to Ops, Sales, Cash, Team, Ads and Care
Small business · PDF course · 21 days

How to Use AI in a Small Business (Without Wasting Time or Taking Risks)

Put AI to work in your business in 21 days, safely.

$29.99one-time · PDF course · 28 pages · 74 prompts
Get the course — $29.99
  • Pick one assistant and set it up with your business context
  • 74 prompts: ops, marketing, sales, customer care, numbers, hiring
  • 21-day plan with a minutes-saved tracker
  • One-page team AI policy, FTC fake-review and hiring-tool rules

Look inside

Lesson 2: the Role, Context, Task, Format, Check prompt formula with weak and strong examples
Lesson 2 · The prompt formula
Prompt pack B: 12 marketing prompts for plans, posts, ads and claims checks
Pack B · Marketing prompts
21-day tracker: tasks, AI use and minutes saved for days 1–14
The 21-day tracker

What's inside

  • L1 · Choose and set up safely: which assistant, data settings, what never to paste, saving context
  • L2 · The prompt formula: Role, Context, Task, Format, Check with weak vs strong examples
  • Worksheet · Business Brief: paste-once context with your voice and standing rules
  • L3 + Pack A · Operations: inbox, meetings, SOPs, admin: 14 prompts and a task audit
  • L4 + Pack B · Marketing: calendar, posts, Google Business Profile, ads, claims check: 12 prompts + content plan
  • L5 + Pack C · Sales: follow-ups, proposals, packages, objections, price changes: 10 prompts
  • L6 + Pack D · Customer care: reviews, FAQ, saved replies, de-escalation: 9 prompts
  • L7 + Pack E · Numbers and decisions: P&L, margins, scenarios, CPA questions: 10 prompts
  • L8 + Pack F · Managers and hiring: job posts, structured interviews, onboarding, feedback: 9 prompts
  • L9 · Team rollout: one-page AI use policy, 21-day tracker, Pack G power prompts, index, sources
PDF course · 28 pages · 74 prompts

AI for Small Business Owners & Managers

  • 28-page PDF course · works with ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini
  • 74 copy-paste prompts in 7 packs: ops, marketing, sales, care, numbers, hiring
  • 21-day plan with a minutes-saved tracker and a team AI policy
$29.99one-time
Get the course — $29.99

14-day money-back guarantee

Read it, print it, try the worksheets. If it isn’t useful, ask for a refund within 14 days of purchase and we refund it in full. No questions asked. Refund policy

Free preview · the short answer

How to use AI in a small business: the short answer

Pick one assistant, check its data settings, and save a short Business Brief in it so every answer knows who you are. Write important prompts with Role, Context, Task, Format and a Check ("ask me 3 questions first"). Move high-minute, low-risk writing and sorting work first: inbox, meeting notes, SOPs, marketing drafts, review replies. Keep a human on anything sent to customers or used to judge a person, and log the minutes you save. Between December 2025 and May 2026, 17%–20% of U.S. businesses reported using AI in the previous two weeks (U.S. Census Bureau).

1. Choose one assistant and check its settings

Use the one closest to where you work (Gemini in Google Workspace, Copilot in Microsoft 365, or ChatGPT or Claude). Read its data-controls page; never paste card numbers, SSNs, passwords or HR files.

2. Save a Business Brief

What you sell, to whom, where, prices, voice, competitors and rules ("never invent numbers or reviews"). Store it as custom instructions, a Project or a Gem.

3. Use one formula

Role + Context + Task + Format + Check

Then iterate with short follow-ups ("shorter", "more like version 2") instead of starting over.

4. Move repeat work first

Inbox triage, meeting recaps, SOPs, content calendars, follow-ups, FAQ and review replies. AI drafts; a person reviews and sends.

5. Use it for numbers carefully

Ask it to explain your P&L, model scenarios and list questions for your CPA, always with the formula shown. Re-check math in a spreadsheet.

6. Write a one-page team policy

Approved tools, what never gets pasted, what needs human review, and honesty rules: the FTC's rule banning fake reviews and testimonials, including AI-generated ones, took effect October 21, 2024 (FTC).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau BTOS (May 2026); FTC 16 CFR Part 465; NYC Local Law 144 (automated employment decision tools); NIST AI RMF 1.0. Not legal, HR or financial advice; time savings aren't guaranteed. Not affiliated with OpenAI, Anthropic or Google. Checked October 30, 2026.

Get the full 28-page guide — $29.99

Bundle

The 14-Day Small Business Turnaround Kit and AI for Small Business Owners and Managers covers Bundle · 2 small business courses

Small Business Downturn Bundle

The 14-Day Turnaround Kit (cash, forecast, negotiation, IRS and SBA options) + AI for Small Business Owners & Managers (21 days, 74 prompts). Also sold separately: The 14-Day Small Business Turnaround Kit. Save $9.99 vs buying both ($34.99 + $29.99).

$54.99vs $64.98 bought separately
Get both — $54.99

Questions

Which AI tool is best for a small business?

The one you'll use every day. If you live in Gmail and Google Docs, start with Gemini; in Microsoft 365, Copilot; otherwise ChatGPT or Claude. All handle business writing and analysis well. The course works with any of them; plans and prices change, so check each vendor's current page.

Is it safe to put business data into ChatGPT?

Only what you'd be comfortable sharing. Check your plan's data controls (consumer plans may use chats for training unless you opt out; business plans usually don't by default), and never paste card numbers, SSNs, passwords, HR files or confidential terms.

Can I use AI to write reviews or testimonials?

No. The FTC's rule (16 CFR Part 465, effective October 21, 2024) bans fake reviews and testimonials, including AI-generated ones, with civil penalties. You can use AI to draft replies to real reviews.

Can AI screen job applicants?

You can use it to draft job posts and structured interview guides. Anti-discrimination laws apply to any screening tool, and some places regulate automated hiring tools; New York City's Local Law 144 requires bias audits and notices. Keep hiring decisions human.

How much time will it save?

It depends on your work, so the course has you measure it: a 21-day tracker logs minutes saved per task, and you keep only the uses that pay off. We don't promise a number.

What's in the course?

A 28-page printable PDF: 9 lessons, 4 worksheets, 74 prompts in 7 packs, a 21-day tracker, a one-page team AI policy, a prompt index, summary and sources. Or get it with The 14-Day Small Business Turnaround Kit in the $54.99 bundle.

How do I get the guide after I pay?

Right after checkout you land on a download page with your files, and Stripe emails your receipt. The download links keep working, so you can bookmark the page and download again later.

Is this a physical book?

No. It is a digital download: a printable PDF (US Letter) you can read on a phone, tablet or computer, or print at home. Nothing is shipped.

What if it isn't right for me?

Email support@getguideshelf.com within 14 days of purchase and we refund it in full. See the refund policy.

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