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AI is everywhere these days, but what does it actually mean for small businesses and service professionals like you?
In other words, what can you do with AI, and how can it help your business?
In this post, I’ll introduce you to some of the best AI tools available today—tools that can save you time, help your business grow, and make your work easier.
While it’s not meant to sound alarmist, businesses that don’t explore AI could find themselves struggling to keep up. Let’s dive into how these tools can help you stay ahead.
Think of AI as a business power tool
Imagine trying to build a house with just a hammer, nails, and a hand saw while others are using electric drills and power saws. AI tools are like those power tools—they help you work faster, with less effort, and achieve better results.
New AI tools are hitting the market all the time, but the 13 AI tools in this post are some of the best available right now. To make it easier, I’ve grouped them into categories:
- Content creation & writing
- Video creation & editing
- Image creation & editing
- Automation & workflows
- Audio & voice tools
- Research & insights
Let’s start with the first category ...
Content Creation & Writing
These tools are designed to help you create written content quickly and efficiently.
1. ChatGPT by OpenAI
[openai.com/chatgpt]
ChatGPT is a conversational AI tool that can write, brainstorm, and answer questions. It’s incredibly versatile. For example, you could use it to draft a blog post, generate engaging email campaigns, or come up with customer FAQs for your website.
There’s a reason it’s so widely used—it integrates with tons of platforms and handles a variety of tasks with ease.
2. Claude by Anthropic
[claude.ai]
While ChatGPT is a great all-purpose AI tool, the content Claude produces often sounds a bit more natural and human. Claude also has a slight edge over ChatGPT when it comes to catching factual errors.
For instance, if you’re summarizing a detailed report, Claude can help ensure the information stays accurate. Compared to ChatGPT, Claude has a simpler interface and is great for straightforward, focused writing tasks.
Both ChatGPT and Claude are excellent tools. If you need an all-purpose AI tool, go with ChatGPT. For creative projects like writing, editing, or proofreading, Claude might be the better choice.
Video Creation & Editing
These tools are designed to simplify creating professional-looking videos for marketing, social media, or even internal use within your business.
3. CapCut
[capcut.com]
CapCut is a free video editing tool developed by TikTok’s parent company, making it especially popular for creating short, engaging videos for social media. Its features include creative filters, trendy transitions, and tools like auto-captions and speed adjustments—all designed to help you create content that fits perfectly on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube Shorts.
Its mobile-first design is great for editing on the go, giving it an edge for businesses focused on short-form video.
4. InVideo
[invideo.io]
InVideo is geared more toward creating polished, professional videos for a variety of business purposes. It offers over 5,000 customizable templates, making it ideal for projects like product demos, explainer videos, or branded marketing content.
Unlike CapCut, which focuses more on short-form videos for social media, InVideo focuses more on longer-form video. For example, you might use InVideo to quickly create a professional product demo to embed on your website or a branded explainer video to share with clients.
It’s a better fit for more “formal” or “traditional” business videos, rather than quick, trendy videos for social media.
5. Syllaby
[syllaby.io]
If you’re camera-shy or simply prefer staying behind the scenes, Syllaby specializes in creating “faceless videos,” allowing you to produce educational or promotional content without appearing on camera.
For example, you could use Syllaby to produce high-quality training videos, how-to content, or marketing materials quickly and with minimal effort … while staying out of the spotlight.
These 3 AI tools make video creation faster and easier, helping you connect with your audience more effectively.
Image Creation & Editing
These tools help you create and edit stunning visuals without needing advanced graphic design skills.
6. MidJourney
[midjourney.com]
MidJourney is an AI tool that helps you generate beautiful, high-quality images based on simple text prompts. It’s great if you need unique artwork or custom visuals.
For example, you could use MidJourney to create eye-catching social media posts or bring a creative idea to life for your website without hiring an artist or graphic designer.
7. Canva Dream Lab
[canva.com/dream-lab]
Canva Dream Lab is a relatively new AI-powered image generation tool that became available on the Canva platform in October 2024. It lets you create images and graphics from simple text descriptions using advanced AI technology. Dream Lab is available to both free and paid Canva users.
Here’s a quick example of how it works. If I type in “dogs playing poker,” Dream Lab generates four unique images in less than 10 seconds. Want to get more specific? Typing “labrador retrievers playing poker” refines the results even further. You’re only limited by your creativity.
8. Canva Magic Studio
[canva.com/magic]
Canva Magic Studio is an AI-powered suite of image editing tools that’s been around since October 2023. These tools make complex editing tasks simple and accessible, even for people without extensive graphic design skills.
Some standout features include:
- Magic Eraser: Quickly remove unwanted elements from an image with just a click.
- Magic Grab: Select and move multiple objects in a photo while keeping the background intact.
- Magic Expand: Extend the edges of an image, perfect for adjusting aspect ratios or adding more space to your design.
- Background Remover: Remove backgrounds from images and videos in a single click.
As someone who has used graphic design tools for over 20 years, I can confidently say these AI editing tools let you accomplish in seconds what used to take 30–60 minutes or more. When they say it’s magic, they’re not kidding.
With Canva Magic Studio, you can create polished, professional designs in minutes without the need for advanced software like Photoshop.
Automation & Workflows
Streamline your business processes by connecting and automating your favorite tools.
9. Zapier
[zapier.com]
Zapier is a software application that’s been around for years, connecting your apps so they work seamlessly together. For example, you could use Zapier to automatically add new leads from a contact form on your website to your CRM or email tool.
Another example: you could connect an AI tool like ChatGPT to automatically draft responses to customer inquiries. Zapier allows you to automate processes so you can work smarter, not harder.
10. Make
[make.com]
Make is another excellent automation tool that connects your apps and automates workflows. While Zapier is known for its simplicity and ease of use, Make focuses on offering more customization and flexibility for users who want to fine-tune their automations.
One of the key differences is the interface. Make uses a visual, mind map-style workflow builder, allowing you to drag and drop elements to create detailed, flowchart-like automations. This makes it easier to visualize every step of your workflow.
Make does have a smaller number of app integrations compared to Zapier, and its interface may feel more complex for beginners. For businesses with advanced needs or users who want more control, Make might be the better choice.
Both Make and Zapier are powerful tools, and the best choice depends on your specific needs and how much customization you want in your workflows.
Audio & Voice Tools
These tools help you create and work with audio content.
11. Rev.com
[rev.com]
Rev.com is an AI-powered transcription service I’ve personally used for years, and it’s incredibly reliable. Whether you’re creating content or documenting important conversations, Rev.com’s transcription tool makes it fast and easy to turn audio into text.
Here’s one way I use it: Instead of staring at a blank screen trying to type, I’ll jot down a few quick notes, hit record, and just start talking. Speaking freely helps the ideas flow much faster. Then, I upload the audio file to Rev.com, and within minutes, I have a highly accurate transcription. From there, it’s just a matter of editing and polishing the text, and I’m done!
If you’re looking for an AI transcription tool to save time and make content creation easier, Rev.com is a fantastic choice.
12. ElevenLabs
[elevenlabs.io]
ElevenLabs is an advanced text-to-speech AI voice generator that brings written content to life with natural-sounding voices. Type in your text, and in seconds, you’ll have an AI-generated audio file that sounds just like a real person.
You can choose from hundreds of pre-generated voices or even clone your own voice. It also supports 32 languages, making it perfect for businesses with a global audience.
For example, you could use ElevenLabs to create a professional voiceover for promotional videos or training videos in situations where you don’t want (or need) to be on camera. Or you could convert a blog post or book into an audio version so your audience can listen on the go. Again, you’re only limited by your creativity.
If you’re looking for a powerful text-to-speech AI voice generator that’s easy to use and surprisingly affordable, ElevenLabs is worth exploring.
Research & Insights
13. Perplexity
[perplexity.ai]
Perplexity is an advanced AI-powered search and information platform that combines the best of web search with conversational AI. It’s designed to go beyond traditional search engines by providing direct, comprehensive answers to your questions—along with citations so you can verify the information.
It’s like doing a Google search, but instead of sorting through multiple results, Perplexity just gives you an “executive summary.”
Whether you’re doing research for a blog post, analyzing market trends, or summarizing a long article or book, Perplexity delivers fast, clear, and reliable results.
What makes Perplexity stand out is its transparency. Unlike many tools, Perplexity shows you the sources behind its answers, so you can trust the information and dig deeper if needed.
Conclusion
AI tools might seem like magic, but they’re really just tools. They’re designed to help you work faster, with less effort, and—when paired with the right strategy—achieve better results.
Businesses that start adopting AI now will stay competitive and avoid falling behind. Even experimenting with just one or two tools can make a big difference over time.
Which of these AI tools are you excited to try? Let me know!
