There is a difference between asking AI to give you an idea and asking AI to help you think. The first can be useful when you are completely stuck. The second can be much more powerful. Generative AI is remarkably good at taking a starting point and expanding it. It can suggest alternatives, identify connections,Continue reading “AI Is a Great Brainstorming Partner—If You Know What to Ask”
Category Archives: Marketing
When Your Financial Goals Compete With Each Other
Financial advice can make progress sound remarkably linear: pay off debt, build an emergency fund, save for retirement, buy a home, save for your children’s education, give generously, travel, invest, and prepare for the unexpected. All of those can be worthwhile goals. The problem is that your paycheck doesn’t necessarily get bigger just because yourContinue reading “When Your Financial Goals Compete With Each Other”
AI Can Help You Compare Options. It Shouldn’t Make the Decision for You.
There is a particular kind of relief that comes from having too many choices narrowed down to two. Which software should we use?Which marketing approach makes more sense?Should we hire, outsource, or wait?Which project deserves our attention first? Now, with generative AI, we can ask a question and receive an answer almost immediately. Sometimes thatContinue reading “AI Can Help You Compare Options. It Shouldn’t Make the Decision for You.”
Chat vs. Projects: Are You Using AI the Hard Way?
Let’s be honest. Most small business owners use AI the same way every single time — open a new chat, type a question, get an answer, close the tab, repeat tomorrow, and somehow explain the same context all over again from scratch. “I’m a small business owner who works with local clients and…” Sound familiar?Continue reading “Chat vs. Projects: Are You Using AI the Hard Way?”
Stop Pasting That Into AI: What Small Business Owners Need to Know About PII and AI
AI tools are genuinely useful for small businesses. They save time, sharpen your copy, and handle tasks that used to require hiring help. But there’s a habit forming across small business owners everywhere that creates real legal and security risk — and most people don’t realize they’re doing it. They’re pasting sensitive data directly intoContinue reading “Stop Pasting That Into AI: What Small Business Owners Need to Know About PII and AI”
Live Long and Prosper: Why Your Retirement Plan Needs More Spock
Inspired by financial adviser Robert Szigeti’s recent Kiplinger piece Full disclaimer below, shortened disclaimer here: This post provides general educational information only and is not intended as financial, investment, or tax advice. Consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions. For personalized financial planning or investment advice, please contact Blueprint Investments and Tax Planning. Be honest — when retirement planning feels overwhelming, do you react more like Scotty (“I canna hold her together much longer, Captain!”) or Spock (“Fascinating. Here is the logical sequence of events.”)? Most of us are Scottys. WeContinue reading “Live Long and Prosper: Why Your Retirement Plan Needs More Spock”
4 AI Quick Wins That Save 10+ Hours Per Week
The Prompt Formula: How to Get AI to Actually Understand What You Want
Part 2 of our AI for Small Business series You’ve tried AI. You asked it to “write a marketing email” and got back generic garbage that sounds like a robot wrote it (because, well…). You’re not alone. Most small business owners try AI once, get disappointing results, and give up—convinced that AI “doesn’t work forContinue reading “The Prompt Formula: How to Get AI to Actually Understand What You Want”
12 Warning Signs Your Marketing Strategy Has Gone Stale
How to know when it’s time to refresh your approach She Was Doing Everything Right… For 2022 Three years ago, Sarah’s Instagram strategy was crushing it. She posted daily. Used trending hashtags. Shared beautiful product photos. Her engagement was incredible—5% on every post. Sales were flowing. Fast forward to today: She’s still doing the exactContinue reading “12 Warning Signs Your Marketing Strategy Has Gone Stale”
Spring Clean Your Marketing: What Old Strategies to Keep, Update, or Trash
National Old Stuff Day reminds us: Not everything old is valuable, and not everything new is better Your Marketing Strategy Might Be Collecting Dust (And You Don’t Even Know It) Here’s an uncomfortable question: When was the last time you actually evaluated whether your marketing tactics are still working? Not just “sort of working” orContinue reading “Spring Clean Your Marketing: What Old Strategies to Keep, Update, or Trash”