AI Tools
Based on Marcus's Comprehensive Training
In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, AI tools are becoming increasingly accessible. However, the difference between using individual AI tools and implementing complete AI systems is substantial. This guide breaks down the essential steps to move beyond simply using AI tools to creating profitable AI-powered business systems.
"A set of things working together as parts of a mechanism or interconnecting network."
All components working in harmony to achieve a goal.
"A series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end."
The sequence of steps that make up your workflow.
"A device or implement used to carry out a particular function."
Individual AI applications like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude.
Most people focus solely on acquiring new AI tools without understanding how to integrate them into a cohesive system that produces business results. A tool by itself provides limited value compared to a well-designed system.
Imagine standing before a high shelf containing valuable items you want to reach:
The same principle applies to making money online with AI - individual tools provide some elevation, but a complete system gets you to the results you want.
The GLF method stands for Get attention (traffic), generate Leads, Follow up. This proven formula works across virtually any online business model and becomes even more powerful when enhanced with AI systems.
Generate traffic through strategic content, social media, ads, or SEO. Without visibility, even the best offers won't convert.
AI tools can help create and distribute attention-grabbing content.
Convert traffic into leads by collecting contact information through lead magnets, giveaways, or valuable content.
AI can create compelling lead magnets and optimize conversion elements.
Nurture leads with consistent valuable communication until they convert. "The fortune is in the follow-up."
AI can automate personalized follow-up sequences and analyze responses.
On average, only about 1% of website visitors convert on their first visit (with the right traffic). This means 99% of your potential customers leave without taking action. A solid follow-up system captures value from the remaining 99%.
Before diving into tools or content creation, you must thoroughly understand your market. This is where most people fail - they jump straight to creating content or buying tools without knowing what their audience actually wants.
Begin by using AI tools that help you learn about your chosen market. Use AI to compile and analyze information rather than starting with content creation.
Use AI to thoroughly research your chosen niche or market. Spend more time learning about your market than creating content.
Example Prompt: "Please research [your niche] and provide comprehensive information about the top struggles people face, products they typically buy, and common questions they ask."
Identify what people are actively searching for in your niche to understand demand.
Research how you can monetize your niche before creating content or building a system.
There are two primary ways to create value in a market:
The more specific and targeted your solution, the higher the value per customer you can typically extract.
After understanding your market, determine which business model best suits your niche and personal goals. Your niche research should guide this decision.
Many people select a business model first (like dropshipping or affiliate marketing) and then try to force it onto a niche. Instead, choose your niche first, then select the business model that best serves that market.
Promote other people's products and earn commissions.
Create valuable content and monetize through ads, affiliates, or products.
Create and sell ebooks, courses, templates, or software.
Offer services enhanced or automated by AI.
Sell physical products without managing inventory.
Offer recurring access to premium content or services.
Consider the difference between one-off tasks and ongoing systems:
Focus on building systems rather than offering services that AI can easily replace.
If you're not ready to build a full business system, you can start with AI-enhanced side hustles. These can generate income while you learn and potentially scale into full businesses.
Use AI to create blog posts, articles, and web content for clients.
Create sales copy, advertisements, and marketing materials.
Use AI to enhance your editing services for documents and content.
Write books, articles, or blogs for others with AI assistance.
Create digital books on various topics with AI help.
Use AI to help with coding tasks even without extensive experience.
Provide AI-assisted troubleshooting for common platforms like WordPress.
Create automated workflows for businesses using AI.
Use AI image generators to create designs and graphics.
Use AI to enhance video editing and content repurposing.
Create animations and graphics with AI assistance.
Use AI to create and schedule posts for clients.
Provide search engine optimization with AI analysis.
Create email campaigns and sequences with AI.
Optimize advertising campaigns using AI insights.
Many of these side hustles are vulnerable to being replaced directly by AI. To build long-term value, focus on creating systems and processes around these skills rather than offering them as one-off services.
Once you've researched your market and selected a business model, it's time to establish your online presence.
Secure a relevant domain name and reliable hosting for your website.
Build your website or landing pages with AI assistance.
Example Prompt: "Create a landing page for a [your niche] website that focuses on [main benefit]. Include sections for benefits, testimonials, and a call to action."
Create consistent branding elements with AI assistance.
Example Prompt: "Create a logo for a [your niche] business called [business name]. The brand values are [list values], and it targets [describe target audience]."
Don't spend excessive time perfecting your logo or branding when starting out. A simple, clean design is sufficient - you can refine it as your business grows. Focus more energy on understanding your audience and creating valuable content.
With your foundation in place, create strategic content that serves your audience and supports your business goals.
Based on your market research, decide what types of content will best serve your audience.
Develop a plan for creating, publishing, and promoting your content.
Example Prompt: "Create a 3-month content calendar for a [your niche] website. Include blog post topics, social media content ideas, and email newsletter themes based on these keywords: [list your keywords]."
Use AI to help create high-quality content efficiently.
While AI makes it possible to create large volumes of content quickly, focus on quality and addressing your audience's specific needs. Content that truly helps your audience will perform better than generic AI-generated material with no added value.
Create templates for different content types to streamline your production process:
Implementing the "L" in GLF - generate leads by collecting contact information from your audience.
Develop valuable free resources to offer in exchange for contact information.
Example Prompt: "Create an outline for a comprehensive PDF guide on [topic] that would serve as a lead magnet for [target audience]. Include 10-15 sections covering the most important aspects of this topic."
Create and strategically place email capture forms on your website.
Establish your email marketing system and automation.
Example Prompt: "Create a 5-email welcome sequence for new subscribers who downloaded my [lead magnet] about [topic]. Include personalization, valuable content, and gentle promotion of [your product/service]."
If you don't have the resources for a full email marketing system yet, start by building a following on social media platforms. Create valuable content consistently to attract followers, then transition them to your email list as you grow.
Your lead magnet should be so valuable that you feel it could be sold as a paid product. This establishes trust and demonstrates the quality of your content from the first interaction.
The "F" in GLF - following up with leads and converting them into customers or clients.
Create a systematic approach to nurturing your leads with valuable content.
Identify the most appropriate products or services to offer your audience.
Example Prompt: "Based on [describe your audience], what are the most suitable monetization methods for a website about [your niche]? For each method, explain why it would work well and provide specific product/service ideas."
Build the pathway that guides leads toward purchasing your offers.
Establish processes for assisting customers and addressing questions.
Sales is primarily about helping people solve problems. If you focus on genuinely helping your audience and providing value, the sales process becomes more natural and effective. Avoid aggressive selling tactics that damage trust.
Implement systems to track performance and continuously improve your business.
Set up tracking to measure key performance indicators.
Actively seek input from your audience to improve your offerings.
Example AI Use: Set up AI to analyze customer messages and identify common questions, objections, or suggestions that can inform your business improvements.
Continuously test different elements to improve performance.
In the early stages of your business, actively engage with your audience to deeply understand their needs and challenges. This firsthand knowledge is invaluable for creating effective content and offers.
For example, actively answer questions from your audience and note patterns to identify knowledge gaps you can fill with content or products.
These AI tools can help you implement the steps outlined in this guide.
Excellent for deep market research and information gathering.
For organizing research, creating mind maps, and generating study guides.
Research tool with citation capabilities for verifiable information.
General-purpose content creation and brainstorming.
Excellent for copywriting and sales content; handles large documents.
Strong for generating code and technical content.
High-quality image generation for marketing materials.
Integrated image generation with text capabilities.
Design platform with AI image creation and editing tools.
High-quality voice generation for videos and podcasts.
AI video creation with virtual presenters.
Video editing with AI transcription and editing capabilities.
Create no-code tools and applications for your website.
AI website builder for WordPress sites.
Generate and explain code for custom website functionality.
Analyze metrics and provide insights on performance data.
Process and summarize customer feedback for actionable insights.
Track website performance with AI-powered recommendations.
Rather than trying to use every AI tool available, focus on mastering a few tools that serve your specific needs. Different AIs have different strengths - learn which ones excel at specific tasks in your workflow.
For example, Claude might be better for copywriting while Gemini excels at research - use each for their strengths rather than trying to make one tool do everything.
A step-by-step framework to put everything together into a cohesive AI-powered business system.
| Phase | Key Tasks | AI Tools to Use |
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| 1. Market Research |
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| 2. Business Planning |
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| 3. Foundation Building |
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| 4. Content System |
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| 5. Traffic System |
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| 6. Lead Generation |
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| 7. Monetization |
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| 8. Analytics & Optimization |
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If you're feeling overwhelmed, start with these concrete steps to build momentum.
After your initial 5-day plan, focus on consistency and improvement:
Constantly buying new AI tools without implementing what you already have.
Focus on mastering a few essential tools that serve your specific needs rather than chasing every new tool.
Using AI tools in isolation without connecting them into a cohesive business system.
Create workflows where the output of one AI tool becomes the input for the next in your process.
Jumping straight to content creation without understanding your audience.
Spend more time on market research than content creation initially - it will make all subsequent steps more effective.
Publishing AI-generated content without adding your own expertise or perspective.
Use AI as a starting point, then enhance content with your unique insights, experiences, and voice.
Creating content without a system to capture visitor information for follow-up.
Implement lead capture mechanisms on all content and create valuable lead magnets to build your email list.
Creating massive amounts of generic AI content rather than targeted, valuable material.
Focus on creating fewer pieces of higher-quality content that truly solves problems for your audience.
Engage directly with your target audience to deepen your understanding:
Once your basic system is working, scale up with these approaches:
Remember that individual AI tools might elevate you slightly, but a complete AI-powered business system will take you all the way to your goals. Focus on building cohesive systems rather than collecting the latest tools.
Always return to these core principles:
This proven approach, enhanced with AI systems, provides the foundation for any successful online business.
Start with understanding your market deeply, then build systems that leverage AI to serve that market effectively. Remember that the most valuable businesses solve real problems for real people - AI is simply a tool to help you do that more efficiently and effectively.