How to Use AI for Your Small Business
Artificial intelligence (AI) is growing in popularity and everyday usage. So how can small businesses benefit from this technology? As mentors to America's small businesses, SCORE offers free, expert advice and on-demand training for entrepreneurs looking to tap into AI to save time, improve processes and increase efficiency. Entrepreneurs can attend free webinars on AI best practices during the National Small Business Week Virtual Summit May 6-7.
Time-saving application
Small businesses often have limited resources, and AI can help by making certain processes more efficient. "By automating repetitive tasks, AI can streamline workflows and bolster employee productivity," said SCORE mentor Gray Poehler. "For example, AI-powered sales automation can analyze customer data, predict potential leads and automate outreach. This allows sales teams, especially those with limited bandwidth or capacity, to focus less on manual prospecting efforts and more on nurturing high-priority leads."
Efficient content creation
In addition to streamlining processes, AI can also draft written content for your business. "With AI writing tools, creatives can leverage pre-designed email templates tailored to different stages of the client's journey," explained SCORE mentor Chloe Clark. "From welcome emails that set the tone for collaboration to daily or weekly project updates that keep clients informed about progress, these emails ensure that communication remains seamless and proactive."
Check AI's work
It's important to remember that AI can make mistakes, so you'll need to review the final product for errors before moving forward. SCORE mentor Kathryn Bardins recommends thinking of AI as just one aspect of your overall strategy: "This is another new tool in your marketing toolbox and should be considered as only a tool – not the entirety of your efforts."
Need help? Ask SCORE
SCORE offers free, online workshops on a wide variety of topics, including how to incorporate AI into your business operations. Register now for the upcoming National Small Business Week Virtual Summit, co-hosted by SCORE and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which includes these three sessions on AI for entrepreneurs:
Small business ownership comes with many challenges, but help is available. SCORE's certified mentors provide free, expert guidance and support in any area of business. Find a mentor today for insights on which technology tools – such as AI – make the most sense for your business.
Leif Jackson, founder and owner of online booking platform SchedGeo, describes how his SCORE mentor Jay Mulford helped him on his entrepreneurial journey. "With Jay's help, I wrote a business plan. Plus, he helped talk me through which technology to use based on scalability, which was immensely important," said Leif. "He came from a software background, so he could truly relate to my business and brought very relevant experience to my business questions."
To learn more about SCORE, request a mentor or volunteer to be one, visit SCORE.org
SOURCE SCORE
Time-saving application
Small businesses often have limited resources, and AI can help by making certain processes more efficient. "By automating repetitive tasks, AI can streamline workflows and bolster employee productivity," said SCORE mentor Gray Poehler. "For example, AI-powered sales automation can analyze customer data, predict potential leads and automate outreach. This allows sales teams, especially those with limited bandwidth or capacity, to focus less on manual prospecting efforts and more on nurturing high-priority leads."
Efficient content creation
In addition to streamlining processes, AI can also draft written content for your business. "With AI writing tools, creatives can leverage pre-designed email templates tailored to different stages of the client's journey," explained SCORE mentor Chloe Clark. "From welcome emails that set the tone for collaboration to daily or weekly project updates that keep clients informed about progress, these emails ensure that communication remains seamless and proactive."
Check AI's work
It's important to remember that AI can make mistakes, so you'll need to review the final product for errors before moving forward. SCORE mentor Kathryn Bardins recommends thinking of AI as just one aspect of your overall strategy: "This is another new tool in your marketing toolbox and should be considered as only a tool – not the entirety of your efforts."
Need help? Ask SCORE
SCORE offers free, online workshops on a wide variety of topics, including how to incorporate AI into your business operations. Register now for the upcoming National Small Business Week Virtual Summit, co-hosted by SCORE and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which includes these three sessions on AI for entrepreneurs:
- Make AI Work for You: Designed specifically for small business owners looking to harness the potential of artificial intelligence, learn how mastering the art of AI prompt writing can significantly boost your business productivity and spark creative solutions.
- The Small Business AI Advantage – Practical Tools to Grow Your Business: A deep-dive into how small businesses are using AI in 2025 and real, actionable strategies to put to work in your small business right now.
- AI Small Business Panel: Hear directly from successful small business owners as they share their firsthand experiences, challenges and victories in adopting artificial intelligence solutions.
Small business ownership comes with many challenges, but help is available. SCORE's certified mentors provide free, expert guidance and support in any area of business. Find a mentor today for insights on which technology tools – such as AI – make the most sense for your business.
Leif Jackson, founder and owner of online booking platform SchedGeo, describes how his SCORE mentor Jay Mulford helped him on his entrepreneurial journey. "With Jay's help, I wrote a business plan. Plus, he helped talk me through which technology to use based on scalability, which was immensely important," said Leif. "He came from a software background, so he could truly relate to my business and brought very relevant experience to my business questions."
To learn more about SCORE, request a mentor or volunteer to be one, visit SCORE.org
SOURCE SCORE
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