AI Automation for Small Business: Where to Start in 2024

The AI revolution isn't coming—it's here. But for most small business owners, the question isn't whether to adopt AI, it's where to start without getting overwhelmed.

Start with the Pain Points

Before you dive into tools and platforms, take inventory of what's actually costing you time and money:

• Repetitive tasks that eat hours every week
• Lead follow-up that's inconsistent or non-existent
• Customer service questions that could be automated
• Data entry between systems
• Reporting that takes forever to compile

The 80/20 Rule of Automation

Focus on the 20% of tasks that consume 80% of your time. For most businesses, that's:

1. Lead nurturing - Automated follow-up sequences

2. Appointment scheduling - Self-booking and reminders

3. Customer onboarding - Automated welcome sequences

4. Internal notifications - Alerts for important events

Tools to Get Started

You don't need enterprise software. Start with these accessible options:

• Make.com or Zapier for connecting your tools
• ChatGPT or Claude for content and customer service
• Calendly for scheduling
• Your existing CRM (most have automation built in)

The First Automation to Build

If you only build one automation, make it a lead follow-up sequence. Most businesses lose 60%+ of their leads to poor follow-up. A simple 5-touch email sequence can double your conversion rate.

Next Steps

1. Audit your weekly tasks for automation opportunities

2. Pick ONE high-impact process to automate

3. Start simple—you can always add complexity later

4. Measure the time and money saved

The goal isn't to automate everything. It's to automate enough that you can focus on what actually grows the business.