The One Where We Talk About AI

👇 TL;DR: This Week in The Digital CEO Weekly 👇

✨ The Real Magic Still Comes From YOU: How to avoid letting AI steal your essence, and why you are still the most powerful part of your business.

🤖 Train It Like a Team Member. Use It Like a Tool: The process I follow to get the most out of AI without losing control of my voice, creativity, or results.

🎬 CapCut + AI: My favorite AI-powered video editing tool right now, and how it's saving us hours of time.

💡 How I Actually Use AI (and How You Should Too): Real examples of how I'm integrating AI into  my business workflows every single day.

🚀 My Brand New Live Training Experience: Learn the A-Z on how to create your first sellable digital product.

💵 This Week on The Mind Your Business Podcast: We're talking all about the data that brings in the dollars.

From the Desk of James Wedmore:

Ok, it’s time to talk about AI. 

Now, I am not an “AI Expert” nor do I ever want to be. Rather, I’m a Business Performance Expert.

And for the past five months, I’ve been diving deep into how AI can help your business perform... better. 

There’s a lot of “noise” and nonsense out there when it comes to AI... 

(I mean, do you really need an AI to write a rap or country song about your cat? Cool? Yes. Useful? Not really.)

But then there are REAL game-changing tools that WILL help you, like save you HOURS and HOURS of time. And that’s the name of the game: 

EFFICIENCY. 

Everything I’m about to share is geared toward one person: the Online Expert/Personal Brand entrepreneur looking to grow their digital-product based business.

Now, I know there are a lot of emotions around AI. 

People are excited. 

Overwhelmed. 

And yeah… scared shitless. 

(So maybe be nice to your Chatbots so they spare you when they take over the planet and become our AI Overlords, ok?)

It’s also accelerating really fast. I’ve seen vast improvements in what it can do now compared to just 18 months ago.

But let’s start here: I hate Social Media.  

I mean... “hate” is a strong word. Strongly dislike! I wouldn’t be on it if I didn’t run a business. 

It’s filled with so much vanity, materialism, and a constant, desperate chase for attention. It’s gross.  

Then again, social media is just software that allows that type of behavior and energy to exist... even thrive. But it’s people who bring that energy.

So, it comes back to humanity. 

Dare I say, social media encourages the darker aspects of humanity to come through. (Sure, there’s good stuff on social media too, don’t get me wrong!) 

That’s KINDA how I feel about AI in general. 

I believe it will encourage a LOT of people to use it in ways that DON’T serve their own growth and evolution. So, right now, it’s a tool. And how you use it matters.

Survey Results on AI-Usage:

Before we continue, I wanted to share the results from last week's anonymous survey.

I asked my audience of business owners to answer two questions: 1) how much are you using AI in your business right now, and 2) how much money are you making?

The Result: Survey respondents are using AI in their business an average of 41%. 

Then I asked ChatGPT to organize that data by "Income-Bracket" and chart it. Which it did:

Note: I had a Revenue-Bracket for the $501k-$2M bracket. But I had no one select that. 

Although the highest AI-usage bracket were businesses in the $50-150k range... above that Revenue-Bracket, AI-Usage began to decline. It would appear, the more someone is making... the less they are using AI. 

This could be because these are more experienced businesses that already have existing systems, processes and people in place.

It could be because they are slow to change their ways.

It could also be that they are already so skilled in what they do, they feel current AI technology underperforms. 

Who knows. 

For me personally, I would estimate I use AI in my business roughly 20-25%. (This newsletter will go on to share all the ways in which I am using it.)

I also asked ChatGPT for its opinions on this data. If you'd like to see what it shared with me, click here.

Ok... back to the newsletter...

✨ The Real Magic Still Comes From YOU

I already see people skipping over their real learning, growth, and skill-building with a “Just let ChatGPT do it” attitude. I think we can foresee many becoming “lazy” and dependent on such tools.  

This is problematic for many obvious reasons... a few of which are: 

LIFE is about the PROCESS... not the destination. 

To rob yourself of the experience of learning, growing, acquiring true wisdom and achieving mastery of something you are passionate about... would be to rob yourself of a huge chunk of the Human Experience. 

To stack on top of that...

Your GIFTS, your energy and your unique essence, which has the power to transform lives comes from THAT acquired wisdom of experience.  

So you ROB the World of that because you gave it something fake. Artificial. Not DIVINE. 

So yes, I “hate” the idea that many, many people might forgo a journey of growth and awakening to rely more on something that can do it all for them in 3 seconds.

But time will tell.

Let me ask you something: 

How would you feel right now if I told you this entire newsletter, and all the ones I’ve produced in the past, were entirely written by AI? An AI that was prompted by some virtual assistant I hired?

Here’s what I assume you’d feel: 

At first, you might be impressed. Excited about the implications for your business.  

But then... you might feel a bit... disappointed? 

Almost like when a magician reveals the trick, and you realize he was just using a magnet. 

“Oh, that’s it?” 

You may even go, “Why would I keep reading this? I’ll just go to the artificial “source” myself.” 

So here’s the real question:

WHO do you want to hear from? Me? Or AI?

And for the record: Anything I create, write, or produce always comes FROM ME... or rather, THROUGH ME. (So yes, I write all these newsletters myself.)

But I suggest you do the same... lest you leave your people feeling disappointed as well. 

It’s a cool notion that AI can create your entire course, ebook or newsletter in 4.2 seconds... it’s REALLY “cool.” 

But I wouldn’t EVER suggest you actually do that. 

Not if you’re trying to create a REAL brand. Or REALLY help people. 

And sure, the 3D peeps will argue, “but it’s soo good, and can still help.” 

My response? “And you can be better. And help more.” 

Look... YOU are here to make a difference. To change lives.

And YOU do that with your FREQUENCY. Your ENERGY. 

Your WORDS carry with them an energetic signature. 

AI does NOT. It’s artificial. You are DIVINE.  

So, the TLDR: If you’re a Coach or Teacher - keep creating that ORIGINAL Divinely Inspired Content. Don’t let AI become you.  

And I know I’ll still have many who disagree with this... that’s fine. 

But consider this: The easier and quicker it is to create (like using a bot to create your course for you) the quicker it becomes a commodity. 

If you want to be a commodity... good luck with that. You will lose. 

Creating a Personal Brand as a unique authority will ALWAYS separate you from everyone and everything else. 

...Now that doesn’t mean ChatGPT can’t inspire new ideas and creative directions you didn’t even consider before! That’s what I’m doing, and it helps massively!

So with that ALL being said, let’s get into the “positive” and exciting ways that I feel you should absolutely be using AI in your business.  

🤖 Train It Like a Team Member. Use It Like a Tool.

I’ll start with a very simple premise: AI is your B+ Employee.

As you probably know, I've been obsessed with team-building for years. I’ve learned just about everything there is about culture, leadership, communication and running a small team... mostly the hard way.  

And right now, AI is like your B+ Team Member. Actually… team members, PLURAL.  

(Now, if you think AI is an A Player... then you’ve never had a REAL A Player work for you before. Because the difference is HUGE.)

AI has yet to consistently and completely anticipate needs, take full ownership, or deliver results out in the World without you having to ask it, initiate it, or prompt it. 

(☝️ Me and my ChatGPT account teaming up on a project)

If you hired a new team member today, they wouldn’t just walk in, take over your business, and double your revenue.

You’d have to:

✔️ Train them. 

✔️ Set expectations. 

✔️ Review their work. 

✔️ Give feedback.

✔️ Make final decisions.

AI is no different.

I’m all for using AI, as a member of your team.

And not just for you… but for your human team to use as well. 

Currently, we are training AI. We’re giving specific roles to custom Chatbots inside our business. Things like…

Research, content topic generation, copy angles, marketing ideas, survey analysis and more. 

(And yes, Business By Design members... get ready. These trained bots are coming your way soon!!)

We have bots that will audit your landing pages for copy, design and SEO. Bots that will come up with an entire FB ad campaign based on a landing page it views. And yes, bots that can create your entire sales page. 

But here’s what matters most: The PROCESS behind how we use them.

1. The bot is TRAINED on MY real-world experience, frameworks and formulas.

2. The bot produces a FIRST draft.

3. I come in and create the final version.

And this is where I see most people getting it wrong. They’re only using Step 2.

They skip the training. They skip the final touch. And then they wonder why it doesn’t hit the mark.

A Simple FB Video Ad Creation Process

Let me break down the exact process my team and I used to create our latest video ads, so you can see how and where AI fits into it.

My creative team and I sat down to brainstorm some creative, out-of-the-box ideas for new videos to promote The Rise of The Digital CEO this year (May 29th!).

Here’s what we did:

1. We started with one of my trained bots. I plugged in my landing page, and it gave me 3 different campaign ideas. I liked one of them and added it to the idea list.

2. I took each idea and pitched it to ChatGPT, looking for additional ideas and angles to flush them out into FULL OUTLINES.

3. I wrote a script myself based on those outlines.

4. I submitted each script to ChatGPT, asking for suggestions to clean it up or punch it up.

5. I then made a FINAL draft for each script based on what ChatGPT gave me. 

What you’ll notice here is that I’m still in the driver’s seat. I used ChatGPT as a tool to help ME.

Some of what it gave me was great. And other parts? Not so much.

In my review of this process, ChatGPT supported me to inspire ideas, acted as an editor to tighten up my scripts, and sped up the writing process. 

And then through MY eyes, I saw what I had. And I know it’s good. 

Then... comes the filming/editing piece (and frankly, this is pretty cool).

We filmed all the videos in one day. No AI here. Just my team and I pressing record and capturing our content.  

But the editing…

🎬 CapCut + AI

As you may or may not know, I went to one of the Top 10 Film Schools in the United States for editing. So yeah, I love editing. 

But I also think it’s a huge time-suck, so try to get it off your plate ASAP! 

I enjoy it, so I still do SOME videos. And OMG! I am loving CapCut and the AI integration they are utilizing.

And frankly, this is where I am most excited about AI right now: when a great software can leverage AI to improve workflows. 

So, check this out...

First, CapCut auto-synced my Video and Audio (external audio file) with the click of a button. Next, it used AI to generate unique B-ROLL footage from a simple text prompt.  

Then it auto-generated animated on-screen captions.  

Also, it auto-removed the background of my video so I could do some cool “green screen” effects. 

And then... it resized the video into multiple formats so I could have a 16:9, 9:16 and square video file... all while keeping me centered in the frame.

WHAT?!

If you’ve ever edited before... you know that each one of those tasks would normally take hourssss.... Now? Seconds.  

But it doesn’t stop there:

CapCut (and other software companies like OpusClip, Pictory, Descript and Veed.io) will now take your 60 min Video Podcast episode and automatically edit it into 10-20 short-form Reels, rich with captions and B-Roll.  

Capcut also has a ton of other innovative AI features, such as:

• Translating your audio and captions into ANY language

• AI-generated Voiceover Avatars

• Really cool audio and video effects that improve or change the quality of your videos 

...and more!

It’s sooo cool! 

Now... let me also be clear: I ain’t doing this all by myself. 

I’m learning about these tools, and then TRAINING my team to use them so THEY become more efficient and save time. 

That’s the key. Imagine you are paying an employee to do something that takes 10 hours... and one tool takes it down to 60 minutes! 

Time and money SAVED! 

*PAUSE* 

Ok, so at this point in writing this newsletter... I actually submitted my first draft to ChatGPT asking for its opinions and feedback. 

Here is the stupid-simple prompt I used:

“I wrote my latest newsletter all on AI... can I submit it here and you review it? I want your feedback and opinions.”

If you’d like to see what it came back with, click here.

*CONTINUE* 

A Quick Recap List of CapCut's Editing Features

CapCut is stacked with features. And honestly, it’s wild how much time these save:

1. Creates 20 short-form viral clips (OpusClip alternative)

2. Auto-adds animated captions with sound effects

3. AI-generated B-roll from text prompts

4. Insta Chroma-Key (instantly removes background)

5. AI script writer

6. Text-to-speech (in your voice or others)

7. AI voice enhancement

8. AI language translator  

9. Auto-reframe (formats video for 16:9, 9:16, square, etc.)

💡 How I Actually Use AI (and How You Should Too)

How I'm Currently Using ChatGPT:

Here’s a quick rundown of how I’m personally leveraging ChatGPT right now:

1. Research - data collection & resource-gathering

2. Brainstorming ideas & sparking creativity 

3. My new Google (quick answers to questions)

4. Unique image generation for presentations, etc

5. Survey result analysis 

6. Copy angles and hooks & headlines ideas

7. Process documentation 

Cool AI Tools We're Using in Our Business:

And here is a list of some pretty cool tools we’ve integrated into our workflows:

1. ScribeHow - Auto-generates step-by-step process docs

2. Canva + AI - “Magic Design” feature generates entire designs

3. Descript - Cool AI-driven video editing

4. Gamma.app - Auto-generates keynote-style presentations

5. Captions.AI - Automated video editing with captions

6. MailMaestro - AI for email inbox organization

7. Capcut - (Yes, again!) Because it’s just that good.

Bonus Non-Business AI App:

Not business-related, but super cool:

Check out Vetted.ai. It uses AI to analyze product reviews across the internet and gives you the best-rated options (mattresses, vacuums, blenders... whatever you need). Way better than reading a thousand Amazon reviews.

Pretty cool! 

"Where to Start with AI" Mini-Checklist

Here’s a little fun “homework” if you want to get started with some basic AI action items. 

✅ Ask ChatGPT to write 5 Instagram hooks
✅ Use CapCut to auto-caption your next video
✅ Ask ChatGPT to summarize your last podcast episode
✅ Use Canva’s “Magic Write” to draft a freebie headline

The "Ultimate Prompt" Prompt

Instead of thinking of the perfect prompt for ChatGPT, try this instead.

Simply ask ChatGPT to write the prompt for you, using a simple prompt like this: 

*Specific Outcome being something like: an instagram reel script that goes insanely viral on my feed. 

Copy and paste the prompt it gives you... and see what happens!

🤷‍♂️ In Conclusion... Kinda.

The conclusion is... I don’t have one yet. 😂

AI advancements are happening extremely fast. This newsletter was only written a week ago and it’s probably outdated already! Haha! 

And it’s several full time jobs keeping up with all of the updates. I have found that there is a lot of “noise” too. A lot of tools and applications that sound promising, but still under-deliver. 

I’m sure that will change. 

I wouldn’t suggest feeling overwhelmed, intimidated or fearful of AI.

My suggestion is THIS... look at what is already required of you and your team within your business. Just like hiring a virtual assistant, look for the tasks and projects that can be automated or made more efficient by AI. 

(For example, Monday.com, our project management software, has a whole section of AI Blocks designed to intuit, automate and anticipate your project management needs.. Pretty cool stuff.) 

But don’t feel like you need to go “DO” AI. Incorporate it INTO what you’re already doing.  

💭 If you’re already creating content... let it help you with research, sourcing ideas, inspiration, hooks, feedback, summaries, etc. 

📹 If you’re already filming your podcast, let it auto-edit it for you. 

📱 If you’re already on social, let it help create your images, branding, etc.

But don’t let it replace you.. It’s the opposite. Let it bring out the BEST in you. 

Because no matter how good AI gets... 

AI can’t know your unique stories, life lessons, or soul essence.

AI can’t feel — so it won’t ever write something that truly moves someone without you.

AI can’t build relationships, coach someone in real time, or hold energetic space.

That’s your job. 

I hope this helps. 

Brand New Live Training Experience:

🚀 Don't Launch Until You Do THIS

Mark your calendars for my next upcoming workshop: Your First Digital Product!

In this BRAND NEW 3-Day Training (freeeee!) I'm simply walking you through the entire process of creating your first SELLABLE Digital Product so it's ready for launch! 

What Topic? What Price Point? Positioning? What To Include? What Software To Use? All of it! 

This training is absolutely FREE... and there is nothing for sale. Nothing held back! So come as an empty cup! 

Click here to lock in your seat: https://www.businessbydesign.net/firstproduct

This Week on The Mind Your Business Podcast:

💵 From Data to Dollars

Jenni's BACK on the pod this week!

Today we're breaking down the metrics that actually move the needle in your business. Understanding just a few key numbers can completely transform your growth, profitability, and freedom as a Digital CEO. 

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by data, this is the clarity you’ve been waiting for.

🎧 LISTEN To The Episode Here

🔥 This Week In A Meme

Thanks for tuning in and I'll see ya next Monday!

Cheers,

James