The Big Idea Behind Best Year Yet
Introduction: A New Kind of Business Journey
Starting a business is exciting, but let’s be honest—it’s also overwhelming. As a micro-business owner, I knew I wanted to create something meaningful, something that could truly help other small business owners like me. But I was also staring at the same challenges that many of you face: limited time, a tight budget, and a never-ending list of tasks and worst of all…the dreaded blank page!.
That’s when I had an “aha” moment: What if I could use AI not just to save time, but to actually make the process smarter and more enjoyable and more efficient? And so, the idea for Best Year Yet was born—a business built with the help of AI tools, designed to empower micro-business owners to grow smarter, not harder.
The Struggles That Led Me Here
Before I dive into how I’m using AI, let me tell you a little about where this all started. Like many of you, I’ve spent countless hours trying to figure out:
- What to post on social media to engage my audience.
- How to build a community and subsequently an email list keep you interested once you sign up.
- How to create a loyal customer base while juggling everything else.
It felt like I was always playing catch-up, doing everything manually, and never having enough time for life in general. Being switched on all the time is just exhausting, don’t you agree? Marketing felt like a chore, and I wondered if I’d ever find a way to simplify it and make it more interesting for me and my prospective followers.
I knew there had to be a better and downright more exciting way. That’s when I started experimenting with AI tools—and it changed everything.
Why I Decided to Use AI to Start My Business
AI isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a game-changer, especially for small business owners who wear 10 different hats every day. Here are the big reasons I’ve chosen to use AI to build Best Year Yet:
1. To Save Time
Time is the most valuable resource for any business owner. Whether it’s writing social media captions, drafting email newsletters, or brainstorming blog topics, AI allows me to do in minutes what used to take me hours to write but coming up with great ideas can take days or even weeks of thinking. That slowed me down considerably all the time.
For example, tools like ChatGPT (yes, the same AI writing assistant helping me now!) can generate content ideas, outline eBooks, and even write first drafts. This means I can spend more time focusing on growing my business instead of getting stuck in the weeds.
2. To Make Smarter Decisions
AI tools like UpViral help me create viral campaigns that encourage my audience to refer their friends, grow my email list, and build my community—all with built-in analytics to track what’s working. Instead of guessing, I can make data-driven decisions that improve my results over time.
3. To Simplify Complex Tasks
Let’s face it: Marketing can be overwhelming. And if you don’t keep doing it every day like clockwork you will experience slumps in your business very often. The dreaded feast or famine cycle! So, from designing lead magnets to scheduling social media posts, there are so many moving parts. AI tools like Canva, Jasper, and Buffer simplify these tasks so I can execute professional campaigns without needing advanced technical skills (or hiring a full team…(which is way out of my budget).
4. To Focus on My Audience
The real magic of AI isn’t just in automating tasks—it’s in creating space and time to really connect with people. By saving time on repetitive tasks, I can focus on understanding the struggles of my audience and building resources that truly help them—like my upcoming eBook, 100 Social Media Ideas for Local Businesses.
In fact, I have no idea if this is even something you want or need, and that is why I’m going to need your help!
What Is Best Year Yet All About?
Best Year Yet is my way of paying it forward. My mission is simple: to help micro-business owners grow their audiences, build engaged communities, and create sustainable businesses using smart strategies and AI-powered tools.
Some of these AI tools are even FREE to use. Granted, you don’t get the full version, but it is still way better than a blank page!
Here’s what I’m working on right now:
- Building a Free Resource: My upcoming eBook, 100 Social Media Content Ideas for Local Businesses, is designed to save you time and make social media posting easier than ever. (If this is NOT what you want, please let me know.)
- Creating Proven Systems: I’m in the process of combining step-by-step frameworks, templates, and tools to help you:
- Build an engaged online community using Facebook.
- Use viral growth strategies to multiply your audience quickly.
- Launch a newsletter that actually helps you to grow your business much faster!
- Learning and Growing: Through this blog, I’ll document my journey—what works, what doesn’t, and everything I learn along the way—so you can apply it to your own business.
What I’ve Learned So Far
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you don’t have to do it all on your own. AI isn’t here to replace the personal touch—it’s here to enhance it. Tools like ChatGPT help me create content faster, but the heart of my business is still about connecting with real people, understanding their struggles, and helping them succeed.
Here’s what else I’ve learned:
- You don’t need to be a tech wizard. AI tools are more accessible than ever, and you can start small.
- Progress beats perfection. It’s better to take imperfect action than to wait until everything feels “ready.”
- Listening is key. Your audience will tell you exactly what they need—if you take the time to ask.( Hint- I’m asking)
What’s Next for Best Year Yet?
This is just the beginning. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be:
- Running my first eBook launch: But, to better understand your struggles and meet your needs, I’ll need to understand the biggest struggle you have in your business first.
- Completing my eBook: Once I have enough information, I will deliver a powerful, time-saving resource to help you grow your social media presence.
- Building a community: If you think having a community on Facebook is enough… I have very bad news for you! You need to have a community on a platform YOU own. It must be a place where you can share ideas, support each other, and grow together. This is the ultimate goal for me. First, I need to grow my community so I can help you grow yours!
How You Can Join Me on This Journey
If you’re a micro-business owner who’s tired of feeling stuck or frustrated because your business isn’t growing as expected, I want to hear from you. Tell me:
- What’s your biggest struggle with marketing?
- What would make your life easier right now?
You can leave a comment below or join my email list to get early access to my eBook and future updates from Best Year Yet.
Conclusion: AI Is the Partner Every Small Business Owner Needs
Starting a business with AI as my partner has been an eye-opening experience. It’s helped me save time, simplify processes, and focus on what really matters—helping micro-business owners like you grow and succeed.
I can’t wait to share more of this journey with you and, most importantly, help you create your Best Year Yet.
CTA:
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