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AI Tools I Use to Run My Business (Mostly Free)
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items I run most of my creator business and content systems with free or low-cost AI tools. This list includes the exact AI tools I use for writing, video, design, automation, and research so you can copy my stack and get started without big subscriptions....
Sections
5
Writing & Content Brainstorming
Design, Thumbnails & Social Posts
Video, Clips & Repurposing
Automation & Workflows
Research & Insights
Writing & Content Brainstorming
Tools I use to outline content, generate ideas, draft captions, and clean up text fast so I’m never staring at a blank page
Free ChatGPT is still my go-to for quick drafts, caption ideas, and brainstorming content angles. Use the free tier daily — no subscription needed to get massive value.
ChatGPT free (use as “general AI writer/assistant”
My Main writing, idea, and prompt engine for scripts, captions, and workflows
OpenAI
Love using for marketing copy / sales pages
Jasper Affiliate Program: Earn Rewards by Promoting AI Writing Software
I use Surfer to optimize blog posts and affiliate articles so they actually rank. It analyzes top-ranking pages and tells you exactly what to write. Free trial available.
Surfer: SEO Content Optimization Platform
My everything app. Notion is my business brain — content calendar, SOPs, client tracking, product ideas, all in one place. Free plan is genuinely good. If your brain runs on organized chaos, Notion is your match.
The AI workspace that works for you. | Notion
AI writer that creates SEO blog posts, product descriptions, social captions, email sequences & ad copy in seconds. Free plan available. Use this to churn out affiliate content that earns while you rest.
Writesonic - AI Search Visibility Tracking & Optimization Platform
Write 10x faster with AI. Generate email copy, social captions, product descriptions, blog posts & more with one click. FREE plan with 2,000 words/month. Your secret weapon for content that actually converts.
Future proof your business with GTM AI
The enterprise-grade AI writing platform trusted by top marketers. AI agents for long-form content, campaigns, emails & SEO. 7-day FREE trial. If you want high-converting copy at scale, this is the tool.
Put AI agents to work for marketing | Jasper
Create AI-powered presentations, landing pages & docs in seconds! Replace boring slides with beautiful interactive decks. FREE plan available. Use this to sell your digital products, pitch ideas & build authority.
Gamma | Best AI Presentation Maker & Website Builder
Design, Thumbnails & Social Posts
AI helpers for carousels, thumbnails, templates, and quick social graphics you can customize in minutes
Canva's AI Magic Studio upgraded everything. I use it for YouTube thumbnails, Threads carousels, product mockups, and branded templates. The free plan is genuinely powerful.
Canva with Magic Studio
Your entire brand, designed for free. Canva is how I make thumbnails, social posts, digital products, and pitch decks — all without hiring a designer. 100% free tier. Drag-and-drop. Zero design experience needed. This is non-negotiable for creators.
Canva: Visual Suite for Everyone
Schedule ALL your social media posts in advance — AI-assisted captions, bulk scheduling & analytics. Free plan available. This is the tool that keeps your content running 24/7 on autopilot!
Powerful Social Media Management & Scheduling Tools | Publer
Adobe's FREE design powerhouse! Make stunning social posts, reels covers, flyers & branded content in minutes. AI background remover + thousands of templates. No design skills needed — just results.
Free Design, Photo, and Video Tool – The quick and easy app to create on-brand content | Adobe Express
Generate STUNNING AI images for thumbnails, product mockups, Pinterest pins & content graphics. The most viral image generator online — used by top creators to make scroll-stopping visuals that convert.
Log In - Midjourney
Create professional thumbnails, social media graphics & blog banners IN SECONDS. Pre-sized templates for every platform, stock photo library included. Free plan forever. Make eye-catching content that gets clicks.
Snappa - Create online graphics in a snap
FREE AI-powered Photoshop alternative in your browser! Remove backgrounds, generate images, retouch photos & create graphics — no downloads needed. Perfect for creating scroll-stopping product images & thumbnails.
Free Online AI Photo Editor, Image Generator & Design tool
Turns any idea into viral content, ads & digital products in seconds using AI.
AI Content & Design Tool (Create Viral Posts, Ads & Digital Products in Seconds) | PagePop AI
Video, Clips & Repurposing
My go-to tools for turning long videos into shorts, editing via text, and repurposing across platforms
Descript (text-based video editing)
Descript – AI Video & Podcast Editor | Free, Online
Long‑form editing and document analysis (great for repurposing, SOPs, Skool lessons)
Claude Ai / CoWork / Code!
Another Descript link I use for repurposing podcast recordings and YouTube videos into clips. Edit via transcript — no timeline skills needed. Free plan works great.
Descript – AI Video & Podcast Editor | Free, Online
Edit videos with TEXT — no timeline needed! Auto-subtitle, trim, resize & repurpose one video into 10+ formats. Perfect for turning long YouTube videos into Shorts, Reels & TikToks instantly.
Kapwing: Make a Video About Anything
Upload one long video & get 10+ viral short clips automatically! AI finds your best moments, adds captions, and formats for TikTok, Reels & Shorts. 60 minutes FREE/month — one video = 10x content.
OpusClip: #1 AI video clipping tool to create viral shorts
Turn BLOG POSTS & scripts into professional videos in minutes! Paste any text and get a ready-to-publish video with stock footage, voiceover & captions. Perfect for faceless YouTube channels that earn passively.
Pictory - AI Video Generator
Type a prompt & get a complete AI-generated video with voiceover, stock footage & captions! Perfect for faceless YouTube channels, product reviews & affiliate content. FREE plan available. Set it and earn.
Invideo AI - Create videos without limits
AI video creation from IDEA to finished video in minutes! Auto-subtitles, screen recording, eye contact AI, voice cloning & more. Free plan available. Perfect for content creators who want to work smarter.
VEED – AI Video Creation Platform | Idea to Video Workflow
🎙️ Clone your voice or create pro-quality AI voiceovers in minutes — no mic or studio needed. I use ElevenLabs for narrations, faceless videos & automations. Free plan available. Seriously a game-changer for passive content income!
Free AI Voice Generator & Voice Agents Platform | ElevenLabs
Automation & Workflows
Tools that glue everything together, automate repetitive tasks, and trigger actions based on your content
Free plan covers 1,000 ops/month. Make is the automation tool that connects ALL your apps without needing Zapier prices. I use it to auto-post content, trigger emails, and build workflows. Drag-and-drop, zero coding, actually free to start.
AI Workflow Automation Software & Tools
Connect ALL your apps & automate workflows with zero code. Make.com is the Zapier alternative that's FREE for 1,000 ops/month. Build income-generating automations that run 24/7 while you sleep.
AI Workflow Automation Software & Tools
The OG automation tool — connect 6,000+ apps, automate email sequences, trigger social posts & build passive income workflows. Free plan available. If you want set-it-and-forget-it income, start here.
Zapier: Automate AI Workflows, Agents, and Apps
Build a newsletter that PAYS you. Free plan for up to 2,500 subscribers with built-in monetization, referral programs & AI writing tools. Email lists = the #1 most profitable passive income asset.
beehiiv — The newsletter platform built for growth
Completely FREE automation tool (no task limits!) Connect 1,000+ apps — automate your digital product delivery, email follow-ups, social post triggers & more. Better than Zapier's free plan. Period.
Pabbly Connect - Automate All Your Integrations & Task
The creator-focused email platform that PAYS you back. FREE up to 10,000 subscribers! Built-in automations, landing pages, paid newsletters & digital product selling. The most creator-friendly email tool.
Kit: Automated Email Marketing & Newsletter Platform (formerly ConvertKit)
FREE email marketing & automation for up to 1,000 subscribers! Drag-and-drop builder, automation workflows, landing pages & digital product selling. The easiest way to start your email list and earn daily.
Create Email Marketing Your Audience Will Love - MailerLite
Research & Insights
AI tools that help me research, validate ideas, and understand my audience faster
GWI Spark (data-driven insights
Agent Spark | AI Human & Consumer Insights Analyst | GWI
A great community platform for developers and tech creators to share articles and discover tools.
DEV
Research + YouTube/SEO ideas, tight with Google ecosystem and current workflows
Google Gemini
Discover what your audience is ACTUALLY searching for! Type any niche keyword and get hundreds of buyer-intent questions for content, YouTube titles, blog posts & affiliate reviews. Free searches daily.
AnswerThePublic by Neil Patel: Keyword Research & Content Ideas
The ULTIMATE SEO & competitor research tool. Spy on what keywords are making your competitors money, find untapped affiliate niches, and discover viral content ideas. Free plan included — upgrade for max earnings.
Semrush: Your Unfair Advantage for Growing Brand Visibility
The #1 YouTube growth tool. Get AI-powered title suggestions, keyword research, trending topic alerts & competitor analysis. Free plan available. Grow your YouTube channel FAST and monetize sooner.
vidIQ: Get More Subscribers & Views on YouTube | YouTube Tools
The #1 browser extension for YouTube creators. Tag suggestions, SEO scores, A/B thumbnail testing & keyword rankings. Free plan available. If you're building a YouTube income stream, this is NON-NEGOTIABLE.
YouTube SEO & Growth Tool for Creators | TubeBuddy
FREE keyword research tool by Neil Patel. Get search volume, CPC data, competitor analysis & content ideas in seconds. Find profitable niches & affiliate keywords without spending a dime. Bookmark this NOW.
Ubersuggest: Free Keyword Research Tool - Neil Patel