Small business owners and entrepreneurs are using AI technology to think "smarter" and supercharge their company's marketing efforts.

"AI is a great equalizer," says Levi King, co-founder, CEO, and chairman of Nav, a credit and financial health platform for small businesses. 

"It gives us access to tools and insights that were once the exclusive domain of Fortune 500 companies," the entrepreneur writes in an AllBusiness.com article recently posted by Time magazine.

"Whether it's advanced analytics, automated customer service, or sophisticated marketing, AI empowers small businesses to punch above their weight and reach new markets."

Here are three ways AI tools could help your small business crank up sales and build on your successes.

1. Save Valuable Time with AI Tools

Every entrepreneur knows the constant struggle for more time, as there never seems to be enough hours in the day when running a business.

"The toughest commodity for small business owners is time, and AI can help give some of that time back," writes Elizabeth Gore, co-founder and president of the financial tech company Hello Alice, in a July article for Inc. magazine.

In the AllBusiness article, King points to surveys that say small business owners who adopt AI report saving hours each week, opening up time to spend on "high-value tasks like building relationships, innovating, or simply taking care of yourself and your team." 

"Perhaps the greatest gift AI offers is time," he says.

Zaw Thet, CEO and co-founder of the clinical platform Exer AI, points to the breathing space he gets from time-saving AI technologies, and advises other entrepreneurs to try incorporating AI tools into their daily business routine too.

"The benefit of AI is that when it's used smartly, it enables these efficiencies and gives us time back," says Thet, who was interviewed for Gore's article. "I'd much rather start a task or four deep research projects on ChatGPT and then have time to work out or go outside and get some sun and Vitamin D." 

2. Drive Sales Growth Through AI-Enhanced Marketing

AI marketing tools can really boost — even supercharge — a company's efforts to promote its brand and products.

By using AI marketing tools, small business owners say they're able to create higher-performing email and social media content and increase ad optimization.

"Marketing used to be a shot in the dark for most small businesses. Now, AI can help you target the right audience with the right message at the right time," says King in the AllBusiness article in Time.

Also, he says, AI tools can help small businesses analyze what's working and what's not, and that helps maximize a company's return on investment.

"I've watched small businesses grow their customer base and revenue by leveraging AI-powered marketing platforms that were once out of reach for anyone without a massive budget," adds King.

3. Make Smarter Business Decisions Using AI Insights

Some business owners are using AI tools to help them "think smarter," making better decisions based on AI-generated insights they may have missed without the tech assist.

Data analysis was cited as the second most popular use for AI (32.6 percent) by small business owners surveyed by Bluevine, according to Florida Realtors, a statewide member organization.

"Rather than just being a tool for simple automation, AI is increasingly trusted with complex, data-heavy problem-solving," says the post. "A reliance on AI for data analysis showcases its growing intelligence and reliability, a notable change from early AI, which often struggled with accuracy." 

While many small businesses rely on gut instinct, AI data analytics tools now provide actionable insights that improve decision-making and business strategy. Platforms like Zoho Analytics, Tableau with AI plugins, and Microsoft Power BI now include predictive analytics powered by machine learning. You can forecast sales, spot trends, and even identify customer churn risks without needing a data science degree.

Entrepreneur Stephen Nalley said he used predictive AI to forecast which products would perform best based on seasonal trends and customer behavior.

 "That insight helped me adjust inventory ahead of time and avoid overstocking slow movers," writes Nalley, founder & CEO of real investment firm Black Briar Advisors, in a Fast Company article.

For companies that rely on physical products, Nalley recommends using AI tools to help predict demand, streamline restocking, automate purchase orders, and detect potential supply chain issues, such as AI-powered NetSuite, ShipBob, or QuickBooks Commerce.

"For my small product line, this has meant better margins, fewer stockouts, and happier customers," Nalley adds.

Ready to start using AI tools for your small business? 

Discover how artificial intelligence can help you save valuable time, optimize your marketing, and make smarter, data-driven decisions. For more tips and recommendations, explore our related guides: Affordable and User-Friendly AI Tools, How to Save Time, Money, and Stress Using AI, 3 Ways AI Enhances Customer Experience and Sales, and How AI Can Help with Advertising.