Why ChatGPT is Only the Tip of the Iceberg
Most business owners I talk to in Brisbane—whether they're running a landscaping crew in Carindale or a law firm in the CBD—have tried ChatGPT. They've typed in a few prompts, got a generic sounding response that uses words like "delve" and "unprecedented," and thought, "Yeah, that's alright, but it doesn't sound like me."
If that’s you, I’ve got some news: you’re using the wrong tool for the job. Using ChatGPT for every business task is like trying to use a Swiss Army knife to build a deck. It’ll eventually get the job done, but it’ll take twice as long and the finish will be rubbish.
There is a whole world of specialized AI writing assistants that do the heavy lifting for you. These tools aren't just for "chatting"; they are designed to win you more jobs, save you hours of admin, and make sure your business looks like the most professional option on the market.
In this guide, I’m going to show you exactly how to use AI to save time and win more work without ever having to stare at a blank screen again.
The Problem: The "Robot" Voice is Killing Your Sales
Customers in Queensland can spot a fake a mile away. If your quotes, emails, or Facebook posts sound like they were written by a computer programmer in Silicon Valley, people will tune out.
Generic AI writing is a waste of money because it doesn't build trust. Trust is what makes someone pick up the phone and call you instead of the bloke down the road. The tools we’re looking at today are different. They are built to follow your specific "voice" and handle specific business tasks—like writing a quote that actually gets signed or a follow-up email that doesn't sound pushy.
Case Study: How a Northside Tradie Saved 10 Hours a Week
Let’s look at a real example. We worked with an electrician based in Chermside. He was great at the job, but his paperwork was a mess. He’d come home at 6:00 PM, sit on the couch with his laptop, and try to turn his messy site notes into professional quotes and emails.
He was using ChatGPT, but he spent more time correcting the AI's mistakes than he did writing from scratch.
We moved him onto a specialized writing assistant called Jasper. Unlike ChatGPT, Jasper has built-in templates for business owners. Instead of asking it to "write a quote," he used a template designed to overcome customer objections.
The Result: He cut his admin time from 12 hours a week down to 2. He started getting his quotes out the same evening, rather than three days later. Because he was the first one to respond, his "win rate" on quotes went up by 30%. That’s real money in the bank just by changing the tool.
3 AI Tools That Are Better Than ChatGPT for Your Business
If you want to get more jobs and stop wasting your nights on the computer, these are the three tools I recommend looking at right now.
1. Jasper: The Professional Marketing Assistant
Jasper is the "big gun" of AI writing. It’s more expensive than ChatGPT, but it’s built for people who need to sell things.
What it does: It has over 50 "recipes" for different tasks. Need a Facebook ad that makes people click? There’s a button for that. Need a Google My Business update to show off a recent job in Paddington? There’s a button for that too. Why it’s better: You can upload your previous emails and brochures, and Jasper will learn to write exactly like you. It won't use big, fancy words if you don't use them. The Cost: Expect to pay around $60–$80 AUD per month. The Verdict: If you spend more than 5 hours a week writing marketing stuff or emails, this will pay for itself in the first week.
2. Grammarly GO: The "Don't Look Silly" Tool
Most people know Grammarly for fixing spelling. But their new AI features are a game-changer for busy owners who respond to enquiries on the fly.
What it does: It sits inside your email (Outlook or Gmail). If a customer sends a complaint or a tricky question, you can click a button and tell Grammarly to "respond professionally" or "make this sound more urgent." Why it’s better: It works where you already work. You don't have to copy and paste text back and forth between different windows. The Cost: There is a free version, but the good AI features start at about $18 AUD per month. The Verdict: Perfect for the business owner who is worried about their grammar or sounding too blunt in emails.
3. Copy.ai: The Content Machine
If you know you should be posting on social media to stay ahead of the competition but you never know what to say, this is your tool.
What it does: It’s designed to help you get content ideas and turn them into finished posts in seconds. Why it’s better: It has a "Workflows" feature. You can tell it: "Every time I finish a job, take my 3 bullet points and turn them into a Facebook post, an Instagram caption, and a local update for Google." The Cost: Free version available; Pro is about $55 AUD per month. The Verdict: Best for retail shops, cafes, or service businesses that need to stay "top of mind" on social media.
How Much Will This Actually Cost You?
I’ll be blunt: most of these tools have a monthly subscription. If you sign up for everything, you’ll be out $150 a month.
But you shouldn't sign up for everything. Pick one tool that solves your biggest headache.
If your quotes are taking too long: Get Jasper. If you’re worried about sounding unprofessional in emails: Get Grammarly.
- If you’re struggling to post on Facebook: Get Copy.ai.
How Long Until You See Results?
This isn't a "set and forget" thing. It takes about an hour to set up your "Brand Voice" in these tools. You’ll need to feed it some examples of your best work—a quote you’re proud of, an email that got a great response, or a flyer that worked well.
Once that’s done, the results are instant. You will notice: 1. Day 1: You stop hitting "delete" and starting over. 2. Week 1: Your inbox is clearer because you’re replying to enquiries faster. 3. Month 1: You’ll notice more people saying "yes" to your quotes because your follow-ups are consistent and professional.
What’s a Total Waste of Money?
Don't get sucked into buying "Prompt Engineering" courses. You’ll see blokes on LinkedIn trying to sell you 10,000 prompts for $99. It is a waste of money.
Most of those prompts are generic and useless for a local Brisbane business. You don't need to be a "prompt engineer." You just need to talk to the AI like you’re talking to a smart 20-year-old uni student you’ve hired to help in the office. Tell it who the customer is, what you want them to do, and what the tone should be (e.g., "Friendly but professional Brisbane plumber").
Also, avoid any tool that claims it can do your entire marketing on "autopilot" for $20 a month. Marketing requires a human touch and local knowledge. These tools are assistants, not replacements for your brain.
Your 3-Step Action Plan
If you’re ready to stop wasting your evenings on admin and start winning more work, here is what I’d do if I were in your shoes:
1. Identify the bottleneck: Where do you spend the most time writing? Is it emails, quotes, or social media? Choose the one that hurts the most. 2. Pick one tool: Don't overcomplicate it. Sign up for a free trial of Jasper or Copy.ai. Spend 30 minutes playing with it on a Saturday morning when the phone isn't ringing. 3. Create a "Voice" file: Put together a Word doc with 3 examples of things you’ve written that you actually like. Use this to "train" whichever tool you pick.
Need Help Getting This Sorted?
Look, I get it. You’re busy running a business. You didn't get into your trade or profession to become a computer expert. While these tools make life easier, setting them up properly so they actually make you money takes a bit of know-how.
At Local Marketing Group, we help Brisbane small businesses set up these systems so they work from day one. We don't care about the tech; we care about making sure your phone rings and your quotes get signed.
If you want someone to take the guesswork out of this and just show you what works for your specific business, reach out to us. We’ve done this for dozens of local businesses, and we can do it for you too.
Ready to grow your business without the headache? Contact Local Marketing Group today.