4 AI tools worth trying this week (no tech skills needed)

A simple starting point for Canadians who are curious about AI but not sure where to begin.

Hey there, and welcome to the first issue of AI, Eh?

I want to start simple. No overwhelming lists. No technical jargon. Just four AI tools I’d genuinely recommend to any Canadian small business owner who’s curious about AI but not sure where to begin.

You don’t need to understand how any of this works. You just need to know what to type. So for each tool below I’ve given you an exact prompt, just fill in the blanks and paste it in.

That’s it. Let’s go.

Four beginner-friendly AI tools to try first

Claude (claude.ai)

This is the one I use most. Claude is brilliant at writing, emails, responses, descriptions, you name it. If you only try one tool from this list, make it this one.

Try this, fill in the blanks and paste it into claude.ai:

“My name is [YOUR NAME] and I own [BUSINESS NAME], a [WHAT YOUR BUSINESS DOES] in [YOUR CITY], Canada. A customer left a negative review saying [DESCRIBE THE COMPLAINT]. Can you write a warm, professional response that acknowledges their concern and invites them to give us another chance?”

Or if you are stuck use this:

"My name is Sarah and I own Calgary Boot Works, a shoe and boot repair shop in Calgary, Canada. A customer left a negative review saying their boots took too long to repair and weren't ready when promised. Can you write a warm, professional response that acknowledges their concern and invites them to give us another chance?"

Free to use. No credit card needed.

ChatGPT (chatgpt.com)

ChatGPT is probably the name you’ve heard most and it’s popular for good reason. It’s especially good for brainstorming and generating ideas when you’re stuck.

Try this:

“My business is [BUSINESS NAME], a [WHAT YOUR BUSINESS DOES] in [YOUR CITY], Canada. My typical customer is [DESCRIBE YOUR CUSTOMER]. Give me 10 social media post ideas for this week that would appeal to them.”

Again if you are stuck:

"My business is Prairie Bloom, a flower and gift shop in Saskatoon, Canada. My typical customer is a local resident buying flowers for birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions. Give me 10 social media post ideas for this week that would appeal to them."

Free to use.

Canva AI (canva.com)

If your marketing materials look a little homemade, Canva AI will change that fast. It’s a design tool that anyone can use, and their AI features mean you don’t need any design experience at all. In fact, the logo at the top of this page was created with Canva, a prompt and a couple of refreshes till we got it right.

Try this inside Canva’s AI generator located on the left hand side of the Canva homepage:

"Create a social media image for [BUSINESS NAME], a [WHAT YOUR BUSINESS DOES] in [YOUR CITY], [YOUR PROVINCE], Canada. We're promoting [WHAT YOU ARE PROMOTING]. Use [DESCRIBE THE MOOD OR COLOURS YOU WANT] and make it feel [HOW YOU WANT IT TO LOOK OR FEEL]."

Another sample for you:

"Create a social media image for Lakeside Bakery, a homemade bread and pastry shop in Kelowna, British Columbia. We're promoting our new weekend brunch box. Use warm, inviting colours and make it feel cozy and appetizing."

Free plan available. Pro is ~$17 CAD/month and worth every penny.

Google Gemini (gemini.google.com)

Already using Gmail or Google Docs? Then Gemini is already part of your world and you may just not know it yet. It lives right inside the tools you use every day which means almost zero learning curve.

Try this:

“My name is [YOUR NAME] and I run [BUSINESS NAME], a [WHAT YOUR BUSINESS DOES] in [YOUR CITY], Canada. Can you write a warm, professional out of office reply for [UPCOMING HOLIDAY OR CLOSURE]?”

Just use this if you are stuck:

"My name is David and I run Nova Scotia Kayak Tours, a guided kayak and outdoor adventure company in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Can you write a warm, professional out of office reply for the Easter long weekend?"

Free with any Google account.

My honest advice

Don’t try all four today. Pick the one that matches your biggest headache right now and spend just 15 minutes with it.

✅ Struggling with customer emails? Start with Claude.

✅ Need content ideas? Start with ChatGPT.

✅ Want better looking marketing? Start with Canva AI.

✅ Already in Google? Start with Gemini.

Try one AI tool this week

Talk soon,

Chris MacKinnon

Founder, AI, Eh?

theaieh.ca

P.S. Know a fellow Canadian business owner who could use this? Forward it along. That’s exactly how AI, Eh? grows, one neighbour at a time.

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4 AI tools worth trying this week (no tech skills needed)

Four beginner-friendly AI tools to try first

My honest advice

Try one AI tool this week

AI Basics for Canadians

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