The Perfect AI Tools Stack for Small Agencies & Startups

As a small business, you need to do more with less. AI is the great equalizer, but only if you choose the right stack.

The Core Stack

1. The Brain: ChatGPT Plus or Claude Team

You need a general-purpose LLM for brainstorming, coding, and drafting.

• Cost: ~$20-30/user/mo
• Use for: Strategy, coding, email drafting, meeting summaries.

2. The Content Engine: Jasper or Copy.ai

While ChatGPT is great, purpose-built writing tools help you scale content production.

• Cost: ~$49/mo
• Use for: Blog posts, social media campaigns, ad copy.

3. The Visuals: Midjourney

Don't use stock photos. Create custom brand assets.

• Cost: $10-30/mo
• Use for: Blog headers, social media images, presentation assets.

4. The Automator: Zapier or Make

Connect your AI tools to your CRM and Slack.

• Cost: Freemium to $20/mo
• Use for: "When a lead comes in, draft an email with GPT-4 and save to HubSpot."

5. The Meeting Assistant: Fireflies.ai or Otter

Never take notes again.

• Cost: ~$10-20/user/mo
• Use for: Transcribing calls, extracting action items.

Total Cost

For under $150/month, you can have a stack that replaces a junior employee's administrative workload.

Implementation Tip

Start with one tool at a time. Don't try to automate everything at once. Master the "Brain" (LLM) first, then add the specialized tools.