This is what I did for the past few years and it almost always turned out well for me.

Yes, there were some failures, but I never let them break me. Quite the opposite. They taught me the most and inspired me to continue.

And this is what I did when I jumped on the AI train a few months ago.

2016, the rise of the freelancer.

It all started in 2016 when I quit my corporate job and said goodbye to my role as Retail and Franchise Training Manager for 7 Central East Europe or CEE countries.

Oh boy, I loved that job 🙂 Traveling 200 days per year was quite harsh and tiering. On the other side working with talented people across multiple countries taught me a lot about different cultures.

Before I left, I signed up for a Business Coaching training which I have completed successfully. Thinking back now, I have a feeling that during that time I started my “quiet quitting”.

Soon after that I quit and became a business coach.

Yes, I had some coaching knowledge, but I had ZERO knowledge about online business.

And the term digital marketing was not present in my vocabulary. That was just meant to come.

In the next 3 months, I discovered things like web development, content creation, and social media marketing.

I was always tech-savvy so learning new tools and strategies was very refreshing.

Not long after that I touched the sealing of business coaching. Or maybe it was the bottom?

Even though I built a super fast and good-looking website and started creating engaging written content, it never converted a single client for my coaching business.

So I quit.

2017-2020, the rise of a blogger.

I wrote my first book when I was around 8 years old. It was called “Sahara” and it was about a special agent who went to fight local gangs in the desert.

Don’t ask me why this storyline 🙂

Nevertheless, I always had the skills to write content. Any content to be very honest. Maybe it was not grammatically correct, but it was still interesting to read.

So at the end of 2016 and beginning of 2017 I jumped on the blogging train.

Because I love to cook and eat delicious dishes, I decided to become a food blogger. The food blog took off pretty quickly and in 2018 I had around 120k yearly visitors.

Which was pretty impressive for a newbie.

I usually wrote blogs about food, created recipes, and most importantly, I became a food photographer.

By the end of 2019, I had collabs with brands and earned money as a food and product photographer.

During that Christmas, the whole family got pans and pots from me as a gift.

FYI, I earned more as a food blogger than a business coach. And I am earning money from the food blog even today.

Note to myself: I also gained 15kg.

Also, during this period I have started my online magazine where I took a role as an Editor In Chief. I was writing thousands of words per week on topics, like Technology, Movie Reviews or Health.

Around March 2020, I saw a decline in the website’s traffic.

And I knew I had to jump train again.

2021-2023, the rise of the digital marketer.

In the beginning of 2021 a new train arrived, and it was called “DIGITAL MARKETING”.

It headed to a brighter future and consisted of train wagons like Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), SEO Copywriting, Email Marketing or E-Commerce.

By mid 2021 I had a pretty good marketing knowledge and got my first clients. So I committed to driving this project further and opened my Digital Agency.

From day one it converted more clients than I ever dreamed of.

I had projects and earned pretty good money. I used the most advanced tools and technology.

But… And this is a pretty big one.

In December 2022 a company called OpenAI launched a groundbreaking tool.

This tool became the fastest growing tool ever made with 1 million users gained in just 7 days.

Today more than 100 million users use it daily.

Yes, the tool is ChatGPT.

2024, jumping on the AI train.

And as you guessed it right, it was time to jump on the next train. This time the AI train.

When looking back at my journey, I have to admit that it all makes sense.

Without starting my coaching business and discovering web development I wouldn’t be able to create my food blog.

Without my copywriting skills, I wouldn’t be able to write content for my websites or social media.

Without my interest in technology, I probably wouldn’t have discovered SEO, digital marketing, and Artifficial Inteligence.

Today I can boldly say that I mastered AI.

Maybe I don’t know how exactly it works under the surface, but I for sure know how to use it to improve business or day-to-day life.

I use AI tools for generating majority of my video, audio, or written content.

In the past 12 months I became a Prompt Engineer, AI Graphic Designer, Youtuber, and Podcaster. All thanks to AI.

As I am saving time on things like content creation, I can focus on Business Consultations or develop coherent training with a focus on AI. I like to be a step ahead and give my clients solutions they never thought of. And in many cases, AI plays a big role here.

All of this is possible only because I jumped on a new train when I felt the moment was right.

And because I am always looking into “what’s trending“.

When my blogging started to fail I learned Search Engine Optimisation, so I could improve it.

When ChatGPT came out, I signed up for it the next day and started to use it.

So what about my next train?

To be very honest I don’t know. Seeing how quickly things change I can’t foresee even the next 3 months.

I will set up a notification for this article 12 months from now. I will review it and see if I am still sitting on the AI train or not.

Also, I might use the Future Me tool, which will allow me to write a note to my future self to double-check it.

And what about you? On what train are you sitting now?

Do you need an AI lift?

🙂

On the other hand, not every tool that pops up is worth using. Some of them can deliver initial promises like ChatGPT, GROQ, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, Gemini, or Copilot from Microsoft.

Truth to be told, some AI tools suck! And I mean it.

The Hype Around AI Tools

There’s a lot of excitement about what AI can do these days. You’ve probably heard stories about AI writing amazing articles or figuring out complex problems all by itself.

Some even say AI can do almost anything, like making your morning coffee (though, I wouldn’t hold my breath for that).

But let’s take a step back and think about it.

All these amazing stories – are they true?

Sure, AI is pretty smart and can do a lot of cool stuff.

But sometimes, what we hear is more like a fairy tale than the real deal.

AI is great, but it’s not magic. It’s a tool that can help us do things better and faster, but it’s not going to solve every problem under the sun.

Reality Check: When AI Tools Suck

Not all that glitters is gold, and AI tools are no exception.

Here are a couple of firsthand experiences that shed light on the limitations of AI:

The Web Design Wizard That Wasn’t

I recently tested an AI tool for web design, lured by the promise of having a full website ready in minutes.

The result?

A few lines of text were broken into headings and paragraphs, with no design elements in sight. Yes, the tool had the option to adjust the design by adding images, videos, or buttons.

To be very honest, I could have done this much faster by installing a WordPress theme that already has the elements created, and just replacing the text.

The solution was far from the promise and disappointed me so much, that I lost any motivation to test it further.

Take a look at the full video review.

Instagram Carousels Missing the Mark

Another experiment involved a tool designed to churn out Instagram carousels in seconds.

So I gave it a try.

I have signed up for the free trial and jumped into the menu. I adjusted the fonts, colors, and the layout. All this was done with premade templates.

Then I hit “create” and waited for the result.

While this tool delivered on its promise of speed, the end product was quite average.

The final carousels lacked personality and flexibility, serving as a reminder that AI still struggles to replicate the nuanced creativity humans bring to the table.

Cutting the Noise

When it comes to AI tools you have to be aware of their weaknesses.

Here are some common ones:

Understanding the AI Tools

• Data Bias: Imagine AI as a sponge soaking up everything. If it soaks up dirty water (biased data), it’s going to squeeze out dirty water too. We need clean, unbiased data for AI to work its best.
• Missing the Plot: At times, AI can be like that friend who nods along but hasn’t caught a word. It tries to help but ends up giving you something totally out of left field because it missed the context.
• Overdependence on AI: Putting all your eggs in the AI basket? Risky. It’s like using a hammer for every repair job; not everything is a nail. We need the human touch to spark true innovation.
• The Integration Tango: Making AI dance to your business’s rhythm isn’t always smooth. It’s like trying to teach an old dog new tricks; patience and effort are key.

Staying Smart with AI: The Lean Genius Strategy

My latest philosophy is all about using tools that can deliver results. There is no need for you to test or use each tool that pops up.

Even Neil Patel mentioned in his previous newsletter, that you shouldn’t use every AI tool.

I prefer focusing on a few big players, like Gemini and ChatGPT. With their capital and engineers, they will eventually have all those functionalities anyway… you may just have to wait a few months. 

Neil Patel

Save yourself some time and master the one AI tool you are already using.

Even when the new update or similar tool can deliver faster results by 0.1 seconds stay with yours.

Go and try a new one only if it can significantly improve your workflow, and creativity or save you money.

For me, those tools are ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Canva.

This combo serves me well and there is no need for a change or upgrade.

At least not for now.

The Lean Genius Way

I mentioned briefly “The Lean Genius” way in the previous section.

Let me explain it to you further.

In the past 6 months, I have learned that not all things that glitter are gold. (seems that I found my new favorite statement :)).

Meaning, that not every tool has the power to change the world or help you.

If you lack creativity, there is no need to search for an AI tool to improve it.

Open up the free AI chatbots like Gemini or Copilot, and find a way how these tools can help you become more creative.

The same goes for presentations, carousels, spreadsheets, and so on.

Yes, there is a tool for everything. On the other hand, you do not need to spend dozens of hours searching for the best solution.

Jumping from one tool to another will only cost you time, energy, and money.

Simplify your workflow, and learn to master the most common tools.

If you need help with finding the best solution for you or your business, let me know in the comment below. Or if it’s more comfortable reach out to me on my social media.

I will be happy to assist you.

PS: If you are reading this I just want to say thank you for your time. I hope you found something valuable in this article.

Jan

With a plethora of choices at our fingertips, the question arises: which one truly stands out?

Eager to shed some light on this, I embarked on a mission to put three well-known AI chatbots – ChatGPT, Copilot, and Google Bard – to the test in a straightforward SEO keyword research challenge.

Let’s dive into my findings.

The Test:

My approach was straightforward: use each chatbot to research the keyword “iphone15”.

The goal was to analyze its organic traffic and generate a list of five related keywords.

This test was more about the answers than the prompts, reflecting a real-world SEO task.

Results Breakdown:

1. Copilot:
   • Performance: Unfortunately, Copilot lagged in this test. It lacks integration with any SEO tools, which is a significant drawback for detailed keyword analysis.
2. Google Bard:
   • Performance: Google Bard emerged as the clear winner. Its integration with Google Keyword Planner provides accurate and valuable keyword insights, making it a robust tool for SEO professionals.
3. ChatGPT:
   • Performance: ChatGPT’s performance was decent but not exceptional. It can offer basic recommendations and support, but its lack of integration with specialized keyword research tools limits its effectiveness for detailed SEO analysis.

Final Verdict:

For basic keyword research, Google Bard is my top recommendation. It’s free and excellently integrated with Google Keyword Planner, making it a valuable asset for SEO tasks.

SEO Tip: Remember, this is just the beginning. For comprehensive keyword research, consider factors like competition and keyword relevancy. Utilize your chosen AI chatbot to draft articles with well-placed keywords in titles, metadata, and content.

Answer Engines are quickly becoming the superheroes of the digital age.

I have to tell you that I am very satisfied with this direction.

Honestly, I am getting bored of Google SERPs. In my opinion, the results are becoming obsolete.

To get an answer you have to read through several results. And many times those results are outdated, not relevant, and don’t contain the right answers.

What I like about Answer Engines is that they’re not about giving you pages to browse like Google.

Also, they are not about having a chat like with ChatGPT.

In our fast-paced world, where time is precious, and accuracy is key, these engines are like your personal shortcut to knowledge.

Let me explain.

What’s the Deal with Traditional Search Engines (like Google)?

Think of Google as the grand library of the internet.

You ask a question, and it gives you a list of books (websites, actually) where you might find your answers.

It’s like a treasure map – you have the clues, but you need to do some digging.

And Then, There’s ChatGPT

ChatGPT?

That’s like having a chat with a really smart friend who knows a lot about a lot.

You ask a question, and it gives you a detailed answer like you’re texting. It’s great for explanations and sometimes feels like you’re talking to a human.

On the other hand, the information is not fact-checked and based on the latest data.

Unless you specify this in your prompt, so your ChatGPT can access Bing and look for the answers online.

Enter the World of Answer Engines (like Perplexity.ai)

Now, answer engines are the game-changers.

You ask them something and boom – you get a straight answer, no treasure hunt, no ads or promoted content, no long chats.

They’re like that friend who gets straight to the point.

So, What’s the Big Difference?

1. Google: Gives you links. You need to click and read through to find your answers.
2. ChatGPT: Gives you a conversation. It’s like a back-and-forth chat to get to the heart of your question.
3. Answer Engines: Cut to the chase. They give you the answer right away, no extra steps are needed.

Why It Matters

• When to Use Google: Great when you want to explore a topic and have time to dive into different sources.
• ChatGPT’s Best Moments: Perfect when you need explanations in a conversational style, like learning a new concept or getting various perspectives.
• Answer Engines Shine: When you need a quick, straight answer to a specific question.

Ready to Test Them Out?

Now that you’re in the know about these three amazing tools, why not play around with them?

Try asking the same question on Google, ChatGPT, and an answer engine like Perplexity.ai.

You’ll see how they each have their unique flair in helping you find information.

It’s like having your personal team of internet wizards!

I discovered Perplexity.ai just recently when I was searching for a solution to a specific SEO-related question. I asked ChatGPT, Google, and Perplexity for an answer.

The one generated with ChatGPT was kind of made up and contained wrong information. Google’s answer directed me toward Google Guidelines and did not answer my question. The one from Perplexity was the one that got my attention.

It was the only correct one! And it explained the solution in a super easy way.

Since then I have used this tool daily and I am very satisfied with the results.

But how does it work? What features does it have? And what’s the difference between ChatGPT and Perplexity.ai?

Understanding Perplexity.ai’s Magic

Perplexity.ai is a user-friendly answer engine that’s revolutionizing how we find information online.

You can ask it any question in simple, everyday language and get back answers that are clear and to the point.

It’s perfect for when you need to find something fast and don’t want to wade through search results pages.

Tailored Just for You

One of Perplexity.ai’s coolest features is how it learns about you over time.

The more you interact with it, the more it understands your interests and preferences, making each search more personalized.

This means you spend less time clarifying what you mean and more time getting the exact answers you need.

For All Your Curious Needs

Whether you’re a student researching for a project, a professional needing quick industry insights, or just someone with a curious mind, Perplexity.ai has your back.

It keeps track of your conversation, so following up with more questions feels smooth and natural.

Quick Search & Focus Features

Need a quick answer?

The Quick Search feature is your go-to. For more in-depth queries, the Focus feature lets you dive deeper into specific topics.

In Focus you can choose the source for the answers.

This level of control means you’re always just a few clicks away from the knowledge you seek.

I really like the speed of Perplexity and the way it gives you the answer. It’s more concise and contains only the answers to your questions.

Introducing CoPilot: Your Research Partner

Perplexity.ai’s CoPilot feature is like having a personal research assistant.

It guides you through complex searches, offering suggestions and helping refine queries to get you the best results.

Think of it as having an extra pair of hands to help with your research, making the whole process more efficient and less overwhelming.

Accessible Everywhere You Are

The best part about Perplexity.ai?

You can access it both through its web platform and a dedicated application.

Whether you’re working on a desktop at the office or using your smartphone on the go, Perplexity.ai is always ready to assist you.

This flexibility means that no matter where you are or what device you’re using, you have a powerful research tool right at your fingertips.

ChatGPT vs Perplexity.ai

ChatGPT and Perplexity.ai are both AI tools, but they do different things.

ChatGPT: Made by OpenAI, ChatGPT is part of the GPT family, designed to chat and write text that sounds like a human. You ask it something, and it comes back with a reply, just like talking to someone. It’s really good at making sense and fitting into the conversation.

Perplexity.ai: Perplexity is like your personal online detective. Instead of making up replies, it searches the internet to answer your questions. It’s handy for research, pulling up specific info you’re after.

So, ChatGPT is your chat and writing pal, while Perplexity is all about searching and digging up facts.

Final Thoughts

In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with information, Perplexity.ai stands out as a beacon of clarity and precision.

Its user-friendly interface, combined with powerful AI capabilities, makes it an invaluable tool for anyone looking to streamline their online research.

Whether you’re exploring a new topic, seeking specific data, or just satisfying your curiosity, Perplexity.ai is designed to enhance your search experience and empower your quest for knowledge.

Give it a try.