The 3 AI Mistakes You NEED to Avoid as a Small Business Owner

Dorien Morin-van Dam
Jun 3
3 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Are you treating AI like just another Google search? If so, you’re missing out on the true power of AI strategy for small business.

In one of my recent videos I shared the pitfalls many small business owners face when adopting AI, and how to turn those mistakes into growth opportunities.

I have years of experience helping entrepreneurs and small businesses integrate social media and now AI into their marketing, operations, and sales processes.

Woman looking worried about making AI mistakes in her business

Are you ready to move beyond basic automation and into strategic, goal-driven AI use?

Let’s break down the top three mistakes and how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Using AI Without a Clear Business Goal

One of the most common missteps in AI strategy for small business is adopting AI without defining a measurable business goal. Goals like “make more money” are too vague to guide AI use effectively. Instead, your AI goals should be specific and trackable, such as:

Reducing content creation time by 50% in the next 3 months
Improving customer service response rates via AI chatbots
Generating 20% more qualified leads using AI-assisted sales tools

👉 Tip: Start with your core business objectives, and then ask: “How can AI help me reach these faster or more efficiently?”

Mistake #2: Randomly Automating Tasks Without Strategy

Many business owners dabble with AI by automating isolated tasks—one email here, a social post there—but this isn’t a real AI strategy for small business. Instead of random automation:

Audit where you and your team already use AI.
Identify which processes could benefit from consistent AI support (e.g., research, content writing, data analysis).
Build repeatable workflows where AI tools are integrated into your daily operations.

This ensures AI supports your business holistically rather than piecemeal.

Mistake #3: Chasing the "Shiny New Tool"

Another trap is constantly switching between AI platforms, thinking the newest one will magically solve all problems. An effective AI strategy for small business includes:

Selecting 2-3 reliable AI tools that align with your needs.
Testing the same prompt across different tools to compare outputs.
Sticking with what works and refining your processes rather than endlessly jumping ship.

Building a Smart AI Strategy for Small Business

A successful AI strategy starts with these steps:

Audit current AI use. Understand how AI is already in play across your business.
Set measurable goals. Define what success looks like with AI.
Choose the right tools. Select AI platforms that align with your business objectives.
Establish repeatable workflows. Create systems that integrate AI consistently.
Develop an AI policy. Ensure employees understand how AI should (or shouldn’t) be used in the workplace.

Watch the full video here:

By following this approach, you’ll move from using AI as a gimmick to leveraging it as a powerful growth driver.

Final Thoughts: Make AI Work for You

AI isn’t a magic bullet, but with the right strategy, it can be a game-changer for your small business. Focus on goals, consistency, and tools that truly serve your objectives. Ask yourself: “Where do I want to go in my business, and how can AI get me there faster?”