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AI Training & Tools for Small Business

Learn AI. Automate Your Business. Grow Faster.

You get a single hub of ready-to-use AI tools and free training that take routine work off your plate so you can serve more customers and bring more money through the door. From Anthropic Claude's small business platform to free NYC entrepreneur courses, every option here is built for owners with no coding and no jargon, just results.

Section 1

Put AI to Work in Your Business Today

Claude for Small Business is a one-toggle install inside the Claude Cowork desktop app. It connects the tools you already use, with no coding and no IT department, and runs real business workflows for you automatically.

11 Ready-to-Run Business Workflows

Jon Taffer says:

Stop doing busywork. These workflows handle the paperwork so you can run your floor. The best operators use every tool available, and right now, AI is the biggest tool you are not using.

FREE: AI Fluency for Small Business

Co-presented by Anthropic and PayPal. Taught by real SMB owners: not academics. Covers which business tasks are right for AI, how to start safely, and how to use AI ethically without losing your business voice.

  • Which tasks AI handles best
  • How to start safely & ethically
  • Taught by real business owners

Claude SMB Tour: Free Half-Day Workshops

Free half-day workshops touring cities across the US. Started May 14, 2026 in Chicago, with 100 small business leaders per stop. Every attendee receives a 1-month Claude Max subscription included.

Free to attend1-month Max included

Important Privacy Setting: Do This First

Before running real business data through Claude on Pro or Max plans, go to Settings → Privacy → Model improvement and toggle it OFF. This prevents your financial records, customer data, and business workflows from being used to train future AI models.

Pricing

Claude for Small Business is included free with Claude Pro ($20/month), Max, or Teams plans. The AI Fluency course and SMB Tour workshops are completely free.

Section 2

Google Gemini: AI Made Simple for Your Business

Google Gemini is becoming one of the easiest AI tools for small business owners to pick up and use right away. No setup, no integrations to configure. Just open your browser, describe what you need, and Gemini does the work. It writes, designs, summarizes, and brainstorms so you can focus on running your business.

Why Gemini is perfect for busy owners

You do not need to install anything, connect accounts, or learn complex prompts. Gemini works in any web browser and understands plain English. If you can describe what you want, Gemini can create it, including marketing copy, images, summaries, replies, and more.

6 Practical Ways to Use Gemini Today

1

Write marketing copy

Generate social posts, email subject lines, and ad headlines in your brand voice: just describe your product and audience.

2

Create product images

Describe what you need and Gemini generates custom images for flyers, social media, or your website: no design skills required.

3

Summarize long documents

Upload contracts, reports, or meeting notes and get instant summaries with key action items highlighted.

4

Draft customer replies

Paste an angry email or review and get a professional, empathetic response ready to send in seconds.

5

Brainstorm business ideas

Stuck on a promotion, product name, or event theme? Gemini generates dozens of creative options instantly.

6

Build a simple website

Describe your business and Gemini can generate HTML, copy, and even image suggestions for a basic landing page.

Pricing

Gemini is free to use with a Google account. Gemini Advanced (part of Google One AI Premium) adds more powerful models and longer conversations for $20/month, but the free tier handles most small business tasks easily.

Pro Tip: Use Gemini with Google Workspace

If you already use Gmail, Google Docs, or Google Sheets, Gemini integrates directly, summarizing long email threads, drafting documents from outlines, and turning spreadsheet data into plain-English insights without leaving your workflow.
Section 3

Set It Once. Post Forever.

Make.com is a free no-code automation tool that connects your content to your social media accounts for automatic, scheduled posting. Write your posts once in a Google Sheet and Make handles the rest, no coding required, no manual copy-paste every day.

Reid Holmes: Appreciated Branding

Consistent, scheduled posting builds brand trust and keeps your business top-of-mind, without you being glued to your phone 24/7. Your brand becomes reliable before a customer ever walks through your door.

7-Step Setup Guide (Plain English)

1

Create your content queue

Open Google Sheets. Add columns: Post Copy, Platform, Image URL, Scheduled Date, Status. Fill in your posts ahead of time.

2

Sign up free at Make.com

Go to make.com and create a free account. No credit card needed for the free tier.

3

Create a scenario with a Schedule trigger

In Make, click 'Create a new scenario.' Add a Schedule module set to run every day at 8 am.

4

Pull today's posts from Google Sheets

Add a Google Sheets module after the trigger. Filter rows where Status = Ready AND Scheduled Date = Today.

5

Add a Router to split by platform

Add a Router module. Create separate paths for LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter/X.

6

Add publisher modules for each platform

Connect the official social media modules. Each path posts to its platform using your account credentials.

7

Mark posts as Posted

Add a final Google Sheets module to update Status = Posted so the same content never goes out twice.

Free

1,000 operations/month, enough for ~30 posts/month across 3 platforms

$9/mo

Core plan for higher volume, unlimited scenarios, priority support

5-10 hrs

Saved per week once your automation is running

Platforms Supported

LinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitter / XPinterest (advanced)TikTok (advanced)

Pro Tip: Add AI-Generated Captions

Connect an OpenAI module inside your Make scenario to auto-generate platform-specific captions from a simple topic idea in your spreadsheet. One topic line → LinkedIn post, Instagram caption, and Tweet, all different, all on-brand.
Section 4

Free Training for NYC Business Owners

NYC Small Business Services (SBS) offers completely free courses for NYC entrepreneurs to start, operate, and grow their businesses. Courses run frequently throughout the year and are available in Spanish, Chinese, and Russian. These are the same courses trusted by thousands of NYC small business owners every year.

100% Free Runs Frequently Year-Round Register at nyc-business.nyc.gov or call 888-SBS-4NYC

NYC SBS Digital Marketing Series

6-Course Learning Pathway

SBS structures their digital marketing training as a 6-course progression. Each builds on the last. The Social Media Marketing course (Course 6) is most impactful after completing the earlier courses, but any course can be taken independently.

1

Digital Marketing Strategy

Foundation: audience, goals, and full-channel roadmap.

2

Content Marketing

Create content that attracts. The 80/20 rule explained.

3

Website Optimization

Turn visitors into customers with UX and conversion tactics.

4

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Get found on Google without paying for ads.

5

Email Marketing

Build a list you own. Drive repeat business on autopilot.

6

Social Media Marketing

Where AISmallBiz guides you

Loyalty Loop, Amex Rule, platform setup, ads, KPIs, and 30-Day Plan.

All Available Courses

These courses run frequently throughout the year. Register early, popular sessions fill up fast.

Course 1 of 6

Digital Marketing Strategy

Build your complete digital marketing foundation. Define your audience, set measurable goals, and create a roadmap across all digital channels. The starting point before every other course.

Course 2 of 6

Content Marketing

Learn how to create, distribute, and measure content that attracts and converts customers. Covers blogs, video, infographics, and the 80/20 content rule used by top brands.

Course 3 of 6

Website Optimization

Turn your website into a customer-generating machine. Covers UX, page speed, conversion optimization, calls-to-action, and how to make every visitor more likely to buy.

Course 4 of 6

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Get found on Google without paying for ads. Learn keyword research, on-page optimization, local SEO (critical for brick-and-mortar businesses), and link-building fundamentals.

Course 5 of 6

Email Marketing

Build an email list you own and use it to drive repeat business. Covers list building, segmentation, automated drip sequences, subject line writing, and measuring open/click rates.

Course 6 of 6

Social Media Marketing

The complete social media playbook for small businesses: Loyalty Loop, Amex Rule (80/20), platform selection, Facebook setup, paid ads, KPIs, and a 30-Day Action Plan.

New Business

FastTrac NewVenture

Free 10-session entrepreneurship bootcamp. Learn every step to launching a successful business in New York City.

Women-Focused

FastTrac NewVenture for Women Entrepreneurs

The same proven curriculum with a focus on the unique opportunities and challenges facing women-owned businesses.

Women 50+

FastTrac NewVenture for Women Entrepreneurs 50+

Specialized cohort for women 50 and over ready to launch or re-launch a business on their own terms.

Scale Up

FastTrac GrowthVenture

For businesses already running and ready to grow. Create an actionable growth plan and get one-on-one mentoring from experts.

Women-Owned

FastTrac GrowthVenture for Female Entrepreneurs

Must be 51%+ woman-owned, in operation 1+ year with demonstrated sales. Focus on scaling sustainably.

Digital & E-Commerce

Launch Your Online Business

15-hour course developed with SUNY and FIT. Covers digital marketing, branding, website development, Shopify/Amazon setup, and SEO basics. Audit free or pay for a certificate.

Black Entrepreneurs

BE NYC Startup Intensive

Free 40-hour intensive program designed specifically for Black entrepreneurs starting or growing a business in NYC.

Cannabis Industry

FastTrac for Cannabis Entrepreneurs

Purpose-built for NYC's emerging legal cannabis industry: licensing, compliance, operations, and brand building.

Jon Taffer says:

The best operators never stop learning. These free courses are your unfair advantage, and your competitors probably do not know they exist. Knowledge is leverage. Use it.
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