Let me share what AI tools I use in my own business. I’ve replaced a video editor. I’ve reduced the need for an extra content creator. I’ve systemised our entire content workflow. And I’ve streamlined production in a way that’s saved us an estimated 40% in time and effort.
Welcome back to the AI Six Podcast, the podcast where I share smart, practical ways to use AI for marketing and communciations.
Today, I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the AI tools I actually use every single day to run my business while maintaining my creative voice.
I call this my AI Business Stack. It’s how I streamline my content creation, manage projects, produce this podcast, and stay ahead in a fast-moving digital world.
So, if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the number of AI tools out there, this episode is for you. Let’s get into the seven tools I swear by — and how they fit into my creative workflow.
1. VoicePal: My Voice-First Assistant
I’m a voice-first creator. My best ideas come when I speak them out loud — not when I stare at a blank document.
VoicePal helps me capture those ideas in real-time, transcribe them accurately, and even shape them into rough drafts. It’s perfect for content planning, podcast scripting, or just getting that brain-dump out of my head and into action.
If you’re someone who thinks better on your feet, or on a wall, this is a game-changer.
2. Claude: My Thinking Partner
Claude is my AI co-writer. I use it to summarise long text, structure my ideas, and help refine things when I’ve got the bones of something, but not quite the polish.
It’s incredibly powerful, it can process the equivalent of an entire novel in seconds. That means I can feed in long documents, meeting transcripts, or course content and get it distilled into something useful, fast.
When I need clarity or structure, Claude is the first place I go.
3. Opus Clip: My Short-Form Video Editor
One of the most powerful tools in my stack especially for content repurposing.
Opus Clip takes long-form videos or podcast recordings and automatically finds the best clips to turn into short, social-ready videos. It adds captions, jump cuts, and even headlines.
I use it to create clips for LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts all from one long recording.
I don’t need a video editor anymore. It saves me hours.
4. SocialInsider: My Social Intelligence Tool
Content is only as good as its impact, and SocialInsider helps me understand exactly what’s landing with my audience.
It gives me in-depth data and benchmarking across platforms so I can see what’s working, what’s not, and how my content compares in the wider landscape.
It’s especially helpful for strategy, reporting, and making sure my content is always audience-first.
I like to say it’s my social media radar always scanning what matters most.
5. Buzzsprout: My Podcast Engine
Of course, I need to talk about Buzzsprout, the tool that helps me get My AI Six out into the world.
It handles publishing, analytics, optimisation, and distribution, all with a clean, user-friendly interface.
It also gives great data on who’s listening and where, which is so useful for tracking growth and impact.
I couldn’t run this podcast without it; it’s as simple as that.
6. Perplexity: My AI Search Tool
I’ve all but replaced Google with Perplexity. It gives me answers with sources so I can trust what I’m reading and dive deeper when I need to.
It’s brilliant for show prep, research, audience insights, and even trend-spotting.
It’s a search, but better, because I get clarity and citations in one place.
7. Adobe Express: My Gen AI Collaborator
Adobe Express has become one of my favourite tools for creating professional-quality visuals in minutes, and its Generative AI features make it even more powerful.
It now includes:
- Text-to-image generation powered by Adobe Firefly: type a prompt, and it creates custom visuals instantly.
- Auto-branding: Just upload your brand kit, and it applies fonts, colours, and logos consistently across all assets.
- AI template suggestions are based on your content type, so if I’m posting a podcast teaser, it suggests formats that are optimised for Instagram, LinkedIn or Stories.
- Quick Actions: These are like background removal, image resizing, and content repurposing, all AI-driven
Want even more?
In Episode 57, I reveal my bonus AI tools — the hidden gems that add extra magic to my stack. Keep reading or tune in to part two.
About the Podcast Host
Joanne Sweeney is a specialist in public-sector marketing and digital communications. She’s the author of Public Sector Marketing Pro and the creator of the Professional Diploma in AI for Public Sector Marketing. With years of experience in training, consulting, and advocating for digital transformation, Joanne provides insight and guidance for government agencies navigating the digital landscape. She is also the host of the award-winning Public Sector Marketing Show podcast.
