Unless you’ve been on the show Survivor’s island for the last six months, you probably have gotten wind of the notion that AI can help you save time, but did you know it can also help you make money? I’m not talking about becoming an AI expert and training the masses. That would take time you probably don’t have. In this case, I’m referring to creating a digital product for your business that you can sell and make money even when your business isn’t open. And best of all you can likely create it in a few minutes with the help of AI. Here’s how: Creating a Digital Sales Piece Your Customers Will Actually Buy This is the same concept as creating a lead magnet, but this one will be so intriguing that people will pay money for it. You don’t need a tech team. You need a clear problem, a simple format, and a smart way to package your expertise. Here’s how to go from idea to sale. Step 1: Start with a problem you solve every week The best digital products are shortcuts. They save time, reduce confusion, or help someone get a better result faster. Ask yourself: · What do customers repeatedly ask me to explain? · What do people mess up before they come to me? · What do I wish clients did before our first meeting? Drawing a blank? Then ask your favorite AI to help. “Act as an expert in [your industry]. List 20 common problems customers face in [your industry]. Group them by urgency and willingness to pay.” Step 2: Pick a “simple win” format You’re not building a course empire on Day 1. Start lightweight. Easy first products: · Templates: email scripts, pricing sheets, proposals, social captions, SOPs · Checklists: launch checklist, inspection checklist, onboarding checklist · Systems: think multiple connected pieces that work together. (Example: Client onboarding system: welcome email sequence + intake form + onboarding checklist + expectations doc) · Mini-guides: a 10-page PDF that gets someone from stuck to started · Toolkits: a bundle of templates + a short how-to video Rule of thumb: if it can be used in under 30 minutes, people will buy it. Step 3: Use AI to build the first draft fast (then make it yours) AI is your idea and rough-draft machine. You are the editor and expert. It’s a high performing partnership. Workflow could look like this: 1. Ask AI to Outline an idea: “Act as an expert in [your industry]. Create a one-page outline for a [checklist/guide] that helps [provide details on your audience] achieve [desired result].” 2. Make It Sound Like You: Give AI a tone and details about things to avoid or mention (or upload something you’ve written before that you like. Tell it to use that tone and cadence. “Write step-by-step instructions in a friendly, clear tone. Include examples of Y. Don’t mention X.” 3. Add your proof : your best tips, your real phrasing and examples. 4. Tighten : “Rewrite for clarity at an 8th-grade reading level. Remove fluff.” Important: don’t sell generic AI output. Sell your experience, packaged. AI is your assistant, not your brain. Step 4: Make it look clean enough to trust You don’t need fancy design, but you do need “this feels legit” and you want it to be brand recognizable. For quick “pro” options use: · Canva for PDFs and templates · Google Docs → export as PDF with your logo · Loom for a 5–10 minute walkthrough video · Descript for course-lite products and workshop replays · CapCut for quick, clean short-form videos Add a simple cover page, clear headings, and a “how to use this” section. Step 5: Price it like a shortcut, not a masterpiece Common starter pricing: · $9–$19 for a checklist or swipe file · $29–$79 for templates/toolkits · $99+ for a niche bundle with big ROI (like a full onboarding system) If it saves someone two hours, $29 is a no-brainer. Step 6: Sell it where you already have attention Start with what you’ve got: · Your website (Shopify, Squarespace, or a simple checkout link) · Etsy (great for templates) · Gumroad or Payhip (easy setup, instant delivery) · Instagram + email list: “Reply ‘PRODUCT’ and I’ll send the link.” Launch with a small offer: early-bird price for 7 days, plus a bonus (a quick-start video or extra template). Digital products can feel overwhelming when you’re creating your first one, but you don’t have to do it alone on consecutive Saturdays for six months. Instead, you can work with AI, provide your knowledge and let it do the composition. These products capture what you already know, bottle it, and put it on a shelf your customers can grab anytime, increasing your revenue outside of business hours and without a salesperson returning a call.  Further Reading: The Hidden Cash Sitting In Your Business (and how to find it) Revenue Without Regret: Designing Offers You're Proud to Sell Small Business Resource Round-Up ------------------- Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle , rediscovering the magic within. _______________________________________ Facebook: @metcalfwriting Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinametcalf5

For years, Instagram Stories have been like the “cool kids table” of your account: mostly seen by people who already follow you. Great for connection, not great for discovery. That’s changing and businesses should be pretty excited about this. Instagram now lets people reshare public Stories to their own Stories, even if they weren’t tagged. There’s typically an “Add to Story” option when viewing a public Story, and you can control this in your settings. If you’re a small business trying to reach beyond your current followers, this is not a tiny tweak. It’s a built-in word-of-mouth engine. Get Ready for Greater Reach When someone shares your Story to their Story, you get access to their audience without paying for ads or begging the algorithm. It’s like your best customer offering to hand out a stack of your flyers while telling their friends how amazing you are. How this helps you reach your audience: · UGC gets a turbo boost. A customer posts a Story with your product, you reshare it, then their friend reshares it again. That’s a visibility ripple that used to be harder to create on Stories. · Collabs become easier. You no longer have to rely on being tagged for someone to amplify your Story. (But don’t give up tags. They’re still good for attention.) · Your “helpful micro-content” can spread. Quick tips, behind-the-scenes, mini tutorials, reminders, myth-busting, weekly specials. If it’s share-worthy, it can move. Make Stories “share-ready.” · Add one clear takeaway per Story frame (tip, reminder, offer, before/after). · Use text overlays so it makes sense with sound off. · Add a simple prompt: “If this helped, share it to your Story.” (Yes, you can ask. People like being helpful.) · If you want Stories to stay more private-community-only, you can toggle sharing off in Settings → Sharing and reuse → Stories to stories. Early Access Reels: reward followers, attract new ones Instagram is also testing Early Access Reels. The idea: your Reel is shown to followers first, and non-followers who run into it may see a teaser plus a prompt to follow to unlock it, often with a timer for when it becomes available to everyone. Think of it like a velvet rope in an art museum. Without it, what’s hanging on the wall is just a picture. Place a velvet rope in front of it and it has instantaneous importance above all other works of art. Why this matters for small businesses: · You’re training loyalty . Followers get “first dibs” on announcements, drops, limited inventory, new menus, event registration, or seasonal services. · You turn curiosity into follows . If someone lands on your profile from a share or search and sees an Early Access teaser, the follow decision gets easier. · You can build social proof before the wider push . Post early, let your people engage, then later repost or repackage as a broader reach play. Features like this often roll out in phases and may not show up on every account right away but when they do show up on your account, you’ll be ready. Editing Upgrades That Make Your Content Feel “Bigger Than Your Budget” Instagram has been stacking practical creator tools, especially around video. Bulk Caption Editor (in Edits): Instagram’s Edits app has added bulk caption editing so you can view and adjust a transcript in one screen instead of hunting line-by-line. This is a time-saver and an accessibility win. Automated audio control / volume ducking: More tools are rolling out to help balance voice and music, so your Reel doesn’t sound like it was recorded inside a blender. Better audio = more watch time = better reach odds. Creative editing features: Edits has been shipping frequent upgrades (effects, sound effects, planning tools like storyboards). The bigger point is this: Instagram is incentivizing better-made video because it keeps people watching. “Your Algorithm” Means People Can Tune What They See Ever feel like you only see puppy Reels? Or maybe you hesitate to click on something because you know your stream will be filled with similar videos. No longer. Instagram is rolling out more controls that let users shape their Reels recommendations, including a feature often described as “Your Algorithm.” Users can view topics Instagram thinks they like, then adjust those interests. For businesses, the takeaway is simple: clarity beats variety. If your content is all over the map, you’re harder to categorize and easier to swipe past. If you’re consistently posting about a few topics your customers care about, you’re easier to recommend (and be seen). Emojis Still Matter, but Use Them Like Seasoning, not Confetti Do I hear clapping? Never mind. That’s me. Emojis can increase engagement and help your message land faster, especially in captions and comments. The expert business move is to use them with intention like pepper to bring out flavor in your posts, not to smoother them: · Use emojis to organize (bullets, steps, quick scans). · Match tone to brand (you’re allowed to have a personality). · Don’t “emoji spam” as a growth hack. People can smell that from three scrolls away. A Simple 7-Day Plan to Use These Updates Without Adding Chaos Day 1: Turn one FAQ into a 3-frame Story that’s easy to share. Day 2: Post a customer win (user generated content or testimonial) in Stories with “Share if you know someone who needs this.” Day 3: Record one Reel with clean captions (bulk edit if you have Edits). Day 4: Make one “saveable” tip carousel or mini tutorial. Day 5: Do one behind-the-scenes Story and invite resharing. Day 6: If you have it, test an Early Access Reel for an announcement or limited offer. Day 7: Check what got shared, saved, and replied to. Double down on that format next week. Instagram is quietly turning Stories into a bigger distribution channel and turning follower relationships into a stronger growth lever. If you make content that’s genuinely useful and/or entertaining, people will do the sharing for you. Just give them something worth passing along. Read More: 15 Ready-to-Use Social Media Captions for Business Owners Reels and Groups: What people Are Talking About Your Community Is Your Best Marketing Tool ------------- Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle, rediscovering the magic within. _______________________________________ Facebook: @metcalfwriting Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinametcalf5

Small Business Season is almost in the rearview mirror. The shopping rush may be fading, the wrapping paper is in the trash, and your brain is trying to do two things at once: recover and prepare. So let’s make this simple.This is not the moment for a dramatic reinvention. It’s the moment for a clean, confident reset. Think of these next few days like sweeping the shop floor before opening day. Not glamorous. Deeply powerful.  Here are end-of-year moves that help most without turning the last week of December into a stress fest. 1. Capture the “Truth” While It’s Still Fresh Before January turns this year into something for the history books, spend 30 minutes answering three questions: What worked this year that you should repeat? What drained you that you should redesign? What surprised you, good or bad, that you need to plan for? Write it down. Not in your head. On paper or in a notes app. Your future self will appreciate it. 2. Do a Five-number Year-end Check You don’t need a 12-tab spreadsheet right now. You need a snapshot. Pick five numbers that tell the story of your year. Examples: Total revenue (or best estimate if you’re still closing books) Average monthly expenses Your top-selling product or service Your best marketing channel (the one that actually brought customers) Your cash cushion (how many weeks you could operate if sales dipped) This gives you clarity without drowning you in data. Clarity is the point. 3. Fix the One Thing Customers Trip Over Every business has a small “friction point” that quietly costs sales. It might be: Confusing hours online A clunky booking link A checkout process that feels like a maze Slow response time to inquiries No clear “what’s next” after someone buys Pick one. Fix it this week. Small tweaks are like tightening the bolts on a ladder. Suddenly everything feels sturdier. 4. Clean up Your Digital Front Door If you do nothing else, do this. Customers are making decisions fast, and your online presence is often the first handshake. Quick checklist: Update holiday and New Year hours everywhere (website, Google Business Profile, socials) Confirm your phone number and address are correct Add 3 new photos (don’t get bogged down with scheduling professional shots. Your phone is fine.) Make sure your top service or product is easy to find in one click This is low effort, high return. 5. Ask for Reviews the Right Way End of year is perfect for review requests because customers are already in a reflective, generous mood. Send a short message to your happiest customers: “Before the year wraps up, would you be willing to leave a quick review? It helps more than you know.” Include the direct link. Always include the link. Make it easy enough that they can do it while waiting for coffee. 6. Turn Holiday Buyers into January Regulars Holiday sales are great. Holiday repeat customers are better. If you sold gift cards, ran holiday specials, or gained new customers, plan a simple January follow-up: “New Year thank you” email with a bounce-back offer A “first visit of the year” perk A limited-time add-on that’s easy for you to deliver The goal is not a big discount. The goal is a reason to return. 7. Do a Quick Inventory of Your Marketing Assets Open your social posts and emails from this season and ask: Which post got the most engagement? Which offer got the most clicks? Which message made people reply? Now circle those. That’s your “winning language.” Bring it into Q1. Let your best words do more reps. If you’re using an AI assistant, communicate this info to it. It can be invaluable in creating future winning content. 8. Choose one Focus for Q1 and Make it Measurable January feels like possibility, which is inspiring… and also how we end up with 37 goals and zero traction. Pick one primary focus: Increase repeat customers Improve cash flow consistency Raise prices strategically Build your email list Get more appointments booked in advance Then choose one simple measurement. One. If your focus is repeat customers, your metric might be “number of return visits per week.” Keep it clean enough that you’ll track it. 9. Build Recovery into the Plan on Purpose You are not a machine. You’re the engine. Before the year ends, put one recovery decision in writing: One day off One half-day with no inbox One week of lighter blog or social posting (recap posts of popular content work well this time of year—like sharing memories of 2025.) One boundary you’ll protect in January Rest is not what you earn after you finish. It’s what makes you able to keep going. Small Business Season may be ending (technically), but your business isn’t. The goal now is to close the year with your head up, your notes saved, and lessons learned incorporated into a new plan. There’s no need to sprint all a mess into January. Instead, walk in steady, like you own the place.

The start of a new year begs for reflection and plans. We make promises and resolutions and say things like, “This year will be THE year.” But unless you win the lottery, making this year radically different requires work and change. Those two things aren’t always easy or sustainable, especially when you’re looking at revenue goals, marketing plans, staffing realities, and that lingering question in the back of your mind: How do I grow without burning myself out? We have an easy answer to that question. If you’re a chamber member, there’s a good chance you aren’t making the most of your benefits. We get it. Life gets in the way. You’re busy. Maybe you attend an event here and there. You skim the emails. You tell yourself you’ll “use it more this year.” This is that year. Because chambers in 2026 aren’t just about ribbon cuttings and business cards. Chambers are quietly helping businesses solve real problems. Here are six ways to tap into that value in a strategic way that makes the most of your limited time. 1. Turn Visibility Into Credibility Marketing is noisy. Consumers are skeptical. Trust is currency. One of the most underrated benefits of your chamber is third-party credibility. When your business is featured in a chamber newsletter, social post, directory, or event spotlight, you’re borrowing trust that’s already been earned. You’re being seen in the right places and the “company you keep” has a great reputation. Make it a habit this year to say yes when your chamber asks for member features, testimonials, or spotlights. And if they don’t ask, raise your hand. Visibility compounds when it’s consistent. 2. Use Education to Stay Relevant (Without Going Back to School) You don’t need another generic webinar. You need insight that applies to your market, your customers, and your challenges. Chambers bring in experts on topics like AI, workforce trends, marketing shifts, local regulations, and leadership. The advantage is context. These sessions aren’t abstract. They’re grounded in what’s happening right outside your door. It’s difficult to get that anywhere else. Instead of chasing every online trend in 2026, choose one or two chamber programs that sharpen your skills where it matters most. Think of it as professional development without the fluff. 3. Leverage the Chamber as a Connector, Not a Crowd Networking doesn’t have to mean working the room like it’s speed dating. (Although feel free to do that if you enjoy it.) One of the smartest ways to use your chamber is behind the scenes. Staff and board members know who’s growing, who’s hiring, who’s struggling, and who’s looking for partnerships. If you need an introduction to a lender, vendor, collaborator, or even a future client, ask. Chambers exist to connect dots. You don’t have to draw the map alone. Intentional introductions outperform random handshakes every time. 4. Get a Seat at the Table Before Decisions Are Made Regulations, policies, zoning changes, and local initiatives don’t appear overnight. They’re discussed long before they’re decided. Your chamber tracks those conversations so you don’t have to. More importantly, they advocate for business voices to be included. Even if you never attend a council meeting, your membership helps ensure someone is asking, “How does this impact local employers?” That kind of representation is hard to quantify until you need it. Then it matters a lot. 5. Build Community, Not Just Contacts Business ownership can be isolating. If your social circle doesn’t include business owners, you can feel misunderstood. Chambers create space for peer-to-peer learning, shared challenges, and honest conversations. Sometimes the most valuable takeaway from an event isn’t a lead. It’s realizing you’re not the only one navigating a tough season or a big decision. Resilience comes from relationships as much as strategy. Use your chamber to build a community that supports you when things get complicated. 6. Think Long-Term, Not Transactional The biggest return on chamber membership rarely shows up in one month. People often expect instantaneous results, but there is action required. When your business becomes known from those actions (showing up, being a part of the conversations, etc.), people refer you without being asked. Opportunities come your way because you’re visible, involved, and trusted. Treat your chamber like a long-term growth partner, not a vending machine. Engage consistently. Show up where it makes sense. Use the resources already built for you. The New Year doesn’t have to be about doing more. Instead, you can use what you already have, better. Think of chamber membership like the wind. It’s blowing whether you harness it or not. But if you shift your sails slightly to leverage its power, you can go where you want to a lot faster. Learn More: 10 Ways to Get the Most From Your Chamber Membership Beyond the Mixer- Maximizing Your Chamber Membership Local Business Partnerships Strengthen Communities and Drive Growth Your Chamber Listing Matters More Than Ever

It’s almost Christmas and we’re in the home stretch to catch those last-minute shoppers, diners, and spenders. But how do you do it without sounding desperate. One word—help. No, we’re not talking about you bringing in more help (that’s a you question). We’re pointing out that people who aren’t finished with their list are now feeling the panic. And that’s when you can step in and make their lives easier. They’ll be relieved and will also remember how helpful you were when they were in the weeds. Plus, last-minute shoppers aren’t browsing. They’re mission-driven. They want fast wins and clear choices. If you can provide those, you’ve got the sale. If you meet them where they are, this week can quietly become one of your most profitable of the season. Here’s how to make the most of it without adding chaos to your already full days. Start with Gifts That Remove Decision Fatigue Last-minute shoppers don’t want options. That’s sooo November. They want answers. Create a short list of “grab-and-go” gifts that require no customization and minimal explanation. Think bestsellers, crowd-pleasers, or services that solve a real problem. Put them front and center in your space, both physically and online. If you can name it, price it, and say who it’s perfect for in one sentence, you’ve done your job. · “This is our most popular gift for teachers.” · “This is a safe and thoughtful choice.” · “This is a TikTok fave.” Clarity sells faster than creativity this week. Bundle What You Already Have You don’t need new inventory to create something that feels new. Bundles work because they do the thinking for the customer and increase your average sale at the same time. Pair complementary items. Add a small bonus that costs you little but feels intentional. Give it a name that makes sense in five seconds. The key is not perfection. It’s momentum. Thrive Causemetics does a great job of this on its social media ads. They package three products (mascara, eyeliner, eye shadow—which they call Eye Brightener™) under the “3-Step Signature Eye. 3 minutes. 3 products. 1 lifted eye look.” It makes shoppers confident that they can achieve a polished look in the very short time and have everything they need in just these three products. Remember this when putting together your packages. You’re not curating a museum exhibit. You’re helping someone finish their list and get home. Lean into Gift Cards, but Elevate Them Gift cards are last-minute saves, but only if they don’t feel like a cop-out. Many shoppers feel like gift cards are an impersonal gift. If you can make them feel otherwise, you can win big. If you sell gift cards, pair them with a simple suggestion. A card that says, “Perfect for a January reset” or “Best used on a day you need a break” instantly reframes it as thoughtful, not rushed. You can even post a funny sign like “Get a gift card. No one wants to look like a ‘pink nightmare.’ ” Or “It’s not a Jelly of the Month Club membership. They’ll actually appreciate this.” (Hat tip to those two classic Christmas movies.) If possible, offer a small incentive. A bonus value. A future perk. A gorgeous box or card. Even a handwritten note option goes a long way.  You’re not selling plastic or a digital code. You’re selling relief and giving the recipient something they really want when they’re probably getting a lot they don’t. Create Urgency Without Panic Last-minute shoppers already feel behind. You don’t need flashing red lights. What you do need is clear timing. · “This is available through December 24.” · “Order by Thursday for pickup.” · “Last chance before we close for the holidays.” When people know the rules, they move faster. Uncertainty slows everything down. If you have extended hours, special pickup windows, or same-day availability, say it everywhere. In your window. At checkout. On social. In person. Make it easy for them to say yes now. Offer Experience-Based Gifts Stuff is easy. Experiences feel meaningful. If your business can offer lessons, sessions, tastings, classes, consultations, or events, this is your moment. These gifts work beautifully for people who already “have everything” and for shoppers who ran out of time but still want to show intention. Package the experience simply. Clear description. Clear value. Clear next step. Bonus: experiences often deliver revenue now and fulfillment later. That’s a January gift to yourself. Don’t Forget the People in Front of You One of the most overlooked revenue opportunities is the customer who is already standing in front of you. Train yourself and your team to mention relevant add-ons, upcoming specials, or gift options during checkout. Not as a pitch. As a reminder. “You know, a lot of people are grabbing one of these as a gift too.” “If you still need one more thing, this has been popular this week.” Your loyal customers already trust you. Help them solve one more problem while they’re there. Use Social Media Like a Signpost, not a Scrapbook This is not the week for poetic captions or long origin stories. Use your platforms to point clearly to what’s available right now. Show the product. Show the bundle. Show the gift card. Show the hours. Show the process. Short videos, quick photos, simple captions. Repetition is your friend. If someone scrolls past your post, they should instantly know: · What you sell. · Why it works as a gift. · How fast they can get it. That’s it. Add a Small “Thank You” Incentive A modest, well-timed incentive can tip a hesitant shopper into action. This doesn’t have to be a deep discount and probably shouldn’t be. Think small but specific. A bonus item. A future discount. A complimentary upgrade. Something that feels like appreciation, not clearance. Frame it as gratitude for shopping local and supporting a small business during the holidays. People want to feel good about where they spend their money. Let them. Remember, Last-Minute Doesn’t Mean Low Value These shoppers aren’t cheap. They’re busy. They’re willing to spend for convenience, clarity, and confidence. If you respect their time and remove friction, they’ll reward you for it. Take them out of the scramble mindset and simplify things. Make the path obvious. Make the choices easy. Make the experience calm. Help them finish strong, and you will too.