Build Once, Use Often
Turning repeat work into simple tools that support your visibility
I had one of those moments this week where something clicked. I wasn’t trying to write a post or plan content. I was talking with Ellen Britt, PA, Ed.D. about how she’s been teaching herself to code and build AI-powered tools to support her clients.
I was surprised because Ellen is not a coder, and what I saw looked fantastic and worked well. I wanted to learn exactly what she was doing: learning how to build with ChatGPT and Claude on her computer instead of using one of the popular vibe coding tools, like Loveable.
In another conversation with a longtime colleague, I learned about some of the challenges travel agents face in marketing and using AI.
I had an idea: to create a solution for travel agents struggling with content marketing. More on that later when I get things sorted out.
I sat there for a minute because it felt different from the kind of work I usually do. For years, I’ve focused on showing up through writing, emails, and consistent content.
This time, I found myself thinking about something else.
What kind of plug-and-play tool could I create for a niche audience?
I’m starting to see how simple AI tools can emerge from the work we’re already doing.
Why this matters
Most of us spend a lot of time creating content and putting it out into the world. It gets read, maybe saved, and then people move on to the next thing.
When something is useful in a practical way, it tends to stay in someone’s workflow longer. They come back to it, use it again, and it becomes part of how they get things done.
That creates a different kind of connection and trust. It builds over time through use, not just through visibility in a feed or inbox.
What I’m testing with simple AI tools
Right now, I’m keeping this as simple as possible. One input and one output, without adding extra layers.
I’m following Ellen’s lead and using two custom GPTS to flesh out my idea and then figure out the Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
Working this way keeps the attention on whether the result is helpful. If it saves time or makes something easier, that’s a signal to keep going.
Ellen Britt and I are testing the waters about putting together a small beta group of people who are curious to learn how to build AI-powered apps. We’re working on the details, and if you’re interested in learning more, get on our “first to know” list. No obligation, just info so you can see if it’s something you’d like to learn.
The question that usually comes up
When people hear this, the next thought is often about building tools or apps. That can feel like a big leap, especially if it’s new territory.
What I’m finding is that the first step happens before any building. You can explore this by working with what you already have and seeing how far you can take it.
A single prompt can take you further than you expect.
What this could look like for you
Think about your normal week and the kind of work you already do. There are usually a few places where things repeat or take longer than you’d like.
That’s where this idea starts to take shape. You’re looking for something you can simplify or make easier to complete.
It might be turning a process into a checklist, shaping a common question into a template, or taking rough input and turning it into something ready to send. Sounds like basic AI use, and it’s where your thinking starts.
Try this
This is the first step in turning your work into a simple AI tool.
Instead of asking AI for a one-time result, build something you can reuse.
Take a task you’ve done more than once. Something you’ve written at least three times.
Use this prompt:
I’m going to give you an example of something I’ve written more than once.
First, identify the pattern in how this is structured.
Then create a reusable template.
Finally, give me a prompt I can use in the future to generate this type of content in my voice.
Paste in something real. An email, a client response, or a piece of content you’ve rewritten before.
What you’re looking for is the structure, the template, and the prompt that recreates it.
Save the template and prompt. If you use it twice, you’re already thinking like someone who builds tools.
What I’m noticing
As I work through this, I keep coming back to the same idea. The value shows up when something fits into how people already work.
Content still plays a role, but usefulness adds another layer that keeps people engaged over time. It becomes part of their process instead of something they scroll past.
An example is CarouselBot, a valuable tool built by Karen Spinner. I avoided creating carousels for LinkedIn and Instagram. Karen built a tool with AI that’s useful for content marketers and makes attractive carousels a snap to create, not a drag. Now I create carousels for nearly every article I publish.
That changes how visibility builds.
A resource if you want to go deeper
If this direction is interesting, take a look at The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick. It focuses on understanding what people will actually use before you spend time building anything.
That lens has been helpful for me as I think through what’s worth creating.
Where this is going
I’m going to keep sharing what I’m building and what I’m learning as I go. I’ll stay focused on the parts that connect to how you work and how you stay visible.
This feels like an expansion of what visibility can be. It opens up new ways to stay relevant by creating things people return to and use. Karen Spinner comes to mind every time I use CarouselBot!
This is how I see simple AI tools becoming part of everyday visibility.
Once you start thinking this way, the next step is to look for something you can shape into a simple, useful output.
It helps to keep the scope small and focused. You’re looking for something that fits into work your audience already does.
Start with these three steps…
