Stop using AI like an assistant

Most people are using AI wrong. They should be treating it like an employee.

Here’s what changed for me when I made that shift:

I had AI book me a meeting with Google → which led to a speaking invite → which opened more doors.

It writes content that averages 85K+ views.

It generates social posts that pull in 30K+ views.

It even jumps into Slack, supports my team, and helps them execute faster.

That’s not an assistant.
That’s leverage.

Here’s how I actually set this up:

1. Build systems, not prompts
One-off prompts don’t scale.

I built engines:

• A YouTube “repackage engine” that rewrites titles + thumbnails if a video underperforms

• A content engine that analyzes top posts and generates more winners

• A prospecting engine that finds leads based on signals (new hires, funding, job posts)

The key: AI watches performance → adjusts → improves.

2. Plug AI into your workflows (not outside them)
Most people keep AI in a chat box.

Big mistake.

Mine lives in Slack, CRM, and sales tools.

My AI:

• Suggests outbound campaigns

• Revives dead deals

• Pulls insights from calls

• Answers team questions instantly

Now my team doesn’t wait on data.
They act.

3. Train it like an employee (because it is)
Everyone wants automation on day one.

That’s how you get garbage output.

I follow a simple rule:
Crawl → Walk → Run

• Start with approvals

• Give feedback constantly

• Let trust build over time

Eventually, it runs autonomously—but only after it earns it.

4. Ruthlessly simplify before automating
Most people automate broken systems.

I cut 61 workflows down to ~12.

Result:

• Less noise

• More signal

• Higher action rate (30% → 80%)

If no one uses it, kill it.

5. Use AI to enforce accountability
Every week, AI reports:

• Margin

• Pipeline velocity

• Retention

• Content performance

No delays. Just execution. I break this down in this video.

Don’t build one AI tool.

Build a team of AI employees:

• Sales

• Content

• SEO

• Ops

Each one compounds the other. That’s how you create unfair leverage.

If you want help building this the right way, my team at Single Grain is now helping companies deploy AI-powered marketing.

To scaling smarter,
Eric Siu

P.S.

1 - If you want to grow faster using the power of AI, my agency Single Grain is offering free marketing plans to qualified Leveling Up newsletter subscribers, check it out here.
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