STOP Using AI Like Google in 2026

Most business owners are barely scratching the surface of AI — and it's costing them speed, clarity, and competitive advantage. If you're using AI to: "Write me an email." "Create 5 social posts." "Give me some ideas." You're driving a Ferrari at 25 mph. In this episode of SoTellUs Time, Trevor and Troy Howard break down how to stop using AI like a search engine and start using it like a strategic execution partner. This is not about better prompts. It's about Prompt Stacking — the method that turns AI into your marketing department, project manager, operations assistant, and execution engine. 🚨 The Problem: Most Business Owners Are Using AI Wrong Single prompts produce single outputs. No context. No continuity. No long-term thinking. No integration across marketing, operations, and leadership. AI isn't a vending machine. It's a strategic partner — if you treat it like one. And in this episode, we show you how. 🔥 What You'll Learn in This Episode 1️⃣ Why Single Prompts Are Limiting Your Growth Most people: Ask one question Copy the answer Paste it somewhere Move on But that approach kills: Strategy Cohesion Scalability Team alignment Consistency across channels AI performs best when it: Understands the goal Knows the target audience Builds in sequence Iterates and refines Connects departments 2️⃣ What Prompt Stacking Actually Is Prompt Stacking = Building layer by layer until the entire project is complete. Instead of: "Write me a marketing email." You stack like this: Help me plan a client appreciation event. Build the full timeline. Create a budget. Generate a supply checklist. Draft the email invite. Draft SMS reminders. Write 5 teaser social posts. Create a day-of hype post. Write a follow-up thank-you message. Generate a referral CTA. Build a run-of-show script. Create role-based task lists. Write Canva prompts for graphics. Now AI isn't writing content. It's running your project. 🎯 Real Business Example: Planning a 75-Family Client Appreciation Event We walk through how to use AI to: Step 1 – Strategy First Define outcome (Retention + Referrals) Clarify audience Align messaging Step 2 – Logistics Stack Timeline Budget breakdown Vendor suggestions Staffing plan Supply checklist Step 3 – Marketing Stack Warm email invite Short urgency-driven SMS 3 teaser posts Event-day hype post Follow-up email Referral message Step 4 – Team Execution Weekly task breakdown Assign roles (Director, Admin, Teachers) Event-day run-of-show Contingency planning Step 5 – Asset Creation Canva design prompts Graphic concepts Caption copy Scripts Templates From ONE conversation. 💡 Why This Changes Everything for Business Owners ⚡ Speed Compress weeks of planning into hours. 🧠 Clarity AI forces structured thinking. 📋 Better Delegation You hand your team: Clear task lists Clear deadlines Clear messaging Clear responsibilities Instead of: "Hey, let's plan something." 🔁 Cross-Channel Consistency Your: Email marketing SMS campaigns Social media posts Graphics Internal team communication All align. That's what real execution looks like. 🧩 The 5-Layer AI Stack Framework If you remember nothing else from this episode, remember this: 1️⃣ Vision Layer What's the outcome? Who is it for? What is the measurable goal? 2️⃣ Strategy Layer Timeline Budget Structure Offer positioning 3️⃣ Execution Layer Task lists Assignments by role SOPs Accountability systems 4️⃣ Marketing Layer Email sequences SMS campaigns Social media Follow-ups 5️⃣ Asset Layer Graphics Scripts Templates Checklists Most business owners only use Layer 5. That's why they feel busy but not strategic. If you only use AI for content creation, you're missing 80% of its power. 🏆 The Businesses That Win with AI It won't be the businesses that: Occasionally use ChatGPT Generate random posts Copy and paste quick outputs It will be the businesses that: Integrate AI into how they think Build workflows with it Use it to clarify leadership Structure execution Align teams AI is not just a content tool. It's: A thinking partner A planning system A delegation assistant A marketing amplifier A leadership enhancer 📌 Challenge for You This Week Instead of asking: "Write me a post." Ask: "Help me build an entire campaign from start to finish." Then stack it. Layer by layer. Watch what happens to your clarity, speed, and execution. If you're a business owner, entrepreneur, marketer, or operator who wants to scale smarter — this episode is a must-watch. Subscribe to SoTellUs Time for weekly insights on: Business growth AI implementation Marketing systems Customer retention Reviews & reputation Automation & delegation Leadership execution 🎥 Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@sotellus 🌐 Learn more about SoTellUs: https://www.sotellus.com AI for business, prompt engineering, prompt...