Most AI Tools Sound Cool. Very Few Stick.
The AI space is exploding with tools that demo well… but get ditched within a month.
What survives?
Tools that:
- Integrate without friction
- Solve a real bottleneck
- Don’t require a learning curve
- Fit into a weekly workflow
This post covers the AI tools my clients (coaches, consultants, SaaS teams, and service businesses) actually keep using with workflows, not just logos.
Why Most AI Tools Get Abandoned
Here’s what usually happens:
- You try a free trial
- It’s “cool” but not useful
- No integration = extra steps
- You forget about it
- Cancel by day 28
AI tools only stick when they remove real friction not when they add a new dashboard to check.
Tool 1: ChatGPT (Custom GPTs)
Used by: Everyone Sticks because: It adapts to your brain
What clients use it for:
- Writing blog outlines or proposals
- Turning Loom calls into bullet-point notes
- Drafting email replies
- Rewriting web copy with tone tweaks
- Instant “sanity check” before publishing
Why it sticks:
- Fast, always available
- Custom GPTs reduce context reset
- Works better with repeated use
Tool 2: Tango or Scribe
Used by: Service providers, CS teams Sticks because: It replaces typing instructions
What clients use it for:
- Creating SOPs in 2 minutes
- Client onboarding guides
- Internal training for tools like Notion, Airtable
- Step-by-step “how to” docs
Why it sticks:
- Auto-generates docs from screen recording
- Easy to edit + share
- Looks more polished than Google Docs
Tool 3: Descript
Used by: Coaches, course creators, agencies Sticks because: Editing feels like a doc
What clients use it for:
- Turning Zoom calls into social clips
- Editing podcasts with no timeline headaches
- Removing filler words automatically
- Creating B-roll with text commands
Why it sticks:
- One tool replaces 3–4
- Fast for non-video editors
- Repurposing content becomes easier
Tool 4: Jasper or Writer
Used by: Marketing teams Sticks because: It works with brand voice
What clients use it for:
- Writing ad copy variants
- Speeding up newsletters
- Drafting social posts at scale
- Rewriting CTAs or headlines
Why it sticks:
- Keeps tone consistent
- Short-form content = perfect use case
- Integrates with existing workflows (CMS, Google Docs)
Tool 5: Surfer SEO or Neuron Writer
Used by: Founders writing their own content Sticks because: It gives structure + keywords
What clients use it for:
- Blog content planning
- On-page SEO checks
- Competitor comparison
- Optimization after drafts are written
Why it sticks:
- Gives direction without rewriting
- Works alongside ChatGPT
- Easier than figuring out SEO solo
Tool 6: Claude or Perplexity
Used by: Research-heavy clients Sticks because: Faster, more detailed than Google
What clients use it for:
- Market research
- Sourcing stats and studies
- Summarizing PDFs
- Exploring industry trends faster
Why it sticks:
- Useful for prep and brainstorming
- Beats ChatGPT at summarizing long content
- Saves hours before writing or pitching
Tool 7: Fireflies.ai or Fathom
Used by: Coaches, SaaS founders Sticks because: No more manual meeting notes
What clients use it for:
- Auto-transcribing calls
- Summarizing action items
- Syncing notes to CRM
- Tagging keywords across calls
Why it sticks:
- Frees up headspace during meetings
- Helps build better follow-ups
- Makes team handoffs smoother
Tool 8: Gamma
Used by: Consultants, advisors, startup teams Sticks because: It replaces Google Slides
What clients use it for:
- Investor or client decks
- Service proposal pages
- Client deliverables (looks like Canva + Notion had a baby)
Why it sticks:
- AI builds a full deck from bullets
- Looks better than most PowerPoints
- Shareable and interactive
Tool 9: Typeframes or Vizard
Used by: Creators, personal brand-led teams Sticks because: Turns text into video
What clients use it for:
- Making short-form videos from blog highlights
- Repurposing tweets into Reels
- Running paid ads with AI visuals
- Storyboarding without a camera
Why it sticks:
- Video creation without editing tools
- Makes repurposing fun again
- Useful across platforms (LinkedIn, YouTube Shorts, IG)
Why These Tools Stick (And Others Don’t)
Sticky AI tools:
- Work with existing habits
- Don’t feel like “another app”
- Save time the first week not after setup hell
- Help you ship faster (emails, posts, pitches, pages)
Conclusion: You Don’t Need 10 AI Tools You Need 2 That Actually Save Time
AI isn’t magic. But it is leverage if used right.
The tools that stick:
- Save hours weekly
- Create outputs, not dashboards
- Fit into what you’re already doing
Try less. Use better. Replace effort, not thinking.
