My AI Toolchain

What I Use

Not "what's popular," but what I personally use to run my AI-powered creator business:

• Revenue: $180K+ last 12 months
• Time: 12-15 hours/week (AI handles 85%)

Core Writing Tools

ChatGPT Plus ($20/month)

• Used for: blog posts, emails, social media, research, and voice refinement.
• Why I use it over alternatives: Best writing quality, fast responses, custom GPTs for different tasks.

Custom GPTs:

1. Blog Writer GPT: Trained on my voice, 50 post history, SEO optimized
2. Social Content GPT: LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram formatting, engagement optimization.
3. Email Newsletter GPT: Conversational tone, story-driven structure.
4. Research GPT: Trend monitoring, competitive analysis.
5. SEO GPT: Keyword research, content optimization.
6. Script Writer GPT: Video scripts, podcast outlines.
7. Repurposing GPT: Blog to social, video to multiple formats.
8. Editor GPT: Final polish, voice consistency.

Claude Pro ($20/month) - For long-form analysis when needed.

Jasper ($49-125/month)

• Used for templated content at scale, brand voice consistency, and marketing copy.

SEO & Research Tools

Ahrefs ($99/month - Lite plan)

• Used for: keyword research, content gap analysis, backlink monitoring, rank tracking.
• Workflow:

  First week of month:
  1. Content Gap Analysis
  2. Keyword Research
  3. Rank Tracking
  4. Content Ideas
  
  Time: 2 hours/month
  ROI: Generates 30+ content ideas driving 40% monthly traffic.
  

Surfer SEO ($89/month - Essential plan)

• Used for on-page optimization, content scoring, SERP analysis, outline generation.

Video & Audio Tools

Descript ($24/month - Creator plan)

• Used for video editing (edit like text), podcast editing, transcription, AI voice cloning.
• Workflow:

  Record raw video, upload to Descript, auto-transcription and edit transcript, add captions, export.
  
  Time: 30 minutes vs 3-4 hours in Premiere.
  

Opus Clip (Free - $29/month)

• Used for turning long videos into shorts, auto-captions, viral clip identification.

Social Media Tools

Buffer ($15/month - Essentials plan)

• Used for social media scheduling and analytics.

Email & Newsletter Tools

ConvertKit ($29/month - Creator plan)

• Used for email newsletters, landing pages, automation sequences.
• Workflow:

  Write in ChatGPT, paste into ConvertKit, add personalization tags, schedule, track opens/clicks.
  
  List: 24k subscribers, open rate: 42%, click rate: 8%.
  

Design & Visual Tools

Canva Pro ($12.99/month)

• Used for social graphics, thumbnails, lead magnets, presentations.

Automation & Workflow

Notion ($10/month - Plus plan)

• Used for content calendar, idea repository, client management, project management.

Analytics & Performance

Google Analytics 4 (Free)

• Track traffic sources, top-performing content, user behavior, conversion paths.

TubeBuddy ($9/month - Pro plan)

• YouTube-specific features: keyword research, thumbnail testing, bulk processing, analytics.

My Complete Monthly Costs

Total: $416-$465/month

Recommendations By Creator Stage

• Just Starting (Budget: $50-100/month):

  1. ChatGPT Plus ($20)
  2. Canva Free (upgrade to Pro when ready)
  3. Buffer Free tier → Pro when scaling
  4. ConvertKit Free tier → paid when >1,000 subscribers

• Growing (Budget: $200-400/month): Add Ahrefs ($99), Surfer SEO ($89), Descript ($24), Notion ($10), Make.com ($10)

• Established ($400-600/month): Full stack

Start Building Yours

This is my complete toolkit.

Visit axon.nepa-ai.com to check out my real AI tools.

Blue Yeti USB Microphone →

Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Microphone →

Logitech C920x HD Pro Webcam →

Elgato Facecam Pro 4K Webcam →

Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 →

Elgato Key Light →

Keychron K2 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard →

Logitech MX Keys Advanced Wireless Keyboard →

LG 34WN80C-B UltraWide Monitor →

Samsung 32 Odyssey G5 Curved Gaming Monitor →

Samsung 990 PRO NVMe SSD 2TB →