Over the past year, I’ve found myself knee-deep in AI tools while working at my creative agency. To be honest, I’ve lost count of how many I’ve tested. Some were like a spark of genius, making me wonder how I ever worked without them, while others, well… let’s just say they didn’t quite fit the bill. But through all that trial and error, I’ve narrowed it down to my top 10 go-to AI tools, ones that have truly earned their keep and changed the way I work.
These tools have been my secret sauce for everything from brainstorming and video creation to optimizing PPC campaigns and staying ahead of TikTok trends. Here’s my personal take on the ones that have made the cut and why I think every creative needs them in their toolkit.
1. Flownote: Meeting Notes, But Make It Effortless
If you’ve ever found yourself struggling to keep track of everything in a meeting, you’ll love Flownote as much as I do. Meetings can feel like a marathon sometimes, with a hundred decisions flying around, action items being thrown left and right, and me scribbling notes like I’m trying to break a speed record. That’s where Flownote swoops in like a productivity superhero.
This AI-driven note-taker doesn’t just jot down everything word for word, it distills meetings into the essentials. Key points, decisions, and action items get neatly organized so I don’t have to panic about forgetting anything important. For me, it’s a lifesaver because, let’s be real, nobody’s got time to sift through pages of notes trying to figure out who said what.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Automatically captures the important stuff (no more scrambling with pen and paper).
- Helps assign tasks directly from your meeting notes.
- Keeps your to-do list organized without the headache.
2. Ocoya: The Swiss Army Knife of Content Creation
Content is everything in the creative world, and sometimes I feel like I’m spinning a dozen plates in the air just to keep up. That’s where Ocoya steps in, and let me tell you, it’s a lifesaver. This tool does it all, ad creatives, copywriting, graphic design, and even helps automate social media scheduling.
Need a clever ad? Done. Eye-catching graphic? Easy. Want it posted on multiple platforms at just the right time? Ocoya’s got you covered. It’s like having your own little content-making factory on tap. Honestly, it’s saved me hours I’d normally spend toggling between design programs and social media schedulers.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Instantly generates killer ads and content based on your needs.
- Schedule posts across all your social platforms in one go.
- Provides real-time insights to help tweak your strategy.
3. Markopolo: Your Secret Weapon for PPC
Running PPC campaigns can feel like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube in the dark, there’s just so much data, and it’s hard to know what’s actually going to work. Markopolo changed all that for me. It’s like having an AI marketing assistant who knows exactly what’s going to make your campaigns pop.
Markopolo does the heavy lifting, analyzing performance data and spitting out super-smart suggestions on how to optimize ad campaigns. I used to spend hours sifting through campaign reports, but now I just let Markopolo guide the way. It’s saved me so much time and frustration, and I’ve seen results improve across the board.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Delivers data-driven insights for better-performing ads.
- Helps target the right audience, without the guesswork.
- Adjusts your ad budget in real time for maximum impact.
4. SurferSEO: Turning Client Feedback Into Action
Clients often tell me they want “better SEO results,” but what does that really mean? It can be a bit vague, right? That’s where SurferSEO comes in and makes life so much easier. It takes that unclear client feedback and translates it into specific, actionable recommendations.
SurferSEO breaks down exactly what needs to change in terms of keyword use, content structure, and competitive analysis. It’s been a lifesaver for aligning my creative output with the analytical data that clients expect. Now, when a client wants to “boost SEO,” I’ve got a clear path to follow, and the results speak for themselves.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Gives concrete, data-backed content strategies based on client feedback.
- Provides keyword suggestions, helping you rank higher in search engines.
- Helps bridge the gap between creative work and analytics.
5. Miro: Brainstorming, But Make It Visual
If you’re like me, your brain works in a very visual way, especially when it comes to brainstorming or laying out campaign ideas. Miro is like having a giant digital whiteboard where I can stick all my ideas, move them around, and collaborate with my team in real-time.
I love how interactive Miro is, it’s not just a tool, it’s like having a creative playground. Whether we’re brainstorming for a new campaign or planning out a project timeline, Miro helps the team come together, even when we’re working remotely. It’s as close to being in the same room as we can get, and I’m here for it.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Real-time collaboration, no matter where your team is.
- Tons of tools like sticky notes, flowcharts, and mind maps to organize thoughts.
- Keeps brainstorming sessions fun, interactive, and efficient.
6. Lumen5: Making Video Creation Effortless
Video is the big boss of content these days, and everyone wants more of it. But let’s be honest, video creation can be a time-consuming beast. Lumen5 makes it so much easier. It’s a tool that converts text into video content, which is ideal for repurposing blog posts, articles, or even campaign briefs.
I love using Lumen5 when I need high-quality videos on the fly. It simplifies the process, automatically generating storyboards from the content I provide. All I have to do is tweak a few things here and there, and voilà, a professional-looking video, ready to go!
Why You’ll Love It:
- Turns text into video content in no time.
- Perfect for creating engaging social media videos or marketing campaigns.
- Takes the stress out of video creation by doing the heavy lifting for you.
7. Resemble AI: Voiceovers Without the Hassle
Need a voiceover for your video project? Resemble AI has you covered. This tool is fantastic for generating high-quality voice clips in just about any accent, tone, or dialect you can think of. No more hours spent auditioning voice talent or trying to match a particular tone.
I’ve used it for everything from explainer videos to podcast intros, and the customization options are endless. It’s a huge time-saver, and the results sound incredibly professional. The fact that it can adapt to pretty much any style I need is a massive bonus.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Generate custom voice overs with ease.
- Tons of flexibility with accents and tones.
- Ideal for everything from podcasts to explainer videos.
8. TrendTok: Keep Up With TikTok Trends Like a Pro
TikTok trends move fast, and if you blink, you could miss the next big thing. TrendTok helps me stay ahead of the game by tracking real-time trends, from viral sounds to emerging hashtags,and making sure our content stays relevant.
This AI tool goes even further by allowing you to filter trends by category, region, and audience demographics. So, if your target market is based in a specific region or you’re catering to a particular niche, TrendTok ensures you’re always one step ahead.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Keeps you in the loop on the latest TikTok trends.
- Filters trends to match your audience and goals.
- Helps you create content that’s always on point.
9. Kapwing: Simple, Effective Video Editing
If you’re not a video editing expert (and who has time to become one?), Kapwing is your new best friend. It’s an AI-powered video editing platform that makes video creation simple but still delivers professional results.
I use Kapwing for quick projects, anything from GIFs to full-length video presentations. It’s incredibly easy to use, which means I can create quality content fast, without getting bogged down in complicated editing software.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Simple, intuitive editing tools that anyone can use.
- Create professional-grade videos, GIFs, and more in no time.
- Perfect for quick-turnaround content like TikToks or YouTube videos.
10. Fooocus: Your Personal AI Art Studio
As AI-generated art has grown in popularity, Fooocus has become my go-to tool for experimenting with creative visuals. Whether I’m looking to create concept art or social media graphics, Fooocus helps bring my ideas to life with just a few text prompts.
It’s based on Stable Diffusion, and the fact that it can run offline is a major perk. Plus, it’s packed with different models and presets that let you create anything from anime-style illustrations to photorealistic art. It’s hands-down one of the coolest tools I’ve used for pushing my creative boundaries.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Generates incredible AI art from text prompts.
- Works offline, giving you control over privacy.
- Offers advanced features like inpainting and outpainting for detailed edits.
So, there you have it, my top 10 AI tools that have made a huge difference in my creative work this past year. Whether it’s making meeting notes less painful, streamlining content creation, or taking the guesswork out of PPC, these tools have saved me time, boosted my creativity, and generally made my life a whole lot easier.
If you’re looking to up your game and bring some fresh AI power into your creative process, I can’t recommend these enough. Give them a try, you might be surprised just how much they can do for you.