Tutorial 26 · 15 min a day for 7 days read · Works with free ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini on your phone
Never used AI? Your first week, 15 minutes a day
You don't need to be "good with computers" for this. If you can send a text, you can use AI. This plan gives you one small job a day for a week. Each takes about 15 minutes and uses something from your real work, so you're saving time by Wednesday rather than just learning. By the end you'll have three saved replies, a quote template, a follow-up habit and your privacy settings sorted. Miss a day? Just pick up where you left off.
Want a plan built around your trade? Take the 2-minute quiz.
What you'll need
- Your phone
- 15 minutes a day (smoko works)
- One real job, quote or customer message to practise on
⚠️ Keep these three rules for the whole week (and after).
- Keep private details out: first name + suburb only. No bank details, passwords or codes.
- Read everything before it goes anywhere: your name's on it. Check prices, dates and anything technical.
- AI drafts, you decide: it never signs off safety, electrical, gas, structural or legal work.
The three golden rules
You can't break it. Nothing gets sent to a customer unless you copy it and send it yourself.
Day 1 (Mon): Install it and say g'day
Pick one free app: ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini. Install from the App Store / Google Play. Sign in with your work email. Turn on two-step login.
Change one setting: turn off training. For ChatGPT look for Settings → Data controls → "Improve the model for everyone". Full step-by-step for each app: Is ChatGPT safe for business data? (or the short safe AI habits list).
Try the microphone button. Talk instead of typing.
Copy this prompt and fill in the [square brackets]:
I'm a [trade] in [town], NZ/Australia. I've never used AI before. In plain English and under 150 words, tell me 5 ways you could help with my office work. No jargon.
Tip: Done when: you've had one back-and-forth and asked a follow-up ("make that shorter").
Day 2 (Tue): Three replies you'll use forever
Write three standard enquiry replies (can come and look / ballpark / not for us).
Save them in your phone's notes as "Replies". Go deeper: Reply to new enquiries.
Copy this prompt and fill in the [square brackets]:
Write 3 short text replies for my [trade] business, friendly Kiwi/Aussie tone, under 60 words each: 1. Happy to come and look. Offer [day/time] or [day/time]. 2. They want a rough price. Explain I need to see it first, typical range depends on [factors]. 3. Politely say no, it's not a job we do. Sign off as [first name], [business].
Tip: Done when: three replies saved.
Day 3 (Wed): Turn a messy job note into a tidy quote
Use a real recent job (first name + suburb only).
Check every line. AI sometimes adds things you didn't say.
Go deeper: Quote from a job note, Scope of works.
Copy this prompt and fill in the [square brackets]:
Turn these rough notes into a clear quote description for a customer. Plain English, bullet points, list what's included and not included. Don't add prices or anything I haven't said. Ask me questions if something's missing. Notes: [paste or speak]
Tip: Done when: you'd be happy to send it. Also run the 2-minute check before anything goes to a customer.
Day 4 (Thu): Chase a quote without the awkward phone call
Send it to one real customer (after reading it).
Go deeper: Automate quote follow-ups.
Copy this prompt and fill in the [square brackets]:
Write a short, friendly follow-up text to [first name], who got a quote from me [X] days ago for [job]. Not pushy. Under 60 words. Say the quote still stands and they can reply with any questions.
Tip: Done when: one follow-up sent and a reminder set to do this for every quote.
Day 5 (Fri): Voice note to job notes, on the drive home
Record a 1-minute voice memo about today's job. Paste the transcript (or use the app's mic).
Go deeper: Job sheets from voice notes, Voice notes on site.
Copy this prompt and fill in the [square brackets]:
Tidy this voice note into job notes: work done, materials used, time on site, anything to follow up. Bullet points. Don't add anything I didn't say. [paste]
Tip: Done when: one job sheet saved.
⚠️ Passenger or parked only. Don't record or type while you're driving — NZ and AU mobile-phone driving rules apply.
Day 6 (Sat): Reviews, asking and answering
And reply to one existing review (remove the reviewer's surname).
Go deeper: Reply to reviews, Get more Google reviews.
Copy this prompt and fill in the [square brackets]:
Write a short text asking [first name] for a Google review after I [job]. Warm, not pushy, under 50 words. Leave a space for my review link.
Tip: Done when: one request sent or one review replied to.
Day 7 (Sun): Look back and choose your one thing
Pick one habit to keep. Don't try to do everything.
Next step options: take the quiz for a tailored plan, browse prompts or your trade's page (electricians, plumbers, builders, landscapers), or get help.
Copy this prompt and fill in the [square brackets]:
This week I used AI for: [list]. The thing that saved me the most time was [x]. What's one simple way to make that a weekly habit? Keep it to 3 steps.
⚠️ Quick fixes when the answer isn't right.
- Answer too long → "Make it half as long."
- Too posh / American → "Sound like a [Kiwi/Aussie] tradie texting a customer. Use NZ/Australian spelling."
- Made stuff up → "Only use what I told you. Don't add prices or details."
- Can't find a setting → apps move menus. Search the app's help for the setting name.
It's not working
FAQ
Do I need to pay for AI?
Not for this week. The free versions of ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini can do everything here. Look at paid or business plans later if you use it daily.
Which app should I start with?
Any of the three. Pick the one that's easiest to sign into (e.g. Gemini if you already use Gmail). The quiz can suggest one.
I'm not good with computers. Can I still do this?
Yes. If you can text, you can do this, and you can talk instead of type.
Is it safe to put customer info in?
Use first name and suburb only, and turn off training. See safe AI habits and Is ChatGPT safe for business data?.
What if the AI gets something wrong?
It will sometimes. That's why you read everything and check prices, dates and technical details before sending. See check AI answers.
I missed a few days. Should I start again?
No. Carry on from the next day. The order matters more than the dates.
Checklist
- ☐ App installed, two-step login on, training turned off
- ☐ Three replies saved in notes
- ☐ One quote description written with AI and checked
- ☐ One quote follow-up sent
- ☐ One job sheet from a voice note
- ☐ One review request or reply
- ☐ One habit chosen to keep
Common mistakes to avoid
- Trying to learn everything at once. One task a day is plenty
- Sending the first draft without reading it
- Giving up after one bad answer instead of telling it what to fix ("shorter", "less formal", "you added a price, take it out")
- Pasting full customer details
- Paying for a plan on day 1. The free version is fine for this week