*Getting Started with AI for Small Business (Virtual)

Curious about AI but not sure where to begin? This hands-on, 3-hour virtual class is designed for small business owners, nonprofit professionals, and creatives who want practical skills—not technical jargon. You'll discover how today's AI tools can help you write marketing content, brainstorm ideas, create social media posts, improve customer communications, organize information, and save hours every week. No coding or technical experience is required. Rather than focusing on hype, this class demonstrates real business uses for AI that you can begin using immediately—many with free or low-cost tools. You'll also learn best practices, common mistakes to avoid, and how to write better prompts to get more useful results. Every participant receives a comprehensive toolkit filled with prompts, templates, resources, and guides to continue using AI long after class ends. The instructor is Julie Niehoff, Co-Founder & CMO of Distance Learning Media. Julie Niehoff is an entrepreneur, marketing strategist, and business educator who has helped thousands of small businesses and nonprofits grow through practical, real-world training. As Co-Founder of Distance Learning Media, she develops and delivers business education programs for organizations including the City of Austin, the Texas Veterans Commission, financial institutions, chambers of commerce, and community partners. She is also Co-Founder of Transition Skills Training, a nonprofit providing entrepreneurship training for veterans and military-connected families. Known for making complex topics easy to understand, Julie helps business owners confidently use today's technology—including artificial intelligence—to save time, improve marketing, increase productivity, and make better business decisions. Her engaging, hands-on classes focus on practical tools and real-world examples that participants can begin using immediately, regardless of their technical experience. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request - including translation and interpretation services. For assistance, please contact the Economic Development Department at 512-974-7819. The City receives and accepts Video Relay Service (VRS) calls from people who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing through Relay Texas 7-1-1.