One last Aruba pic from the mastermind… back to the real world!
Last week, we explored a big idea:
How large language models (LLMs) have evolved from simple pattern-repeaters to something a whole lot more interesting.
They’re no longer just parroting what they’ve seen — they’re starting to remember, to adapt, to carry a conversation over time.
(In case you missed it: From Chatting to Co-Pilots: How Automation Grew a Brain (and Got a Promotion).
https://authorautomations.com/p/from-chatting-to-co-pilots)
Author Automations is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
We talked about how LLMs have progressed from basic, one-off responses to something with a little more persistence — a sense of history, a spark of context.
Not true “intelligence” (let’s not get carried away), but definitely a big step past the old “ask a question, get an answer, that’s it” model.
But before we all start fantasizing about AI planning vacations and perfectly frothing our oat milk (swoon) —
We need to rewind.
Way back.
Back to the basics.
Because automation ≠ AI.
Automation doesn’t require AI.
Automation has been here all along — quietly doing the work we didn’t want to do.
Automation is the original superhero cape: quietly keeping the chaos at bay while we scribble our dreams into reality.
Let’s Talk About the Basics (The Unsexy, Essential Truth) Here’s the thing nobody puts on a sales page:
Real automation?
It’s not shiny.
It’s not dramatic.
It doesn’t come with an epic soundtrack.
(Unless you count the sound of you quietly clapping when something finally works without you babysitting it.)
At its core, automation is boring — in the best possible way.
It’s a checklist you don’t have to check anymore.
It’s a tiny system that runs behind the scenes so you can stay in your creative brain instead of hopping back into admin mode every five minutes.
What automation really looks like: Trigger: Something happens. (A reader signs up. A blog post goes live. A book sells.)
Action: Something else happens automatically. (They get a welcome email. A tweet gets scheduled. A customer record gets updated.)
Outcome: You? Free to move on to the next brilliant thing.
That’s it.
No neural networks.
No machine learning.
No need for a 12-headed tech stack that requires its own IT department.
It’s like setting up a row of dominoes once — and then watching them topple beautifully while you sip your coffee and wonder why you didn’t do this sooner.
Small. Simple. Silent. And powerful.
Automation Without AI: Why It Still Wins Now, yes — AI can add sparkle.
It can layer on smarter decisions, personalize messages, and even generate whole batches of marketing copy if you want.
But AI is the frosting .
Good automation? That’s the cake.
You don’t need machine learning to reclaim your time, streamline your workload, or create a professional author business that hums while you’re out living your life.
Solid, boring, beautiful automation is what wins.
Because no matter how fancy things get, the authors who thrive long-term aren’t the ones chasing shiny new tools every five minutes.
They’re the ones who took the time to build resilient systems — even if those systems looked boring as hell when they started.
Resilience > Flashy. Every time.
And here’s the secret bonus:
Once you have solid automation in place?
Then layering on AI (if you want it) is easy.
Because you already have a foundation that won’t collapse the minute you add a little complexity.
Lay the track first.
Then build the bullet train.
Choose Your Own Automation Adventure Because not everyone starts at the same place.
Some of us are just trying to figure out how to stop manually sending PDFs to new readers.
Some of us are trying to build full-on storefronts.
Some of us are halfway between, buried under sticky notes and half-finished workflows.
There’s no wrong door.
Pick the adventure that feels right for you.
(And yes, you can peek inside multiple doors. Highly encouraged, actually.)
1. “I’m Brand New (Or I Need a Reset)” If the words CRM, webhook, or API feel like someone sneezed alphabet soup onto your screen, start here.
Under 2 Minutes to Make Your WordPress Less Hackable
https://authorautomations.com/p/under-2-minutes-to-make-your-wordpress
Two plugins. Five minutes. Infinite peace of mind.
The ESP vs. CRM Debate: Which Tool Do Authors Really Need?
https://authorautomations.com/p/the-esp-vs-crm-debate
Clear up what these acronyms actually mean — and which one you really need.
Take Back Control: How FluentCRM Simplifies Your Email List
https://authorautomations.com/p/take-back-control
Build your list on land you actually own.
Building Your Author Platform (Beyond the Blog)
https://authorautomations.com/p/building-your-author-platform-beyond
Because relying on rented land (social media) is so 2020.
2. “I’m Drowning in Tasks and Inbox Chaos” If your inbox has become a second unpaid full-time job, and your to-do list looks more like a guilt list…
Your Inbox is Not a To-Do List (Here’s What to Do Instead)
https://authorautomations.com/p/your-inbox-is-not-a-to-do-list
Reclaim your actual priorities.
5 Automations to Capture & Organize Ideas (No Fancy Apps Needed)
https://authorautomations.com/p/5-automations-to-capture-and-organize-ideas
Turn random sticky notes into a streamlined idea farm.
Why Your To-Do List is Failing You (And What to Do About It)
https://authorautomations.com/p/why-your-to-do-list-is-failing-you
Fix the real problem (spoiler: it’s not your willpower).
You’ve Organized Everything—Now Let’s Actually Do the Work
https://authorautomations.com/p/youve-organized-everything-now-lets-actually-do-the-work
Get out of planning purgatory and back into action.
3. “I’m Ready to Sell Direct (and Keep More Royalties)” If you’re tired of splitting your revenue with platforms that couldn’t spell your name right on a good day…
Selling Direct Series, Part 1: Why It’s Worth It
https://authorautomations.com/p/the-selling-direct-series-part-1
Seven minutes to your own storefront.
Selling Direct Series, Part 2: Bundles, Box Sets, and Book Delivery Mistakes
https://authorautomations.com/p/the-selling-direct-series-part-2
Smooth delivery = happy customers.
Selling Direct Series, Part 3: This Is Where It Gets Fun
https://authorautomations.com/p/the-selling-direct-series-part-3
Automate post-sale emails and reviews without lifting a finger.
One Link (Shortener) to Rule Them All (And Your Ads)
https://authorautomations.com/p/one-link-shortener
Own your links. Control your destiny. Track your wins.
4. “I Want to Push into Advanced (AI, Smart Systems, and Next-Level Stuff)” If you’re ready to put your systems on steroids (the safe, digital kind):
Automate Meta Descriptions with ChatGPT: How I Do It
https://authorautomations.com/p/automate-meta-descriptions-with-chatgpt
SEO magic without the 4-hour slog.
Mastering RSS Feeds: A Detailed Guide
https://authorautomations.com/p/mastering-rss-feeds
Build your own content distribution pipelines.
Zapier’s Hidden Superpowers: Tables, Chatbots, and Canvas
https://authorautomations.com/p/zapiers-hidden-superpowers-tables
Beyond basic Zaps: create dynamic, living systems.
What’s Possible with Automation? (Quite a Lot, Actually.)
https://authorautomations.com/p/whats-possible-with-automation
Real-world examples of next-level author systems.
Wherever You Start, You’re Building Capacity Every automation — whether it’s sending a single welcome email or orchestrating an entire book launch — buys back your time.
It’s a little compound-interest engine of freedom:
More creative time.
More strategic thinking time.
More “I finished early so I’m taking myself out for tacos” time.
Pick your starting point.
Wander a little.
Come back next week — because we’re just getting started.
You’re not behind.
You’re building.
And you’re doing it smart.
P.S. Got questions? Stuck somewhere? Hit reply and tell me which adventure you’re starting with.
I read every email — and I seriously love hearing about your wins (and your stumbles — they make great stories too).
Author Automations is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.