I Planned a Trip, Wrote a Book, and Built Two Products - Without Actually Working.

Founder’s Note - Edition #003

Over the weekend, I had one of those moments where you step back and realise just how much things in the AI space have changed - even just in the last 2-3 months. It’s nuts.

I used Manus AI to find the best flights to Melbourne, complete a market research quiz, and even draft a book from my past two years of notes and presentations. All without lifting more than a finger to prompt it. It’s no longer about using AI to “help” you work faster, but having AI do the work for you.

That shift has got me fired up. I’ve been experimenting with a few other tools that I think you’ll find genuinely useful too. First up: a custom GPT I built last week for roasting lead magnet pages. Drop in a screenshot, and it’ll give you immediate, blunt feedback on your copy and layout. Super handy if you’re selling mini-offers or want to sharpen up your low-ticket funnel without hiring a copywriter.

And if you’re selling or engaging on Instagram, you’ve got to check out IGdm Pro.

Unlike Manychat or other IG automations, this tool lets you message new followers directly - no waiting for them to reply to a Story or trigger a keyword. You can bulk-send personalised messages, schedule them, and store quick replies, all from your desktop.

Plus, I’ve been using Cove AI to plan everything from Melbourne itineraries to full-blown product launches. If you’re someone who loves visual structure and wants an AI that thinks alongside you (not just for you), it’s worth a look.

Let’s get into it.

Ryan Drake

Founder, Ential

Everyone Says Planning a Trip is Stressful - What a Lie! ✈️

I’ve been using Cove.ai to plan a weekend getaway to Melbourne, and it’s honestly been so fun to use! Instead of juggling notes, tabs, and half-finished documents, I can visually lay everything out in one clean space. I added my preferences (shopping, food, art, culture), and within minutes, had a 3-day itinerary mapped out, complete with timing, locations, and links. It felt more like collaborating with an AI friend/travel assistant than planning on my own. If you're a visual thinker or just someone who likes seeing all the moving parts come together clearly, Cove is worth checking out. It’s made the whole process simple, enjoyable, and surprisingly creative.

What I love most about Cove is how adaptable it is. Beyond trip planning, I’ve used it to organise content ideas, brainstorm projects, and even coordinate family events. The card-based layout lets me break down complex tasks into manageable pieces, and the AI suggestions often surface connections or ideas I hadn’t considered. It’s like having a creative partner that helps me think more clearly and stay organised.

Cove also recently introduced AI Apps, which has taken things to the next level. Now, it can generate interactive tools directly within your workspace, like a custom packing checklist for a trip, a collaborative dinner planner, or even a study quiz tailored to what you’re learning about (French? Dis oui!) You just describe what you need, and Cove builds it for you. It’s incredibly intuitive and makes the planning process even more dynamic and personalised.

99% of IG Automation Tools Can’t Message First. This One Can.

If you’ve tried using tools like Manychat to automate your Instagram DMs, you’ll know they can be limiting - especially when it comes to starting conversations with new followers.

Most tools are great once someone replies, but they can’t initiate the message. That’s exactly where IGdm Pro stands out. It gives you the power to DM new followers directly, right from your desktop, without waiting for them to engage first.

I’ve been using it for a few days now and it works great! You can setup automations to follow up with new followers, answer questions, and even bulk message warm leads with personalised outreach - at scale. Yes, it can even scrape followers from one of your competitors and allows you to personalise DM messages directly to them 😉 

You can queue up messages using variables like name or username, schedule them to go out at a set time, and save quick replies for common questions.

It runs on your desktop, so as long as the app is open, it keeps sending in the background.

For anyone running a small business, managing an audience, or trying to drive more conversations from Instagram, this tool changes the game for you.

This AI Tool Found My Flights, Completed a Quiz, Wrote an Album and Drafted a Book. Yes, really.

I’ve said it before, but after this weekend, I’m doubling down: if you haven’t tried Manus AI yet, you’re seriously missing out. 

I already knew it could handle complex, multi-step tasks with ease. But over the weekend, I watched it completely redefine what "getting things done" looks like.

First, I used Manus to find the cheapest flights from Brisbane to Melbourne. Instead of toggling through endless tabs and comparing dates, it pulled the top options, broke down the costs, and gave me a clear, easy-to-understand summary (screenshot of Manus’ computer doing the search for ME! Completely autonomously). No fluff. No scrolling through calendars myself. It even handled website errors mid-search and adapted in real time.

Then it got wild. 

I had a quiz from someone that I wanted to complete and compare their questions…

You guessed it - I had Manus complete it for me! I asked it to complete the quiz and compile all of the questions into a Word doc for me to analyse.

After that, I tested its limits: I dropped in my notes, slides, and recordings from the past two years about AI and automation, and my sentiments about the market evolving, and asked it to write a book. It didn’t just spit out a draft: it created a fully structured, thoughtful manuscript that pulled out my key ideas better than I could have myself. It took an hour, but ended up turning my notes, presentation slides and recordings into a 54,000 word; 35 chapter book in just under an hour.

This wasn’t just a productivity boost. It felt like having a real assistant working behind the scenes while I got on with my day. I prompted the book on Friday night, whilst watching a movie and having my 6 week old daughter curled up in my lap.

So if you’re already comfortable with ChatGPT and want to go deeper, Manus is your next move. It’s not just about having answers. It’s about having outcomes delivered for you.

If you feel up for giving Manus a go (and don’t want to pay $200 USD for ChatGPT Pro), you can access Manus here.

Have a boring ass sales page for your lead magnets? Let this GPT flame it before your audience does. 🔥

Last week, I built a custom GPT called the Lead Magnet Sales Page Generator for a client consult, and it turned out to be one of the most useful tools for quick feedback on low-ticket offers. It works by analysing a screenshot of your lead magnet or landing page, then immediately "roasting" it for you: giving blunt, actionable feedback on everything from your headline and layout to your call to action and overall flow.

In fact, I built it right before my client call…and then used it on the call with my client!

It was excellent.

If you’ve ever second-guessed whether your sales page is landing right, or wondered why it’s not converting, this tool helps cut through the fluff.

It's especially handy for creators selling mini-offers, ebooks, or low-ticket funnels who want to tighten their messaging fast.

Just upload a screenshot, and it’ll tell you exactly what’s working, what’s missing, and how to make your copy more compelling. Great for refining your offer before pushing traffic or during live consults with clients.

I want to hear from you! Did you find the above helpful? I’d love to hear from you if you’re interested in how we directly work with businesses to streamline your operations and systems - just shoot me an email back!

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