What Is Claude? (and how do I actually use it?)

If AI still feels a bit intimidating, or you’re not quite sure where to start, this is for you. Nothing to buy, nothing to sign up for. Just the basics, explained properly, so you can actually start using it this week.

A quick word on why me

There’s some brilliant AI advice around for our sector right now, and I’m glad of it. What I bring is simply a provider’s-eye view.

I’m not a consultant or a tech company looking in. I run a children’s activity business, and I use AI to run it every single day. I’ve worn every hat we all wear: admin, bookings, marketing, finance, customer service, the lot. So everything here is written from inside the job, in our language, because it’s my job too.

What is Claude, actually?

Claude is an AI assistant, made by a company called Anthropic. You go to a website or an app, and you type to it (or talk to it, if your hands are full), a bit like messaging a very capable colleague.

It isn’t a search engine. It doesn’t just find information for you. It writes, plans, brainstorms and problem-solves with you, in your words, once it knows a bit about your business.

For me, using Claude is like having a business partner who wears every hat we all wear day to day: admin, marketing, customer service, forward planning. Someone I can genuinely bounce ideas off, any time.

Where do I find it?

• Go to claude.ai in any browser, or download the free Claude app on your phone or desktop.
• It’s free to sign up, and there’s a free plan, so you don’t need to pay anything to try this out.
• Type into the box like you’re sending a message, or tap the sound wave icon to talk instead. That’s genuinely most of it.

Your first 60 seconds

Before you read any further, go and try it. Open Claude and type this:

Write a warm two-line message to parents reminding them our next session is Tuesday at 10am.

That’s it. No setup, no settings, nothing to configure. You’ll get something back you could genuinely send.

How do I actually use it?

This is the bit most people skip, and it’s the difference between AI that feels a bit rubbish and AI that saves you hours. Every good prompt has the same four parts:

1. Who you are. Your business, age group, the context. This is the one everyone skips, and it’s the one that matters most.
2. What you want. Be specific: “a 100-word newsletter section,” not just “a newsletter.”
3. The style. The tone and length: warm, playful, professional, short, and so on.
4. An example, if you have one. Paste something you’ve written before, with any children’s or parents’ names taken out, so it copies your voice.

Miss the first one and everything comes out generic. Nail all four and it sounds like you.

Copy this to start

You only need to do this once per conversation. Paste it at the start of any new chat, fill in your details, and it’ll carry that context through everything else you ask.

I run [business name], a [type of activity] business for children aged [age range], based in [location]. My tone is [e.g. warm and playful / professional and reassuring]. Keep this in mind for everything I ask next.

Then talk to it like a conversation. First answer not quite right? Just say so: “make it shorter,” “less formal,” “add a bit about our new sensory class.” You’re not starting again, you’re steering.

5 prompts to try this week

Every one of these is the recipe in action: who you are, what you want, the style. Swap in your own details, then tap to copy.

A parent update

Write a short, friendly message to parents letting them know our Saturday session is moving from 9:30am to 10am from next half term, due to room availability. Keep it reassuring, not apologetic.

A social caption

Write 3 short Instagram caption options announcing spaces just opened in our Wednesday toddler class. Playful tone, ending with a call to action to message us to book.

A newsletter blurb

Write a 100-word newsletter section introducing a new trainer joining the team. Warm and welcoming, mention she's DBS-checked with 5 years' experience.

An admin note

Draft a clear, friendly paragraph for our parent handbook explaining our illness policy. Reassuring, not strict sounding.

Handling feedback

Help me reply to a parent who's unhappy their child was moved up a class group. I want to sound understanding, and explain it was based on developmental readiness.

Before you dive in

• It’s free to start, so you don’t need to pay anything to try this out.
• Don’t paste children’s personal details into any AI tool: full names, addresses, medical or safeguarding information should stay out of it.
• Always read over what it gives you before you send it. Think of it as a first-draft partner, not autopilot.
• The more you use it, the better you’ll get at asking. Treat it a bit like training a new team member.

This guide is about getting started and getting a quick win. If it sparked something and you’d like a hand going further, I’m always happy to talk it through.