MSP Websites Need AI (EP 1081)

I sat down with Dave Sobel to talk about why too many MSPs are leaving AI out of their websites, client conversations, and service offerings. We dig into AI governance, shadow AI, Microsoft Copilot, and why simply asking better questions can create real business opportunities. AI is everywhere. It is at every conference, in every vendor presentation, and in every customer conversation. Yet Dave’s research found that 68% of roughly 3,600 MSP websites do not mention AI at all. That means a lot of providers may be invisible to prospects looking for guidance, services, or simply a trusted technology partner who has a point of view. We talked about the difference between being an AI expert and being willing to lead the conversation. Most clients do not have an AI policy. They may not know which tools employees are using, what data is being shared, or whether shadow AI is already happening inside the business. That is not a reason for an MSP to stay quiet. It is an opening to help clients understand what is happening, develop guardrails, and make informed decisions without becoming the department of no. Dave also walked through the updated Version 5 of the Free MSP Checklist, which now includes AI and compliance considerations alongside the traditional infrastructure and cloud questions. We also spent time on the GTIA acquisition of ASCII, the changing landscape of MSP communities, and why it makes sense to be in more than one room as the channel evolves. === Chapters 00:24 Welcome and Meet Dave Sobel 02:10 Free MSP Checklist: AI and Compliance Updates 03:53 Why MSP Websites Are Missing the AI Conversation 09:06 Client AI Policies and the Value of MSP Guidance 11:57 The Buyer Journey, Referrals, and Website Visibility 16:01 Defining AI Services with Copilot, ChatGPT, and Claude 18:53 AI Governance and Shadow AI Opportunities 22:02 GTIA Acquires ASCII: Impact on MSP Communities 29:49 Resources, Business of Tech, and Closing === Guest: Dave Sobel, MSP Radio Website: https://www.davesobel.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davesobel === Companies / Vendors / Products / Books MSP Radio: https://www.mspradio.com/ The Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/ Small Biz Thoughts: https://www.smallbizthoughts.org/ IT Service Provider University: https://www.itspu.com/ Free MSP Checklist, Version 5: https://freemspchecklist.com/ ChatGPT: https://openai.com/chatgpt/ OpenAI: https://openai.com/ Claude: https://www.anthropic.com/claude Anthropic: https://www.anthropic.com/ SolarWinds: https://www.solarwinds.com/ Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA): https://gtia.org/ The ASCII Group: https://gtia.org/ascii National Society of IT Service Providers (NSITSP): https://www.nsitsp.org/ MSPAlliance: https://www.mspalliance.com/ === SPONSORS: Technology Partner, NetAlly: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/netally/ Technology Partner: Bvoip: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/bvoip Travel Partner: TruGrid: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/trugrid Digital Partner, Designer Ready: http://itbusinesspodcast.com/designerready === SHOW MUSIC: Item Title: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock Logo Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/upbeat-fun-sports-rock-logo-CSR3UET Author Username: AlexanderRufire Item License Code: 7X9F52DNML === Connect with Uncle Marv 🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/ 🎙 Host: Marvin Bee 🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ ☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast If you found value in this episode, share it with another MSP, IT provider, or tech entrepreneur. Your support helps keep practical, no-nonsense IT business conversations coming every week.