By skyforbes I've been immersed in the world of automation for the past year. Here’s the unfiltered truth on what truly I believe:
- Start with the Micro-Win. Your initial automation should be a 10-minute task, not a 10-hour marathon. I wasted weeks on intricate setups when a simple "new email Slack notification" would have been a better teacher.
- Make Your Process Public Content. Every automation you build is potential proof of expertise. Share the screenshots, the lessons, and the failures. I've found that openly sharing my process lands more clients than any perfect demo.
- Master the HTTP Request Node — Pronto. Seriously. Most of the "limitations" people complain about vanish once you can make custom API calls. It's the ultimate utility tool when built-in nodes fall short.
- Ditch the "Automation Expert" Label. Everyone claims that title. Shift your focus: "I help [specific industry] solve [specific pain point]." Precision attracts premium clients with that exact problem.
- Value is Created by Saying No. I recently declined a non-aligned $500 gig. That same client returned two weeks later with a perfect $3K project. Setting boundaries doesn't lose opportunities, it defines and attracts better ones.
- Error Handling Separates Pros from Amateurs. Everyone demos the flawless 'happy path.' Professionals engineer for chaos: API outages, shifting data formats, or user input errors. Build for breakdown.
- Share the Mess, Not Just the Success. "How I accidentally broke a client's system and fixed it" generates far more engagement than a perfect case study. Vulnerability is the fastest way to build trust.
- The Real Money is in Optimization Contracts. Clients pay once for setup, but they pay monthly for "making it continuously better." Recurring maintenance revenue consistently outperforms one-off project work.
- Your Net Worth is Tied to Your Network. Other automators are collaborators and referral engines, not competitors. Offer help and knowledge freely in communities. Half my current clients come from my peers.
- Automate Your Own Business First. There's no better credential than having your own lead gen, content flow, and client onboarding fully automated. You must practice what you preach.
Don't Complicate things. Keep things Simple. Start with Automating with Simple Prompts Use Tools Like ChatGpt Agent, BhindiAI, EnergentAI, ClayAI,