Automation Agency 🤖

📈 Revenue Breakdown 📊

The revenue breakdown for the month of August is as follows:

Revenue Source	Amount
Automation Agency	$2,614
Other Businesses	(to be discussed later)

🤖 Automation Agency 🤖

The automation agency, called Left Click, provides hands-off growth systems for B2B founders. The agency helps clients find the perfect offer, automate lead acquisition, and solve project management woes while scaling their B2B business to six figures.

„We help you find the perfect offer, automate your lead acquisition, and solve your project management woes while scaling your B2B business to six figures.“

Services Offered

• Consulting: One-off consulting and consulting as part of monthly retainers. Consulting involves helping business owners solve problems, such as not getting enough business or leads.
• One-off Automation Projects: Building out systems using the Make.com platform for companies.

How the Agency Was Started

The agency was started in 2022, around the time ChatGPT came out. The founder, Nick, noticed that his previous business was declining due to AI and decided to start a new business that would take off because of AI. He asked himself, „If our current business is declining because of AI, is there any business that would take off because of AI?“ The idea of helping people implement automation and AI flows into their businesses was born.

Lead Sourcing

Initially, lead sourcing was done through Upwork. The founder would record a customized video of himself solving the problem listed on the proposal and give it to the client. This approach helped him build a strong portfolio and client management knowledge in the space.

Scaling Revenue

Revenue was scaled through cold email marketing. The founder ran several offers that didn't work until he found one that did, which was selling the same system he was using to sell to clients. This helped him scale his revenue to $722,000 a month.

💡 Key Takeaways 💡

• Get clients under your belt: The most important thing for anyone in automation agencies or wanting to learn how to do this sort of thing is to get some clients under their belt.
• Understand the real scope of one or two projects: Once you understand the real scope of one or two projects, you are much further ahead than everyone else who is just spinning their wheels thinking about how to build the perfect business.## 🚀 Automation Agency Services

The automation agency offers three main services: Consulting, One-off Automation, and Monthly Retainers.

One-off Automation

One-off automation projects involve building a system that meets a client's specific needs. However, this type of project has two main issues:

• Lack of Leverage: As a builder, you are limited to the scope of the project and may not be able to scale your services.
• High Cost Per Acquisition: The cost of acquiring a new client can be high, resulting in a lower profit margin.

Monthly Retainers

Monthly retainers allow clients to pay a recurring fee for ongoing services. This model provides several benefits:

• Increased Leverage: As a partner, you can offer strategic guidance and build multiple systems for the client.
• Lower Cost Per Acquisition: The cost of acquiring a new client is lower, as the client is committing to a recurring payment.
• Sticky Clients: Clients are more likely to continue working with you, as you have access to their systems and can provide ongoing support.

Service	Description	Benefits
Consulting	Strategic guidance and advice	Increased leverage, sticky clients
One-off Automation	Building a system that meets a client's specific needs	Limited leverage, high cost per acquisition
Monthly Retainers	Ongoing services for a recurring fee	Increased leverage, lower cost per acquisition, sticky clients

Fractional COO Packages

Fractional COO packages are a type of monthly retainer that provides clients with a range of services, including:

• Weekly Calls: Consulting and strategy calls to discuss ongoing projects and goals.
• System Building: Building and implementing systems to meet the client's needs.
• Problem-Solving: Helping clients solve hot button problems and providing guidance on industry trends.

Hourly vs. Retainer-Based Pricing

„You're not paying me for the 5 seconds, you're paying me for the years it took me to get to the point where I could solve your problem in 5 seconds.“

Hourly-based pricing can be limiting, as it frames the value of your services in terms of time rather than results. Retainer-based pricing, on the other hand, allows you to focus on delivering value to the client and building a long-term relationship.

📝 Content Agency: One Second Copy

One Second Copy is a content agency that provides writing services to clients. The agency operates on a content pipeline model, where tasks are assigned to writers and completed using artificial intelligence.

Arbitrage Model

The agency uses an arbitrage model to make a profit on writing services. This involves:

• Charging a Flat Rate: Charging clients a flat rate per word (e.g. 9 cents per word).
• Paying Writers an Hourly Rate: Paying writers an hourly rate (e.g. $15 per hour) rather than a per-word rate.
• Making a Profit: Making a profit on the difference between the flat rate and the hourly rate.

Service	Description	Benefits
Content Pipeline	Assigning tasks to writers and completing using AI	Increased efficiency, better quality
Arbitrage Model	Charging a flat rate and paying writers an hourly rate	Increased profit margin
AI-Assisted Writing	Using AI to assist writers and improve quality	Faster turnaround times, better quality

The business model discussed in this lecture is primarily based on a price differential, where the key to success lies in the ability to offer high-quality services at a lower cost than competitors.

Services Offered 📝

• Content Writing: The top service offered, which involves creating high-quality content for clients.
• SEO Optimization: A service that involves optimizing articles for search engines to improve their visibility and ranking.

Pipeline and Automation 🤖

The business uses a complicated pipeline built in ClickUp to automate tasks and assign them to writers based on a templating system. This pipeline is designed to be autonomous, with minimal manual intervention required.

Pipeline Component	Description
Templating System	A system that uses templates to create tasks with specific requirements, such as client tone of voice and style guide.
Task Assignment	Tasks are automatically assigned to writers based on the templating system.
Autonomous System	The pipeline is designed to run with minimal manual intervention, reducing management costs and issues.

App Development 📱

The business also developed an app to streamline the content creation process. However, the development process was challenging, and the app was not working well in the month of August.

Initial Revenue Streams 💸

The business initially generated revenue through:

• Upwork: A platform that connects freelancers with clients.
• Sample Articles: The business offered free sample articles to potential clients, which helped to generate interest and leads.

Email System 📧

The business built an email system that used artificial intelligence to categorize email replies and assign tasks to writers. This system was completely autonomous and allowed the business to scale to $90,000 per month.

School: A Community Building Program 📚

School is a community building program that generated $6,968.25 in revenue in the month of August. It is a community-based business model that provides a platform for entrepreneurs to share resources, wins, and losses.

„A community is a group of entrepreneurs working on the same thing, sharing resources, wins, and losses openly.“

The main value proposition of School is that it provides a centralized platform for entrepreneurs to leverage other people's wins and failures, and access resources and courses compiled by the program creator.

Community Value Proposition	Description
Shared Resources	Entrepreneurs can share resources and knowledge with each other.
Shared Wins and Losses	Entrepreneurs can share their successes and failures, providing a supportive community.
Centralized Resources	The program creator compiles resources and courses, providing a centralized platform for entrepreneurs.

Identifying Value Propositions

To create a successful online community, it's essential to identify the value propositions that set it apart from others. A value proposition is:

„A statement that explains how a product, service, or solution solves a problem or meets a need for a customer.“

In the case of the online community discussed, the value propositions included:

• Templates: High-quality templates that save time and money
• Weekly Office Hours: Personalized Q&A sessions with the community leader
• Courses: High-quality courses that provide valuable knowledge and skills
• Networking: Opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals in the same space

Moderating the Community

Effective moderation is crucial to creating a positive and supportive community. This includes:

• Capping Membership: Limiting the number of members to create a sense of exclusivity and encourage participation
• Sharing Personal Experiences: Sharing personal stories and experiences to create a sense of connection and trust
• Encouraging Openness: Encouraging members to share their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment

Services Provided

The community leader provides various services to members, including:

Service	Description
Daily Q&A	Answering questions and providing guidance on a daily basis
Loom Roasts	Providing detailed video feedback on members‘ work, such as agency websites or copywriting
Weekly Office Hours	Hosting weekly Q&A sessions to provide personalized guidance and support

Benefits of the Community

The community provides numerous benefits to its members, including:

• Accountability: Regular check-ins and feedback to help members stay on track
• Personalized Guidance: Access to personalized guidance and support from the community leader
• Networking Opportunities: Opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals in the same space

Transitioning to a New Business Model

The community leader has transitioned from primarily providing services to focusing on helping members grow their own businesses. This has led to:

• Increased Revenue: A significant increase in revenue from the community
• Greater Fulfillment: A sense of fulfillment and purpose from helping others achieve their goals## Weekly Office Hours 📅

The weekly office hours are a valuable part of the community, where members can ask questions and receive guidance from the instructor. The process works as follows:

• Members submit their questions in advance through a weekly office hour thread.
• The instructor reviews the questions, prepares answers, and may do some prep work ahead of time.
• During the office hour, the instructor screenshares and answers questions one by one.
• Members can also ask questions live during the office hour if they were unable to submit them in advance.

Programs 📚

The instructor creates programs to provide additional value to the community. These programs are designed to help members achieve specific goals, such as building an automation agency.

• 14-Day Agency: This was the instructor's first program, which later transformed into Maker School. It provides a step-by-step guide on how to build an automation agency.
• Maker School: This is a daily accountability program that provides a structured approach to building an automation agency. The instructor creates daily videos and guides members through the process.

Fireside Chats 📢

Fireside Chats are Q&A sessions with experts in the automation space. These sessions are designed to provide additional value to the community and are not dependent on the instructor's time.

• Guest Experts: The instructor invites experts in the automation space to share their knowledge and experience with the community.
• Q&A Sessions: Members can ask questions and receive guidance from the guest experts.

Community Structure 📈

The community has a member cap of 400, which is designed to maintain a tight-knit feel and allow for a cohort of members to progress together.

• Member Cap: The community is capped at 400 members to maintain a high level of engagement and support.
• Cohort-Based: The community is designed to allow members to progress together, with a focus on accountability and support.

Pricing and Revenue 📊

The instructor has implemented a pricing strategy to increase revenue while maintaining a high level of value for the community.

• Tiered Pricing: The instructor increases the price of the community as it grows, with a maximum price of $128 per month.
• Average Revenue: The average revenue per member is around $98 per month.

Future Plans 🚀

The instructor is considering expanding the Fireside Chats to include more guest experts and increasing the frequency of the sessions.

• Expansion Plans: The instructor is open to expanding the Fireside Chats to include more guest experts and increasing the frequency of the sessions.
• Demand-Driven: The expansion plans are driven by demand from the community, with a focus on providing additional value to members.## Pricing Strategies 📈

Pricing strategies are crucial in maintaining the credibility and exclusivity of a community. By limiting the number of members and charging a premium price, the community can maintain its value and provide one-on-one support to its members.

The Problem with Unlimited Growth

• Unlimited growth can lead to a decrease in credibility and exclusivity
• It can also make it impractical for new members to join, leading to a long waiting list
• In this case, the waiting list had 752 people, which would take around 3 years to clear at a rate of 15-20 people per month

The Solution: Tiered Pricing

Pricing Tier	Benefits
Monthly Payment	Standard membership benefits
Annual Payment	Priority access to the community, bumped to the front of the waiting list

By offering a tiered pricing system, the community can provide more value to its members who are willing to pay a premium price. This also helps to mitigate churn and increase engagement among members.

Gumroad: A Platform for Digital Products 📦

Gumroad is a platform that allows creators to host and sell digital products. It provides a convenient way for customers to purchase and download digital products, and for creators to manage their sales and revenue.

How Gumroad Works

• Creators upload their digital products to Gumroad
• Customers purchase and download the products through Gumroad
• Gumroad handles the payment and delivery process

Benefits of Using Gumroad

• Convenient way to sell digital products
• Easy to manage sales and revenue
• Provides a professional and secure way to deliver digital products to customers

Example of Gumroad in Action

Product	Revenue
Blueprint 1	$690
Blueprint 2	$224
Total Revenue	$1,613.48

By using Gumroad, the creator was able to sell digital products and earn a significant amount of revenue. This also helped to establish a sense of product-market fit and brand credibility.

YouTube Ads: A Source of Passive Income 📺

YouTube ads can be a source of passive income for creators who have a large following and high engagement on their videos.

How YouTube Ads Work

• Creators monetize their videos with ads
• Viewers watch the videos and see the ads
• Creators earn revenue from the ads

Benefits of YouTube Ads

• Passive income stream
• Increased visibility and reach for the creator's content
• Opportunity to earn revenue from a large audience

Example of YouTube Ads in Action

Month	Revenue
August	$1,723.19
July	$3,000+

By monetizing their videos with ads, the creator was able to earn a significant amount of revenue from YouTube. However, the revenue tanked after updating all the videos at once, which may have triggered a content warning or invalid traffic warning from YouTube.

Affiliate Revenue: A Way to Earn Passive Income 🤝

Affiliate revenue is a way for creators to earn passive income by promoting other people's products or services.

How Affiliate Revenue Works

• Creators partner with other companies to promote their products or services
• Creators earn a commission on sales made through their unique affiliate link

Benefits of Affiliate Revenue

• Passive income stream
• Opportunity to earn revenue from promoting high-quality products or services
• Increased credibility and trust with the audience

Example of Affiliate Revenue in Action

Platform	Revenue
Partner Stack	$937.90
Impact
Other platforms

By partnering with other companies and promoting their products or services, the creator was able to earn a significant amount of affiliate revenue. This also helped to establish a sense of credibility and trust with the audience.## Embracing Doubt 🤔

Embracing doubt is a key principle in achieving success. It's the idea that instead of fearing doubt, you should acknowledge and accept it as a natural part of the decision-making process.

„The obstacle is the way“ – Stoic aphorism

This means that when faced with uncertainty, you should not let fear hold you back. Instead, you should use it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Benefits of Embracing Doubt:

• Produces a higher quality product
• Leads to better decision-making
• Encourages a growth mindset

Examples of Embracing Doubt:

• Offering annual memberships despite initial uncertainty
• Restricting scope to focus on revenue-generating activities
• Talking openly about uncertainty and plans

Focus on Revenue-Generating Activities 💸

Focusing on revenue-generating activities is crucial for success. This means prioritizing tasks that directly contribute to increasing revenue and profit.

Revenue-Generating Activities:

Activity	Description
Daily Outreach	Reaching out to potential clients or customers
Content Creation	Creating valuable content to attract and engage with the target audience
Sales Calls	Making sales calls to potential clients or customers
Client Communication	Communicating with existing clients to build relationships and increase revenue

Benefits of Focusing on Revenue-Generating Activities:

• Increases revenue and profit
• Improves hourly rate
• Reduces overwhelm and increases productivity

Talking Openly About Plans and Progress 🗣️

Talking openly about plans and progress is essential for building trust and credibility with your audience.

Benefits of Talking Openly:

• Builds a culture of goodwill and positivity
• Establishes a strong reputation
• Attracts people who are willing to pay for services from someone they trust and respect

Examples of Talking Openly:

• Sharing revenue and progress updates
• Discussing uncertainty and plans
• Being transparent about strategies and decisions