Episode
# 178 Don't start an AI automation agency in 2026 (do this instead)
- Podcast
- Build With AI
- Published
- Jul 6, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1498
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://share.transistor.fm/s/6af7580e
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Summary
Grab the assessment report template I use to deliver $999 AI assessments (free): https://audittemplate.ai/ Grab the full Excalidraw diagram I show in this video depicting the AI Offer Ladder: https://app.excalidraw.com/l/4z8Z2Lyybfg/8FAvEjYbuGc This is the full AI offer ladder that I use to sell AI services, from a free mini assessment all the way up to a two thousand dollar per month concierge retainer and beyond. I walk through all three tiers of the ladder step by step: the free mini assessment that converts thirty to fifty percent of the time, the paid assessment that we charge $999 for, and the AI concierge model that is my primary income source right now. I also cover four à la carte builds you can sell on top of the ladder, with real examples and exact pricing from engagements we have actually closed. If you want theof this offer ladder plus the assessment report template, both are linked below for free. Join our AI Operator Academy Community where we help entrepreneurs start and scale a profitable AI services business: https://www.skool.com/aioperatoracademy/about Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: The three components of the AI offer ladder 00:30 – The free mini assessment: What it is and how it works 01:00 – Three levers of ROI: Effectiveness, efficiency, and quality 01:30 – Meeting one: Discovery call and the magic wand question 02:00 – Meeting two: Prescribing the fix 02:21 – Download the Excalidraw diagram for free 03:00 – Off-the-shelf tool vs. Claude Cowork vs. Claude skill: When to prescribe each 04:00 – Closing the free assessment: Gauging appetite for paid help 04:30 – Conversion data: 30 to 50 percent of free assessments convert to paid 04:44 – Step Two: The paid assessment at $999 05:30 – Annie: The voice agent that conducts the 45-minute interview 06:30 – B…