Automation: The Secret to Scaling Your Side Hustle?

Let’s be real: the promise of automation often sounds like a pipe dream.

“Set it and forget it,” they say.

“Automate your entire business,” they claim.

But for most side hustlers and small business owners, it feels like another complex tool that takes more time to set up than it saves.

You’re probably thinking, another platform to learn?

However, what if there was a way to connect all your apps and truly automate those repetitive tasks, freeing you up to actually build?

🎁 FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU

I always try to add more value to my readers, and here are all the resources I have share:

AI Solopreneur Toolkit - Download
Giant list of 1,500+ AI tools and websites - Download

🔍 PROMPT OF THE WEEK

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🖼️ IMAGE OF THE WEEK

🧰 AI TOOL OF THE WEEK: MAKE.COM

What is Make.com?
Make.com (formerly Integromat) is a powerful visual platform that lets you design, build, and automate workflows by connecting apps and services. Think of it as the central nervous system for your digital tools, allowing them to "talk" to each other and perform tasks automatically, without writing a single line of code.

But is it actually useful?
Here’s the messy truth: in the age of AI, connecting your tools is more critical than ever. Make.com isn't just for simple "if this, then that" scenarios. It allows for complex, multi-step automations that can integrate AI services, manage data, send emails, update spreadsheets, and much more. It’s a visual builder, so you drag and drop modules to create your "scenarios" (workflows). This means you can automate everything from lead capture and customer support to content distribution and data analysis.

Key Features that Matter:

• Visual Workflow Builder: Drag and drop apps and tools to create complex automations.

• Thousands of Integrations: Connects with virtually every popular app and service (CRM, email, social media, AI tools, databases, etc.).

• Advanced Logic: Use filters, routers, and aggregators to build sophisticated workflows.

• Real-time Execution: Automations run instantly when triggered, keeping your processes efficient.

• Templates: Start with pre-built templates for common use cases to get up and running quickly.

Mini Tutorial: Automating a Simple Task with Make
Let's say you want to automatically save new email attachments to Google Drive and then notify you on Slack.

1. Go to Make.com and sign up for a free account.

2. Click "Create a new scenario."

3. Add your first module: search for "Email" and select "Watch emails" (or your email provider like Gmail). Connect your email account.

4. Add a second module: search for "Google Drive" and select "Upload a file." Connect your Google Drive account and specify the folder. Map the email attachment to the file upload.

5. Add a third module: search for "Slack" and select "Create a message." Connect your Slack account and specify the channel. Craft a message like "New attachment received: [File Name] in Google Drive!"

6. Save and activate your scenario.

Pro tip: Start with small, repetitive tasks that consume a lot of your time. Once you get comfortable, you can integrate AI services (like ElevenLabs or ChatGPT) into your workflows to automate content creation, summarization, or personalized responses. Make.com has a learning curve, but the time saved can be immense, allowing you to focus on higher-value work.

💸 AI INCOME USE CASE

AI INCOME USE CASE: $20K/Month with a ChatGPT Browser Extension

Everyone’s building AI apps, but what if the real opportunity isn't a standalone product, but an enhancement to an existing, massive platform? Meet Sahil, a software engineer who built Superpower ChatGPT, a browser extension that adds extra features to ChatGPT, and scaled it to $20,000-$30,000 MRR in about a year and a half. He did it as a solopreneur, with no ads, and over 260,000 downloads.

The Problem:
When ChatGPT launched, Sahil immediately saw missing features. Instead of building a whole new AI tool, he decided to enhance an existing one. He built the extension primarily for himself, addressing his own frustrations and needs within the ChatGPT interface.

The Playbook:

• Build for massive platforms (or niche marketplaces): Sahil identified two key strategies:

  1. Big platforms: Build for giants like Gmail, YouTube, or Twitter. They have hundreds of millions of users; you only need a tiny fraction to find success.

  2. Niche marketplaces: Platforms like Zoom or Salesforce have fewer users but also less competition, making it easier to stand out.

• Validate fast with an MVP: Building an extension is quicker and less complex than a full SaaS. This allows for rapid validation: "It's a lot easier to build like a simple extension... that way you can at least know if the idea is going to work out or not."

• Listen to your users (the ultimate growth hack): Sahil joined subreddits, Discord channels, and Facebook groups where ChatGPT users hung out. He listened to their pain points, built the requested features, and then went back to tell them he'd added what they wanted. This organic feedback loop fueled his growth.

• Organic growth is powerful: He spent zero on ads. His growth came from word-of-mouth, Reddit posts that went viral, and people organically writing reviews about "top ChatGPT extensions" that included his product.

• Monetize strategically (and later): For the first 9-10 months, Superpower ChatGPT was completely free. This helped capture a massive audience. He then monetized by adding new premium features, keeping all existing features free. He also started a newsletter, which quickly attracted sponsors.

• Simple tech stack, fast learning: He built the first version in 2-3 days using pure JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, despite never having built an extension before. Timing was crucial, launching right after ChatGPT's explosion.

The Messy Truth:
Building on top of another platform (like ChatGPT) comes with risks—OpenAI could change its API or even "kill" the product. Sahil acknowledges this but chooses to focus on building, knowing he can pivot if needed. His advice: validate fast, focus on your strengths, and don't be afraid to build for free initially to capture an audience.

Actionable Takeaway:
Stop trying to build the next big standalone AI platform from scratch. Look for massive existing platforms or niche marketplaces where you can add value with a simple extension or plugin. Listen intently to users in those communities, build what they ask for, and leverage organic channels for growth. Monetize by adding premium features, not by taking away existing free ones.

Want more ways to make money with AI? Check out these articles.

🤑 AI INCOME Q&A

Q: "How can I scale my AI content writing business beyond just me?" - Priya N.

A: Create detailed process documents for each content type, then hire junior writers or VAs to handle the AI interaction while you focus on strategy and client relationships. One subscriber scaled from $3K to $15K monthly by creating a three-tier system: VAs handle initial AI generation, junior editors refine the output, and he only reviews final drafts and handles client strategy calls. This leverages AI while building a business that isn't dependent solely on you.

 🌱 LIFE BEYOND AI

This is the most recent book I’m reading, and I find it really fascinating. Once you read it, you’re gonna have a fresh new way of looking at maps.

🛠️ TOOLS THAT MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER

1. Abacus.ai → Use all the latest LLMs and build custom AI applications for an extremely low cost

2. Later → All-in-one platform to manage social media content, track performance, and grow online presence

3. beehiiv → Build, grow, and monetize your newsletters (use my link to get 30-day trial + 20% OFF for 3 months)

4. Recraft → Create high-quality images and vector graphics, with features like background removal and style customization

5. LumaLabs → Create high-quality images and videos from text and images, including 3D models.

6. Beacons → Customize link-in-bio pages + building your online store

7. Descript → AI-powered video and audio editing platform to create professional-looking content

8. ElevenLabs → Create ultra-realistic text-to-speech voices in multiple languages

🕵️‍♂️ A SURPRISE INSIDE

This might hold something you didn’t know you wanted to know…

And that’s a wrap for this week.

If you have any questions, feedback, or just want to say hi, please hit “reply”. I do my best to respond to every single email.

Thank for so much for your support!

☄️ Let’s make moves,
Keith
Chief Human Officer, Optimizing With AI