How I Easily Signed 3 AI Automation Agency Clients in 2 Days

How I Easily Signed 3 AI Automation Agency Clients in 2 Days

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Building a Marketing Plan
3. The Four Pillars of Acquisition Strategy
   • LinkedIn Outbound Automation
   • Instagram Follower Scraping
   • Cold Email Outreach
   • Instagram Cold DMs
   • Cold Calling
4. Results and Reflections
   • LinkedIn Automation Results
   • Cold Email Results
   • Instagram DM Results
   • Cold Calling Experience
5. Lessons Learned and Tips for Success
   • Don't Charge Your First Clients
   • Leverage Warm Outreach
   • Be Flexible with Your Offer
   • Plan Out Your Sales Process

Introduction

In this ongoing series, I am documenting my Journey of starting and scaling an AI automation agency from scratch. In the previous episode, I shared my niche selection, offer creation, and building a landing page. Now, I will walk You through the exact scripts, systems, and strategies I used to sign my first three clients. As a complete newcomer to cold outreach and selling this Type of product, this experience has been both challenging and exciting. If you're interested in starting your own AI automation agency and want to join me in overcoming the challenges and struggles, this video is for you.

Building a Marketing Plan

Upon arriving in Thailand, I immediately started working on my marketing plan. I listed out various lead generation methods, such as Facebook and LinkedIn groups, Google Maps search scraping, and Instagram. Then, I paired them with outreach methods, including email, Instagram DMs, and cold calling. I narrowed down my options to the four pillars of my acquisition strategy: LinkedIn outbound automation, Instagram follower scraping, cold email outreach, Instagram cold DMs, and cold calling. Despite being new to cold outreach, I decided to take a shotgun approach and try multiple methods to increase my chances of success.

The Four Pillars of Acquisition Strategy

LinkedIn Outbound Automation

I used Dropify, a platform for running LinkedIn campaigns. Filtered by fitness coaches and personal trainers with 1-10 employees, I created a lead list and launched a campaign to connect with people, view their profiles, and send follow-up messages. While this method resulted in 58 connections and 20 replies, unfortunately, no calls were booked. In hindsight, I realized the importance of a high-quality lead list, and I have since adjusted my filtering criteria.

Instagram Follower Scraping

Recognizing that fitness coaches and personal trainers are active on Instagram, I used Modash, an influencer search platform, to find accounts related to my target market. By scraping the followers of these accounts, I obtained a list of potential clients. To filter the list, I used an AI task in Make.com that analyzed the scraped bio information. This allowed me to identify suitable leads and extract their contact details like email and phone number.

Cold Email Outreach

Using the scraped lead list, including email addresses, I employed Instantly to send cold emails to potential clients. While I encountered limitations due to the number of warm accounts, the campaigns generated 10 positive replies and led to two calls being booked. Although I faced challenges with limited email volume, I learned the significance of warming up multiple accounts beforehand to improve response rates.

Instagram Cold DMs

Manually sending Instagram DMs to the scraped leads, I initiated conversations with online fitness coaches and personal trainers. While this method was time-consuming, it allowed for a more personalized approach. By leveraging their need for improved response times, I offered to help them automate their DMs using AI. The response rate varied, with some negative replies, but I managed to book one call through this method.

Cold Calling

Using phone numbers obtained from the scraped lead list and Apollo.io, I embarked on cold calling. This approach involved contacting potential clients directly to pitch my services. While I faced some challenges, including reaching voicemail and receiving negative responses, I persevered through practice and continued grinding to improve my cold calling skills.

Results and Reflections

LinkedIn Automation Results

While my LinkedIn campaign resulted in 58 connections and 20 replies, I realized the need to refine my lead list and messaging to increase the likelihood of booking calls. Despite not securing any appointments through this method, I found value in the personal and organic nature of LinkedIn outreach.

Cold Email Results

Out of 210 cold emails sent, I received 10 positive replies and booked two calls. However, I encountered limitations due to the number of warm accounts, restricting my email volume. To overcome this, I am in the process of warming up additional accounts to increase my outreach capacity.

Instagram DM Results

By manually sending Instagram DMs, I reached out to around 185 leads and obtained nine replies. One call was booked through this method. To increase efficiency, I Am Now in the process of leveraging a virtual assistant to automate the Instagram DM outreach.

Cold Calling Experience

During my first cold calling session, I encountered various responses, including hang-ups and negative reactions. Although it was a challenging experience, I am preparing to release a separate video showcasing the full session to provide insights into the cold calling process and my journey.

Lessons Learned and Tips for Success

1. Don't Charge Your First Clients: Instead, focus on providing value and building case studies. Offering your services for free allows you to demonstrate your capabilities and gain testimonials that can help attract future paying clients.

2. Leverage Warm Outreach: Before diving into cold outreach, tap into your existing network to find potential clients. Reach out to contacts and ask if they know anyone who might be interested in your services. This warm outreach approach tends to yield better results.

3. Be Flexible with Your Offer: Adapt your offering Based on feedback and market demand. Instead of being rigid with your initial idea, be open to making adjustments to better meet the needs and preferences of potential clients. It's essential to be adaptable in order to succeed.

4. Plan Out Your Sales Process: Map out each stage of the customer journey, from the initial contact to closing the deal. Having a clear plan will guide your interactions and help you achieve your objectives during sales calls and meetings.

By applying these lessons and tips, you can navigate the challenges of starting and scaling an AI automation agency more effectively. The key is to remain flexible, leverage your network, and continually refine your approach based on feedback and insights gained from your outreach efforts.

FAQ

Q: Is it necessary to warm up accounts before sending cold emails?

A: Yes, warming up email accounts is crucial to improve deliverability and avoid being flagged as spam. It's recommended to Create multiple accounts and gradually increase email volume to establish a positive sending reputation.

Q: How do I find suitable leads for cold outreach?

A: Utilize platforms like LinkedIn sales navigator, Instagram influencer searches, and b2b lead generation tools to find leads within your target market. Filter the leads based on Relevant criteria such as industry, company size, and location to ensure you are contacting the right prospects.

Q: What is the best method for cold outreach?

A: The effectiveness of cold outreach methods varies depending on your target audience and industry. Experiment with a mix of strategies such as cold email, social media DMs, and cold calling to identify which methods yield the best results for your specific business.

Q: How can I improve my response rates in cold outreach?

A: Personalization and relevance are key factors in improving response rates. Tailor your messages to address the recipient's pain points, demonstrate an understanding of their business, and offer a unique value proposition. Additionally, keep your outreach volume manageable to ensure you can provide Timely and Meaningful follow-ups.

Q: Should I charge my first clients or offer my services for free?

A: Offering your services for free to your first clients can help you build a solid portfolio, gain testimonials, and establish a reputation. This can be invaluable when attracting future paying clients. However, consider your own financial circumstances and the potential for future referrals or collaborations when making this decision.