#176 · When will AI automation become saturated?
Start on Upwork to get freelance automation jobs; it's straightforward and lets you show why you're different. Gain experience there, then move to scalable outreach like cold email.
Being 15‑20 gives you a mixed bag: younger people can be seen as inexperienced, but also as naturally tech‑savvy. I’d front‑load Upwork applications until you land your first client, and spend the first few weeks on community posting. You probably don’t have a full‑time job yet, so you can watch my videos, do direct outreach, and land that first client. Once you have a paying client and can justify the expense, consider joining Maker School. Until then, the free content should give you plenty of value.
I recommend Upwork over cold outreach for two reasons. First, Upwork sits high on the buying ladder: leads already know their problem and the solution they need, so they’re just choosing a vendor. With cold email you might reach people who don’t know they have a problem, don’t know the solution, or are picking a vendor—forcing you to teach the problem, sell the solution, and prove you’re the best—three separate skills. On Upwork you only need to win the vendor selection, making it far easier for beginners to get their first yes and build confidence. Second, Upwork requires very little capital outlay. You can start spending around $20 per day; by day four you might already have made $150, achieving positive ROI quickly. This low financial risk lets beginners test and earn wins without facing large negative balances, which is crucial for staying motivated.
You're definitely overthinking it. Roadblocks appear when you can't generate revenue quickly enough to bootstrap. A $500‑a‑month freelance income is reasonable, but you don’t want to be in a scarcity mindset where you feel forced to make Maker School work at all costs. Think of it like sprinting: going 100 % all the time burns you out, while operating at about 85 %—a relaxed competence—lets you stay effective. My recommendation is to save up for a month, then look for the most cost‑effective options. You don’t need to submit a huge number of applications; focus on quality. Lean heavily on cold email and community‑based outreach that don’t require any money. That 80/20 blend of starting now with limited funds and waiting for a larger budget later will give you the best chance of success without hitting roadblocks.
Industry averages suggest you’d spend around $200 to $300 before landing your first client. The Maker School fee is about $184, but you typically receive $2,000 to $3,000 in discounts and credits upon joining, which offsets the cost. You can use those credits on platforms like Upwork, cold email, LinkedIn DMs, or community outreach to acquire your first client. Upwork is often the simplest route because clients already have budget and are ready to hire. Cold email is high leverage but takes longer to master, especially for beginners who lack sales process understanding. Other methods include cold DMs on platforms, LinkedIn outreach, and engaging in communities like Reddit or LinkedIn groups to solve problems and get on calls. Overall, you should expect to spend at least a couple hundred dollars; if you’re not willing to invest that amount, joining paid products may not be worthwhile since you’ll need to recoup the investment after landing a client.