#213 · How to Sell Chatbot Services to SMBs in 2026

youtube ↗Agency Operations

What do you suggest for a client-facing CRM, what is your take on establishing a brand from the beginning via white labeling, and how do you know which node to use in NADN to customize business processes?

Regarding a CRM, remember that a CRM is inherently client‑facing; if you build it in NADN you’re actually creating the back‑end automation, not the front‑end CRM itself. Prioritize consistency and clear communication—before posting, ask yourself what you’re trying to say and how to say it concisely. White‑labeling can be useful; you can white‑label many things for credibility, but you don’t need to dive deep—high‑level use (e.g., with GoHighLevel) is sufficient to make money. As for choosing NADN nodes, Maker School doesn’t prescribe which node to use; instead, go through the NADN Accelerator program, which teaches you the full NADN stack and how to build real workflows for clients.

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Related answers

youtube ↗Agency Operations

You mentioned not wanting to work with GoHighLevel (GHL). For someone starting in automation, is GHL a good way to pitch companies without many hoops?

I understand the concern about friction, but GHL isn’t as cumbersome as it seems. The onboarding process is relatively straightforward, and once a client adopts the platform they’ll stay with it for a while, leading to recurring revenue. However, I believe there’s more opportunity in building a general‑purpose automation platform rather than white‑labeling an out‑of‑the‑box CRM. That’s why I suggested focusing on broader solutions.

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youtube ↗Lead Generation

I run a graphic design agency that now handles a client’s CRM, outbound email, lead generation, SEO, and blog. Do you have any recommendations, especially around email and lead generation, for a young funded startup?

Sure. First, don’t over‑invest in the blog unless the startup is a low‑ticket SaaS where SEO and content can drive a lot of volume. For larger or agency‑type businesses, the blog isn’t a priority. Keep the CRM extremely simple – they probably have no money and no existing leads, so a lightweight system is enough. Don’t build a massive, custom CRM that can handle half‑a‑million clients before you actually have that many; you’ll waste time and resources. Focus on outbound email and cold‑email outreach; that’s the most effective channel for high‑ticket sales, while low‑ticket SaaS will rely more on volume and SEO. Use AI tools to help generate content chunks, but never let the content be 100 % AI‑generated. Keep the tech stack lean and iterate as the startup grows.

emaillead gencrmstartup
youtube ↗Marketing

What are the most common CRM platforms that small business clients use?

Small business clients can be anything from local service businesses—retail stores, flower shops, HVAC companies, digital marketing agencies—to other verticals. The best CRM depends on the specific niche, but the tools I see most often are ClickUp, Trello, Asana, and Basecamp for smaller organizations, while larger enterprises tend to use Salesforce or HubSpot. For specialized trades you can look for plumber‑specific or real‑estate‑specific CRMs. A good way to find options is to type the business vertical plus “CRM” into Google and review the top three results.

crmsmall businesstools
youtube ↗AI & Automation

What automations should I implement in a custom real estate CRM to get my first customer when I have no budget?

To get your first customer with a custom real estate CRM, focus not on the software itself but on your ability to understand and solve the client’s pain points. You could simply write down a process or three bullet points that show how you’ll help them make money—for example, promising $15,000 in extra revenue if they follow your advice. For the CRM build, automate a front‑end thank‑you or notification when a lead enters the system, and automate a back‑end follow‑up sequence. In a real‑estate context, that means checking in with each client about twice a year with a personalized message that thanks them for their business and asks if they need further help. If you have 100 clients, you’d reach out to roughly 20 people each month. This regular, personalized contact is where real estate agents earn most of their income—by being present when clients are ready to buy or sell—so automating those check‑ins gives you the same leverage without manual effort.

real estate crmfollow-up automationno budget