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.
I’d dip my toe in GoHighLevel by watching a 30‑minute tutorial and setting up a test environment (which costs about $297 for agency access). I’d spend only a couple hours experimenting—maybe building a simple automation—until someone actually asks me to build a GHL solution. That’s my general approach to new platforms: learn just enough to deliver value when a client needs it, rather than trying to master every feature upfront. Let clients guide what you learn based on the opportunities and money they present.
Great question. I actually just published a video that breaks this down, so I’ll point you there. The basic framework is a two‑column chart: the left side shows the types of automation you should avoid selling, and the right side lists the high‑ROI services you can sell. All of those right‑side items have been covered in videos on my channel over the past year, so you can stitch together a blueprint, add your own twists, and make sure it feels like your own offering rather than just a re‑branded template. Focus on a handful of high‑ROI automation services, customize them for your niche, and you’ll have a solid, marketable package.
Manufacturing is already about automation (think assembly line). To find automation opportunities I start at the top of the funnel: reach, acquisition, conversion, expansion. For reach I look at AI‑driven creative generators, speed‑to‑lead systems (branded numbers, power dialing, follow‑up automation). For acquisition I automate quote production—saving time and improving quality by removing manual document review. For conversion I use high‑quality proposals, automated contractor dispatch, reminder systems. For expansion I follow up with promo offers and ideate solutions. The biggest gains come from automating front‑end sales and marketing rather than back‑end processes.
The creator says you don't have to choose one or the other; you can combine CRM management with automation add‑ons. By keeping CRM as your core service you retain your social proof, while offering automation features (call logging, one‑click form fills, proposal drafting, automatic follow‑ups, invoice collection, onboarding) as enhancements. This lets you productize the CRM service and niche down. He notes that CRM (or project management) is the hub of a company's sales side, and the same ideas apply there. He personally does both and advises not to feel limited to a single offering.