#88 · Sneaky AI Automation Agency Client Signup/Affiliate Strategy
Honestly nowadays I'm paying for most of the tokens just because it's so cheap. It makes zero difference to me and it just minimizes friction. If you want to be complete, you'd also get them to sign up for an OpenAI account. Keep in mind there are nuances like rate limits; some clients don't have high rate limits but want a high‑rate‑limit application built quickly. I usually use my own OpenAI API key.
I don’t sell AI agents, but running one is cheap: unless you’re using the most expensive model (GPT‑4.5) and paying for everything yourself, the cost is marginal. With cheaper models like GPT‑4.1 mini, you won’t notice the expense unless you’re being spammed constantly.
They’re essentially free to run—about $20 a month plus any token usage. If you want to replicate the setup, just follow one of my courses from start to finish. The agent is just the harness with connectors and context for your environment. Platforms like Grockbot abstract away credential management, making it easy to connect everything and unlock more value.
Most of the time the client pays for services like Apollo, Appify, OpenAI, and NAN. You can use your affiliate links so you get a cut, but the client is the one covering the subscription cost. They enter their payment details directly into the platform, so you never handle their credit card info. The risk is low, and as a beginner you generally don’t charge the client for those recurring costs directly.
If you're building a system that generates $5,000 a month in value for a client, having them pay a small percentage fee is not a big deal; they care about the upside, not the tiny downside. As the service provider, you might worry about subscription costs, but the AI and automation field attracts technical people who overthink this. Get the client to pay for everything. On a kickoff call, walk them through exactly which platforms they need to sign up for. This builds perceived value because they see the technical setup and appreciate you handling it. You can also use your affiliate links—being a Make.com partner, for example—to earn 3–5% kickback or give clients discounts. If a client stays for a year, you earn recurring affiliate fees; e.g., 40% on a $100/month plan yields $40/month, or $480–$500 per year per client even if they stop working with you. This approach also minimizes your liability since you’re not making monthly payments on their behalf. It’s the best way to handle software costs. If you’d like a kickoff call SOP, I have a document that outlines how to run the call and get clients signed up on the platforms.