Marketing & Sales Strategies
Actionable strategies and tips to help you attract your first customers and grow your AI platform business.
From a Great Product to a Profitable Business
Once you have the essentials of your platform configured—your branding is in place, you've created some unique agents, and you're ready for business—the focus shifts to the most exciting part: acquiring your first customers.
This guide provides foundational strategies for marketing and selling your new AI service. You don't need a huge budget to start; you need a clear plan and consistent effort.
Core Principle #1: Niche Down to Stand Out
The single most effective strategy is to not sell to everyone. An AI platform for "everyone" is an AI platform for no one. Instead, focus on a specific niche where you have expertise or connections.
- Why? A niche allows you to:
- Create Hyper-Relevant Agents: Build "Exclusive Agents" that solve very specific problems better than any generic tool.
- Craft a Powerful Message: Speak directly to the pain points of a specific audience.
- Find Customers Easily: You know exactly where your audience hangs out (which LinkedIn groups, forums, or social media channels they use).
Action Step: Choose your initial niche (e.g., Real Estate Agents, Startup Founders, Content Creators, Local Restaurant Owners).
Core Principle #2: Sell Solutions, Not Features
Remember the golden rule from our Sales Pitch Guide: Your customers buy solutions, not just "access to AI".
- Instead of saying: "Get access to GPT-4o and Claude 3.5 Sonnet."
- Say this: "Automate your client reporting and draft a week's worth of social media content in under an hour."
Frame every marketing message around the outcome and the value you provide.
Marketing Strategies to Get Started
Pick one or two of these strategies to focus on initially.
- Content Marketing (Show, Don't Tell):
- Write a "Problem/Solution" Blog Post: Write an article about a common problem in your niche and show step-by-step how one of your exclusive agents solves it.
- Record a Short Demo Video: Create a 2-3 minute video of you using a key agent to achieve a specific result (e.g., generating 10 viral video ideas). Post it on YouTube and social media.
- Showcase Results: Share compelling outputs from your agents (like a well-written sales email or a stunning AI-generated image) on your social channels.
- Social Media Marketing:
- Be a Helper, Not a Spammer: Engage in relevant LinkedIn/Facebook groups by offering value, not just posting links.
- Showcase Results: Post screenshots or text snippets of what your agents can produce.
- Use Your Links: Put your Landing Page link in your bios.
- Networking & Direct Outreach:
- Leverage Your Existing Network: Explain how to approach colleagues, past clients, etc.
- Offer Introductory Deals: Suggest offering a discount or extended trial to the first 5-10 customers to get testimonials and feedback.
Sales Strategies
- Using Your Links Effectively:
- Landing Page Link: For broad awareness and exploration.
- Checkout Link: For direct calls-to-action and interested prospects.
- Leverage the Free Trial (for their customers): Remind them that their customers can also have a trial of their platform, which is a powerful sales tool.
- Master Your Pitch: Revisit the [Sales Pitch Guide] to refine your talking points and handle objections.
Building a customer base takes time and effort. Start with a focused niche, clearly communicate the value you provide, and consistently apply these strategies.