When ChatGPT was first released, SJ was fascinated by the technology. Despite having no coding background, he started exploring no-code ways to build practical applications. He began by using tools like Zapier to automate tasks like email summarization.

Eager to share his discoveries, SJ started writing about his experiences on platforms like Substack. He later discovered Make.com and fell in love with the platform's capabilities. SJ began creating more articles, focusing on practical ways to leverage AI and no-code tools.

By publishing high-quality, informative content on Medium, SJ was able to build an audience and generate leads. His articles often received thousands of views, with impressive read-through rates. This organic growth allowed SJ to showcase his skills and expertise, leading to clients reaching out for custom AI solutions.

Alongside his day job in logistics, SJ has been able to supplement his income by providing Make.com-based development services and coaching. Last month, his AI agency work and Medium earnings nearly matched his full-time job income, giving him the flexibility to potentially transition to working on his passion projects full-time.

SJ's journey demonstrates the power of following your curiosity, documenting your learning process, and leveraging platforms like Medium to build a personal brand and generate leads. By focusing on creating valuable content and practical solutions, he has been able to transition from a non-technical background to becoming a Make expert, all while maintaining a balanced work-life schedule.

When ChatGPT was first released, I was fascinated by it, even the older 3.5 version which was quite limited compared to the current models. I started looking for practical ways to use this technology right away. I searched for no-code solutions to build fun projects, and that's how I discovered Zap (now Zapier) to automate tasks like summarizing my emails.

I was excited by the possibilities of building practical applications without having to code, especially since I had no coding background at all. I thought this was something I should share, as I believed others would find it exciting as well. So I started writing about it on Substack initially, and later discovered Make.com, which I fell in love with for its vast possibilities and ease of use.

I now write extensively about Make.com and how to leverage AI, particularly on Medium. I've found that Medium's algorithm is great for content discovery, so writing detailed articles about the practical applications of AI and Make.com has been a very effective way to generate leads for my business.

I put a lot of effort into creating high-quality, practical content that demonstrates what can be built with these tools. People seem to get excited about the projects I share, and they reach out to me on LinkedIn, asking for technical advice or inquiring about custom development work.

By establishing myself as an expert in this space through my Medium articles, I've been able to build trust and credibility with my audience. They already know what I'm capable of, so the leads I get are much better qualified compared to other marketing channels.

In addition to the leads I generate through Medium, I also offer a "pay what you can" model for the templates and solutions I create. This allows people to access the free content, while also providing an opportunity for them to support my work if they find it valuable.

Overall, my journey from a complete beginner to a proficient Make.com developer and AI automation specialist has been driven by my curiosity and passion for exploring these technologies. By documenting my learning process and sharing practical applications on Medium, I've been able to build a personal brand and generate a steady stream of leads for my business.

As SJ shared, writing articles on Medium has been a highly effective strategy for generating leads and building his personal brand in the AI automation space. The key advantages of using Medium are:

1. Algorithm-Driven Discovery: Medium's algorithm prioritizes high-quality, engaging content that keeps readers on the platform. This means your articles have a better chance of being discovered and read by a wider audience, even if you don't have a large following.

2. Incentivizing Quality: Medium's monetization model rewards authors who produce content that keeps readers engaged. This encourages you to put in the effort to create valuable, well-written articles that provide real value to your readers.

3. Ease of Content Creation: As SJ mentioned, the text-based format of Medium makes it easier to create content on the go, without the need for video equipment or a dedicated studio setup. You can write and publish articles anywhere, at any time.

4. Passive Income Potential: Even if you're not actively promoting your articles, they can continue to generate views and earnings over time through Medium's Partner Program. This provides a reliable, passive income stream to supplement your other revenue sources.

SJ's approach of focusing on practical, hands-on tutorials and demonstrations of AI-powered automation has resonated well with his audience. By consistently producing high-quality content that solves real problems, he has built a loyal following and a steady stream of leads for his custom development services.

The key takeaways for anyone looking to replicate SJ's success are:

• Identify a niche or topic that you're genuinely interested in and passionate about, and start creating content around it.
• Prioritize quality over quantity, and put in the effort to make your articles engaging, informative, and visually appealing.
• Leverage Medium's algorithm by optimizing your content for readability and retention.
• Promote your articles and personal brand through your content, but avoid overly salesy or promotional tactics.
• Diversify your income streams by offering complementary services, such as custom development or coaching, in addition to your passive Medium earnings.

By following SJ's example and embracing the power of Medium's content discovery platform, you can build a personal brand, generate leads, and create a sustainable income stream, all while learning and growing in a field that you're genuinely excited about.

As a non-technical individual, SJ has managed to transition into the AI automation space and build a successful side business. Here's how he's been able to balance his day job and his AI agency:

• SJ works a day job in logistics, managing a team for 24-28 hours per week, typically starting his days at 5:30 AM. This provides a stable income to cover his bills.
• After his day job ends around 1 PM, SJ dedicates the rest of his day to his AI agency work. This includes doing client development work, coaching others on using platforms like Make.com, and creating content for Medium.
• SJ has found that writing articles on Medium has been a great way to generate leads for his AI agency. His articles often get hundreds or even thousands of views, leading to new client inquiries and opportunities.
• Last month, SJ's AI agency work and Medium income combined to exceed his day job income. This has given him the confidence to potentially scale down his day job in the future and focus more on his AI business.
• SJ's goal is to reliably earn more through his AI agency than his day job, which would allow him to reduce his day job hours or potentially leave it altogether. He's working towards this by expanding his client work and coaching services.
• In addition to the financial benefits, SJ has found that the freedom and flexibility of his current setup is very appealing. He enjoys being able to switch between different tasks and projects throughout the day.

Overall, SJ's approach of balancing a stable day job with a growing AI agency has allowed him to build his skills, generate leads, and gradually transition towards a full-time AI business. His success demonstrates the potential for non-technical individuals to thrive in the AI automation space.

As SJ shared, his journey from a complete newbie to the AI automation space to now running a successful agency has been an inspiring one. A few key points to highlight:

• SJ started by exploring practical ways to use tools like ChatGPT and Zapier, even without any prior coding experience. He focused on building fun projects and documenting his learning process.

• Medium has been a game-changer for SJ, allowing him to build an audience and generate leads through high-quality, informative content. His articles have seen impressive engagement, with one post reaching over 20,000 reads.

• In addition to his day job in logistics, SJ has been steadily growing his AI agency, earning supplemental income that is now on par with his full-time role. His goal is to eventually transition to working on the agency full-time.

• SJ's approach of balancing client work, personal projects, and coaching/education has allowed him to continuously learn and expand his skills, while also building a reliable income stream.

Looking ahead, SJ's plan is to continue scaling his AI agency, with the aim of surpassing his day job income by the end of the year. He's focusing on both the development work and the coaching/education side, as he sees value in maintaining that multi-faceted approach.

The key for SJ has been to remain flexible, try different things, and not be afraid to "cut his losses" if a particular path doesn't work out. His commitment to consistent content creation and building expertise in the make.com platform has been a major driver of his success.

As SJ mentioned, he's open to exploring opportunities to work more closely with the accelerator, potentially as a specialist coach. This would allow him to further leverage his skills and experience to help other entrepreneurs in the AI automation space.

Overall, SJ's journey demonstrates the power of following your curiosity, building in public, and leveraging the right tools and platforms to create a sustainable, flexible income stream. His story is an inspiration for anyone looking to break into the AI automation industry, even without a traditional technical background.

Here are some key points of advice based on SJ's journey:

1. Start by Building Fun Projects: Don't worry about being an expert right away. Just start building projects that interest you, even if they are basic at first. The process of learning and creating is what's important.

2. Use No-Code Tools Like Make.com: As a non-developer, leverage no-code platforms to quickly build and experiment with AI-powered automations. Make.com provides an accessible way to get started.

3. Document Your Learning Process: Write articles on Medium chronicling the projects you build and the lessons you learn. This not only helps solidify your own understanding, but also builds an audience and generates leads.

4. Embrace the Learning Process: Be okay with quitting projects that prove too difficult. The key is finding the right balance between challenging yourself and delivering value. Iterate and improve over time.

5. Diversify Your Income Streams: Supplement your day job by taking on custom development work and coaching/consulting opportunities. This provides flexibility as you build your AI automation expertise and agency.

6. Focus on One Platform/Skill: While experimenting is important, eventually choose a specific platform or skill to niche down on and become an expert. This will pay dividends in terms of leads and opportunities.

The core message is to follow your curiosity, document your progress, and leverage no-code tools to build a portfolio and personal brand - all while maintaining flexibility through multiple income streams. Consistency and patience are key.

SJ's journey from a complete newbie to a skilled AI automation expert is an inspiring example of what's possible when you follow your curiosity and commit to continuous learning. By leveraging platforms like Medium, he has been able to build a personal brand, generate leads, and supplement his income through custom AI solutions and coaching.

Some key takeaways from SJ's experience:

1. Embrace the learning process: Don't be afraid to start small and build your skills incrementally. SJ started with simple projects like email summarization and gradually expanded his capabilities by exploring new tools and technologies.

2. Use content creation as a feedback loop: Writing articles on Medium has not only helped SJ share his knowledge but also provided a valuable feedback loop to improve his skills and understanding.

3. Focus on a platform or solution: While it's important to experiment, SJ found that committing to a specific platform like Make.com allowed him to become an expert and reap the rewards.

4. Leverage your personal brand: By consistently creating and sharing high-quality content, SJ has built trust and credibility, making it easier to attract clients and generate leads.

5. Maintain a balanced approach: SJ's strategy of combining a day job with his AI automation agency and Medium income provides financial stability and the flexibility to continue learning and growing.

SJ's story demonstrates that with dedication, creativity, and a willingness to learn, anyone can transition into the AI automation space, even without a technical background. By following his example, you too can unlock new opportunities and achieve financial freedom.