How to Get Rich with AI: 8 Steps to Build, Sell, and Scale | UpdatesOfAI

By Jaxon Virell, AI Entrepreneur & Automation Strategist

Photo by Gerard Siderius on Unsplash

The AI revolution isn’t coming—it’s already here. The pace of change is faster than ever. AI agents are taking over tasks that used to require entire teams. Google search is being replaced by intelligent assistants. This is the gold rush of our era. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, here are 8 powerful steps I’m personally using to capitalize on this shift—and how you can do the same, even starting from scratch.

Step 1: Choose the Right Industry

The first step is simple but crucial—start in the right arena. The biggest money in AI won’t come from chasing the newest trends but from solving old, recurring problems in legacy industries.

After watching three major tech waves—the internet boom, Web 2.0, and mobile—I’ve never been more bullish than I am now. But the real winners? They’re focused on boring, practical sectors that are ripe for disruption.

Here are the top five AI-ready industries to target:

  • Supply Chain: AI can optimize logistics, predict demand, and improve delivery accuracy.
  • Admin Work: Automate repetitive tasks like invoicing, scheduling, and data entry.
  • Home Services: Help contractors streamline appointments, quoting, and follow-ups.
  • Legal Services: Use AI to review contracts, generate documents, and automate compliance.
  • Team Training: Build AI tools to onboard employees, summarize Zoom calls, and reinforce SOPs.
 

These industries have deep pockets, real pain points, and little tech innovation, making them perfect for AI disruption.

Step 2: Pick a High-Margin Model

Your business model determines your financial future. High-margin businesses grow faster, survive longer, and scale more easily.

Avoid physical products or low-margin services like restaurants. Instead, pick one of these AI-friendly models for superior profitability:

  • AI Services (70% margin): Offer automations using tools like Zapier, Make, or Gum Loop.
  • AI Consulting (80% margin): Help businesses integrate AI into operations and strategy.
  • AI Software (90% margin): Build lean backend tools that solve real problems with minimal user interfaces.
  • AI Digital Products (95% margin): Think prompt packs, SOPs, or training guides—create once, sell infinitely.
 

Keep in mind, always focus on models that let you leverage your time and compound your value.

Step 3: Sell to Rich Customers

Dan Kennedy nailed it: “It’s easier to make a million selling to millionaires.” Rich customers pay more, complain less, and buy faster. And boring industries are full of them.

Here are five practical ways to find and connect with high-value buyers:

  • Industry Events: Attend local or national conferences. Better yet, help host them to position yourself as a thought leader.
  • Hyperpersonalized Email: Skip the templates. Write 1:1 emails that show real insight into their business.
  • Start a Podcast: Interview industry veterans and future clients. These chats often turn into deals.
  • Host Meetups: Small Zoom sessions or in-person meetups create authority and trust fast.
  • Founders Dinners: Invite local entrepreneurs to curated, AI-focused dinners. Relationships drive revenue.

You don’t need ads. You need real conversations with real buyers.

Step 4: Create a High-Cash-Flow Offer

Revenue is important, but cash flow is king, especially in the early stages.

Build an offer that brings in consistent cash quickly, even as you grow:

  • Anchor Pricing: Offer a premium tier to make the base option feel like a great deal.
  • Scarcity: Limit how many clients you take each month to create urgency.
  • Bonuses: Add value by solving the “next” problem—for example, after building an AI workflow, offer training or updates.
  • Volume Pricing: Sell in packages or longer-term contracts to lock in upfront cash.

Design every offer not just to provide value, but to fund your next stage of growth.

Step 5: Sell Before You Build

One of the biggest startup killers? Spending months building something nobody wants. Flip the script—sell it first, then build.

Here’s how:

  • Prototype Fast: Use low-fidelity tools like Figma, Balsamiq, or even slides to demo your idea.
  • Find Early Adopters: Create a “Founding 50” beta list. Offer lifetime deals or VIP access.
  • Ask for Advice: Reach out to potential users and ask for feedback. Often, they’ll become customers.
  • Use One Conversion Tool: Webinars, sales calls, or live demos—choose one and master it.

Selling early forces focus, validates demand, and funds development.

Step 6: Build Your MVP

Now it’s time to build—but keep it lean and fast. Avoid overengineering or hiring a big dev team upfront.

  • No-Code Tools: Use platforms like GoHighLevel, Make, or Nanonets to automate and launch quickly.
  • AI-Powered Dev Tools: Platforms like Replit, Cursor, or GPT-4 can help you code smarter and faster.
  • Hire Smart: Start with contractors or test projects. Don’t scale your team until you’ve got sales.
 

Your goal isn’t perfection—it’s momentum. Launch something small, see what works, and improve.

Step 7: Automate Delivery

Once you’ve got a working offer, it’s time to remove yourself from the process. This is how you scale.

Automate everything:

  • Purchasing: Use Stripe, Gum Loop, or Webflow to handle transactions.
  • Account Setup: Automate logins and access via tools like Membership.io.
  • Onboarding: Pre-record welcome videos, guides, and FAQs to get users up and running.
  • Client Updates: Use AI to send performance reports, reminders, and check-ins.
 

Turn your service into a product. Make it run like clockwork without your constant input. That’s the fun part of Entrepreneurship. 

Step 8: Scale with Community

Finally, don’t just build a business—build a brand. That means community, content, and connection.

  • Document Your Journey: Share behind-the-scenes updates on X, LinkedIn, or newsletters.
  • Host Events: From local workshops to global webinars—events create trust and authority.
  • Build in Public: Show your process. People don’t just want products; they want to follow stories.
  • Grow an Audience: The bigger your audience, the lower your acquisition cost—and the higher your valuation.

Community compounds. It fuels referrals, attracts talent, and unlocks exponential growth.

This is your moment. The AI revolution is reshaping everything. If you act decisively, focus on the right markets, and stay lean, you can build something life-changing faster than ever before.

Ready to get started? Let’s Go…

That was it. Hopefully, you got the point, and if you have an interest in AI automation and believe AI is going to change the future, you are welcome to UpdatesOfAI, where we provide up-to-date news on AI tools, agents, and also resources, money-making tips and tricks, all in one place.

Thank you very much for your valuable time, and we are waiting for you at updatesofai.com.

Have a great day!