The AI Gold Rush: 8 Steps to Strike It Rich in the New Digital Frontier

The AI gold rush the AI revolution is HERE. It’s not just a whisper; it’s a roar that’s about to shake up industries, replace entire teams with intelligent agents, and even transform the way we use Google Search. The world as we know it is morphing, and I don’t want you stuck in the past.

Listen up: I’ve been riding tech waves since ’97. I saw the internet boom, Web 2.0 explode, and mobile tech take over. Honestly? I haven’t been this stoked about a technological shift since the very dawn of the internet. This isn’t just another trend; it’s a massive window of opportunity.

I’m about to lay out the eight simple, actionable steps I’m personally following to cash in on this AI gold rush. Even if you’re starting from absolute zero, these strategies can help you get rich with AI. Let’s dive in!

1. Pick the Right Industry: Where the Real Money Hides (It’s Not Where You Think!)

The AI gold rush

Before you even dream about AI riches, you gotta pick your playing field. I’ve built and sold three software companies and poured cash into over a hundred. I’ve seen countless brilliant minds crash and burn because they picked the wrong industry.

Here’s the raw truth: the most lucrative industries are usually the “boring” ones. Yeah, I said it. The ones nobody’s talking about at cocktail parties. Why? Because in life, in technology, and especially with AI, you need to focus on what’s true, not just what’s new. Being too early or too cutting-edge can be just as fatal as being too late.

So, let’s cut to the chase. Here are five industries where you can jump in today and leverage AI to make a boatload of money:

The Untapped Goldmines for AI Disruption

Supply Chain Management: The Invisible GiantThink about the sheer volume of logistics that goes into getting anything from point A to point B. I mean, do you even go to a store anymore? Everything’s an app order! These companies face insane challenges with forecasting, route optimization, and delivery logistics. Every single aspect of supply chain management is ripe for AI disruption. From predicting demand with pinpoint accuracy to finding the most efficient delivery routes, AI can revolutionize how goods move, saving businesses millions and creating massive opportunities for those who can deliver smart solutions.
Administrative Services: Automate the Mundane, Unlock the MillionsYou’re seeing some AI innovation here already, but trust me, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Imagine AI handling all the billing, scheduling, filing, and sorting. AI that can intelligently read and process information from systems like Dropbox or HubSpot, taking over the mundane, repetitive admin work. This isn’t just about saving a few hours; it’s about transforming the core operational efficiency of businesses, making them faster, leaner, and infinitely more profitable. Think intelligent invoice processing, automated report generation, and smart data organization.
Home Services: The Trillion-Dollar Local OpportunityRoofing, HVAC, plumbing – anytime a truck rolls up to a home, there’s a whole lot of processes involved. These local industries, often overlooked by tech bros, are actually trillion-dollar behemoths. If you can use AI to automate and improve these processes, you’re looking at serious cash. Picture AI-powered dispatching that optimizes technician routes, predictive maintenance models that alert homeowners before a system breaks, or even AI assistants for customer service that handle appointment booking and common queries. The local service industry is a massive, underserved market aching for AI innovation.
Legal Services: Smarter, Faster, Legally SoundLet’s be real, one of the first things folks do when they get their hands on ChatGPT is mess around with legal stuff – contract analysis, drafting documents. Just last week, AI helped me figure out the exact questions to ask on a deal, and my legal team was like, “How did you even know that?!” People building tools to implement structure and workflow into legal processes using AI are going to absolutely clean up. From intelligent document review to automated legal research and even AI-assisted compliance checks, AI is poised to revolutionize the traditionally slow-moving legal world.
Team Training & Development: The Future of Corporate KnowledgeThis is where my excitement really kicks in. Imagine every company having its own AI brain. An AI that joins all your Zoom calls, acts as your personalized onboarding buddy, and has instant access to every SOP, every process, every piece of company knowledge. This isn’t just cool; it’s a game-changer. It allows people to be exponentially more efficient, giving everyone instant, real-time answers to their biggest questions. Think personalized learning paths, AI-powered knowledge bases for instant answers, and virtual mentors available 24/7. This will transform how businesses train, retain, and empower their workforce.

2. Pick a High-Margin Model: Build Your AI Moat

The AI gold rush

Alright, you’ve got your industry locked down. Now, how do you actually make money? This is where margins come into play. Think of them as your moat – they protect your business and ensure long-term success. Most folks don’t even get what a margin is. Simple math: if you sell a product for $100 but it costs you $20 to deliver, your margin is $80, or 80%.

The golden rule? Steer clear of businesses with tiny 20-30% margins – I’m looking at you, restaurants and most brick-and-mortar ops with crushing overheads. Those are quicksand. To win in today’s AI-driven market, you need to pair AI with a high-margin business model.

Here are the four models primed for 2025 that will make your bank account sing:

AI Services (70% Gross Margin): The Hands-On WinThis is about building workflow and automation for businesses eager to integrate AI. You’re literally getting paid to set up systems using tools like Zapier, Make, N8N, or my personal favorite, Gum Loop. You’re the AI architect, streamlining operations and boosting efficiency for clients. It’s high-value, high-demand work with excellent returns.
AI Consulting (80% Gross Margin): Guiding the AI RevolutionIf you want to get even more hands-on, dive into AI consulting. Here, you’re not just building; you’re strategizing. You’re helping companies not only understand how to deploy AI services but also craft a holistic AI-first business strategy. You’re ensuring they don’t get left in the dust by competitors who are already embracing AI. This is about deep expertise and strategic vision.
AI Software (90% Gross Margin): My World, Your GoldmineThis is where the magic truly happens. It’s about looking at a workflow or a problem and asking: “If AI was the primary driver for solving this, how would the software work?” The crazy part? A lot of this AI software is powered through text or voice, or it just hums along on the backend, invisible to the user. There’s minimal workflow overhead. I’m so hyped about this that I’ve gone all-in, building an AI venture studio. We’re developing products like an AI-powered business dashboard that pinpoints problems and tells you how to fix ‘em. This is about building scalable, intelligent solutions.
AI Digital Products (95% Gross Margin): The Ultimate Passive IncomeImagine building one AI-powered program or template and selling it a thousand times. Your only real cost? Hosting. That’s it. I’m seeing a massive explosion of people on social platforms building huge audiences (like my buddy Dave Eilar, with 15,000 community members) and monetizing them with digital products that help folks level up their skills using AI. You create it once, and it keeps generating revenue while you sleep. This is the dream for ultimate leverage.

3. Sell to a Rich Customer: Go Where the Money Lives

The AI gold rush

Here’s a mic drop from the marketing godfather, Dan Kennedy: “It’s easier to make a million dollars selling to millionaires than to make a million selling to everyone.” Read that again. To truly win in this AI-driven world, you need to find the millionaires in those “boring” industries we talked about.

But how do you even get in front of these elusive folks? Don’t sweat it. I’ve got five killer hacks (the last one will seriously blow your mind) that I personally use to connect with these high-value customers:

Industry-Specific Events: Show Up or Show OutYou either go to these events, or even better, you help create them. Back in 2008 when I moved to San Francisco, I didn’t know a soul. A friend told me, “All the people you want to know are speaking at events.” So I went. But then I leveled up: I reached out to the organizers, offered to help, and got access to the green room where the speakers hung out. That’s how I started building my network. Speakers at these events are often the millionaires you want to connect with.
Hyper-Personalized Email: Make ‘Em Feel SpecialWhen I say “hyper-personalized,” I mean write the damn thing yourself. No generic templates. Years ago, I got a cold email from a guy named Chris. He started with, “Hey Dan, I know you don’t know me, this is a cold email, but I follow your content…” He then said, “I can make you money with your email. Give me a shot.” That hyper-personalized approach got his foot in the door. We sent the email, it made me money, and Chris is now a seven-figure earner on my team. It works.
Offer an Interview: Flattery Will Get You EverywhereThink about using a podcast to build your platform. It’s a beautiful way to get access to the world’s top millionaires in your niche. Think of it as flattery marketing. You want to sell to them, so you need to talk to them. Your initial ask? Get them on your podcast. They’ll probably ask what you do. You tell them, and their eyes light up: “Geez, that’s exactly what we need! Could you come talk to my team about that AI thing you do?” Boom! Relationships built at scale, leading to big money.
Host a Meetup: Connect & CollaborateI do this every single week. I scroll through social media, find people doing cool stuff, and then reach out to invite them to a casual Zoom roundtable. Keep it super simple. Just connect, share what you’re learning in the industry, and offer to be helpful. People just want to meet other like-minded individuals. If you take the initiative to organize a meetup, a Zoom call, or a mastermind, they will show up.
Host a Founders’ Dinner: Break Bread, Build EmpireThis is my secret weapon: a theme dinner, specifically AI Founders Dinners. I’ll be in San Francisco soon, organizing an AI-focused founders’ lunch and dinner. I’ll find people on Twitter and other online platforms who live in those cities, invite them to the meals, and connect over breaking bread. It’s intimate, high-value, and builds deep relationships that lead to massive opportunities.

4. Create a High Cash Flow Offer: Fuel Your Growth Machine

The AI gold rush

Here’s a stark business truth: profit is cool, margins are cool, but if you don’t have cash, your business is dead in the water. When I was building Spheric, my first company, we grew so fast that cash was literally flying out the door. It was a nightmare to scale. Then a mentor showed me how to structure my pricing and offer to stop financing my customers’ problems.

Most businesses create offers that don’t generate enough upfront cash to fund their own growth. You end up playing bank for your customers. Remember this: Revenue is vanity, profit is sanity, but cash flow is vitality.

Here are the key ingredients for building a high cash flow offer:

The AI gold rush

Anchor Pricing: Make Everything Else Look Like a StealThis one’s a game-changer, no matter your business. In your pricing options, always include something really expensive – typically 3-5 times more than your second tier. This anchor price makes everything else look cheap and an easy “yes.” For example, if you’re selling AI consulting, make sure your top-tier package is significantly pricier than your middle or lower tiers. This psychologically nudges clients towards the options you want them to pick.
Implement Scarcity: Create Urgency, Drive ActionYou need to create a legitimate reason for people to act now. If it’s true, state it: “There are only a few spots available to help customers right now.” If they want to get started, they need to put a deposit down today to lock in their spot. Without scarcity, there’s no real reason for them to make a decision today. This isn’t about manipulation; it’s about helping them overcome inertia.
Add a Killer Bonus: Make It a No-BrainerThe best bonus isn’t just “something extra.” It’s typically the solution to a problem your customer will face after you’ve solved their initial problem. So, if you’re building an AI agent for them, their next challenge will likely be training their team to use it. Your bonus? Free training after the AI agent is built! My rule of thumb: make the bonus even more valuable than the initial offer so they feel like it’s an absolute no-brainer.
Volume Pricing: Get That Upfront CashI know, I said “no discounts,” but this isn’t a discount in the traditional sense. This is about incentivizing customers to buy a lot more upfront. If your initial pricing is for one year, but you can get them to commit to two or three years, offer a volume discount. If it’s for one seat of your software, what if they buy 100 seats? Think about how much upfront cash you can secure from that single transaction. That pre-paid money for services you deliver later is your cash flow, ready to be invested back into growth.

Want my internal offer template? Hit me up on Instagram at @DanMartell2. Just message me “YouTube offer” and I’ll send you my playbook.

5. Sell Before You Build: Validate Your AI Vision

This is a huge one. Most people spend months, even years, building something, then finally launch it to the world only to find out nobody wanted it. I’ve seen entrepreneurs blow hundreds of thousands of dollars on AI solutions nobody cared to buy. Don’t fall into that trap.

My advice: create designs of what you want to build, then go to the market and have conversations. Because here’s a painful truth: no business survives first contact with the customer. Your core mission is to pre-sell your AI solution to fund your development. This ensures you don’t build something that ends up being a digital dust collector.

Here are four crucial steps to master the art of pre-selling your AI solution:

The AI gold rush

Prototype Like a Pro: Show, Don’t Just TellThis is the game-changer in today’s world. You can prototype your solution using simple tools. Paper is an easy start. Figma for something more advanced. Balsamiq is cool, or go all out with InVision for high-fidelity mockups that look almost photorealistic. The goal? Create a simulated version of your AI solution that you can demo to people. Show them exactly how it works, tell them what it costs, and get them to commit.
Find Your Early Adopters: The Founding 50These are the pioneers within your industry, the ones willing to take a calculated risk. I call them the “Founding 50.” These 50 customers will not only buy early but also co-create the software with you, helping to drive your product roadmap. They’re your long-haul customers. Give them something extra: maybe dedicated time with your team, influence over future features, or even a public shout-out on your “About” page to thank them for their early support. Nurture these relationships; they’re invaluable.
Ask for Advice (Not Money): The Jedi Mind TrickHere’s a profound lesson: If you want to sell, don’t try to sell. Ask for advice. If you ask for money, you’ll get advice. If you ask for advice, you’ll get money (twice, as Pitbull says!). If I reach out to someone on LinkedIn and say, “Hey, I’m building this new AI, I’d love to get your advice,” and then I demo my prototype, they’ll often say, “Wow, that’s amazing! How do I get access?” That’s your opening: “Well, it’s still early, but if you want to be part of the Founding 50, here’s how it works, and you’ll get first access in the next 90 days.” You then use that upfront money to build and deliver.
Master One Conversion Tool: Focus Your EffortsDon’t spread yourself thin. Choose one primary conversion tool to sell your solution and go deep. Maybe it’s presenting your solution on a big webinar through partners. Maybe it’s “sell by chat” if you have a huge social media audience. Or perhaps it’s just picking up the phone and doing outbound calls. Pick one, become a master at it, and then automate it. Use tools like Revio for chat sales or specialized CRMs for call management. Scaling that one conversion tool is how you get your initial cash flow to truly scale your AI solution.

6. Build Your MVP (Minimum Viable Product): Lean & Mean AI

The AI gold rush

Years ago, a buddy called me up, desperate. He’d spent three years and $3 million building a software product. An agency took all his money, never telling him to ship or pivot. He essentially financed an unprofitable business. Don’t do that.

I’m going to show you how to build an AI MVP that won’t break the bank:

The AI gold rush

No-Code Solutions: Build Fast, Ship FasterFor most AI solutions, you don’t need to write a single line of code. Leverage pre-made no-code tools like Gum Loop, GoHighLevel, Make, or N8N. These platforms allow you to build functional AI solutions rapidly and sell them over and over again. This is about speed to market and validating your concept without massive development costs.
AI-Powered Coding: Let AI Build ItselfIf you need something more advanced, new AI-powered coding platforms are emerging, like Vibe Coding, Replit, Bolt, and Cursor. You can even use ChatGPT to write code for more complex tasks. And if you’re stuck on how to use or deploy these tools, just ask ChatGPT – it’ll walk you through the entire process step-by-step. This drastically reduces development time and technical barriers.
Hire an AI Developer (Smartly): Test First, Then TrustI literally hired an AI developer today. My strategy? Always start with a test project to assess their skills, cultural fit, and communication style. Be transparent about your workflow and expectations upfront. But here’s the kicker: only hire them after you’ve pre-sold your solution and have wireframes or clear designs ready. This way, they hit the ground running with a clear vision of what you’ve already sold, ensuring efficient development.

7. Automate the Delivery: Your AI Business, Running While You Sleep

The AI gold rush

Here’s a realization that will change your life: automation turns your offer into a machine that works while you sleep. I once had a friend, Rachel, who was running an agency. She was swamped, stressed, overwhelmed. I asked her, “How much of your business have you automated?” She looked at me blankly. “What do you mean?”

I explained: “When someone buys from you, is the onboarding automated? The scheduling? The reporting? All the stuff that doesn’t require you?” She said no. Today, especially with AI, you have a massive opportunity to automate all the busywork in your business, freeing you up to focus on the high-value activities that truly get you paid.

Here are four critical areas to automate in your business:

Purchasing & Payment: Seamless TransactionsIt sounds crazy, but I still see businesses struggling to take payments efficiently. In a world with Stripe, Webflow, and Gum Loop, there’s no excuse. Set up automated payment processing so your customers can buy your AI solution effortlessly. This is foundational for any scalable business.
Account Login & Setups: Instant Access, No Manual LaborOnce a customer pays, their account creation, membership access, and initial setup should be completely automated. Tools like Membership.io can literally automate your entire membership experience. Connect it to your billing platform (like Gum Loop), and the whole thing runs on autopilot, giving customers instant access without any manual intervention from your side.
Onboarding: Collect Data, Kickstart SuccessRachel used to spend hours collecting information from clients. I told her: “That’s a Typeform!” Create a comprehensive intake form that clients fill out to schedule their first call. This not only gathers crucial information but also automates a ton of AI processing as those inputs can feed directly into your AI tools to kickstart the work. This saves immense time and ensures you have all the necessary data from day one.
Support: AI-Powered Customer CarePost-purchase, post-deployment, post-customer use – they’re going to have questions. This is where AI shines. Create a comprehensive knowledge base with all your FAQs and support answers. Then, use AI to scan incoming emails and automatically reply as a support agent, leveraging that knowledge base. The more you feed your knowledge base, the smarter and more effective your AI support agent becomes, freeing your team from repetitive support queries and ensuring customers get quick, accurate answers.

8. Get Greedy: Play the Long Game for True Wealth

The AI gold rush

Alright, this last one needs a little explanation. It might sound a bit wild, but hear me out. I recently had an entrepreneur come to me, a few months into his business, with an offer to sell. My question to him was: Are you short-term greedy, taking some quick cash off the table, or are you long-term greedy, building real, generational wealth?

The AI gold rush

Here are the three “S’s” I think about when it comes to building AI wealth in today’s market:

Sell (Short-Term Greed): Quick Wins, Limited LearningThis is about building a small app or a niche service and selling it quickly if someone’s willing to pay to save time. It’s a quick cash injection. The downside? You don’t learn much. You’re just starting, and the real value in business isn’t just the money you make; it’s the experience and knowledge you gain. It’s fine for a quick flip, but it won’t build an empire.
Scale (Mid-Term Greed): Keep Printing MoneyThis is about keeping that thing that’s making money and letting it keep printing money. My friend Chris at Wistia had a chance to sell his business, but he realized he’d just start the exact same business again. Instead, he raised debt to buy out his early investors and continued building the business he loved. This is about focusing on growth, expanding your reach, and maximizing your existing successful venture. Keep pushing, keep growing.
Stack (Long-Term Greed): Building a Portfolio of PowerThis is exactly what we’re doing at Martell Ventures. We’re working with some of the smartest AI minds to build technology for small businesses, essentially creating a portfolio of companies that will be the definitive solutions for various problems small businesses face globally. This is about strategic acquisition, building an ecosystem of interconnected AI solutions, and creating exponential value over time. It’s about thinking big, building a legacy, and dominating a market by owning multiple pieces of the puzzle.

If you’re ready to stack your wealth with AI ventures, find me on Instagram and message me the word “AIVENTURES.”

FAQ: Your Burning AI Business Questions Answered

Q1: Is the AI revolution really that big, or is it just hype?

A1: It’s absolutely that big, and it’s not just hype. AI agents are set to transform industries, from replacing entire teams to fundamentally changing how businesses operate. This is the biggest technological shift since the internet itself, presenting unprecedented opportunities for those who understand how to leverage it.

Q2: Why should I focus on “boring” industries for AI opportunities?

A2: “Boring” industries, like supply chain, admin, home services, legal, and team training, are often overlooked but represent trillion-dollar markets. They are ripe for disruption because they’re typically less technologically advanced, meaning even simple AI solutions can create massive efficiency gains and significant profits.

Q3: What does “high-margin model” mean, and why is it important for AI businesses?

A3: A high-margin model means that a large percentage of your revenue is profit after covering costs. For AI businesses, this is crucial because it creates a “moat” around your business, providing financial stability and the ability to reinvest in growth. Models like AI software and digital products offer gross margins of 90-95%.

Q4: How can AI services or consulting generate high margins?

A4: AI services (building workflow automation) offer around 70% gross margin because you’re leveraging existing tools (like Zapier, Make, Gum Loop) to create high-value solutions for clients. AI consulting goes even higher, at 80%, as you’re providing strategic guidance and expertise, which is a premium service requiring less direct overhead.

Q5: Who are “rich customers,” and how do I find them for my AI solution?

A5: Rich customers are high-net-worth individuals or established businesses within your chosen “boring” industries who have the budget and the need for your AI solutions. You can find them by attending industry-specific events, sending hyper-personalized emails, offering interviews on your podcast, hosting meetups, and organizing exclusive founders’ dinners.

Q6: What is “anchor pricing,” and how does it help create a high cash flow offer?

A6: Anchor pricing involves presenting a significantly more expensive option (3-5 times higher) alongside your other pricing tiers. This makes your middle and lower-tier options appear more affordable and attractive by comparison, psychologically nudging customers towards a quicker “yes” to the options you want them to choose.

Q7: Why is it important to “sell before you build” when developing an AI solution?

A7: Selling before you build is crucial to validate your AI solution’s demand and secure upfront funding for development. It prevents you from spending significant time and money building something nobody wants. By prototyping and pre-selling, you ensure your development efforts are aligned with actual market needs and financed by your early customers.

Q8: What is an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) in the context of AI, and how do I build one cost-effectively?

A8: An MVP is the simplest version of your AI solution that delivers core value to early customers. To build it cost-effectively, you can leverage no-code platforms (e.g., Gum Loop, GoHighLevel), utilize AI-powered coding tools (e.g., Replit, ChatGPT for code generation), or hire an AI developer after you’ve pre-sold and have clear wireframes for them to work from.

Q9: How can automation benefit my AI business after I’ve made a sale?

A9: Automation turns your business into a machine that runs efficiently even when you’re not actively working. It’s critical for handling tasks like purchasing and payment processing, account logins and setups, customer onboarding (e.g., intake forms), and post-purchase support through AI-powered knowledge bases and automated replies. This frees you up to focus on growth and strategic tasks.

Q10: What does “getting greedy” mean in the long term for AI wealth creation?

A10: “Getting greedy” means taking a long-term strategic approach to building wealth with AI, beyond just short-term sales. It involves deciding whether to “sell” (quick cash, limited learning), “scale” (keep growing and maximizing a successful venture), or “stack” (building a portfolio of interconnected AI companies to dominate a market). The “stack” approach aims for exponential, lasting wealth by creating an ecosystem of solutions.

And there you have it, folks! The complete blueprint for navigating the AI Gold Rush. This isn’t just theory; these are the battle-tested strategies I’m personally deploying to seize this unprecedented moment in tech history.

The AI revolution isn’t coming; it’s already here, shaking up industries and creating new pathways to wealth. The choice is yours: be left behind, watching from the sidelines, or step up and claim your stake in this exciting new digital frontier.

By picking the right (often “boring”) industry, adopting high-margin business models, strategically targeting rich customers, crafting irresistible cash-flow offers, validating your ideas before you build, building lean MVPs, and automating your delivery, you’re setting yourself up for massive success. And remember, when it comes to wealth, think long-term greedy – build, scale, and stack your way to an empire.

This is your moment. The opportunity is ripe. Now go out there and build something incredible with AI.

Your AI Empire Starts Now

There you have it, straight from the trenches. This isn’t just theory; it’s the actionable roadmap I’m personally using to navigate and profit from the AI Gold Rush. The revolution isn’t coming—it’s already here, reshaping industries and forging new pathways to immense wealth.

The choice is stark: will you stand by and watch from the sidelines, or will you step into the arena and claim your stake in this thrilling new digital frontier? By strategically picking your industry, embracing high-margin models, targeting the right customers, crafting irresistible offers, and building smart and lean, you’re not just participating; you’re dominating. And remember, true wealth isn’t about quick wins, but about playing the long game: build, scale, and stack your way to an AI empire.

This is your moment. The opportunity is ripe. Now go out there and build something incredible with AI.

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