Loving my first trip to Turkey.

5 full weeks of focusing on my business full-time. It's been a blast. I do have money worries. But my biggest worry is having to go back to a 9-5. I'm unemployable.

How has the working week gone for you??

Thought? 🤔 👇 🔗 www.philliphughes.co.uk/ai/ai-automa...

I need your help! What's the pain point stopping you as a business owner from getting up and running with AI and/or automation?

If someone says they are an "AI Automation Expert", RUN. I've been coding automation since 07. Why?AI is only 2 years old. And it moves so fast I'm like Liam Neeson; I've built up a set of skills that make me very dangerous. I can help you automate part of your business.

Prep before I go on holiday to ensure my business still runs The Automation Blueprint newsletter Today: 2 long-form editions for my blog 2 cut-down versions for my newsletters Same on Substack behind an early access (5 days) paywall Same on LinkedIn newsletters after the others go live

The "Social Media Hamster Wheel", AKA publishing content every day I've found it's not as tough if I write a long-form piece of content each week. open.substack.com/pub/philliph...

Prove me wrong. The Goonies is the best kids' film ever made

Thursday! One "working day left" What have you been up to?

Choosing between AI Automation and AI Agents could make or break your 7-figure business. Get it right = save time, money, and scale. Get it wrong = waste both. Understand which AI solution fits your needs before investing. 🧵 👇

🚨 WARNING: BLATANT SELF-PROMO 🚨 I've set myself a goal to publish an article every morning (I tend to fail at weekends) My goal is to document my journey growing my agency (and other business ventures) I'd love it if you subscribed (it's free). Here's the link: substack.com/@philliphhug...

I've been coding backend systems and software solutions since '07 And I think N8N has now taken on 80% of the grunt work, and only takes 20% of the time to get things up and running. Building automated solutions has never been easier. You can focus on solving the actual problem and business need

When you find out that person pitching you the new "AI-based" product, used to also schelp -LinkedIn courses -Growth hacking courses -NFT's -Crypto -Dropshipping

I'm starting to get more leads for the business. People are messaging me asking for help. And it's one platform that is crushing it. TikTok 😱 open.substack.com/pub/philliph...

That feeling when you've helped a client work out what they can automate 😂

NOTE TO SELF: Either piss others off. Or you'll be the one who gets and stays pissed off

What product that costs less than £100 can you not live without?

I'm on a mission To call out these "AI Gurus" selling you "get rich quick" schemes, saying you'll hit 10K a month The only people getting rich are these scam artists Ever wondered why there's always some outrageous guarantee? They can deliver crap and never give you your hard-earned money back.

Non-AI automation vs AI-based automation vs AI Agents Which to use when? This week's "TAB" newsletter gives you a decision framework. And a 90-day implementation plan to help you automate your first business process Comment with TAB and I'll send you a link so you can subscribe.

Ah, working on codebases that are over 5 years old. How I've missed thee. NOT! #buildinpublic

"Software jobs are dead!" Yeah, bullshit. Far too much tech debt needs sorting for the industry to die just yet. People want to integrate AI into existing systems. Who do you think can do that? But with the help of AI, not be replaced by it. open.substack.com/pub/philliph...

QQ: For the blokes out there. Have you had a blood test to see what your testosterone levels are?

If you're offered an AI automation for $5K in less than 30 days. With no support or retainer They just want to pick your pocket They aren't building a sustainable business They don't want to help you with your business They are short-sighted and don't care about long-term relationships.

A successful automation project doesn't always need to have AI as part of the solution. Or use an AI agent. On Thursday, my weekly newsletter runs through a decision framework to determine what AI-based automation to use for a given task. And a 90-day implementation roadmap

What's the one thing about the march forward of AI that needs fixing? I'll start. These fucking crypto, NFT, growth hacking "bros" now selling shit "AI" products that have no technical background or long-term customer focus. Go back to schlepping snake oil, leave the rest of us to help people.

NOTE TO SELF: Work so hard for a set period of time that you can't keep your eyes open, and it's only 7 PM

Great thing about coming from a software development background. And now running an AI Automation build. I'm working on an old-school CMS project 😱

Forget AI. If you work in tech. And we could fix this; it would be the biggest game-changer to ever hit the industry open.substack.com/pub/philliph...

Stop watching and reading the news! Stop watching and reading the news! Stop watching and reading the news! Stop watching and reading the news! Stop watching and reading the news! Stop watching and reading the news! Agree?!?!?!?!?!

Forget “either/or.” Use both AI types. But you need to know what to use when. AI automation - processing invoices (mundane, repeatable) AI Agents - customer support (high value, moving target) Need help figuring out which one to use? 🔗 👇

It's Monday QQ: Does it fill you with dread, or are you excited to start work?

Check the stats. My automation systems saved me 197 hours last week. Always blows my mind, there's only 168 hours in a week

NOTE TO SELF: Breaks are procrastination wrapped up in self-care

I dream of the laptop lifestyle. But then going away stresses me out, I can't stick to my routine of work as I'd like

Do any other founders find that taking a vacation causes more stress than it solves? #buildinpublic open.substack.com/pub/philliph...

Are you working on your business/project/side hustle this weekend?

Why am I apologising to gemini pro??

Attending an AI round table today in London. Going to be interesting to see which direction the conversation goes

Last knockings of hump day How is your week going?

Greater Manchester Police, had Officers doing paperwork instead of solving crime 😱 🤦. They worked with an AI agency (not mine) Save 33+ days since March this year. Crazy. I talk about what they did in this week's edition of The Automation Blueprint. It would mean a lot if you subscribed

Every time I hear Teenage Dirtbag by Weezer. I want to burst my own eardrums with red-hot pokers. Worse....song....ever.....!

Two outdoor brands I'm working with. We've been able to automate their content creation, and it's got over 2 million views across Instagram alone. But they are facing the next challenge after we've solved the traffic problem. Converting that into leads and customers. Same challenge we all face.

NOTE TO SELF: Life is not meant to be easy. Every wildlife documentary starts with "Life in the _____ is extremely hard" Why is your life so different Act accordingly

Sitting on a Train, travelling to London. If I had to do this for my old 9-5, I would have complained for weeks. But because it's for my business, for me, I get the upside, I'm enjoying every minute

They say in business, you'll have a lot of competitors, competition to win business. But I'm not finding that. Chatting with other agency owners in my space. Everyone I speak to wants to build partnerships. And I fucking love it. open.substack.com/pub/philliph...

A bit of packing tonight. Off to London tomorrow. Staying there overnight. Attending a roundtable on Thursday. There are 4 discussion points on the agenda. And yes, point 3 will be AI. Interested to see which direction the conversation goes.

Your first AI automation could take 2 weeks. Use a platform you already have easy access to. Pay for Office 365? Use Power Automate Automate invoices Track time saved, then expand. The local Police Force did the very same. I discuss the results in this week's newsletter

QQ: Has anyone outside the USA and Canada done any Fractional work? If so, how did you find the role, and what was your experience doing the job?

NOTE TO SELF: You don't need to "pick up the slack" It's on them to complete a task