# If you're struggling to land your first AI client, watch this

Tom Brewer
#tutorial #ai-development
Table of Contents
If you're struggling to land your first AI client, watch this
Watch on YouTube

If you're struggling to land your first AI client, watch this

These notes are based on the YouTube video by Nick Saraev

Key Takeaways

  • Social proof lets you borrow credibility from established brands, publications, or institutions to accelerate client acquisition.
  • You don’t need a track record to start; most tactics are free or low‑cost and can deliver a strong perceived ROI.
  • The video outlines 10 practical ways to generate social proof, ranging from partnership badges to alumni association logos.
  • Combine several tactics to create a portfolio of credibility signals that can be dropped into sales conversations, proposals, or website copy.

1. Partner or Creator Programs

  • What it is: Join partner or creator programs of leading platforms in your target niche (e.g., Microsoft Cloud Partner, n8n Creator, Notion Solutions Partner).
  • Why it works: The brand’s logo and “verified” badge appear on your profile, instantly transferring trust to you.
  • How to do it:
    1. Search for “<Platform> creator/partner program.”
    2. Fill out a short form (name, email, sample work).
    3. Publish the generated profile page on the platform’s domain.
  • Result: You can say, “I’m a certified Microsoft Cloud Partner” or “My n8n workflows have been downloaded 7,000 times,” which can noticeably lift conversion rates.

2. Paid Newswire Press Releases

  • What it is: Use a press‑release distribution service (often called an “EIN Presswire” or similar) to blast a story to a wide list of outlets.
  • Cost: Typically $200‑$300 for a single release.
  • Outcome: You receive a “distribution list” that includes logos such as Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance, AP, etc. You can display these logos on your website under a “Featured in …” banner provided the outlet actually publishes your release—the distribution service does not guarantee placement.
  • Implementation tip: Find affordable providers on Fiverr by searching “newswire press release.”

3. Official Certifications

  • What it is: Earn free or paid certifications from industry leaders (Google, HubSpot, Microsoft, etc.).
  • Benefit: Badges appear on your site, Upwork profile, LinkedIn, or proposals, signaling expertise.
  • Example: HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification – a short, free course that ends with a downloadable badge.

4. Journalist Quote Platforms (Quoted, HARO)

  • What it is: Services that connect experts with journalists seeking quotes.
  • Process:
    1. Sign up for Quoted or HARO (Help a Reporter Out) – HARO now operates under the Connectively brand but the core service remains the same.
    2. Monitor daily queries for topics you can comment on.
    3. Submit concise, insightful quotes.
  • Result: Your name appears in articles (e.g., Popular Mechanics), giving you “media‑quoted” credibility.

5. Social‑Media Verification Badges

  • What it is: Purchase the blue checkmark on platforms like Instagram or X (formerly Twitter).
  • Cost: Roughly $8‑$15 per month per profile (prices vary by region and platform).
  • Impact: Verified accounts see a modest lift in click‑through and DM response rates (typically 10‑20 % higher engagement), which can help you stand out in a crowded feed.

6. Vendor / Solution Partner Directories

  • What it is: List your services in SaaS vendor directories (Notion Solutions Partner, Airtable Expert, etc.).
  • Why it matters: Prospects searching the vendor’s site see you as an endorsed provider, borrowing the SaaS brand’s trust.
  • How to find: Search “<SaaS> + solutions provider” or “vendor directory” to locate relevant pages.

7. Amazon Bestseller Hack

  • What it is: Self‑publish a short (30‑50 page) ebook on Kindle, price it low (≈ $3.99), and coordinate a small group of friends to purchase it quickly.
  • Mechanic: Amazon updates bestseller rankings every 1‑2 hours; a burst of sales can push you to the top of a narrow category.
  • Caveat: Amazon’s policies consider coordinated sales a form of manipulation and may suspend the title or account if detected. Use this tactic only in a genuine, organic way, or consider it a risky shortcut rather than a guaranteed “hack.”
  • Cost: Under $30 (cover design via Canva, Kindle publishing fee).

8. Conference Booth Presence

  • What it is: Rent a booth at a relevant industry conference, even a modest one.
  • Benefit: You can say, “We exhibited at [Conference] alongside Microsoft, NVIDIA, Intel,” borrowing the event’s prestige.
  • Budget tip: Small regional or niche conferences often have booth spaces starting around $500‑$1,500. Major industry events can run $5,000‑$10,000+, so choose a venue that matches your budget and target audience.

9. Paid Publication Features (Medium, Newsletter Platforms)

  • What it is: Pay to be featured in high‑traffic publications or curated newsletters (e.g., Medium’s “The Startup,” industry newsletters on Substack or Revue).
  • Value: The byline and publication logo provide a “published in …” badge that can be reused in marketing collateral.
  • Strategy: Start with smaller paid placements (often $50‑$200 per article or newsletter slot). Leverage those bylines to pitch to larger, editorial‑only outlets; once you have a few, the next pitches become easier.

10. Alumni Association Logos

  • What it is: Join the alumni association of a university your team members attended.
  • Cost: Often free or a small fee.
  • Use: Display the alumni logo on your site (“Our team includes NYU alumni”) to add an academic credibility layer.

Detailed Explanations of Core Concepts

Social Proof as Credibility Currency

Social proof is a psychological shortcut: people assume a product or service is trustworthy if respected third parties endorse it. By borrowing the reputation of brands, media outlets, or institutions, you shortcut the “prove yourself” phase and move prospects straight to the decision point.

Disproportionate ROI

Many tactics require minimal monetary investment (e.g., certifications, alumni logos) but yield high perceived value. Even paid options (newswire, conference booth) are inexpensive relative to the revenue boost they can generate when you land a high‑ticket AI consulting client. Effectiveness varies, so test each signal in your own outreach and track results.

Stacking Proofs

The most persuasive profiles combine several signals: a partner badge, a media quote, a certification, and a conference appearance. This “stack” creates a narrative that you are established, vetted, and active in the ecosystem, making it easier for prospects to say “yes.”

Summary

  • Social proof is one of the fastest ways to overcome the “new‑business” barrier when seeking your first AI client.
  • Ten actionable tactics—partner programs, newswire releases, certifications, journalist quote platforms, verification badges, vendor directories, Amazon bestseller hacks (used cautiously), conference booths, paid publication features, and alumni logos—cover a spectrum of cost and effort levels.
  • Implement the low‑cost items first (certifications, creator programs, alumni logos), then layer in higher‑impact, modest‑budget actions (newswire, booth, bestseller) while monitoring ROI.
  • Consistently showcase each credibility badge on your website, proposals, and outreach messages to borrow trust and accelerate client acquisition.

🔗 See Also: What Is AEO? How to Get Your Brand Found in AI Search
💡 Related: AEO Playbook: How to Optimize for AI w/ Profound’s Josh Blyskal

Tom Brewer Avatar

Thanks for reading my notes! Feel free to check out my other notes or contact me via the social links in the footer.

# Frequently Asked Questions

What are the quickest ways to gain credibility and land my first AI client?

The video outlines ten fast‑acting tactics such as joining partner or creator programs, earning official certifications, publishing paid newswire press releases, getting quoted in media via HARO or Quoted, and adding verification badges on social platforms. Each method provides a recognizable logo or badge that you can showcase on proposals, your website, or LinkedIn to instantly borrow trust from established brands.

How do I join a partner or creator program and use its badge effectively?

Search for “ creator/partner program” (e.g., Microsoft Cloud Partner, Notion Solutions Partner), fill out the short application with your name, email, and a sample of your work, and once approved publish the generated profile page on the platform’s domain. Then add the program’s logo and verified badge to your website, pitch decks, and outreach emails, phrasing it like “Certified Microsoft Cloud Partner” to boost conversion rates.

Is spending money on a newswire press release worth it for a new AI consultant?

A paid newswire (typically $200‑$300) can distribute your story to outlets like Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance, and AP, giving you a “Featured in …” banner if any of those sites actually publish the release. While placement isn’t guaranteed, the visible logos act as powerful social proof and can be a low‑cost way to appear credible to prospects who haven’t seen your work before.

What steps should I follow to get quoted by journalists and why does it help?

Sign up for platforms such as Quoted or HARO, monitor daily queries for topics that match your AI expertise, and submit concise, insightful answers within the deadline. When a journalist includes your quote, your name appears alongside reputable publications, giving you media‑quoted credibility that can be highlighted in proposals and on your LinkedIn profile.

Can social‑media verification badges really improve my client outreach?

Purchasing the blue verification checkmark on platforms like Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) costs roughly $8‑$15 per month and has been shown to increase click‑through and direct‑message response rates by 10‑20 %. The badge signals authenticity, making it easier for prospects to trust and engage with your outreach messages.

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