10 things I wish I knew before diving into AI automation (after building 100+ workflows)

Been deep in the automation game for the past year - here's what actually matters vs. what everyone talks about:

1. Start stupidly simple Your first automation should take 10 minutes, not 10 hours. I wasted weeks on complex builds when a simple "new email → Slack notification" would've taught me more.

2. Document your builds publicly Every automation you create is potential content. Screenshots, learnings, failures - it all becomes proof of expertise. I get more clients from sharing my process than from perfect demos.

3. Master the HTTP Request node first Seriously. Half the "limitations" people complain about disappear when you can build custom API calls. It's your Swiss Army knife for everything the built-in nodes can't handle.

4. Stop calling yourself an "automation expert" Everyone says that. Instead: "I help [specific industry] eliminate [specific pain point]." Specificity attracts premium clients who have that exact problem.

5. Your biggest wins come from saying no Turned down a $500 project last month because it wasn't aligned with my positioning. Client came back two weeks later with a $3K project that was perfect fit. Boundaries create value.

6. Error handling is where amateurs get exposed Everyone shows the happy path. Pros build for when APIs go down, data formats change, or users input garbage. Plan for chaos.

7. Share your failures, not just successes "Here's how I broke a client's workflow and what I learned" gets way more engagement than "Look at this perfect automation." Vulnerability builds trust.

8. The money is in ongoing optimization, not one-time builds Clients pay once for setup, monthly for "make it work better." Maintenance contracts beat project work every time.

9. Your network determines your net worth Other automators become referral sources, not competition. Help people in communities, share knowledge freely. Half my clients come from automator referrals now.

10. Build your own systems first Nothing proves automation expertise like having your own lead generation, content creation, and client onboarding automated. Practice what you preach.

Bonus insight: The automators making real money talk about business outcomes, not technical features. "Saved 15 hours/week" beats "Built a 47-node workflow" every time.