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2024

SWE vs AI Engineering Standups

When I talk to engineering leaders struggling with their AI teams, I often hear the same frustration: "Why is everything taking so long? Why can't we just ship features like our other teams?"

This frustration stems from a fundamental misunderstanding: AI development isn't just engineering - it's applied research. And this changes everything about how we need to think about progress, goals, and team management. In a previous article I wrote about communication for AI teams. Today I want to talk about standups specifically.

The ticket is not the feature, the ticket is the experiment, the outcome is learning.

The right way to do AI engineering updates

Helping software engineers enhance their AI engineering processes through rigorous and insightful updates.

In the dynamic realm of AI engineering, effective communication is crucial for project success. Consider two scenarios:

Scenario A: "We made some improvements to the model. It seems better now."

Scenario B: "Our hypothesis was that fine-tuning on domain-specific data would improve accuracy. We implemented this change and observed a 15% increase in F1 score, from 0.72 to 0.83, on our test set. However, inference time increased by 20ms on average."

Scenario B clearly provides more value and allows for informed decision-making. After collaborating with numerous startups on their AI initiatives, I've witnessed the transformative power of precise, data-driven communication. It's not just about relaying information; it's about enabling action, fostering alignment, and driving progress.

Dear Future AI Consultant

Picture this: Four AI engineers walk out of some big tech office, maybe its layoffs, or burn out, or the golden handcuffs, but they're finally free. Fast forward one year, and their paths couldn't be more different.

  • Engineer 1 went the traditional freelance route. He's making $300 an hour, meticulously tracking every minute, and constantly hearing he's "too expensive." Yet, he's always scrambling for the next gig.

  • Engineer 2 dove into the startup world. She's now a VC-backed founder, drowning in pitch decks and investor meetings. Sure, the TechCrunch headlines are nice, but she hasn't had a good night's sleep in months, constantly worrying about runway and growth metrics.

  • Engineer 3 became an indie hacker. He's over the moon about hitting $2,000 in Monthly Recurring Revenue with his AI product. It's a great start, but he's realizing that building the product was just the beginning. Now he's grappling with the challenges of distribution and marketing, discovering that these skills are just as crucial as his technical expertise.

  • And then there's me, Engineer 4. I'm writing this from a business class seat on my way to San Francisco, closing a six-figure deal with a client. But that's just the tip of the iceberg.

As an AI consultant, I've built a personal brand, grown an audience, and mastered marketing and distribution - all while confidently selling my expertise. I've made friends with VCs, hosted dinners for industry leaders, and built a network that spans the tech world.

The best part? I've got $500K sitting in my business account, deployed 100k in angel investments and have paid my friends 100s of 1000s of dollars to work together and on projects we love. If I ever decide to start a company, raise money, or build a product, I've already developed all the skills I need - plus the cash to get started.

What Made The Difference?

It wasn't talent or hard work. We're all putting in the hours. The difference was in how we chose to leverage our AI skills in this booming market.

That's why I created the "Indie AI Consultant" newsletter. In just 10 days I share one email with you, the reader. It's packed with insights and strategies that I've learned from my own experience.

About those four AI engineers I mentioned earlier: we all had the same starting point, but our paths diverged dramatically. The difference? Knowledge about how to turn AI skills into a profitable consulting business that offers both freedom and financial success.

I can't promise you'll be flying business class next month if you join. But I can guarantee you'll find it packed with actionable insights to launch your consulting career - and potentially never worry about hourly rates, investor pressure, or how to price your services ever again.

Just enter your email below to get started, you'll get an email from me every 10 days or so, and I'll see you on the inside.

Why Freelancers Will Win the AI Gold Rush

I remember stories about the tech booms of past decades. In the late 1990s, the web revolution began. Teenagers who knew HTML were earning thousands per project, building websites for local businesses. In the late 2000s, a similar trend emerged with mobile apps. Young developers were profiting from creating applications for smartphones.

"This is the future," people would say. Many were skeptical about how these basic websites or simple apps could change anything. We know how those predictions turned out.

Now, in 2024, I'm feeling the same way about AI freelancers and consultants. But this time, I'm not skeptical. I believe we're at the start of something significant, a change that will surpass the web and mobile revolutions in its impact.

Here's why:

Chasing Chase: Why I'll Never Trust Chase Bank Again, A Yuppie Nightmare

It always goes this way. Someone will try teaching you a parable or life story, but you never really understand it until you have to experience it yourself. Some call this ‘learning things the hard way.’ Some call this life. Now, folks always told me that consulting was either a feast or famine, which sounds straightforward, but it turns out I didn’t really know what this meant until I had to deal with Chase.

Earlier this year, for reasons that are still not fully known to me, and despite my existing relationship with Chase (dating back to my first job out of university over a decade ago!), Chase froze $180,000 of my money without warning. This left me scrambling to pay employees and nearly derailed my business—all without explanation. It was a major wake-up call not just for me but for any entrepreneur. The importance of diversifying your banking and choosing financial partners that actually support small businesses has never been more important.

A surprising reason to not list your consulting prices

As I've shared insights on indie consulting, marketing strategies, and referral techniques, a recurring question from my newsletter subscribers is about pricing. Specifically, many ask if they should lower their rates or make them public.

In this article, we'll delve into the counterintuitive reasons why listing your consulting prices might not be the best strategy, regardless of whether you're aiming to appear affordable or exclusive. We'll explore the potential drawbacks of transparent pricing, introduce more effective alternatives like minimum level of engagement pricing, and provide actionable strategies to help you maximize your value and earnings as a consultant.

Building on the foundation laid in my previous posts about building a consulting practice and using the right tools, this piece will add another crucial element to your consulting toolkit: strategic pricing.

Content Creation Mastery: 9 Strategies to 10x Your Impact

Look, creating content that actually matters is hard. Here's how to do it without the bullshit:

  1. Titles That Demand Attention: Your title is the gatekeeper. Make it count or no one will read your shit.

  2. Hook with a Powerful Intro: You've got 15 seconds. Don't waste them.

  3. Use Evidence, Not Adjectives: "Our platform is blazing fast" means nothing. "3ms average response time" does.

  4. Foreshadow Value: Tell them exactly what they'll get. No vague promises.

  5. Structure for Scanners: People skim. Deal with it. Use headers, bullet points, and short paragraphs.

  6. Make It About Them, Not You: No one cares about your journey. They care about their problems.

  7. Be an Oracle: Predict future challenges. Be right more often than not.

  8. One Clear Call-to-Action: What do you want them to do? Ask for it. Once.

  9. Iterate Based on Data: If it's not working, change it. Ego has no place here.

1. Craft Titles That Demand Attention

Your title is make-or-break. Here's how to not fuck it up:

  • Evoke emotion: "The Writing Hack That Tripled My Audience Overnight"
  • Address pain points: "End 'Writer's Block' Forever: A Foolproof 3-Step System"
  • Offer clear value: "5 Persuasion Techniques That Boosted Our Sales by 287%"
  • Use numbers: "7 Unconventional Marketing Tactics Used by Top Brands"
  • Create urgency: "Limited Time: Learn the SEO Secret That's Transforming Businesses"
  • Ask intriguing questions: "Is Your Content Strategy Secretly Sabotaging Your Growth?"

A/B test your titles. Use tools for keyword research. Keep it under 60 characters for search engines.

2. Hook with a Powerful Intro

You've got their click. Now keep them. Here's how:

  1. Validate their challenge
  2. Hint at your solution
  3. Establish why they should listen to you

Example: "Struggling to stand out? You're not alone. After helping 100+ creators grow their audiences by 500%+, I've cracked the code. Here's how to turn readers into raving fans."

Use shocking stats, the PAS formula, or a relatable story. Keep it under 5 sentences.

3. Use Evidence, Not Adjectives

Vague claims are worthless. Be specific:

❌ "Our platform is blazing fast" ✅ "Our platform delivers 3ms average response time with 99.99% uptime last quarter"

Use: - Data and statistics - Case studies - Expert quotes - Before and after comparisons - Social proof

Always cite sources. Use visuals to make data digestible.

4. Foreshadow Value

Tell them exactly what they'll get:

"By the end of this guide, you'll know how to: - Boost email open rates by 203% - Craft headlines that convert 43% better than average - Create 10 high-engaging pieces from a single idea - Cut content creation time in half while doubling output - Land features in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and TechCrunch"

Be specific. Align with their pain points.

5. Structure for Scanners

People skim. Make it easy for them:

  • Short paragraphs (2-3 sentences max)
  • Bullet points and numbered lists
  • Descriptive subheadings
  • Bold key phrases
  • Use white space
  • Include relevant images
  • Pull quotes for emphasis
  • Table of contents for longer pieces

Use the inverted pyramid: Most important info first.

6. Make It About Them, Not You

No one cares about your journey. They care about their problems. Focus on that:

❌ "I increased conversions by 50% using this method" ✅ "You can boost your conversions by 50% with this proven method"

  • Use "you" language
  • Address reader benefits directly
  • Ask questions
  • Use relatable scenarios
  • Provide actionable takeaways
  • Anticipate and address objections

Always ask: "So what? How does this benefit my reader?"

7. Be an Oracle: Predict Future Challenges

Show them you're ahead of the curve:

  1. Analyze industry trends
  2. Predict audience evolution
  3. Look for cross-industry insights

Example: "While everyone's mastering short-form video, prepare for immersive, interactive content. By 2026, 30% of content will have an AR/VR component. Here's how to get ahead."

Back predictions with data. Offer actionable steps for each prediction.

8. One Clear, Compelling Call-to-Action

Tell them exactly what to do next. Once.

  • Make it stand out visually
  • Use action-oriented language
  • Clearly state the benefit
  • Create urgency when appropriate
  • Ensure it's relevant to the content

Example: "Join 50,000+ content pros getting weekly insider tips. Sign up now!"

A/B test your CTAs. Optimize for mobile.

9. Iterate and Improve Based on Data

If it's not working, change it. Track:

  • Engagement metrics (time on page, scroll depth, shares, comments)
  • Conversion metrics (sign-ups, downloads, purchases)
  • SEO metrics (organic traffic, keyword rankings, backlinks)
  • Content-specific metrics (video watch time, podcast listen-through rate)

Analyze top performers. A/B test everything. Update high-performing older content.

Remember: Content creation is both art and science. Creativity matters, but data drives results.

Now go create something worth reading.

Implementing Naturalistic Dialogue in AI Companions

Ever think, "This AI companion sounds odd"? You're onto something. Let's explore naturalistic dialogue and how it could change our digital interactions.

I've been focused on dialogue lately. Not the formal kind, but the type you'd hear between friends at a coffee shop. Conversations that flow, full of inside jokes and half-finished sentences that still make sense. Imagine if your AI companion could chat like that.

This post will define naturalistic dialogue, characterized by:

  1. Contextual efficiency: saying more with less
  2. Implicit references: alluding rather than stating
  3. Fragmentation: incomplete thoughts and imperfections
  4. Organic flow: spontaneity

We'll then examine AI-generated dialogue challenges and propose a solution using chain-of-thought reasoning and planning to craft more natural responses.