Vibe Coding Agency

 

Step-by-Step Summary for Blog Post: Making Money with AI Services on Upwork

Introduction

This episode explores an accessible way to make money online by selling AI-powered services on Upwork.

Solo developers or small teams are earning $5K–$20K/month by solving business problems with simple AI tools.

The focus isn't just on freelancing—it's about identifying profitable SaaS ideas by analyzing Upwork job postings.

Guest Billy Howell (a developer who's built and sold multiple apps) shares his framework for "vibe coding"—quickly prototyping and selling solutions.

Key Steps to Earning with AI Services

1. Find Problems to Solve (Before Building)

Most people build first, then struggle to find buyers. Reverse the process:

• Search Upwork for jobs requesting tools (e.g., "Airtable consultant," "custom workflow automation").
• Look for CRUD apps (Create, Read, Update, Delete)—simple data tools businesses need.
• Example: A nonprofit needing a case management system (track clients, appointments, payments).

2. Validate Demand & Pricing

• Filter Upwork jobs by budget (aim for $750–$2,500 per project).
• Avoid low-ball gigs (e.g., $125 fixes).
• Recurring revenue potential: Charge for hosting, updates, or scaling the solution.

3. Rapidly Prototype with AI Tools

• Use Replit (or similar tools like Bubble/Glide) to build no-code/low-code MVPs.
  • Example: Billy turned an Airtable request into a custom app in hours.
• Feed the job description into ChatGPT to generate a Product Requirements Doc (PRD).
  • Prompt: "Format these requirements as a PRD for an AI coding assistant."
• Use Replit's AI agent to scaffold the app automatically (frontend + backend).

4. Stand Out on Upwork

• Don't just submit a proposal—build a demo!
  • Record a Loom video showing your prototype.
  • Say: "I saw your job posting and built this custom solution. Here's how it works."
• For UI polish, use v0.dev to generate sleek frontend code, then paste it into Replit.

5. Close the Deal & Scale

• Ownership/IP: Most clients don't ask—focus on delivering fast.
• Upsell opportunities:
  • Charge for ongoing maintenance.
  • Resell the same app to similar businesses (e.g., "I built this for a tutoring agency—want it for yours?").
• Skip Upwork eventually: Move to direct referrals (e.g., "What's the most expensive SaaS you pay for? I'll build a cheaper version.").

Why This Works

• Low risk: Get paid upfront instead of gambling on a SaaS idea.
• High ROI: Tools like Replit + AI cut development time to hours.
• Unbundling SaaS: Many businesses overpay for tools like Airtable/HubSpot—replace them with custom apps.

Final Advice

"Build a ton of apps. Vibe code, sell, repeat. You're getting paid to learn." —Billy Howell

Action Step: Try replicating this process with one Upwork job this week!