Podcast Summary: Marketing Against The Grain

Episode: The #1 Job Needed in the AI Era Right Now
Date: September 25, 2025
Hosts: Kipp Bodnar (A), Kieran Flanagan (B)
Producer: HubSpot Media

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the explosive demand for AI consulting in the business world, highlighting how the biggest job opportunity right now isn't coding, but helping companies implement AI. Kipp and Kieran break down how listeners can capitalize on this market gap by starting their own AI consulting business, detailing practical steps, resources, and real-world insights from active AI transformation leaders. The tone is energetic, no-nonsense, and geared toward action for early AI adopters.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Why AI Consulting is the #1 Opportunity Right Now

• Businesses are rushing to integrate AI but don't know where to begin or lack the in-house expertise ([00:00]).
• “If you're watching this show, you're an AI early adopter and you are set up for success to help these businesses.” — Kipp ([01:05])
• The AI consulting role is seen as a $100 billion opportunity with minimal competition today.

Four-Step Blueprint for Starting an AI Consulting Agency

1. Define Your Service Offering ([01:32])

• Pinpoint what you provide: general AI consulting, AI audits, ChatGPT training, etc.
• “You need to decide what that is, get a clear description of it so that people who know nothing about AI can understand what you're going to do to help them.” — Kipp ([01:50])

2. Identify Your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) ([02:20])

• Nail down the company size, industry, and key contacts (ex. head of marketing at manufacturing companies, 20–200 employees).
• Use AI tools (like ChatGPT) to flesh out target traits and outreach strategies.

3. Leverage Prompts to Run Your Business ([03:10])

• Kipp introduces a toolkit of 10 AI prompts as a free resource for conducting audits and analyses.
• Walkthrough example using a fictitious company “Fresh Harvest Foods”:
  • Instant AI-driven executive summary, opportunity assessment, process mapping, ROI forecasting, and a 90-day implementation plan from a single prompt ([04:10]).
  • Quote: “This table alone, for a business, somebody would pay thousands of dollars for just this. And it is in a quick prompt.” — Kipp ([05:50])
  • Noted: New GPT-5 features allow output customization and easy report export (CSV, PDF, Docs).

4. Acquire Your First Clients ([08:32])

• Recommendations: specialize in one acquisition strategy (LinkedIn, YouTube, influencer partnerships, etc.).
• Key resource: loopmarketing.com (no login/forms, straight content).
• “If you could just pick one basic channel... you are going to be able to get the first handful of clients that you need to test this out.” — Kipp ([09:40])

Real-World Example: Demand for Human-Centric AI Consulting

Alex Lieberman's Experience ([10:50])

• “He’s like basically begging people to apply. And what Kieran this tells me is we need more humans than ever in this AI era and we need more humans to help other humans.” — Kipp ([11:00])
• Alex’s company (10X Labs) can’t hire fast enough, showing real-time validation of overwhelming demand.

Pent-Up Demand & The Human Role in AI Transformation ([11:01]–[13:32])

• Kieran highlights that AI’s promise is not just about code, but about integrating workflows that require systems thinking.
• “There’s just not enough humans who know how to do it. The hardest thing isn’t just building AI, it’s figuring out how to integrate AI across things that are actually useful for your business.” — Kieran ([11:40])
• Growing Google search volume around AI is a “leading indicator” of business curiosity and pent-up desire for transformation.
• “Everybody is trying with this new technology to do more and more. They see new opportunities they would have never considered before, because AI now makes them possible.” — Kipp ([12:22])

The Skillsets Needed

• Not just technical; requires people who can identify what to automate, how to integrate AI, and enable users.
• “If you can help them go from 0 to 1 in their AI adoption, you can kind of print cash.” — Kieran ([13:46])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kipp Bodnar ([01:05]):
  "If you're watching this show, you're an AI early adopter and you are set up for success to help these businesses."

• Kipp Bodnar ([05:50]):
  “This table alone, for a business, somebody would pay thousands of dollars for just this. And it is in a quick prompt.”

• Kieran Flanagan ([11:40]):
  "There’s just not enough humans who know how to do it. The hardest thing isn’t just building AI, it’s figuring out how to integrate AI across things that are actually useful for your business."

• Kipp Bodnar ([12:22]):
  "Everybody is trying with this new technology to do more and more. They see new opportunities they would have never considered before, because AI now makes them possible."

• Kieran Flanagan ([13:46]):
  "If you can help them go from 0 to 1 in their AI adoption, you can kind of print cash."

• Kipp Bodnar ([14:06]):
  "In this era, if you are a smart, curious person, everything is at your disposal to have financial security."

Timestamps to Important Segments

• [00:00] — Kipp introduces the counterintuitive demand for AI consulting
• [01:32] — Four-step process: Defining and packaging your AI offering
• [04:10] — Walkthrough: Using GPT-5 prompts to generate value for clients
• [08:32] — Customer acquisition advice and free marketing playbook
• [10:50] — Real-world demand: Alex Lieberman and 10X Labs’ hiring struggles
• [11:01–13:32] — Human skills required, why AI creates new jobs
• [14:06] — Closing thoughts on financial security in the AI era

Summary & Takeaways

• The biggest job in the AI era is consulting and enabling business transformation, not just building new AI tools.
• Huge market gap: Businesses want to adapt but lack expertise, making this a "print cash" opportunity.
• Use clear service definitions, targeted ICPs, AI-powered audit prompts, and focused marketing channels to launch your agency.
• The fundamental skill is translating AI’s potential into practical, valuable business workflows—and being the human guiding hand.
• Now is the time for curious, action-oriented people to step up and lead in the AI consulting landscape.