We Make $25K/Month Helping People Apply To Jobs With AI

Aidan Cramer

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Published: April 18th, 2024

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About
Business

Aidan Cramer

Founder, AiApply

$15K

revenue/mo

Founders

Employees

AiApply

aiapply.co

from London, UK

started September 2023

$15,000

revenue/mo

Founders

Employees

Discover what tools AiApply recommends to grow your business!

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Hello! Who are you and what business did you start?

My name is Aidan Cramer, and I co-founded AiApply with Peter Utekal, a venture born from a series of entrepreneurial endeavors and a deep dive into the capabilities of large language models (LLMs).

At its core, AI Apply is about leveraging AI to make the job application process more intuitive and effective for job seekers. Our main product, the application kit, streamlines the process of applying for jobs by offering personalized resume and cover letter generation, job matching, and direct communication channels with HR managers.

Our target customers are job seekers who are eager to optimize their search and application efforts, seeking a more efficient route to their next career opportunity.

Our journey to $25K in monthly revenue and a growth rate of 30% month over month is less about the numbers and more about the validation of our approach to solving a real problem. From conceptualizing a browser extension to pivoting to a web platform powered by viral content, our path reflects a commitment to innovation and the importance of listening to our users.

Being cash flow positive from day one, we've navigated the startup landscape with a focus on sustainable growth, leveraging a mix of influencer marketing, PPC, SEO, and product-led strategies to build our user base.

For SaaS founders reading this, the takeaway from AI Apply's story is not just in the product we've built but in the methodology behind our decisions. Starting with MVPs that are essentially just visual content, we've seen firsthand how social media can serve as a powerful tool for product validation.

Our journey emphasizes the importance of being adaptable, customer-focused, and willing to iterate quickly based on feedback and market demand.

What's your backstory and how did you come up with the idea?

My entrepreneurial journey began in the HR tech space with my first startup, Stride, a platform designed to connect college graduates with startup opportunities. This experience not only provided me with valuable insights into the job market's intricacies but also led to a successful exit, marking my first major milestone in the tech industry.

Following this, I ventured into a new project that would further shape my understanding of the potential of technology to solve complex problems: PetVet.ai.

To validate AiApply, we initially launched a browser extension and closely monitored user feedback. The pivot to a web platform and the viral success of our demo content on social media served as our primary validation, indicating a strong market demand.

PetVet.ai was a venture that utilized large language models (LLMs) to offer veterinary advice to pet owners. The project's success and subsequent sale on Acquire.com highlighted the significant impact and growth potential of B2C solutions powered by advanced AI technologies.

This experience was pivotal, demonstrating firsthand how LLMs could be leveraged to address needs in ways previously not possible, leading to rapid user acquisition and engagement.

Buoyed by these experiences and keen on addressing the inefficiencies in the job application process, I founded AiApply. Drawing from my HR tech background and the lessons learned from PetVet.ai, AiApply aims to revolutionize how job seekers approach their job search. By combining LLMs with an intuitive platform, we offer personalized assistance in crafting job applications, aiming to significantly improve the chances of landing a job. This venture is a culmination of my journey through the realms of HR tech and B2C growth, reflecting a deep commitment to solving real-world problems with innovative technology.

Take us through the process of building the first version of your product.

The inception of AiApply was unique, starting not with a fully developed product but with a concept visualized through a video demo. This demo showcased an idea I was passionate about: a browser extension that could automate the job application process.

After sharing this video on Twitter, the engagement it received was not only validating but also pivotal, indicating a genuine market interest in such a tool. This initial buzz also serendipitously connected me with Peter, who had prior experience building browser extensions, marking the beginning of our collaboration.

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With Peter's technical expertise and my vision, we set out to turn the concept into reality. Our first tangible product was the browser extension itself, designed to streamline the job application process.

Despite the innovation it offered, we faced challenges in monetization and building a significant user base. These hurdles prompted us to reevaluate our approach and pivot to a more scalable and accessible solution: a web version of the tool.

The launch of the web version marked a critical phase of intense development and user engagement. We established a very tight feedback loop with our users, adopting an agile methodology that allowed us to iterate rapidly—sometimes shipping updates daily.

This process was instrumental in refining our product, addressing users' needs more effectively, and moving closer to product-market fit (PMF). The journey from a simple video demo to a functional web platform exemplifies the iterative nature of startup development, emphasizing the importance of user feedback, flexibility, and persistence in finding PMF.

Describe the process of launching the business.

Before AiApply, I founded Stride, an HR tech platform, and later led product strategy at a major recruitment firm in the UK. These experiences deepened my understanding of the recruitment industry's challenges, particularly the inefficiencies in the job application process. The idea for AI Apply emerged from a blend of these insights and my fascination with the potential of large language models (LLMs) to offer innovative solutions.

The "aha" moment for AiApply struck after I witnessed the rapid adoption and success of PetVet.ai, a project leveraging LLMs to address consumer needs in the pet care industry. This success highlighted the impact and scalability of AI-driven solutions, prompting me to explore similar opportunities within the HR tech space.

AI Apply was distinct from my other ventures because it directly addressed a widespread, tangible problem with a clear solution, leveraging my background in HR technology and my growing expertise in AI.

To validate AiApply, we initially launched a browser extension and closely monitored user feedback. The pivot to a web platform and the viral success of our demo content on social media served as our primary validation, indicating a strong market demand.

This method allowed us to iterate rapidly and tailor our product to the real needs of job seekers, setting AI Apply apart in a crowded market.

At this point in my career, having the financial stability from previous ventures allowed me to invest time and resources into AiApply without the pressure for immediate financial success. This freedom was instrumental in our ability to focus on creating a genuinely valuable tool for job seekers, demonstrating the importance of alignment between a founder's expertise, market needs, and the innovative application of technology.

We charge users $19/month to use the tools.

Since launch, what has worked to attract and retain customers?

Since the launch of AiApply, our approach to attracting and retaining customers has been multifaceted, focusing on creating value and leveraging platforms where our target audience is most active.

Here's a concise overview of what has worked for us, aimed at offering practical growth advice for aspiring founders:

Content and Social Media Virality: Our initial growth spurt was propelled by viral content on social media platforms. By creating short, engaging demo videos and sharing them on Twitter and TikTok, we tapped into a broader audience. This strategy wasn't just about broadcasting our product but engaging with the community, understanding their pain points, and showcasing how AiApply could solve them. The key lesson here is to create content that resonates with your audience's challenges and aspirations, making it shareable and capable of driving organic growth.
Customer Retention through Value Addition: For retention, we focus on continuously adding value for our existing customers. This means regular updates on job market trends, personalized tips for job applications, and creating a community around career growth. Implementing a feedback loop where users can suggest features or report issues has also been crucial. Engaging customers in product development not only improves the product but also builds loyalty.
Diversified Marketing Channels: Our marketing strategy encompasses PPC (Pay-Per-Click) advertising on Google and Meta, influencer collaborations, and a strong emphasis on SEO (Search Engine Optimization). The rationale behind using a mix of these channels is to balance immediate traffic and sales from PPC and influencer partnerships with the long-term, sustainable growth provided by SEO. For SaaS founders, it's crucial to not put all your eggs in one basket but to test different channels, measure ROI, and double down on what works.
Networking and Partnerships: Building relationships with other businesses and influencers in the HR and tech spaces has opened doors to collaborative opportunities and mutual growth. Networking isn't just about exchanging business cards but about finding synergies and ways to add value to each other's audiences.

How are you doing today and what does the future look like?

AiApply is profitable with a gross margin of 98%. We focus on digital marketing to manage customer acquisition costs effectively, ensuring a positive return on investment.

Our operations are streamlined and entirely online, with no physical distribution channels involved. Currently, we're exploring opportunities to expand our product offerings and enter new markets to address a broader range of customer needs.

In the short term, we aim to enhance our platform's capabilities and grow our user base through targeted marketing and product development. Long-term goals include diversifying into new sectors where AI can significantly impact job seekers and employers alike, potentially on a global scale.

Our strategy remains focused on leveraging technology to provide value, with an eye on sustainable growth and innovation.

For entrepreneurs just starting out, my top piece of advice is to focus on solving real problems. It's easy to get caught up in exciting technology or trends, but the foundation of a successful business is a solution that meets a clear need.

Through starting the business, have you learned anything particularly helpful or advantageous?

Starting AiApply has been a journey full of learning, with both challenges and triumphs shaping the path.

One lesson came from initially underestimating the importance of user feedback in the early stages. We launched features based on assumptions rather than direct insights, which led to unnecessary iterations. This experience taught us to prioritize user engagement and feedback loops, significantly improving product-market fit and user satisfaction.

On the positive side, a crucial decision was focusing on content marketing and social media to drive awareness and user acquisition. This approach capitalized on the virality potential of platforms like Twitter and TikTok, leading to significant organic growth. It demonstrated the power of leveraging current digital trends to amplify our message.

We've also benefited from timing and trends, particularly the increasing reliance on AI and automation in various industries. This external factor has created a ripe environment for our solutions, emphasizing the importance of timing in the success of tech-driven ventures.

Adapting to these lessons, we've become more agile in our development process, more strategic in our marketing efforts, and more attuned to the evolving landscape of technology and user needs. The journey has underscored the value of resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning as foundational skills for navigating the startup ecosystem.

What platform/tools do you use for your business?

For AiApply, Our technology stack is mostly PHP. We use Slack for internal communication, keeping our team connected and facilitating quick discussions on projects. Trello is our go-to for project management, helping us track progress and manage tasks effectively.

In terms of marketing and analytics, Google Analytics is indispensable for understanding our website traffic and user behavior, while Mailchimp supports our email marketing campaigns, enabling us to reach out to our audience with updates and content.

As a SaaS business, we don't use Shopify, but we do leverage Stripe for payment processing, offering a seamless checkout experience for our customers.

What have been the most influential books, podcasts, or other resources?

The most influential resources for me have been the book "How to be Rich" by Felix Dennis, which offers practical advice on wealth creation and entrepreneurship, and the podcast "My First Million."

Both resources have been invaluable for their insights into building businesses, making smart investments, and understanding the nuances of entrepreneurship. They provide a mix of inspirational content and actionable advice, making them essential for anyone looking to navigate the startup world successfully.

Advice for other entrepreneurs who want to get started or are just starting out?

For entrepreneurs just starting out, my top piece of advice is to focus on solving real problems. It's easy to get caught up in exciting technology or trends, but the foundation of a successful business is a solution that meets a clear need. Don't underestimate the importance of talking to your potential customers and understanding their challenges deeply.

Additionally, be prepared to pivot and adapt based on feedback and market demand. Flexibility and resilience are key in the early stages of a startup.

A common mistake I see is neglecting the value of a strong network. Building relationships with other entrepreneurs, potential customers, and mentors can open doors and provide critical insights and support. Finally, embrace failure as part of the learning process. Each setback is an opportunity to refine your approach and strengthen your business.

Are you looking to hire for certain positions right now?

Looking for a CMO/Growth Lead: [email protected]

Where can we go to learn more?

If you have any questions or comments, drop a comment below!