So many people build automations because they seem fun or interesting. But if you want to build something people will actually pay for, ask these five questions first. 1. How often does the task happen? Daily or weekly tasks are usually better because the time savings add up quickly. 2. How many people do this task? Automating a task that five people do can bring more value than automating something only one person does. 3. What happens when something goes wrong? Think about missed invoices, late contracts, or lost leads. The cost of these mistakes helps you understand how much your automation is worth. 4. Does it follow rules or need human judgment? Tasks that follow clear rules are easier to automate. If someone needs to think carefully every time, it may be better to leave that task alone for now. 5. Can you build it with existing tools? If you can use tools that already exist, the project will usually be faster and cheaper. Custom code often adds more cost and risk. When talking to a potential client, don't start by selling your service. Ask them, “What task takes up most of your time every week?” Then ask, “What happens when that task doesn't get done?” Their answers can help you find a problem worth solving. Now, how do you decide what to charge? First, work out how much the problem costs each month. Include the time spent on the task and the cost of mistakes. For example, if a task takes 10 hours a week and the person's time is worth $30 per hour, that's around $1,200 per month. If your automation costs $1,500 and removes most of that work, the client could recover the cost in a few weeks. Once you have a few ideas, compare them based on two things: how much value they bring and how easy they are to build. Start with the automations that offer the most value and take the least effort. Before building your next automation, run it through these five questions. Which of the five questions does your idea struggle with the most?