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The AI Gold Rush Is Over. Now The Real Work Begins.
How outcome-driven AI replaces cheap tools and short-term thinking.
The AI market did not collapse because the tech failed. It collapsed because we sold tools instead of solutions. This article explains why cheap AI offers eroded trust, and why the future belongs to those who sell real outcomes, clear processes, and peace of mind.
2025 was a demanding year and a pretty disturbing one, too. The LLM and GPT market didn’t prosper it almost ate its kids. Didn’t we all want the AI market to grow, didn’t we all get hyperactive on social media to be part of the latest “Gold Rush”?
What’s left of it by the end of 2025?
Most market participants failed!
Again, we failed!
We failed translating the possibilities of the LLM into operational AND financial benefits for our clients. We offered low level entry models that did not solve the real and present problems of our clients. We thought, we do right, but most of us did not ask their clients.
Most sold and still sell prompts, framework or even agents at a careless pricing model.
A short market research comes up with prices that do not sound like prosperity.
The results of the research prove my point:
The current “no-consulting” AI market clusters into three main price bands for SMB-relevant offers.
Looking at this range you end up in a pool of sharks where everyone looks for bargains but definitely not for quality or long-term partnerships. To get immune to this fast-changing markets we need clients that trust us and develop long lasting customer relationships with us.
As being a Boomer for me prices remind me of the early years of programming and coding.
It’s Time to Get Real…
The Depressing reality of AI Service Pricing
| Core Price Ranges | Single Prompts: $2–10 USD per prompt on common marketplaces Frameworks & Bundles: $50–200 USD one-time for AI/marketing/pricing frameworks, canvases and large prompt bundles. Some tools run as SaaS in the $20–100 USD/month range for strategy/pricing canvases. Ready-Made Agents: $20–50 USD/user/month for basic business plans of generic agents. $100–2,000 USD/month for SMB-oriented, pre-configured agents (support, FAQ, lead-qual). |
| Typical productized packages | Prompt Packs (10–50 prompts): $29–149 USD one-time. Framework + Prompts Bundles: $79–199 USD one-time or $19–39 USD/month with updates. Ready-to-Use Task Agents: $0–49 USD/month for solos, 49–199 USD/month for SMB teams. |
| Implication for your positioning | Brand/Copy Frameworks: $99–199 USD as a high-value bundle with time-limited updates. Pre-Configured Marketing/Branding Agents: $49–149 USD/month per agent for SMBs. Focused Prompt Packs (e.g. 5 Lightbulb, referral): $19–79 USD per pack. |
Stop Selling Shiny AI and Start Solving Expensive Problems
You might be the shiniest shark in the pool but you won’t survive as long as others poison the market by selling AI generated “kind of” solutions for a lower and lowest prices. The hit and run mentality will not last for long. You shine in a pool that is meant to turn into a swamp of losers pretty soon.
Is there a solution?
Yes, a pretty old but still valid one. Simply ask your clients or prospects
- Where the daily routines hurt?
- Where people quit because they are bored?
- Where the money goes up in flames?
- Where their questions are not heard?
Look for the itchy things that your clients can’t reach
Tell your clients that you heard and understood their complains and sell them solutions instead of prompts or N8N agent structures. Over 97% of small to midsize businesses are not experienced in using nor integrating AI/LLM solutions in their daily routines nor structures.
Why not selling peace of mind by solving real problems?
Need an example?
Why do most small to medium size businesses are not well visible for their clients and prospects on the internet or the social media channels?
Because they can’t afford the negotiations with a marketing specialist or an agency moneywise and timewise. They are least willing to do the hustle themselves.
You might remember this kind of cute but highly underestimated thing called “Brand Pillars”?
(By the way, both are available when you reach out to Mark de Grasse and the AI Branding Academy)
Once completely established and developed “Brand Pillars” allow your client much easier communication with agencies or brings him to the point to establish his own AI supported marketing. That saves his money and solved his problem with the visibility.
Turn away from the “I sell everything cheap market” to the highly prized and individualized customer relationship model that might even gets you brand ambassadors recommending your services.
Some offer trainings not to turn their clients into AI masters but to establish a sense for the idea behind the use of AI and the limits of its use within a company. It is much easier to deal with people who have a basic knowledge of the products you offer.
You will not sell the GPT structure – you sell the process and the result!
No prompt, no abstract scenario – just usable facts!
You sold solutions and peace of mind.
Welcome to a possible and prosperous future on the AI market.
AUTHOR: Axel Simon
Polarizing contemporary figure, fractional CMO and CTO, friend of linguistic clarity and directness, more fighter than diplomat, asks many questions, laughs easily, can apologize, values politeness, respects people.
