In this issue you’ll find

• The real reason I’m quitting marketing.

• The number one AI SaaS opportunity this year

• A little bit more about our AI agency and why we’re already crushing revenue numbers from last year.

• The full directly submission list we use to grow our Back links

I know in our last email we mentioned that we would share our complete directory submission list. That’s coming right up, but this week I wanted to share with you something that’s happened

I'm quitting marketing.

A few years back I thought "how hard can it be?" I can build and market my products and agency. Easy. Wrong. It's so hard... I just want to build more features. A few weeks ago I found my perfect match @nadiaekhamis

she's joined the Dev, in team and has fully taken over. In just a few weeks the impact has been crazy...

I can build, network and sell (the things I love to do) She's fully taken control of marketing and killing it.

My advice for you.

EVERY builder needs a Nadia. 👇

Ok here is the biggest opportunity of 2025

AI-Generated UGC Ads.

In 2025, AI-powered User-Generated Content (UGC) ads will be the biggest trend in marketing. It’s the perfect mix - real, relatable content from everyday people, enhanced by AI to make ads more personalized and effective than ever.

People have always trusted recommendations from other consumers way more than traditional ads. In fact, studies show that 90% of shoppers are influenced by UGC, and ads featuring it get 4 times more clicks than regular ones.

At the end of the day, authenticity is everything. When brands tap into real voices and experiences, they build trust and create a loyal community of fans who genuinely want to engage.

So you will definitely see us use AI UGC this year!

Our Agency Dev, In. is killing it. Here’s why 👇

Dev, in was founded at the beginning of last year. The pain we solve is accelerating time to market and transparency.

See the software agency market is full of cowboys. Their primary objective is to rope clients in, charge for complexity and lock them into long retainers.

Here’s why we are different. Dev, In. ALWAYS prices projects in full. We receive a scope from a client, break the project down in a collaborative workshop and using that knowledge give the price in full.

If we fall short, it’s on us to cover the costs. If we finish quickly then we still get the agreed price.

A lot of agencies get communication absolutely wrong from the start and clients are getting way more savvy to this.

Service based businesses are a people business and we win people not projects.

We will reveal more on our strategy next week, including how we establish repeat, stable income, keep clients engaged and happy and how we plan on never running out of cash.

We will be spilling the beans on our whole strategy over the next few emails, so here’s a little preview of what’s coming. Buckle up.

Email #1 - Winning clients with radical transparency – YOU ARE HERE. Welcome. The start of our exciting journey together. And by ‘exciting journey,’ I mean revealing how being suspiciously honest actually lands more contracts than trying to impress clients with buzzwords.

Email #2 - Why most agencies are a mess – Most agencies either overpromise and underdeliver or get buried under their own complexity. We take a different approach—fast, efficient, and built for scale. Also, I’ll throw in a guide on how we generate leads without cold outreach. You’ll love it.

Email #3 - Our first big client (and what we got hilariously wrong) – Ah, the story of how we landed our first enterprise client. Spoiler: it wasn’t because we had the best proposal or the slickest pitch deck. I’ll break down what actually worked and how you can steal the playbook.

Email #4 - The easiest way to get dream clients' attention – No, it’s not automating LinkedIn messages or running more ads. It’s a simple method that breaks through the noise and gets replies from high-value clients. It feels almost too easy, but it works.

Email #5 - The system that keeps our agency growing (without the chaos) – Running an agency shouldn’t feel like sprinting on a treadmill that’s speeding up. We built a system that lets us scale without burning out. I’ll share how we automate sales, delivery, and client onboarding to keep things smooth.

Email #6 - Why we’re also building SaaS (and why you should too) – Client work pays the bills, but SaaS builds wealth. We’re balancing both, and it’s one of the smartest moves we’ve made. I’ll show you how we test ideas, ship fast, and use our agency as a launchpad for SaaS products.

Email #7 - The future of software agencies – The industry is shifting. The agencies that don’t adapt will get left behind. I’ll break down where we see the biggest opportunities, how we’re staying ahead, and what you should be thinking about for the next few years.

It’s going to be a fun ride. Stay tuned.

The full directly submission list we use to grow our Back links

Building a strong backlink profile is key to getting noticed by search engines. Submitting to directories can actually be a solid part of your link-building strategy - if you do it the right way.

You’ll find the list here

Best practices for directory submissions:

• Relevance: Choose directories that are pertinent to your industry or niche to attract targeted traffic.

• Quality over quantity: Focus on directories with high domain authority and a good reputation.

• Accurate information: Ensure that your business details are consistent across all directories.

• Avoid low quality directories: Steer clear of directories that appear unmoderated or are filled with low-quality links, as they can harm your SEO efforts.

p.s. Nadia is now in charge of writing these emails along with me so drop us a reply and introduce yourself!

Speak soon!
The Dev, in. team

Axel & Nadia