I Tried Selling AI Art For 30 Days (Realistic Results)
TLDRThe video documents a month-long experiment where the creator opened an Etsy shop to sell AI-generated artwork in digital format. Despite facing initial suspension of the shop, underestimated value of products, and manual labor-intensive processes, the creator managed to upload 75 listings using three key tools to streamline the workflow. However, after a month, the endeavor resulted in a net loss of $15, with only $27 made. The creator plans to pivot to a print-on-demand business, continue listing regularly, and expand the variety of art offered to reach a broader audience, with the goal of making the business profitable by the end of the year.
Takeaways
- 🎨 The creator opened an Etsy shop to sell AI-generated artwork in digital format.
- 📈 Despite using three tools to upload 75 listings quickly, the shop faced harsh realities in selling printable wall art.
- 💸 The shop was suspended immediately after opening but was reactivated three weeks later.
- 📉 The initial products, pop art posters, did not sell as expected based on prior success in another Etsy shop.
- 🔄 The creator underestimated the manual effort required for upscaling and mock-up creation, which was time-consuming.
- 🛠️ After researching, three tools were found to streamline the process: Topaz AI for upscaling, Mockcity.com for mock-ups, and XnConvert for resizing.
- 📌 The shop's first sale came after expanding the offerings to include abstract art, contemporary art, and oil paintings.
- 📉 Even after sales began, the total revenue was low, and after accounting for costs, the venture was at a loss.
- 🔍 The creator realized that offering art in digital format might not be ideal and decided to switch to a print-on-demand model.
- ⏰ Regularly uploading new listings is crucial for maintaining momentum, even when sales are slow.
- 📈 The decision was made to run Etsy ads, which eventually led to some orders.
- 🚀 The goal is to turn the shop into a profitable business by the end of the year, with plans to expand offerings and improve strategies.
Q & A
What was the purpose of the speaker's Etsy shop?
-The speaker opened an Etsy shop to sell AI-generated artwork in digital format.
How much did the speaker pay per month for the AI tool used to create the artwork?
-The speaker paid ten dollars a month for the text-to-image AI tool called mid-journey.
What was the speaker's initial mistake after opening the shop?
-The speaker's initial mistake was not preparing products and listings during the shop's suspension period.
What was the speaker's second mistake regarding the products offered?
-The speaker's second mistake was overestimating the value and potential sales of their first products, which were pop art posters.
What motivated the speaker to continue creating and listing new art after the initial lack of sales?
-The speaker was motivated to continue after receiving their first order for three dollars.
What were the three tools that helped the speaker upload 75 listings in just a couple of days?
-The three tools were Topaz AI for upscaling images, an online mock-up generator called mockcity.com, and a free tool called XnConvert for resizing images into different aspect ratios.
Why did the speaker decide to switch from selling digital art to a print-on-demand business model?
-The speaker decided to switch because offering physical products would allow them to target a larger audience and potentially generate more sales.
What was the total revenue made by the speaker in the first 30 days of selling AI art?
-The speaker made $27 in 30 days, but after deducting fees, they were at a $15 loss.
What was the main challenge the speaker faced with the Etsy shop suspension?
-The main challenge was the unexpected suspension of the shop without a given reason, which led to a delay in starting to list products.
How did the speaker attempt to attract buyers to the shop?
-The speaker set up summer sale discounts and eventually started running Etsy ads for one dollar a day to attract buyers.
What was the speaker's goal for the Etsy shop in the long term?
-The speaker's goal was to turn the shop into a profitable business by the end of the year and a stable source of income.
What lesson did the speaker learn about the importance of regularly uploading new listings?
-The speaker learned that regular uploads are crucial for maintaining momentum, even when there are no immediate sales, as stopping can lead to a loss of progress.
Outlines
🎨 Launching an AI Art Etsy Shop: Initial Challenges and Tools
The video begins with the creator's experience of launching an Etsy shop to sell AI-generated artwork in digital format. They discuss the initial suspension of the shop and the appeal process, emphasizing the importance of being proactive during such periods. The creator details their journey with Mid-Journey AI for generating art, the cost implications, and the decision to sell digital files to avoid physical printing and shipping. They recount their initial optimism about selling pop art posters, which did not meet expectations, leading to a pivot towards abstract art, contemporary art, and oil paintings. The narrative highlights the motivational impact of the first sale and the financial reality of being at a loss after covering costs. The creator also shares their struggles with manual processes for upscaling art and creating mock-ups, and how they found tools to streamline their workflow, including Topaz AI for upscaling and an online mock-up generator called Mock City.
📈 Overcoming Obstacles: Scaling Operations and Testing Marketing Strategies
The second paragraph delves into the challenges of scaling the business operationally. The creator discusses the manual effort involved in resizing artwork for different print sizes and finding a solution with a free tool called XnConvert. They share their frustration with the lack of initial sales despite having visitors to the shop and their decision to offer discounts and run Etsy ads. The narrative reveals the slow start with only a few orders and a net loss after accounting for fees. The creator reflects on the experience, considering the potential of physical products and the importance of consistent listing and diversifying the product range. They express determination to continue and aim to turn the venture into a profitable business by the end of the year, inviting viewers to follow their progress.
Mindmap
Keywords
AI Art
Etsy Shop
Mid-Journey
Digital Format
Commercial Rights
Listing
Topaz AI
Mock-ups
Print-on-Demand
Etsy Ads
XnConvert
Highlights
The artist opened an Etsy shop to sell AI-generated artwork in digital format.
Analytics reveal the earnings and challenges of selling AI art over a month.
The shop was initially suspended by Etsy, causing a delay in listing products.
The artist underestimated the time needed to prepare listings while the shop was suspended.
Initial sales were disappointing, leading to a reassessment of product offerings.
The addition of abstract art, contemporary pieces, and oil paintings improved sales.
Investing in tools to upscale and mock-up artwork significantly improved the listing process.
Topaz AI was used for upscaling, despite the added cost.
Automating mock-up creation with scripts and plugins faced technical challenges.
Mockcity.com was discovered as an efficient online mock-up generator.
XnConvert was identified as a tool to automate resizing images for different aspect ratios.
The artist managed to upload 75 listings in five days using these tools.
Despite efforts, initial sales were slow, leading to the implementation of discounts.
Etsy ads were eventually used to boost visibility, resulting in a few orders.
The artist made $27 in 30 days, which was less than the fees and costs incurred.
Reflecting on the experience, the artist believes offering physical products could attract a larger audience.
Consistent listing uploads are crucial, even in the absence of immediate sales.
Expanding the variety of art offered is key to reaching a wider audience.
The goal is to turn the shop into a profitable print-on-demand business by the end of the year.
The artist encourages viewers to subscribe for updates on the journey to profitability.