I Tried Selling AI Art For 30 Days (Realistic Results)

The video details a month-long experiment of selling AI-generated art on Etsy. Despite facing initial suspension of the shop, the creator managed to list 75 products using various tools to streamline the process. However, the venture proved challenging with only $27 made in 30 days, resulting in a net loss after fees. The creator plans to pivot to a print-on-demand model, continue listing regularly, and diversify the product range to reach a broader audience, aiming to turn the business profitable by year-end.

Takeaways

• 🎨 The creator opened an Etsy shop to sell AI-generated digital artwork, focusing on mid-journey's text-to-image AI.
• 📈 Despite using three tools to upload 75 listings quickly, the shop faced harsh realities in selling printable wall art.
• 🚫 The shop was initially suspended by Etsy without a clear reason, which caused a delay in listing products.
• 🤔 Overestimating the value of the initial pop art posters led to a lack of initial sales.
• 💡 After some research and expansion of offerings, the first order motivated the creator to continue producing and listing new art.
• 📉 The creator was at a financial loss after spending on abstract shapes and considering Etsy's fees.
• 🛠️ Tools like Topaz AI and an online mock-up generator significantly improved the workflow and listing process.
• 📐 XnConvert was discovered to automate resizing images into specific pixel sizes for proper printing.
• 📉 After uploading 75 listings, there were no sales initially, leading to the setup of discounts and eventually running Etsy ads.
• 💰 The final result was a net loss of $15 after 30 days, but the creator is not deterred and plans to improve the business model.
• 🔄 The creator plans to shift to a print-on-demand business, upload regularly, and expand the product offerings to increase sales.

Q & A

What was the purpose of the AI-generated artwork shop on Etsy?

The purpose of the AI-generated artwork shop on Etsy was to sell digital format art pieces, specifically as digital files in various sizes for customers to print and frame locally.

Why was the shop immediately suspended after opening?

The exact reason for the immediate suspension was not provided, but the shop owner did not violate any Etsy policies and eventually appealed the suspension.

What was the first mistake made by the shop owner during the suspension period?

The shop owner did not create and prepare product listings during the suspension period, which could have been posted as soon as the shop was reactivated.

What was the initial product offering that did not sell well?

The initial product offering was pop art posters, which did not sell as well as the shop owner had anticipated based on their research.

How did the shop owner expand the product offerings after the initial poor sales?

The shop owner expanded the offerings by adding abstract art, contemporary art, and oil paintings to the shop's inventory.

What were the three tools that helped the shop owner 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 for placing art into mock-ups, and a free tool called XnConvert for resizing images into different aspect ratios.

What was the total revenue made from the shop in the first 30 days?

The total revenue made from the shop in the first 30 days was $27.

Why did the shop owner decide to run Etsy ads?

The shop owner decided to run Etsy ads for one dollar a day after realizing that despite having visitors, there were no sales. The ads were an attempt to attract buyers and stimulate sales.

What was the shop owner's final decision regarding the sale of AI art?

The shop owner decided not to stop and aimed to turn the shop into a profitable print-on-demand business by the end of the year.

What were the three main lessons the shop owner learned from their experience?

The three main lessons were: offering art in digital format might not be the best idea, the importance of regularly uploading new listings even without immediate sales, and the need to offer a wider variety of products to target a broader audience.

What was the shop owner's strategy to improve the business and increase sales?

The shop owner planned to switch to a print-on-demand model, continue uploading new listings regularly, and expand the variety of art types to target a wider audience.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Launching an AI Art Etsy Shop: Initial Challenges and Tools

The video's first paragraph describes the creator's journey in launching an AI-generated art Etsy shop. They discuss the initial suspension of the shop, the process of generating art from mid-journey AI, and the decision to sell digital files to avoid printing and shipping. The creator also shares their initial mistakes, such as inactivity during the suspension period and overestimating the demand for pop art posters. After some research and a few sales, they expanded their offerings to include abstract art, contemporary art, and oil paintings. They also discuss the time-consuming manual process of preparing the art for listings and the tools they discovered to streamline their workflow, including Topaz AI for upscaling and an online mock-up generator called mockcity.com.

05:00

📈 Overcoming Obstacles: Scaling and Automating the Artwork Process

The second paragraph details the creator's struggle with resizing artwork for different print sizes and finding a solution through a free tool called XnConvert. They share their experience of manually resizing images and the inefficiency of this process. The discovery of XnConvert revolutionized their ability to resize multiple images into various aspect ratios without stretching the image. This tool, along with other strategies, allowed the creator to upload 75 listings within five days. However, despite the listings and promotional efforts like discount sales, there were no initial sales. Eventually, after investing in Etsy ads, some orders began to come in. The creator concludes the month with a net loss but remains optimistic, reflecting on lessons learned and plans to pivot to a print-on-demand business model, increase product offerings, and maintain consistent listing uploads to grow the business.

Keywords

💡AI Art

AI Art refers to artwork that is created or generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the video, the creator uses AI to produce digital art pieces which are then sold on Etsy. It represents the core theme of the video as it explores the viability of selling AI-generated art as a business.

💡Etsy Shop

An Etsy Shop is an online store on the Etsy platform where individuals can sell handmade, vintage, or unique factory-manufactured items. The video's narrator opens an Etsy Shop to sell AI-generated artwork, which is central to the experiment being documented.

💡Analytics

Analytics refers to the qualitative and quantitative analysis of data to draw conclusions. In this context, the video's creator shares the analytics of their sales and traffic on Etsy, which provides insight into the success and challenges of selling AI art.

💡Printable Wall Art

Printable Wall Art is digital artwork that customers can purchase and then print themselves, often at a local printing service. The video discusses the challenges of selling this type of art, such as lower profit margins compared to physical prints.

💡Mid-Journey

Mid-Journey is a text-to-image AI service that generates images from textual descriptions. The video's creator uses this service to produce the AI art they sell, highlighting the role of AI technology in the creative process.

💡Digital Format

Digital Format refers to the form of a product that is available in a digital or electronic medium, as opposed to a physical form. The art pieces are sold as digital files that customers can print, which is a key aspect of the business model explored in the video.

💡Profit Margin

Profit Margin is the percentage of revenue that represents a company's profit. The video discusses the profit margin in relation to the cost of digital files versus physical prints, which affects the pricing strategy and potential income.

💡Suspension

Suspension, in the context of the video, refers to the temporary shutdown of the Etsy Shop due to unspecified reasons. This event impacted the timeline of the business and is part of the challenges faced by the video's creator.

💡Creative Market

Creative Market is an online platform where creative professionals can buy and sell digital assets such as graphics, web themes, and fonts. The video's creator purchases abstract shapes from Creative Market to expand their product offerings.

💡Mock-ups

Mock-ups are visual representations of how a product might look in a real-world setting. In the video, the creator discusses the process of placing their AI art into mock-ups to present it to potential customers, which is a crucial step in the marketing of the art.

💡Topaz AI

Topaz AI is a software tool used for upscaling images, making them appear more detailed and higher resolution. The video's creator uses this tool to improve the quality of their AI-generated art for printing purposes.

💡Print-on-Demand

Print-on-Demand is a business model where products are manufactured or printed once an order has been received, reducing the need for inventory. The video's creator considers shifting to this model to increase sales and reach a broader audience.

💡Etsy Ads

Etsy Ads are a form of online advertising available on the Etsy platform that sellers can use to promote their products. The video's creator uses Etsy Ads as a strategy to attract buyers and stimulate sales.

Highlights

Opened an Etsy shop to sell AI-generated artwork in digital format.

Analytics shared on earnings and tools used to upload 75 listings in a short time frame.

Used mid-journey, a text-to-image AI, for creating wall art with commercial rights.

Artwork sold as digital files in five different sizes for customers to print locally.

Kept a 90% profit margin but couldn't charge as much as for physical prints.

Shop suspension by Etsy despite no policy violation led to a delay in listing products.

Mistake of inactivity during the shop suspension; could have prepared listings in advance.

Overestimated the value of pop art posters, which did not sell as expected.

Expanded offerings to include abstract art, contemporary art, and oil paintings post initial failure.

First order motivated to continue creating and listing new art pieces.

Invested in upscale media and topaz AI to improve image resolution for print suitability.

Automated mock-up generation with scripts and plugins improved workflow efficiency.

Mockcity.com, an online mock-up generator, streamlined the process of placing art into mock-ups.

Challenges in resizing art to specific pixel sizes for proper printing.

XnConvert, a free tool, helped automate the resizing of images to various aspect ratios.

Uploaded 75 listings within five days, significantly speeding up the process.

Initially, no sales led to attempts at discounts and eventually running Etsy ads.

Earned $27 in 30 days, resulting in a net loss after fees.

Reflected on the learnings and decided to pivot to a print-on-demand business model.

Emphasized the importance of regular uploads and expanding product offerings for broader audience reach.

Expressed commitment to turning the venture into a profitable business by the end of the year.