I Tried The Easiest AI Side Hustle For 30 Days

In this video, the creator embarks on a 30-day challenge to sell AI-generated art patterns on Etsy, a popular online marketplace for arts and crafts. They choose the AI art generator 'mid-journey' for its features and aim to generate seamless patterns that can be used in various products like scrapbooks, cards, and packaging. Despite facing challenges such as the inability to export high-resolution patterns directly from the AI generator and a saturated market on Etsy, they persist by using tools like Gigapixel AI for image upscaling and Etsy's search suggestions for identifying popular niches. They also employ Etsy ads to boost visibility. However, by the end of the challenge, they've only sold two patterns, resulting in a net loss after accounting for costs. The video concludes with a candid reflection on the difficulties of selling AI patterns in a competitive market and the potential alternative of creating and selling print-on-demand products using these patterns.

Takeaways

• 🎨 The experiment involved selling AI-generated art patterns on Etsy for 30 days to see if it could be a profitable side hustle.
• 🚀 The AI art generator 'mid-journey' was chosen for its features, and the goal was to create seamless repeatable patterns for various uses.
• 🌟 The patterns were intended for use in scrapbooks, cards, notebook covers, packaging, and print-on-demand products like phone cases and mugs.
• 📈 The plan was to sell on Etsy, an online marketplace for arts and crafts, using search suggestions and keyword research to find popular niches with less competition.
• 📐 Patterns on Etsy are typically sold as 300 DPI images, but 'mid-journey' has a maximum output of 72 DPI, necessitating the use of an image upscaler.
• 💰 The profit margin for selling patterns on Etsy is reportedly between 70% to 90%, but the market is saturated, leading to low prices and high competition.
• 📂 To overcome the limitation of uploading only five digital files on Etsy, all patterns were uploaded to a Google Drive folder and a link was provided in the listing.
• 📉 Despite creating over 100 listings and using Etsy ads, there were no sales initially, indicating the challenge of standing out in a crowded market.
• 🔍 The use of AI tools like 'mid-journey' and 'e-rank' for generating prompts and calculating pricing was highlighted as a time-saving strategy.
• 📝 The importance of keyword research and SEO was emphasized, with a free ebook provided by HubSpot for best practices in using AI for marketing.
• 📉 After 23 days without sales, the experiment was not looking promising, suggesting that the market for AI patterns on Etsy might be oversaturated.
• 🏁 At the end of the 30-day challenge, only two patterns were sold, resulting in a net loss after accounting for costs, demonstrating the difficulty of the endeavor.

Q & A

What is the main objective of the speaker in the transcript?

The speaker aims to generate and sell AI art patterns for 30 days, exploring the process from creation to advertising and assessing the potential earnings from this endeavor.

Which AI art generator does the speaker choose and why?

The speaker chooses 'mid-journey' for its features and ability to generate patterns that can be seamlessly repeated, which are desirable for various products like scrapbooks, cards, notebook covers, and more.

What is the issue with the AI patterns generated by mid-Journey in terms of resolution?

Mid-Journey can only export AI patterns at a maximum of 72 DPI and 1024 by 1024 pixels, which is insufficient for the 300 DPI image requirement of 3600 by 3600 pixels on Etsy.

How does the speaker plan to upscale the AI patterns to meet the resolution requirements?

The speaker uses a paid AI image upscaler called Gigapixel AI, which can convert images to 300 DPI and upscale them up to six times the original resolution.

What is the typical format and resolution for selling patterns on Etsy?

Patterns on Etsy are typically sold as a 300 DPI image that measures 3600 by 3600 pixels in resolution.

How does the speaker intend to sell the AI patterns on Etsy?

The speaker plans to sell the AI patterns in packs of eight, using a Google Drive folder link for customers to download, and includes branding and a reminder for a 5-star review in a PDF document uploaded to Etsy.

What are the five essential elements of a digital product listing on Etsy?

The five essential elements are uploading the AI patterns for download, using high-quality photos, setting the pricing, creating a compelling title, and using relevant tags.

What tool does the speaker use to determine the pricing strategy for the AI patterns?

The speaker uses e-rank's profit calculator, taking into account Etsy's fees and a 50% discount applied to all listings.

What challenges did the speaker face during the 30-day challenge?

The speaker faced challenges such as no initial sales, high competition, low prices, and the need for more sales to cover advertising costs and achieve a profit.

What was the final outcome of the speaker's 30-day AI pattern selling challenge?

The speaker sold two AI patterns, earning a total revenue of $7.47, but after accounting for expenses, the net income was a negative $61.79.

What alternative approach does the speaker consider for future endeavors?

The speaker considers evolving the business model to use the AI patterns to create and sell their own print-on-demand products, such as mugs, which could potentially yield more sales and profit per sale.

What is the speaker's final verdict on selling AI patterns on Etsy?

The speaker concludes that selling AI patterns on Etsy is not as easy as it seems due to market saturation and the need to sell a significant number of patterns to achieve a decent profit.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Generating and Selling AI Art Patterns on Etsy

The speaker embarks on a 30-day challenge to generate, upload, and advertise AI art patterns, aiming to capitalize on the lucrative market where artists have reportedly earned hundreds of thousands. They choose 'mid-journey' as their AI art generator for its capabilities and demonstrate how to create a seamless, tiling pattern of a watercolor eggplant. The goal is to produce patterns that can be used in various products like scrapbooks, cards, and phone cases. The plan includes selling on Etsy, utilizing search suggestions, and keyword research tools to identify popular niches with less competition. The speaker discusses the technical limitations of mid-journey regarding image resolution and introduces Gigapixel AI for image upscaling. They detail the process of setting up an Etsy listing, including uploading AI patterns, creating preview images, pricing strategies, and utilizing keywords for better searchability. An ebook on AI and SEO best practices is mentioned as a free resource, and the video concludes with a call to action for viewers to follow the speaker's progress in selling AI patterns.

05:01

📉 Challenges and Insights from Selling AI Patterns on Etsy

Despite creating over 100 listings with 800 AI patterns, the speaker has not made any sales by day 15. They discuss the potential reasons for the lack of sales, including the competitive nature of the market and the newness of their listings. To boost visibility, they decide to use Etsy ads, investing one dollar a day with the hope of generating quick sales. However, by day 23, there are still no sales, leading to speculation about the quality of the patterns and the effectiveness of the marketing strategy. The speaker considers evolving the business model to include print-on-demand products like mugs, which could potentially yield higher profits. At the end of the 30-day challenge, they reveal that they sold only two patterns, resulting in a net loss after accounting for the cost of the mid-Journey subscription, advertising, and Etsy's transaction fees. The speaker concludes that selling AI patterns on Etsy is more challenging than expected due to market saturation and low pricing, and they encourage viewers to engage and consider following a potential new challenge of selling AI mugs.

Keywords

AI Art Patterns

AI Art Patterns refer to digital designs created using artificial intelligence algorithms, which can be used for various purposes such as scrapbooking, card making, and print-on-demand products. In the video, the creator attempts to generate and sell these patterns, highlighting their potential for seamless repetition and customization.

Mid-Journey

Mid-Journey is an AI art generator mentioned in the script that the creator uses to produce the AI art patterns. It is chosen for its features, including the ability to generate seamless patterns with specific commands, which is crucial for creating designs that can be repeated without visible breaks.

Etsy

Etsy is an online marketplace that focuses on arts and crafts, where the creator plans to sell the generated AI patterns. It is popular for buying and selling digital products like patterns, making it a strategic platform for reaching a target audience interested in arts and crafts.

300 DPI Image

DPI stands for 'dots per inch,' a measure of image resolution. A 300 DPI image is high resolution, which is important for print quality. The creator mentions needing to generate patterns at 300 DPI to meet the standard for sale on Etsy, indicating the importance of high-quality images for digital products.

Gigapixel AI

Gigapixel AI is a paid image upscaling tool that the creator uses to enhance the resolution of the AI-generated patterns from 72 DPI to 300 DPI. This tool is significant as it allows the creator to offer premium, high-resolution products to customers, which can be a selling point.

Digital Paper

Digital paper refers to the digital form of paper-like materials used in crafting and design. In the context of the video, it is synonymous with AI patterns that can be printed and used for various purposes. The creator uses the term to describe the product being sold on Etsy.

e-rank

e-rank is a keyword research tool mentioned in the script that the creator uses to find popular niches and determine pricing strategies for the AI patterns. It is an essential tool for understanding market trends and competition, which helps in optimizing the product listings for better visibility and sales.

SEO and Keyword Research

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and keyword research are strategies used to improve the visibility of online content. In the video, the creator discusses using these strategies to enhance the discoverability of the AI pattern listings on Etsy, emphasizing the importance of proper keyword usage and fact-checking for effective marketing.

Print-on-Demand Products

Print-on-demand products are items like phone cases, pillows, and mugs that are only produced when a customer orders them, reducing the need for inventory. The creator contemplates using the AI patterns to create and sell such products, suggesting a potential expansion of the business model.

Etsy Ads

Etsy Ads are a form of advertising available on the Etsy platform that can increase the visibility of a shop's listings. The creator uses these ads in an attempt to boost sales, highlighting the role of advertising in online marketplaces for attracting potential customers.

Saturated Market

A saturated market refers to a state where the market has more supply than demand, making it difficult for new entrants to compete. The creator reflects on the challenges of selling AI patterns on Etsy due to market saturation, indicating the need for niche targeting and strategic marketing to stand out.

Highlights

The author attempts to sell AI art patterns on Etsy for 30 days, aiming to replicate the success of others making significant income.

Chooses 'mid-journey' as the AI art generator for its features and generates a watercolor eggplant pattern.

Focuses on creating seamless repeat patterns for various applications like scrapbooks, cards, and notebook covers.

Plans to sell the patterns on Etsy, an online marketplace known for arts and crafts.

Utilizes Etsy's search suggestions and a free keyword research tool to determine popular niches with less competition.

Patterns are typically sold as 300 DPI images measuring 3600 by 3600 pixels, requiring upscaling from the AI generator's output.

Uses Gigapixel AI, a paid image upscaler, to enhance the resolution of the generated patterns.

Sells patterns in packs of eight, offering a premium product to customers.

Addresses the challenge of uploading more than five digital files on Etsy by using a Google Drive folder link.

Designs two Photoshop templates for the listing, one for the thumbnail and one for a full preview.

Prices patterns considering Etsy's fees and offers a 50% discount on listings, aiming for a sale price of $2.49.

Leverages e-rank's profit calculator for pricing strategy and includes a free ebook on best practices for AI and SEO.

After two weeks without sales, the author decides to use Etsy ads to boost visibility, spending $1 a day.

Despite efforts, by day 23 there are still no sales, leading to a reconsideration of the business model.

Suggests evolving the business to include creating and selling print-on-demand products like mugs using the AI patterns.

Reflects on the challenges of selling AI patterns on Etsy, noting the saturated market and low prices.

Concludes the challenge with only two AI patterns sold, resulting in a net loss after expenses.

Considers a new challenge of selling AI mugs for 30 days as a next step.