I Tried The Easiest AI Side Hustle For 30 Days
Entertainment
Introduction
For 30 days, I embarked on a journey to sell AI-generated art patterns, aiming to explore the whole process from creation to marketing. The allure of the potential profits drew me in, with many people reporting earnings in the hundreds of thousands. My decision to sell digital patterns on Etsy led me through various steps, and here’s a detailed account of my experience.
Step 1: Choosing the AI Art Generator
I chose MidJourney for its robust features, particularly for generating patterns. While my first idea was a watercolor eggplant directly from the farm, my goal transcended mere art; I aimed to create seamless patterns. Such patterns are popular for scrapbooking, card-making, notebook covers, packaging, and print-on-demand products—ranging from phone cases to pillows to mugs. The market for patterns appears vast and ripe for opportunity.
To create seamless patterns with Midjourney, I utilized the command --tile. This allowed me to produce designs that could repeat without visible boundaries. With my eggplants efficiently tiled, I shifted focus to the selling platform.
Step 2: Selling on Etsy
I opted to sell my patterns on Etsy, which specializes in arts and crafts. The patterns, often referred to as "digital paper," are typically sold as high-resolution images. However, I faced a challenge: MidJourney’s maximum output is 72 DPI at 1024 x 1024 pixels, whereas the standard for patterns is 300 DPI at 3600 x 3600 pixels. This discrepancy led me to upscale my images using a paid tool called Gigapixel AI, allowing me to achieve a resolution of 6144 pixels for a premium product.
To maximize sales potential, I decided to sell my designs in packs of eight. However, Etsy allows the upload of only five files, forcing me to find a workaround. I uploaded all patterns to a Google Drive folder and provided a link within a PDF document that I then uploaded to Etsy, thus ensuring customers could access all patterns conveniently.
Step 3: Creating Listings
The next step involved preparing engaging listings. I designed templates in Photoshop for both thumbnail previews and full pattern displays. Pricing the packs was relatively straightforward since digital patterns on Etsy generally range from $ 1 to $ 5. Factoring in Etsy’s fees and applying a 50% discount, I set my sale price at $ 2.49.
I optimized my titles and tags using popular keywords related to digital paper and AI patterns. Aided by tools like eRank and suggestions from Etsy itself, I populated the listings with strategic keywords. I also created a downloadable free eBook—sponsored by HubSpot—that outlined best practices for using AI in SEO and marketing.
Having launched my listings, I hastily proceeded to generate more products. My final count totaled over 100 listings and 800 individual patterns.
Step 4: Marketing Efforts
Despite my early enthusiasm, sales remained elusive as I approached the midpoint of my challenge. By day 15, I had still recorded no sales, which was disheartening. I turned on Etsy ads, spending $ 1 a day to increase visibility, recalling a previous experience where ads helped secure quick sales. Unfortunately, this tactic did not yield immediate results.
As I neared the final stretch of the challenge, I contemplated whether my patterns might be visually unappealing, or if I was simply facing overwhelming competition. With no customer reviews and limited visibility, I began considering alternate models of selling, such as creating print-on-demand products using my patterns.
Final Thoughts and Results
By the end of the 30 days, I found selling AI patterns much more challenging than anticipated. The market is highly saturated, with many individuals able to generate similar content easily. To put things into perspective, I needed to sell 53 packs to profit $ 100, a daunting task considering the competition.
Ultimately, I managed to sell just two packs: one vintage lace pattern and one Navajo tribal pattern, totaling $ 7.47. My expenses tallied $ 31.50 for MidJourney, $ 15 on ads, and nearly $ 21.40 in Etsy listing fees and transaction costs. In total, I experienced a net loss of $ 61.79, highlighting the difficulties of breaking into the Etsy marketplace.
While I may not have succeeded in this venture, I’m considering taking my AI patterns to avenue like print-on-demand products for a potentially more lucrative strategy in the future.
Keywords
- AI art patterns
- Digital paper
- MidJourney
- Etsy
- Seamless patterns
- Upscaling
- E-Rank
- Print-on-demand products
FAQ
Q: What AI art generator did you choose for creating patterns?
A: I used MidJourney primarily for its capabilities in generating seamless art patterns.
Q: Where did you sell your AI patterns?
A: I chose to sell my patterns on Etsy, a popular platform for arts and crafts.
Q: How did you handle the limitation of uploading files on Etsy?
A: I uploaded my patterns to a Google Drive folder and included a link in a PDF document which I uploaded to Etsy.
Q: How many patterns did you create during the 30 days?
A: I created over 800 individual AI patterns spread across more than 100 listings.
Q: Did you make any sales during the 30-day challenge?
A: Yes, I sold two packs of patterns, totaling $ 7.47, but ultimately faced a net loss after expenses.
