How to Launch a Profitable AI Side Hustle

Are you looking to start a side hustle that leverages the power of AI and generates significant passive income? Let’s dive into a step-by-step guide on how you can set up a successful AI-driven online store, making over $7000 per month.

Step 1: Understand the Potential

Before jumping in, it’s important to see what’s possible. Here are some real-world examples of successful stores:

• Verdo Studio: Launched in October 2023 and based in Canada, Verdo Studio has made over 14,000 sales and generated $60,000 in revenue within less than a year, averaging around $5,000 per month in passive income.
• Mod Paws US: Founded in 2020, this store has generated over $7 million in revenue, with an impressive average of $152,000 per month.

These examples highlight the incredible potential of AI-powered online businesses.

Tools to Help You Succeed

One of the key tools used by successful Etsy store owners is Allura. This tool provides insights into conversion rates, monthly sales, and revenues of various Etsy stores. It also helps you analyze the sales of individual listings, giving you a competitive edge. You can easily add it as a Chrome extension.

Step 2: Sign Up for Gelato

Gelato is a print-on-demand platform that handles production and shipping for you, so you can focus on growing your business without worrying about logistics. Here’s why Gelato is a great choice:

• Global Reach: Gelato partners with 140+ print providers in 32 countries, ensuring fast and efficient delivery.
• Easy Design Tools: Gelato offers 100% free editing tools to help you create unique products.
• Seamless Integration: It integrates with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify and Etsy.
• Access to Premium Images: Use Shutterstock’s vast image library to create standout products.

To get started, simply sign up for a free account on Gelato’s website using your email, Google, Facebook, or Apple account. Once you’re in, you can start creating products right away from the Gelato dashboard.

Step 3: Research Your Product Niche

Choosing the right niche is crucial for your store’s success. Take inspiration from what’s already working. For example:

• Vintage Abstract Art: Popular for affordable digital downloads and wall art.
• Pet-Themed Products: Items like phone cases, pillows, mugs, and hoodies featuring pet images are always in demand.

Research what successful stores like Verdo Studio and Mod Paws are offering and consider entering similar niches.

Step 4: Create Your Designs

Now it’s time to create your designs. Here’s how:

• Midjourney on Discord: If you’ve generated 100+ images before, Midjourney is a powerful tool for creating advanced designs.
• ChatGPT: For a simpler approach, use ChatGPT with specific prompts to generate designs.

For example, you could prompt ChatGPT to "Create an art design for me using these details: a house in the middle of the old west, vintage rustic, textured, oil painting, abstract, and landscape." You can refine the output by giving more specific instructions like changing the orientation to landscape.

Step 5: Open Your Online Store on Etsy

With your designs ready, it’s time to set up your store. Here’s how:

1. Visit Etsy’s website and create an account.
2. Click on "Sell on Etsy" and begin setting up your store.
3. Use ChatGPT to help brainstorm a catchy shop name (e.g., "Rustic Art," "Art West CO").
4. Set your shop language to English and currency to USD.

Once your store is set up, connect it to Gelato by navigating to the "Stores" section in Gelato’s dashboard and following the prompts.

Step 6: Create and List Your Products

Now, create your first product:

1. On Gelato, go to the "Product Catalog" and choose "Wall Art" as your product category.
2. Select a wooden framed poster and customize the frame color, size, and orientation.
3. Upload your design, adjust it to fit the frame, and add white space for a luxurious look.
4. Create mockups using Gelato’s free tools.

After your product is ready, head back to Etsy to complete the listing. Upload the mockups, add product details, and launch it for sale.

Step 7: Optimize and Grow

Once your products are listed, start driving traffic and sales:

• Leverage Etsy’s Audience: With over 500 million monthly users, Etsy’s built-in audience can help you gain traction quickly.
• Use Etsy Ads: Consider running ads to boost your visibility and sales.

Continuously add new designs and products, and use tools like Allura to analyze your store’s performance and refine your strategy.

Final Thoughts

By following these steps, you can build a thriving AI-powered side hustle with the potential to generate over $7000 per month. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your business grow.

Additional Resources:

• Gelato
• Midjourney
• Allura Tool

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