Ah Etsy, the platform where side hustlers have the ability to rake in millions, but hey, I haven’t made a dime yet.
Why, you ask? Well, selling on Etsy usually means you need a pretty neat skill, and between you and me, I’m not exactly the crafty type.
But I’ve got a feeling that 2024 is going to be a game-changer for folks like me, whose greatest talent might just be typing away at a keyboard.
Here’s the thing: AI is our new best friend. And it can churn out mind-blowing art pieces like it’s no big deal.
So here’s my plan: I’m diving headfirst into creating some AI-generated artistic wonders and guess what? I’m going to flip them on Etsy for a sweet, sweet profit.
If you’ve never heard of to Etsy, it’s this amazing online marketplace where creative people sell stuff they make. And my sleuthing on Etsy revealed that digital art prints are the hot ticket.
According to the super credible sounding exportyourstore.com (wink), you can sell these prints as either physical copies or digital downloads. The latter means less hassle with shipping and customer service – music to my ears!
So, here’s the breakdown of my master plan:
1) Scout out opportunities on Etsy where there’s serious cash potential for these images
2) Harness a practically free AI generator to whip up these beauties
3) Upload them onto Etsy, and
4) Sit back and let Etsy do the heavy lifting in sales.
Stay tuned, because we’re about to ride the AI art wave on Etsy!
This week’s newsletter brings you:
- Trends – AI has already created as many images as photographers have taken in 150 years. How wild is that?
- Strategies – Let’s get you making money for your AI art creations in 4 simple steps!
- Tool of the Week – In short, eRank is not just essential; it’s your side hustle’s best friend in the wild world of Etsy!
Trends
It’s no secret that AI was THE hot topic of 2023, and there’s no signs of the train slowing down in 2024. Let’s take a quick look at some stats shall we?
Generative AI Images
According to Statista, Midjourney is the most popular photo tool amongst creators! This is closely followed by Dall-E and Nightcafe.
Number of AI-created images
According to this recent study from Everypixel Journal, AI has already created as many images as photographers have taken in 150 years. How wild is that?
In the past year, dozens of communities dedicated to AI art have accelerated across the Internet, from Reddit to Twitter to Discord, with thousands of AI artists practicing their skills to create precise prompts and sharing the results with others.
Strategies
Alright, let’s dive into Part 1 of our master plan – scouting out those juicy, money-making opportunities on Etsy for our AI art digital downloads. And guess what? We’re going to use a nifty tool called ‘eRank’ to help us out. So, buckle up, and let’s get started!
Step one: Put your detective hat on
First off, let me tell you a bit about eRank.
It’s like having a secret agent in the world of Etsy. This tool gives us the inside scoop on what’s hot and what’s not. It shows us the trending keywords, top-selling items, and even what our competitors are up to. Sneaky, right? But in the best way possible!
Now, onto the fun part – finding those golden opportunities. Open up eRank and head over to the ‘Trending on Etsy’ section. Here, you’re looking for keywords that are buzzing but not overcrowded with sellers. Think of it like finding a cozy niche – comfortable, but with enough room to make a splash.
Next, take a peek at the ‘Top Sellers’ in the digital art category. What are they selling? What styles are flying off their virtual shelves? This is where you channel your inner detective and spot patterns or gaps that your AI art can fill. Maybe there’s a rising demand for abstract landscapes or quirky character art. Whatever it is, that’s your cue!
Remember, the key here is to blend your AI art’s uniqueness with what buyers are craving. Use eRank to sniff out those trends, then let your AI do its magic and create art that hits the sweet spot – something fresh yet in demand.
Check out this tutorial for a more detailed breakdown of using eRank:
Step two: Create your digital art
Alright, time for Part 2 of our Etsy masterplan: firing up a practically free AI generator to create some jaw-dropping art. This is where things get really fun because we’re about to turn our creative ideas into digital gold!
Now that you’ve found a niche and keywords you want to target for your digital art (thanks to eRank), it’s time to start creating.
First thing’s first, let’s talk about these AI art wizards – the generators.
There are a bunch out there, but we’re looking for the ones that give us the most bang for our buck (which, in this case, is almost no bucks at all!). Two of my favorites are DeepArt and Artbreeder. These guys are like the fairy godparents of AI art – transforming your ideas into stunning visuals with just a few clicks.
Here’s how we roll with DeepArt: you upload a photo, choose an artistic style (think Van Gogh or Picasso), and voilà – your photo is reimagined as a masterpiece. It’s like having a personal art studio in your pocket, minus the messy paint.
Then there’s Artbreeder, which is more like a geneticist for images. You can mix and match features from different artworks to create something totally new. Want to blend a landscape with the style of a Renaissance painting? Easy peasy. It’s like playing a video game, but instead of defeating bosses, you’re creating art.
The trick here is to experiment. Play around with different inputs and styles. The more you tinker, the more unique your creations will be. And remember, uniqueness sells, especially on Etsy!
Oh and before I forget – when you’re creating these digital masterpieces using AI generators like DeepArt or Artbreeder, think big – literally.
We want our art to look just as stunning on a large canvas as it does on a smartphone screen. Here’s the secret sauce to keeping those downloads high-quality and pixelation-free:
- Start with High-Resolution Inputs: If you’re feeding an image into the AI tool, make sure it’s high-res. The higher the quality of your input image, the better the output. Think of it like baking a cake – better ingredients, better cake.
- Check the Output Settings: Dive into the settings of your AI generator. Most tools let you choose the resolution of your final image. Aim for the stars here – go for the highest resolution available. This ensures that when someone decides to print your art on a poster or a canvas, it remains as sharp as a tack.
- Test the Waters: Before you start selling, do a test run. Take your AI art and try blowing it up. Print it, zoom in, check it on different devices. You want to be sure that when your art finds a new home, it’s looking its absolute best.
- File Formats Matter: Save your artwork in a format that supports high quality, like PNG or TIFF. These formats are like the VIPs of image files – they keep the quality high and don’t lose details.
So, there you have it. Part 2 is all about embracing your inner artist-scientist and using these AI tools to cook up some eye-catching digital art.
Let’s get those creative juices flowing and start generating some art that’ll make Etsy shoppers stop in their tracks!
Step three: Set up your store
Alrighty, let’s roll up our sleeves for Part 3 of our Etsy adventure: uploading our AI-generated art onto Etsy. This is where we transform our digital art into potential cash cows. Here’s your step-by-step guide to creating a great listing on Etsy that’ll have buyers clicking ‘Add to Cart’ faster than you can say ‘cha-ching’:
Step 1: Set Up Your Etsy Shop
If you haven’t already, you’ll need to set up your shop. Jump onto Etsy, click on ‘Sell on Etsy’, and follow the prompts to open your shop. Give it a catchy name that resonates with your art style.
Step 2: Click ‘Add a New Listing’
Once your shop is set up, it’s time to add your art. Go to your shop manager and click on ‘Add a New Listing’. This is where the magic starts!
Step 3: Upload High-Quality Images
- Add Photos: Upload high-resolution images of your AI art. Etsy allows up to 10 photos, so show off your artwork from different angles or in various mockup settings (like framed on a wall or as a phone wallpaper).
- Feature Photo: Choose your most eye-catching image as the feature photo. This is the first thing customers will see, so make it pop!
Step 4: Craft a Compelling Title
Your title should be descriptive yet snappy. Include key terms that potential buyers might use when searching for art like yours, but keep it readable.
Step 5: Fill Out the Description
- Describe Your Art: Talk about the inspiration, the colors, the style – make it a story that connects with the buyer.
- Include Details: Mention the size, format, and any instructions for printing (for digital downloads).
- SEO-Friendly: Sprinkle in relevant keywords naturally to make your listing SEO-friendly.
Step 6: Set the Right Category and Tags
Choose a category that best fits your art. Then add tags – think of keywords that buyers might use to find art like yours. Be specific and use all available tag spaces.
Step 7: Set Your Price
Price your art appropriately – consider the time, effort, and the going rate for similar artwork on Etsy. Don’t forget to factor in Etsy’s fees.
Step 8: Select Digital Download Options
Since we’re selling digital art, select the ‘Digital’ option. Upload the file that buyers will receive. Ensure it’s the high-quality version we talked about!
Step 9: Set Up Your Payment Preferences
Choose how you’d like to get paid. Etsy offers various options, so pick what works best for you.
Step 10: Publish Your Listing
Double-check everything, and then hit ‘Publish’. Congratulations, your AI art is now live and ready for buyers!
Bonus Tips:
- Mockups Are Your Friends: Use mockups to show how your art could look in real life. This helps buyers visualize the art in their space.
- Stay Active: Regularly add new listings to keep your shop fresh and engaging.
- Engage with Your Audience: Respond promptly to any questions or comments from potential buyers. Good customer service goes a long way!
And voilà! You’ve just mastered the art of creating an irresistible Etsy listing. Now, sit back and watch as art lovers around the world discover your AI-generated masterpieces.
Step four: Let Etsy do all the hard work (sort of)
So, we’re at the final step of our Etsy master plan: Step 4 – Sit back and let Etsy do the heavy lifting in sales.
This part sounds like a dream, right? Just upload your art and watch the money roll in.
But, let’s give it a little reality check – as with any online platform, simply listing your items doesn’t guarantee instant sales success. To really make a splash on Etsy, you’ve got to put in a bit more elbow grease. Here’s how:
1. Optimize Your SEO
Etsy is like a massive treasure trove, and SEO is your map to being found. Use relevant keywords in your listings, but keep it natural and engaging. Remember, good SEO practices help your art get noticed in Etsy’s search results.
2. Quality Photos and Descriptions
Your artwork might be digital, but people love to see what they’re buying. Use high-quality images and detailed descriptions to make your listings pop. The more visually appealing and informative your listings are, the more likely they are to attract buyers.
3. Engage with Your Audience
Building a relationship with your customers is key. Respond promptly and warmly to messages and reviews. A happy customer is more likely to return and recommend your shop to others.
4. Use Etsy’s Marketing Tools
Etsy offers tools like Etsy Ads and the ability to offer discounts and coupons. These can be great ways to increase visibility and attract customers, especially when you’re just starting out.
5. Leverage Social Media
Don’t just rely on Etsy’s traffic. Promote your shop and listings on social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. These platforms are visual goldmines and perfect for showcasing digital art.
6. Refresh and Update Regularly
Keep your shop lively and fresh. Regularly update your listings, add new artwork, and tweak your SEO. A dynamic shop is an inviting shop.
7. Monitor Your Shop’s Analytics
Keep an eye on your shop’s analytics to understand what’s working and what’s not. Etsy provides insights into your shop’s traffic and sales patterns, which can be incredibly useful for fine-tuning your strategy.
8. Network Within the Etsy Community
Engage with other sellers and join Etsy teams. Networking can offer valuable advice, support, and even cross-promotion opportunities.
So, while ‘sitting back’ might be a bit of a stretch, with these proactive strategies in your toolkit, you’re all set to give your AI art the best chance of success on Etsy. Get ready to roll up your sleeves, dive in, and make some sales magic happen!
Tool of the Week
eRank is like having X-ray vision for trends. It shows you what’s hot and what’s not, which keywords are making waves, and how your competitors are doing their magic. It’s like getting a sneak peek into the Etsy crystal ball.
This means you can tailor your AI art to fit what people are actually searching for. No more shooting in the dark! Plus, eRank helps you optimize your listings to the T.
From finding those goldilocks keywords (not too broad, not too niche) to getting your tags spot on, it’s like having a GPS guiding your shop to Etsy stardom.
In short, eRank is not just essential; it’s your side hustle’s best friend in the wild world of Etsy!
