AI Books: The Million-Dollar Myth?

Let’s cut through the noise: everyone’s talking about AI, but are they actually making money with it? You hear about the big tech companies, the venture-backed startups, but what about the average person?

Can a college kid really stumble into a million-dollar business using AI, or is it just another one of those “get rich quick” fantasies? I was skeptical too, but then I heard about Joe Poplaw.

🎁 FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU

I always try to add more value to my readers, and here are all the resources I have share:

• AI Solopreneur Toolkit - Download

• Giant list of 1,500+ AI tools and websites - Download

🔍 PROMPT OF THE WEEK

Create a portrait, fashion photography style.

🖼️ IMAGE OF THE WEEK

🧰 AI TOOL OF THE WEEK

Recraft

What is Recraft?
This is an AI-powered design tool that helps you generate and edit images, vector graphics, icons, and even mockups. It’s built for designers, marketers, and content creators who need high-quality visuals without the usual time and effort. Think of it as your AI co-pilot for all things visual.

But is it any good?
Here’s the thing: most AI image generators are great for a quick laugh or a generic stock photo. Recraft.ai aims higher. It’s designed to give you more control, allowing you to define styles, align text, and fine-tune objects with AI. It boasts over 5 million users and has generated 400 million images, with its V3 text-to-image model consistently ranking high.

Key Features that Matter:

• AI Image Generator: Turn text prompts into high-quality images.

• AI Vector Generator: Create scalable vector graphics (logos, icons) that won't pixelate, no matter the size. This is a huge differentiator especially if you’re a designer.

• Mockup Generator: See your designs on products or in different environments.

• AI Editing Tools: Background removal, image upscaling, and an AI eraser for quick tweaks.

• Brand Style Control: Apply consistent brand styles across all your visuals.

Mini Tutorial: Generating a Vector Icon in Recraft

1. Go to Recraft.ai and sign up (they offer 50 free daily credits, and you get 200 extra ones with my link).

2. Choose "AI Vector Generator" or start a new project.

3. Type a prompt like "minimalist coffee cup icon, line art, black and white."

4. Experiment with styles and settings to get the look you want.

5. Generate the image.

6. Download it as an SVG for a scalable vector graphic.

Pro tip: While the free version makes your creations public, a paid plan gives you privacy and commercial rights. It’s perfect for testing out before committing to any plan. If you need consistent and high-quality visual assets without hiring a full design team, this is the tool for you.

💸 AI INCOME USE CASE

The $1M AI Book Business Nobody Saw Coming

Everyone’s chasing the next big AI app, but what if the real money is in something far simpler, something almost… old school? Meet Joe Poplaw, a 20-year-old computer science student who built a book brand valued at $930,000 in a year, making over $390,000 in profit, all by selling AI-generated books. And the craziest part? He did it while attending college full-time and starting with less than $500.

The Problem:
Joe wasn't looking for a "million-dollar idea." He was just a student stocking shelves for $11/hour. He had experience with GPT-3 and realized people were asking him for advice on AI. Then, a meeting with a publishing company opened his eyes to the insane revenue in books. Millions a month, with simple, non-AI content. He thought, "Why can't I do that, but with AI?"

The Playbook:

• Solve a problem (even if it’s just for you): Joe leveraged his AI knowledge to enter a market with proven demand.

• Start lean, learn fast: He self-funded with minimum wage earnings, made mistakes, but learned quickly. His initial investment could have been under $500 if he knew what he knows now.

• AI for content, not just hype: He used ChatGPT to generate book outlines and then filled in each section, chapter by chapter. It’s not just "write me a book", it’s a structured process.

• Proofread meticulously: AI isn't perfect. He spent hours proofreading his early books to ensure quality.

• Pinterest Ads are the secret sauce: This is where the real magic happened. He targeted "middle-aged moms" (his words!) with Pinterest ads, starting with consideration campaigns to find niches, then moving to conversion campaigns.

• Landing pages are non-negotiable: He emphasized that a professional landing page is crucial for converting leads and establishing brand image.

• Embrace competition: He’s not scared of saturation because the market is huge, and competition just means you need to provide more value.

• Repeatable process: He’s now selling parts of his business to investors and building new book brands.

The Messy Truth:
This wasn't passive income from day one. Joe spent 5-6 hours a night working on his book brand while in school. He dropped two courses to make it happen. His profit margins are 70-80%, with ads being the main expense. He’s not buying flashy cars, but rather he’s reinvesting and staying lean.

Actionable Takeaway:
Stop overthinking the "next big thing." Look for established markets with proven demand, then figure out how AI can radically reduce the friction or cost of entry. Don't be afraid to start small, learn from your mistakes, and focus on distribution. And for crying out loud, proofread your AI-generated content!

🤑 AI INCOME Q&A

Q: "What's the best pricing model for AI-assisted social media management?" - Jordan K.

A: Package-based pricing with clear deliverables works best. Instead of hourly rates, offer tiered packages: Basic (12 posts/month, $497), Standard (20 posts + 2 platforms, $997), Premium (30 posts + 3 platforms + engagement, $1,497). This model lets clients choose their investment level while protecting your margins as you become more efficient with AI. One newsletter subscriber increased revenue by 40% simply by switching from hourly to package pricing.

 🌱 LIFE BEYOND AI

I really enjoy playing trivia games, and this one from Reader’s Digest is a great way to have fun and learn history at the same time.

🛠️ TOOLS THAT MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER

1. Abacus ChatLLM → Use all the latest LLMs and build custom AI applications for an extremely low cost

2. Later → All-in-one platform to manage social media content, track performance, and grow online presence

3. beehiiv → Build, grow, and monetize your newsletters (use my link to get 30-day trial + 20% OFF for 3 months)

4. Recraft → Create high-quality images and vector graphics, with features like background removal and style customization

5. LumaLabs → Create high-quality images and videos from text and images, including 3D models.

6. Beacons → Customize link-in-bio pages + building your online store

7. Descript → AI-powered video and audio editing platform to create professional-looking content

8. ElevenLabs → Create ultra-realistic text-to-speech voices in multiple languages

🕵️‍♂️ A SURPRISE INSIDE

This might hold something you didn’t know you wanted to know…

And that’s a wrap for this week.

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Thank for so much for your support!

☄️ Let’s make moves,
Keith
Chief Human Officer, Optimizing With AI