Year: 2024

  • [Artwork creation] An app that turns photos into “paintings”

    [Artwork creation] An app that turns photos into “paintings”

    This time I’d like to introduce an app that will make your photos look like paintings.

    BeCasso – Feels like a combination of the above apps. The monthly fee is high, but it’s quite useful.

    Brushstroke – An app that creates a different atmosphere than BeCasso. Quite useful.

  • [Artwork Creation] Best app to remove photo background

    [Artwork Creation] Best app to remove photo background

    PhotoLayers – A free app with ads. The functionality is pretty good.

  • [Artwork creation] An app that allows you to add noise to photos

    [Artwork creation] An app that allows you to add noise to photos

    Foodie – Free app with ads. Advertisements appear, but you can add noise using a filter called Grain.

  • [Artwork Creation] An app that allows you to create AI Art

    [Artwork Creation] An app that allows you to create AI Art

    Poe.com (Stable Diffusion XL) – I feel that if you enter the word “Illustration” in the prompt, it will give you a pretty good illustration.

    TouchRetouch – This app allows you to delete unnecessary parts of images. When I output art using AI, there are sometimes parts that I want to erase, so in those cases, I use this app to completely erase only the parts that I don’t need.

  • How can I apply a freemium model to my artwork business?

    How can I apply a freemium model to my artwork business?

    Applying a freemium model to your artwork business can be a great way to attract customers and build a following while monetizing your most premium offerings. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can implement the freemium model:

    1. Define Your Free Tier Offerings

    The key to a successful freemium model is providing value for free while reserving premium content for paying customers. For your artwork business, you can offer the following free content:

    • Digital samples: Provide free, lower-resolution versions of your artwork that people can download, share, or use as wallpapers. These should be watermarked or lower quality to encourage users to upgrade.
    • Social media previews: Post behind-the-scenes content, work-in-progress shots, or time-lapse videos of your art creation process on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.
    • Free art-related resources: Offer free templates, coloring pages, or small design elements for personal use.
    • Limited access to your art community: Allow free access to a community of art lovers and creators, like a Facebook group or Discord server, where people can discuss art, but only paying members get exclusive features.
    • Newsletter or blog content: Share tips, tutorials, and insights into your creative process through a free newsletter, giving people an inside look at your work and how you create it.

    2. Develop Premium Offerings

    This is where you monetize. Your premium offerings should be valuable and differentiated from what you give for free. Some ideas include:

    • High-resolution artwork: Offer high-quality, downloadable versions of your art, without watermarks, suitable for printing or personal use.
    • Limited edition prints or merchandise: Create exclusive, numbered prints or merchandise that’s only available to paying customers.
    • Custom commissions: Offer personalized art commissions at a premium price, letting customers request custom work.
    • Paid tutorials or courses: Create in-depth, paid art courses or detailed tutorials, possibly using platforms like Skillshare or Patreon, where customers pay for step-by-step guidance.
    • Exclusive memberships: Start a membership program (via platforms like Patreon or Ko-fi) that gives paying members access to exclusive content like early access to new works, monthly Q&A sessions, or live drawing sessions.
    • Licensing your work: License your artwork for commercial use, such as for book covers, album art, or brand collaborations, available for paying clients.

    3. Use Platforms That Support Freemium Models

    There are several platforms that can help you implement a freemium model:

    • Patreon/Ko-fi: These platforms allow you to offer tiered subscriptions. Free users can follow your updates, while paying subscribers can access exclusive content like high-res artwork, videos, or personalized requests.
    • Instagram/Facebook/YouTube/TikTok: These are ideal for showcasing free content, building a following, and teasing premium content with your engaged audience.
    • Gumroad/Etsy: Offer free digital downloads of your lower-res artwork, with premium versions available for purchase. You can also offer discounts to paid members.

    4. Leverage Limited-Time Offers and Upgrades

    Entice users to upgrade to the paid version by offering limited-time discounts, special promotions, or bonuses for premium tiers. You could offer a free trial of your premium content (such as a high-res download or a class) to show its value.

    5. Offer Value Beyond Just Artwork

    To make the premium offering more attractive, add value beyond the art itself. This can include:

    • Community perks: Create a paid membership community where users can engage with you directly, receive personalized critiques, or participate in exclusive events.
    • Behind-the-scenes access: Let premium members get a closer look at your creative process, such as private livestreams, Q&A sessions, or workshops.
    • Personalized shout-outs or interactions: Offer premium customers more direct engagement, such as a personalized thank-you video, private art critiques, or one-on-one conversations.

    6. Provide Clear and Persuasive Upsell Messaging

    To make the freemium model effective, you need to highlight the benefits of upgrading. Be clear about what’s included in the free tier versus the paid tiers. For example:

    • Use your email marketing to show free users what they’re missing in the premium offerings, such as exclusive prints or special event invites.
    • On your website, showcase side-by-side comparisons of free versus premium features (similar to how software companies present their free/premium plans).

    7. Focus on Building a Strong Community

    Building a loyal community will be key to converting free users to premium customers. Use platforms like Discord, Facebook groups, or Instagram to foster a sense of belonging, where your free users feel like they’re part of your world but still see a clear reason to upgrade.

    8. Analyze and Iterate

    Track your success through metrics like conversion rates, engagement, and feedback. Pay attention to how many free users convert into paying customers and identify what types of content or perks are most effective in driving that conversion. This can help you refine your freemium model over time.

    By offering enticing free content that builds your brand and establishing clear incentives for upgrading, you can successfully monetize your artwork business using a freemium model.

  • How can I apply a freemium model to my beatmaking business?

    How can I apply a freemium model to my beatmaking business?

    Applying a freemium model to a beatmaking business can be an effective way to attract new clients, build a brand, and eventually generate more revenue through premium offerings. Here’s a structured approach you can take to implement a freemium model for your beatmaking business:

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  • Too Much Free Content Online Is Just Clickbait: Here’s Why That’s a Problem

    Too Much Free Content Online Is Just Clickbait: Here’s Why That’s a Problem

    The internet has revolutionized how we access information. A vast treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and resources is just a few clicks away, often for free. But there’s a growing issue that’s diluting the quality of this free content—clickbait. More and more, we find ourselves lured by sensational headlines that promise much but deliver little. While free content can be valuable, the overwhelming amount of clickbait content is becoming a significant problem. Let’s explore why.

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  • How to Silence Your Ego: A Guide to Inner Peace and Authenticity

    How to Silence Your Ego: A Guide to Inner Peace and Authenticity

    In today’s fast-paced, success-driven world, the ego often plays a dominant role in shaping our thoughts, behaviors, and decisions. While ego can sometimes motivate us to achieve goals or protect us from harm, it can also become a hindrance, leading to stress, conflict, and a disconnection from our true selves. Learning to silence the ego is not about eliminating it entirely, but rather about quieting its dominance to create space for inner peace, self-awareness, and deeper relationships.

    In this article, we’ll explore what the ego is, how it can negatively influence our lives, and practical steps to quiet its voice for a more authentic and fulfilling life.

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  • How to Ride the Flow of the Universe and Receive Infinite Grace: A Life Without Striving, Seeking, or Attachment

    How to Ride the Flow of the Universe and Receive Infinite Grace: A Life Without Striving, Seeking, or Attachment

    In modern society, we are often taught that success comes from “striving,” “seeking,” and being strongly “attached” to our goals. Setting targets and working diligently to achieve them is seen as the path to success. However, at some point, this approach can begin to weigh us down, causing stress and exhaustion.

    Interestingly, there is a different perspective that suggests by not striving, not seeking, and not being attached to outcomes, we can align ourselves with the greater flow of the universe, allowing us to receive infinite grace effortlessly. At first glance, this approach may seem passive or powerless, but in reality, it leads to deep inner strength and harmony. Let’s explore this theme further.

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  • Knowledge Can Become a Limitation: The Freedom of Embracing Foolishness

    Knowledge Can Become a Limitation: The Freedom of Embracing Foolishness

    In our daily lives, we constantly acquire knowledge, learning from school, work, and everyday experiences. Knowledge certainly plays a crucial role in guiding our decisions and actions. However, when we become too attached to it, knowledge can ironically restrict our freedom of thought and creativity.

    Knowledge often creates mental frameworks and boundaries in our minds—ideas like “this is the way it should be.” For instance, when we rely too heavily on past experiences, thinking, “This method worked best before,” we might overlook other possibilities or innovative approaches. The more we accumulate knowledge, the more cautious we become, often leading to fear of taking risks, trying new things, or making mistakes. This over-reliance on what we know can hold us back from exploring new opportunities.

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