Overview
Character or Personal Brand: codewithbernard (anonymous Redditor, self-described as web developer).
Implementation Timeline: 6 months (from July 2023 to December 2023, based on post dated December 7, 2023).
Country of Implementation: Unknown, but targeting global market through Prompt Advance website and channels like Medium, Reddit.
Revenue Model
Primary Revenue Stream: Selling collection of 10,000 ChatGPT prompts (AI commands) on self-built website Prompt Advance (promptadvance.club).
How AI-Generated Revenue:
- Created collection of 10,000 high-quality prompts serving needs like marketing, coding, content writing, and creativity (examples: ad creation prompts, email writing, or job interview simulation)
- Sold prompt collection as digital product with “buy once, own forever” model, price not disclosed but estimated $10–50/collection based on revenue and customer count
- Enhanced product value by developing ChatGPT browser extension, allowing users to access prompts directly within ChatGPT interface
- Achieved $14,016 revenue in 6 months from prompt sales, mainly through traffic from Medium (50%), Facebook Ads (25%), Reddit, SEO, and other sources (25%)
Key Features: Model leverages programming skills to build website and extension, combined with AI content to create high-value digital product without large operating costs.
Tools Used
ChatGPT:
Role: Testing and optimizing prompts to ensure effectiveness before including in collection. Examples: Google Ads creation prompts or job interview simulation
Key Features: No complex AI tools needed, only ChatGPT (free or Plus version) to verify prompt quality
MidJourney (possible usage, not clearly confirmed):
Role: May be used to create illustrations for website or Medium articles, but not directly mentioned in post
Prompt Advance (promptadvance.club):
Role: Self-built website to sell 10,000 prompt collection and provide ChatGPT browser extension. Simple interface, easy search and copy prompts
Key Features: No development costs (author programmed it), integrated payments (possibly via Stripe or PayPal, not specified)
Medium.com:
Role: Blog platform for posting about ChatGPT usage and promoting prompt collection, contributed 50% of customers
Reddit:
Role: Advertising channel (Reddit Ads) and sharing free tools to attract customers, contributed ~10–15% of customers
Facebook Ads:
Role: Running ads to attract customers, contributed 25% of revenue but didn’t bring high profit (cost ~$3,000)
ChatGPT Browser Extension:
Role: Self-developed tool, integrating prompt collection into ChatGPT interface, increasing product value and user experience
SEO Tools (not specifically named):
Role: Optimizing Prompt Advance website to attract organic traffic, contributed ~10–15% of customers
Implementation Process
Phase 1: Market Research and Idea (July 2023):
- Market research: Observed Facebook ads for ChatGPT prompt collections on Notion, saw demand but simple products. Decided to build improved version
- Niche identification: Focused on useful prompts for marketing (e.g., ad creation), coding (e.g., Python code writing), and content creation (e.g., short story writing)
- Product plan: Decided to sell 10,000 prompt collection through self-built website instead of using marketplaces like PromptBase or Gumroad
Phase 2: Product and Website Development (July–September 2023):
- Prompt creation: Combined scraping prompts from public sources, reviewing customer feedback on other platforms, and writing new prompts. Tested each prompt on ChatGPT to ensure quality
- Website building: Used programming skills to create Prompt Advance, a user-friendly website allowing search and copy prompts. Development cost $0 (self-coded)
- Initial testing: Listed prompt collection and attracted first 10 customers through Reddit Ads (break-even)
Phase 3: Marketing and Product Improvement (October–December 2023):
Marketing Strategy:
- Posted blog articles on Medium.com about effective ChatGPT usage, embedded links to Prompt Advance, attracted 50% of customers
- Ran Facebook Ads ($3,000 cost), contributed 25% of revenue but didn’t bring high profit
- Shared free tools (like simple ChatGPT tool) on Reddit, combined with SEO to attract organic traffic, contributed ~25% of customers
Product improvement: After 100 customers, developed ChatGPT browser extension to integrate prompts directly into ChatGPT, increasing value and user retention
Result: Achieved $14,016 revenue from hundreds of sales, with nearly absolute profit (minus $3,000 advertising cost)
Phase 4: Expansion Plans (Ongoing):
- Continue writing Medium blogs and optimizing SEO to increase organic traffic
- Develop more free tools (like ChatGPT tools) to attract customers
- Improve extension with personalized prompt management features
- Re-test Facebook Ads and explore channels like TikTok, Etsy, or affiliate marketing (based on comment suggestions)
Results Achieved
Revenue: $14,016 in 6 months (July–December 2023, average ~$2,336/month).
Profit: Nearly all revenue is profit, minus ~$3,000 Facebook Ads cost, due to no development or operating costs.
Other Achievements:
- Proved potential of niche prompt selling market, despite skeptical opinions (like “who will buy prompts?”)
- Built proprietary website and extension, creating competitive advantage over Notion prompt collections or marketplaces
- Attracted hundreds of global customers, with 50% from Medium, 25% from Facebook Ads, and 25% from Reddit, SEO, and other sources
- Created sustainable passive income model with potential to expand to channels like Etsy, TikTok, or YouTube
Key Lessons Learned
Main Success Factors:
Market Need Recognition: Identified market demand from simple competing products (like Notion prompt collections) and improved with professional website/extension
Programming Skills Leverage: Used programming skills to build low-cost digital product ($0), combined with AI content to create high value
Medium.com as Effective Marketing Channel: Attracted quality customers without large costs
Creative Differentiators:
- Built self-managed website (Prompt Advance) instead of relying on marketplaces like PromptBase, maintaining full control and profit
- Developed ChatGPT browser extension, providing unique integrated experience different from static prompt collections
- Combined scraping, review analysis, and self-writing to create diverse 10,000 prompt collection meeting various needs (marketing, coding, creativity)
Challenges and Solutions:
Challenge: Facebook advertising didn’t bring high profit ($3,000 cost). Solution: Switched to content marketing via Medium and Reddit, leveraging organic traffic
Challenge: Skeptical opinions from community (like “who will buy prompts?”). Solution: Ignored negative feedback, focused on market data and improved product based on competitive reviews
Challenge: Revenue scaling. Solution: Currently testing additional channels (TikTok, Etsy) and improving extension to increase value
Tips for Beginners:
Start Small: Use free ChatGPT to create 10–20 high-quality prompts in specific niche (e.g., email marketing prompts, interview simulation). Test to ensure effectiveness
Sell Product:
- Create simple website with WordPress (~$5/month hosting, like SiteGround) or use Gumroad (free) to sell prompt collection
- Post blog articles on Medium (free) to attract customers, embed product links
Marketing: Share free prompts on Reddit or Twitter/X to build credibility, combine basic SEO (use free tools like Google Keyword Planner)
Starting Cost: ~$0–10 (if using Gumroad and free tools) or ~$50 (if building own website)
Learn Prompt Writing: Watch free YouTube videos (like “Prompt Engineering Tutorial”) or read blogs on Learn Prompting (learnprompting.org)
Note: Ensure prompts have real value (e.g., save time, increase productivity) to attract customers. Check legal requirements when selling digital products in target countries.
Sources and Links
Original Link: Reddit – $14k Selling ChatGPT Prompts
Project Website: Prompt Advance
Character’s Medium Blog: medium.com/@bernardbad