A solo builder went from about $300 to $2,500 a month in 2023 with a dozen small AI projects
Bilal Tahir jumped into building with LLMs after ChatGPT launched.
Subject: Bilal Tahir (GPT Hotline, YOU-TLDR, PlainScribe)Portfolio of small paid AI tools
Case Overview & Background
Bilal Tahir has worked in AI since 2017. After ChatGPT launched he started building small LLM products, including GPT Hotline, YOU-TLDR and PlainScribe. He says he started 2023 at around $300 a month and ended it at $2,500 a month after about a dozen projects.
How AI Is Used
Step-by-Step Process
About a dozen projects in a year.
Revenue grew as some tools found users.
He shared his numbers on Indie Hackers.
Customer Acquisition & Distribution
Limitations, Risks & Failure Modes
What may not apply to you, and what could go wrong:
- The figure is self-reported and was not independently checked
- Income is spread across many small tools
- He did not reach all his goals for the year
Key Takeaways
- Many small AI tools can add up to side income
- A background in AI helped him move fast
Sources
Indie Hackers interview: From $300 to $2,500 MRR: My 2023 Journey as a Solopreneur
Note: Indie Hackers interview. The headline figure is in the founder's own words in the public section.
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