How to Start AI Avatars & Virtual Influencers With AI, Step by Step
Built only from the steps described in 4 sourced AI Avatars & Virtual Influencers cases. Each step is attributed to the case it comes from; we do not add steps of our own.
How they started
Design the persona
Months of experimenting with looks before settling on Aitana.
From The Clueless (Aitana), step 1. About $3,300 a month on average (EUR 3,000), Self-Reported
Create the character
He built Bloo as a virtual on-screen personality.
From Bloo (Jordi van den Bussche), step 1. More than seven figures in revenue, Self-Reported
Build a voice document
Interview the client and turn their writing into a long training document for Claude.
From Julia McCoy (First Movers AI), step 1. About $250K a month, Self-Reported
Write lyrics
Jones writes from her own poetry.
From Telisha "Nikki" Jones (Xania Monet), step 1. More than $52,000 (Billboard estimate), Partially Verified
What they did next
Give her a life
Posts and stories that build a relatable personality.
From The Clueless (Aitana), step 2. About $3,300 a month on average (EUR 3,000), Self-Reported
Monetise reach
Ads and brand ambassador deals.
From The Clueless (Aitana), step 3. About $3,300 a month on average (EUR 3,000), Self-Reported
Keep the human core
He still drives the personality and ideas.
From Bloo (Jordi van den Bussche), step 2. More than seven figures in revenue, Self-Reported
Hand repetitive work to AI
Thumbnails and translated dubbing are done with AI.
From Bloo (Jordi van den Bussche), step 3. More than seven figures in revenue, Self-Reported
Clone face and voice
Create avatar and voice clones with HeyGen and ElevenLabs.
From Julia McCoy (First Movers AI), step 2. About $250K a month, Self-Reported
Sell in tiers
A $250 a month membership, a capped mastermind, and consulting from $7,500 a month.
From Julia McCoy (First Movers AI), step 3. About $250K a month, Self-Reported
Generate with Suno
Suno produces the tracks and the Xania Monet voice.
From Telisha "Nikki" Jones (Xania Monet), step 2. More than $52,000 (Billboard estimate), Partially Verified
Release and chart
Streams grew fast enough to draw label interest.
From Telisha "Nikki" Jones (Xania Monet), step 3. More than $52,000 (Billboard estimate), Partially Verified
AI Avatars & Virtual Influencers: common questions
How much do people make with AI Avatars & Virtual Influencers and AI?
Across the 2 of our 4 sourced cases that report a monthly figure, amounts range from $3,300 to $250,000 a month, with a median of $250,000. These are what each source reports, not typical results.
How much does it cost to start?
None of these cases disclose a startup cost. 0 of 4 cases disclose a startup cost.
How long until the first dollar?
A few months of experimenting before the persona took off, in the one case that says. This comes from what our cases report.
Which AI tools do these cases use most?
ElevenLabs (2 cases), Claude (2 cases), ChatGPT (1 case), Google Gemini (1 case), Claude Code (1 case). Only tools named in the sources are counted.
How reliable are these income figures?
0 of 4 cases are independently documented, meaning a news outlet says it reviewed records. 3 are self-reported. Every case links its source.
What are the main risks?
Platforms and audiences may require AI disclosure. Clones of real people need their consent. Audience trust can drop if the persona feels fake.
How many of these cases say when they made their first dollar?
1 of 4 cases state a time to first revenue. For example: The Clueless (Aitana): "A few months of experimenting before the persona took off, per the co-founder". The rest do not say, so treat any single timeline as one example, not a norm.
What went wrong or held these cases back?
4 of 4 cases list limitations or risks drawn from their sources. Examples: The Clueless (Aitana): Undisclosed AI personas raise trust and labelling issues; Bloo (Jordi van den Bussche): Revenue figure is vague and self-reported; Julia McCoy (First Movers AI): The figure is self-reported and was not independently checked. Each case page lists them in full.
Do I have to report this income to the IRS if I never get a 1099-K?
Yes. The IRS says that whether or not you receive a Form 1099-K, you must report all income from selling goods or services on your tax return. Payment apps and online marketplaces must send a 1099-K when payments for goods or services total over $20,000 in more than 200 transactions, but they may send one for lower amounts. Source: IRS, "Understanding your Form 1099-K" (irs.gov/businesses/understanding-your-form-1099-k), checked 2026-10-20. General information, not tax advice.
Do I owe self-employment tax on side hustle income in the US?
According to the IRS, you must pay self-employment tax and file Schedule SE if your net earnings from self-employment were $400 or more. The rate is 15.3% (12.4% Social Security and 2.9% Medicare), and you may need to pay estimated taxes quarterly. Source: IRS, "Self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare taxes)" (irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/self-employment-tax-social-security-and-medicare-taxes), checked 2026-10-20. General information, not tax advice.