This is not a simple tutorial. I’m sharing the exact steps I took with DALL-E 3 to create work that made a real difference in my fundraising.
The Framework That Actually Works
Here is a simple framework for evaluating DALL-E. It's not complicated, but it requires discipline.
Step 1: the data tells a different story than your gut
This is where most people go wrong. They skip this step entirely and jump straight to execution. Don't do that.
Step 2: simplicity beats complexity every time
Once you have the foundation right, this becomes much easier. I've watched founders struggle with this for months when the answer was staring them in the face.
Step 3: Iterate relentlessly
Nothing works perfectly the first time. The companies that get DALL-E right treat it as an ongoing process, not a one-time project.
What I've Learned From 25 Companies
Across 234 angel investments, including Anthropic, a few patterns in DALL-E come up again and again.
The founders who handle DALL-E well understand that the market doesn't care about your roadmap.
What I Tell Founders
Before deciding anything about DALL-E, start with three questions:
What's your timeline? Because the right approach for a company with 6 months of runway is very different from one with 3 years.
What have you already tried? Most founders have tried something. Understanding what didn't work is often more valuable than knowing what might.
Who on your team owns this? If the answer is "everyone" or "no one," that's your first problem to solve.
These questions seem simple but they reveal a lot about where a company actually stands.
This connects to broader themes around AI art, Midjourney, Sora that I've been thinking about a lot lately.
Wrapping Up
I've shared a lot here, and I know it can feel overwhelming. But you don't need to get DALL-E right on day one. You just need to get started and keep improving.
Founders who do well at DALL-E tend to share one trait: they're relentlessly practical. They don't chase perfection. They chase progress.
That's the mindset I'd encourage you to adopt. Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. And keep pushing forward.
As always, I'm rooting for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:How long does it take to get DALL-E right?
The timeline varies depending on your starting point and resources. For most founders, expect 2-4 weeks for initial setup and 2-3 months to see meaningful results. I've seen teams move faster when they focus on one thing at a time rather than trying to do everything at once.
Q:How do I measure success with this approach?
Pick one or two metrics that directly tie to your goal and track them weekly. Vanity metrics like page views or follower counts rarely matter. Focus on metrics that reflect real engagement or revenue impact.
Q:What are the most common mistakes with DALL-E?
The biggest mistake I see is overcomplicating things early on. Start with the simplest version that works, get real feedback, and iterate from there. Another common trap is copying what worked for someone else without understanding the context behind their decisions.