Brainstorming sales ideas

[chriiisss]

In general, in a recession, an example of products among those that sell the best, are those products that allow people to save money. at zazzle we have travel mugs, phone cases, and what else?

[Connie]

I would think people would be less likely to buy phone cases here if they want to save money. You can get cheap ones at Amazon.

[chriiisss]

Save money in the sense that the product can be perceived as an investment, can give the customer a return on that investment (ROI). A phone case, for example, can be considered a less frivolous expense than other products, as it allows you to save your phone. Frivolous items are harder to sell during recession times, in general (if your typical customer has a high discretionary income and maybe more stable jobs, you'll have less trouble selling at a time like this).

[orientcourt]

Hi Chriiisss, if we had the answer to your question 'what would customers buy in a recession to save money' we would all be millionaires! I had a chuckle about ameliacarrie's reply ! If you google it or ask chatgpt you may find some interesting answers! Jillian      

[chriiisss]

I think that knowing this does not make us millionaires, then we need to use this data well. we need to see if our popular designs are already on these items, make new ones giving preference to those kind of products, promote them well, etc.
I know i can ask uncle gpt 🙂 but he will give me too generic answers, nothing like talking to humans who have experience here at zazzle, the question is about zazzle products.
Thanks for your opinion 🙂

[ameliacarrie]

Hmmm.... good question.  If I was a customer, and there was a recession. I'd personally buy stickers and notebooks with inspirational messages as I'd be spending lots of time at home worrying about how to make ends meet.  I'd buy bumper stickers and magnets that were funny and might make others smile. Personalized blankets with family photos to remind me that the best things in life are free, and, to keep me warm as I couldn't afford the electric.  I'd buy coasters to protect the furniture, signs for roommates, like don't eat my food (if things got really bad and I needed a roommate.) I'd also buy downloadable cards and invitations for "Potlucks, Game Nights, other events".   I'd buy personalized cheap gifts for birthdays and holidays like keychains and mugs. Hope these ideas help?

[chriiisss]

So, useful stickers, signs etc; comfort items; cheap gifts.
thank you, very helpful 🙂

[chriiisss]

Just to better clarify the purpose of this topic. there are many people complaining about a drop in sales; Europe is now officially in recession
"Revised data from the European statistics office, Eurostat, showed the eurozone economy contracted 0.1% in the first three months of this year and the final three months of 2022. The group of countries therefore met the definition of a technical recession: two-quarters of negative economic growth."; US is not, at least not yet, officially in a recession, but it suffers the hardships we know.

Our sales will continue to suffer, except in specific cases.

Wanting to continue producing and not just waiting for it to pass, which products have the best chance of selling? Of course, this exercise alone will not solve the problem, they are just ideas that then need to be worked on and well executed. but I think it's better to have this in mind than not to have it. Just my opinion 🙂

[Barbara]

I'd be careful (and am) about stationery. A fine example is a postcard, which is $1.30 when not specified as a "holiday" card, in which case, it's $1.85. I know I've seen other things like that, but this sticks out because I design postcard invitations for informal occasions whether they're holiday or not.

Colorwash's Home

[Fiorenzo]

In difficult times people tend to buy less (or cheap) for themselves but for loved ones, you always find the money to gift something special (and valuable). IMO, all products that make lovely keepsakes and thoughtful gifts will continue to sell also in harder times, especially those under 50$, e.g. the wooden jewelry boxes. I remember back in the old days (70/80/90s) you didn't find nice gifts under 50 bucks (at least not in Switzerland or Germany), things only went cheap due to the Made in China stuff flooding the market. So, not much has changed. I personally would go more for gifts and less for personal gimmicks you don't really need or can have for cheap (e.g. phone cases). My personal thoughts.

[chriiisss]

TRUE! I know an etsy shop well, expensive vintage design products (bags, clothes etc), some of the customers say they are buying a special gift for their girlfriend or mother :). I've never made jewelry boxes, I'll look into it, thanks.

[Wildart]

I'd think PRACTICAL gifts, aprons,kitchen towels, fabric. Having said this rubber stamps continue to sell (startups?crafts?) I guess they are sort of practical, only ink meeded after purchase for the simple rubber ones. Stickers for parties? Wedding related stuff will still sell, such as envelopes(for use in self made invitations, or matching ones), notsure what else to suggest

[chriiisss]

yes, practical products, especially if they are used to prevent something from being ruined or guarantee you to save time (time is money 🙂

[Barbara]

I just checked my sales for the past three months, and all I can conclude is that I sell a lot of clocks, business cards, and postcards, but I'm not sure it's because the products themselves are popular; rather, it's the kinds of designs--essentially niche types that attract customers interested in specific activities or ideas. But hasn't this always been true, that it's our designs, not so much what we put them on?

Colorwash's Home

[chriiisss]

Interesting! Do clocks allow us to save time? at least they let you arrive on time (if you pay attention to them 🙂
Business cards are perceived as a tool that helps to make money.

[Fiorenzo]

Wall clocks make great wall décor. I had plenty of them in my old times when I was more focused on enjoying a nice well-paid job alongside a fast-and-furious private life. Now that I've become a literal starving artist with half a zoo keeping me busy and my wallet empty (both by choice) it's a different story, but some nice wall clocks will be definitely on my decoration list, shall I switch back again.

[orientcourt]

 chriiisss  An interesting observation from buxtonco.com re the baby boomers! We are long forgotten in the retail market! This greyhaired, old non trendy folk demographic (Me) are rarely promoted as valued clients especially in clothing hair beauty products industry! A thought about who you are targeting re products! https://www.buxtonco.com/blog/the-lost-generation-baby-boomers  Take a look!         

[Barbara]

I'm even older than the boomer generation, but only be a year, and can vouch for some of the things in that article, the most important part of which was the lack of understanding of the oldsters. Advertising is done by those who didn't live through the eras that formed the boomers (and beyond) and seem to believe if you're old, you're senile. The older generations cover quite a range of types from poor to rich, from travelers to stay-at-homes. Many in even the Silent Generation (where I sit) are still working, creating, decorating, traveling, and socializing. But how do you sell to people who teethed on hippie clothes and war protest? It may be a hard nut to crack. I did a bang-up business selling effects for slideshow video, and it wasn't the young I sold to; it was older people documenting their families and memories and occasionally philosophies.

It's a demographic Zazzle seems to ignore. I periodically notice designs well-suited to older people, but only because I trip across them, not because they're on the first pages. Maybe Zazzle ought to try a promotion aimed at older citizens. Try designs meant for those interested in, say, the arts and crafts, genealogy, backyard parties, reunions, cooking, and even homesteading. It's a somewhat more practical bunch, which doesn't mean they aren't active, aren't interested in pretty things, etc.

I subscribe to an opinion-based YouTube channel hosted by a guy who's 37. He would now and then say something about the boomers not being interested in social and political events, nor in his show. I thought he was being an idiot and so did, apparently, a lot of his viewers because he was buried in email and tweets from them. He's changed his tune.

Colorwash's Home

[orientcourt]

Yes, it is a bit problematic especially for young marketers who naturally are drawn to a similar age group as their own. My town is on a mountain 10mins from a tourist coastline and filled with quite wealthy retirees, because of this our main street has some highly priced dress shops and decor shops which would have cost heeps to set up! However they don't realize most of these people have made their monies by being frugal, hence they are lucky if they survive 2yrs. But they fill the coffee shops every day. I am about to change hairdressers after 10yrs re price and quality {ex hairdresser here}  googled hairdressers in my village this week about 17 in total all showing photos of their styling efforts on young girls only with long hair except for one business! Yet their main customers are 50 plus yr olds! Maybe designing gift cards for oldies to choose something for themselves could be a thought too! Jilly                        

[SunnyDays]

I'm a boomer and most of my products are for boomers and gen x. You're right about zazzle ignoring us. What I wouldn't give for an older model (male and female) for our shirts. Seems to me they did have an older model back in the day. Wish they would consider bringing that back. Everyone ages. Their customer base is aging. They could get on board with that.

[Barbara]

@SunnyDays: The only way to deal with tees that are either gifts for or bought by older folks is to use the flat display. Why, by the way, is beauty the sole province of those under forty?

Colorwash's Home

[Wildart]

and I for one, have children that were on computers from the age of 4, so am definitly tech savvy 🙂 though not at everything...haha

[orientcourt]

 You definately had to learn in a hurry Wild Art !😉 

[almdrs]

Target the rich with luxury products like wrapping paper, napkins, gift bags, custom candies? 🙂

"Study: Luxury Sales Expected To Grow Again In 2023"

"Bain: Luxury Set for 5% to 12% Growth ..."

"Sweet sales soar despite cost of living crisis"

"Luxury E Commerce Market is Booming Worldwide"

[Barbara]

It has occurred to me that a lot of us designers are retired or close to being so, and yet we're creating for an age group we don't always understand. It's kind of funny. I hope we're better at designing for younger people than they are at advertising to older folks. LOL

Colorwash's Home

[GYG]

1. Basic T-shirts: Choose simple and classic T-shirt styles that can be easily paired with various outfits and suitable for everyday wear.
2. Coffee mugs or water bottles: These common daily essentials are not only practical but can also showcase your personality and interests through personalized designs.
3. Ties or scarves: During an economic downturn, selecting a classic and versatile tie or scarf can enhance your attire without overspending.
4. Customized notebooks or notepads: These practical office supplies are great as gifts or for personal use, as they can be personalized with unique designs to add a touch of personal style.
5. Customized home decor items: Affordable home decor options such as canvas prints, printed throw pillows, or wall decals can enhance the ambiance of a room with personalized designs.

[Cloudberry]

Golf equipment. People who play golf tend to have more money to spend than the average person, at least where I'm from. Golf balls, golf ball markers etc. can also be bought as inexpensive personalized gifts by people who don't necessarily play golf themselves.