Default Royalty

[happyprints897]

What is the best royalty percentage  should i set for my products? I used to set it at 17%, but after the recent changes on Zazzle, my sales dropped significantly. So I thought of lowering it to 14.5% because the prices of the products got really high and  that if I lowered my royalties sales would increase, but sales still declined and my net profits became much lower.

[MadjackGG]

I suspect nobody's answering your question because it's somewhat unclear how best to proceed in the face of a confusing and complex fee structure that is seemingly quite punitive towards artists overall, and the wider economic downturn.

[tsikona]

Before those changes many top designs had royalty rates between 10-15 % . After the adjustments some designers increased their rates over 20% or 25%. From my personal experience I had 14.9 royalty rate and sales were steady (after the changes, my monthly income has dropped) I believe keeping products reasonably priced is key to get sales. If a design is truly unique you can test to set any royalty percentage allowed by Zazzle, However since most designs are basic and stylistically similar. It is better keep prices competitive. It seems top designs with royalties over 20%  are still gettig sales. Their work stays featured editors picks, front pages. So likely they earn the same as before even with the 50% marketing fee. So the best royalty rate is different for everyone. You’ll need to test what works for your designs. 

[Jadendreamer13]

I don’t see any evidence—based on results shared on this forum—of any designer’s earnings not being affected by Zazzle’s 50% marketing fee. If there are any Zazzlers earning the same amount of money or more than before, please stand up.

[tsikona]

Since April, Some of them raised the percentage from 10 to 20-25% (In my niche) If sales are regular, they will still get their 10% as they used to earn. I am talking about the top designs which are on the first pages. 

[Jadendreamer13]

If they felt compelled to raise their rates drastically, then their earnings dropped drastically.

[MadjackGG]

I'll put it to the test; raised my rate to 25% for the new fees structure and sales have cratered. Will drop it to 10% for the coming month and see what happens.

[DiamondWillow]

Drop before the 20th, they are in effect like before.  I have two stores that dropped that I made 10% last week for the 20th, Already done.  Seems they are not waiting

[MadjackGG]

Set default royalty to 10% a couple of days ago (down from 24%), and it's gone through.

So right now I'm making no sales, will make sweet FA on whatever sales I may make, but on the bright side my main store's z-rank has gone up to 8. Hurrah!

[DiamondWillow]

we are all feeling the same pain, happy.  I get .14 cents for a lousy postcard, that still requires "work" to make and produce. 23.7% is the markup