New to Zazzle and overwhelmed

[Digimicki]

I’m not entirely new to POD, but just started to explore Zazzle and I’m overwhelmed before even opening my shop! 😋

I’m leary of paid classes and programs because so many of them include too much irrelevant information, but I’m wondering if I should do just that for getting started on Zazzle?  I’m only exploring options right now. Zazzle offers so much it seems like a platform to get involved in. So much on offer also makes it seem like I’d be completely lost in it.

Any thoughts?  Turn and run?  Dive in, and go from there?  Or sit back, spend the money for a course, then study?

I’m going to go draw something now.

[Jadendreamer13]

If you can afford to take a paid course, I’d go for it. The course I’m taking only shares relevant information. There are courses for beginner, intermediate, and advanced Zazzlers. The beginner’s course tells you everything you need to know to set up your shop properly, create products, market them, and more.

[Digimicki]

I actually did find one on Skillshare, which looks helpful. I think getting some advice from an experienced seller will  give me a push.  I already have a membership, so no extra cost.  Time to pull myself up by the bootstraps then go.

[idraw]

@Digimicki 

How about starting where you are, in the forums, do a search on a keyword, then read the posts about it. Learn from the other SKs here, (shopkeepers), and it's free.  BTW, you can bookmark what you find, to read again later....Also free, read the help files in the Help Center: <https://help.zazzle.com/hc/en-us/categories/202956047>

To get you started:
Selling

Creators | Stores | Ambassadors

Are You a New Creator? Start here.

• How to Start Selling on Zazzle: A Step-by-Step Guide
• The Benefits of Zazzle: How to Get Started with Your Zazzle Store
• How zRank Works
• Zazzle Creator Community
• Zazzle Creator Definitions

[Digimicki]

Thank you, I appreciate the links and response.

[Sq]

Look up Jen and Elke Clarke on YouTube. They have paid classes (which are excellent) but also tons of info on their YouTube channel for free, which will get you started.

https://www.youtube.com/c/JenandElkeClarke

[Amanda23 · Accepted solution]

Hello!

If you are interested in a course, I suggest checking out this one: https://thedesignerstoolkits.thrivecart.com/zazzle-unleashed/

It’s only $9, and it’s well-organized and has lots of good info from a Zazzle designer who is definitely an expert! 💕

Also, I have been working on a Benable list with some resources for Zazzle designers. No affiliate links, just some good places to get some free advice from people I recommend. 😊

https://benable.com/ctrlzdigitaldesigns/trustworthy-resources-for-pod-sellers

Best of luck. 💕

[wheresthekarma]

Hey Digimicki! I have a totally free Zazzle tutorial channel. https://www.youtube.com/@HappyZazzling
I just do basic simple slow moving tutorials on making different products. 
If you do want a paid class, Amanda's above suggestion of the designers toolkit by Temperance Meadows is a good one! ❤️  Great class and you can download it so you have it to refer back to whenever you want. Its' very affordable too.

But feel free to follow my channel too if you want. Again, totally free. Probably painstakingly boring lol, but I go as slow as I can to help everyone learn how to Zazzle. 

[Digimicki]

Thank you! I subscribed

[Digimicki]

Replying to my own post here, so I can follow up.  I was whiny when I posted 😁, but I didn’t mean for this to be a complaint. Zazzle’s help files do offer a step by step guide that is comprehensive (see links provided by iDraw in this thread). I chose Amanda’s options as the solution for me for a couple of reasons.  One is my age. I’m 61, and by no means unsavvy in tech or e-commerce, but I don’t learn and comprehend new information the way I once did.  I am learning to set up my store, but it is a different experience for me than it would have been a few years ago. Kate Thompson, creator of the Zazzle Unleashed course is also of retirement age and that probably factors into how she presents the information.  I’m being outsourced from my corporate job, just shy of when I was ready to retire, the stock market is tanking and my retirement funds along with it.  Classes costing $1,000 and more, just don’t make sense.  Kate ‘s class is $9, and Amanda offered several links to free resources. Another reason I posted, is to find out what kind of response I would get from this community.  I wasn’t disappointed!   Thank you.

[Amanda23]

So glad you found a solution that works for you. 🙂

This is a great place! Welcome. We wish you the best! 💕

[bkthompson]

I'm definitely of retirement age! 😅
I don't get into the forums much, so I'm just now seeing this. I'm glad @Amanda23 was able to help you out! She is always such a great help and encouragement!

[Digimicki]

Thanks so much for commenting, Kate!  I am so grateful for all the resources you have made available in Zazzle Unleashed.  There are so many graphics and templates offered in addition to the detailed course information.  Thanks for keeping it updated as well, adding more Zazzle Collections information.  I hope I will make you proud as an alum 😀

[jenclarke]

Hey there! I am pretty sure that I emailed you today, since you signed up for our 3 day free challenge.

Both Elke Clarke and myself offer courses, and we would love to speak with you more to understand how we can help you better.

Looking forward to your email response!

[Digimicki]

Thanks Jen!  I have signed up for the 3 day challenge, in my effort to just get started and having actionable steps broken down is a big help.  I have a messy store opened, I’m so ashamed of it that I kept it hidden for two weeks 😂.  I have uploaded some pattern designs, made products, posted them for sale and pinned them.  I feel like I have officially started, knowing I have a lot of work ahead! It was so much fun to do though, I’m looking forward to doing the work.

[jenclarke]

If you are on our mailing list, you will receive some more free downloadables that will help you moving forward!

[orientcourt]

Hi Digimicki , I am not aiming to put you off completely ,but please be aware that Zazzle and many pods are doing it tough at present .It has taken a fair amount of time before most designers artists ect have gained regular royalties on their products. Even more so now that the site has thousands more people here now, than when I and many others started about 10 to 15yrs ago. There is a lot of competition for certain niches unless you have something that is absolutely unique ! I am just relaying this to you before spend time and money on here. Having said that Zazzle has been a great company to work with over the years! Jillian

[Digimicki]

Orientcourt,

Thanks for your concern.  My only expectation at this point is to START.  The only successes I’ve ever had in my life were the result of persistence.  I have no expectations of riches.  I just know that this the beginning of what I feel is the right path for me. I may be disappointed after the effort and persistence, but I have to try.

[tsikona]

After trying paid workshop, expert videos and books  - My personal experience is Zazzle handbook is trully effective resource. Only thing really works is zazzle handbook, and this community. Both are the key to success.

[Digimicki]

Thank you, Tsikona.  I hadn’t found the handbook before this post.  After downloading it and taking a quick flip through look, the information in it is as valuable as you say.

[tsikona]

Good Luck! 

[BevStuff]

It is sometimes helpful to search Zazzle for the types of products you think you're interested in designing to see how heavily populated that category is. Let's say you want to design cards. If you look at wedding stationary, for example, you'd find there's so MUCH competition there, that you'd have to be REALLY unique to stand out.  But something like Halloween Birthday cards, for example, has a comparatively lower competition. For category like Birthday, some designers specialize in card designs by age, like "first birthday," or "40th birthday" or "Sweet 16" rather then general any occasion Birthday.