Time Saving Suggestions To Allow Creators to Get FULLY onboard with Snazzy Collection Update

[CreativeLeahG]

Here are a few suggestions to aid with the ginormous task facing creators, updating collections.

I've calculated it would take me 2yrs working full time to update all my collections to the degree the options require. This time frame can be reduced with some tweaks and additions and I think given Zazzle want all of us on board with collections, the more we can reduce the massive workload on creators the better for all.

My reasons for not doing things by halves and wanting to make the most of your snazzy new features:

I love the new collection feature and I love the new media options (LOVE LOVE LOVE! Did I mention I LOVE them!!)  but the need to self-market is more pressing than ever due to editors picks dominating most niches (several pages deep) combined with the 'most popular' and 'lowest price' filters not working means there is significantly reduced visibility in the marketplace based on organic searches. The searches I run for popular items just show editors picks and as we know customers do not tend to go beyond the first 5 pages of products.

So how do we get seen? Covers and Collections won't bump us above editors picks.

Self-marketing has to be a priority and these cover and collection options really help with that and so I want to do my best to make the most of these snazzy new features! Please help me and other creators eager to jump on board with the changes to do so.

If you could though help us out on the workload that would be a game changer for all of us and I have a few suggestions I hope you can consider  🙏

1. Re email to customers: Can we set a generic email that is by default added to ALL our collections and we can 'edit' it if we need to for individual collections rather than having to edit for every single collection.
2. Re collection banners: Can we set a generic 'profile style banner' that is by default added to ALL our collections and we can 'edit' it if we need to for individual collections rather than having to 'create one' for every single collection.
3. Please can you automate the media images so that by default it will add the first 10 product (creator-made) cover images it encounters inside a collection to the media selection (again we can edit if we choose to).
4. Allow us to add products or change default store set by Zazzle for collections: Not being able to do so results in us having to start over creating a new collection and even then we can't add the products we want to add? Please can you remove the thing that stops us from doing so.
5. Please provide us with a mockup generator
6. Please allow transparent backgrounds on our media downloads
7. Please create a database of stock images we can use for covers.
8. Please create a datebase of photos of people we can use for placeholders.

Zazzle ... we creators eat, sleep, wash repeat Zazzle. We really do. Your changes are wonderful but they do set off a chain reaction, in that we have a lot of work to accommodate them. I know you're probably already working on some new features because your team is forever creating and innovating, which we value. Please though, consider these suggestions as anything that can reduce our workload means a better experience for creators and as such customers and as such Zazzle.

With regards to the databases for images, I am sure if you reach out to the community, WE ourselves could provide you with a range of stock images that could work as per the VIP thing that was in place years ago BUT with images available to download by creators, not customers. Just thinking as I type ....

Any more suggestions are greatly welcomed!

[KeegansCreation]

I want to highlight 6, the need for transparent backgrounds on media downloads. A hefty chunk of the time it takes to make a mockup (unless using commercial premade mockups) is removing the background. Automatic background removers work fine for simple rectangles and circles but for anything more complex, a graphics program with masking is needed. Then it is a lengthy process of hand-removing the background. This is especially difficult when it is a translucent product against a white background, as with shot glasses and beer glasses.

[Cat]

I am way behind the curve on this stuff, so I may be misunderstanding something here, but I think that number 3 is already sorta being done. I've only done one collection cover, and I haven't set any other media for this collection, but in the "collection pod" it's showing not only the collection cover, but three of my product covers as well.

[CreativeLeahG]

@Cat This might be beta? It's not the case for mine. 

Are the covers showing in the media section of 'collection' at the back end?

It might also not be working for me as the covers (on the collection I checked) are for one product type. I shall do some more investigating!

[Cat]

They don't show up in the media section in the back end - but mysteriously, they do appear in the collection pod. I don't know what it means.

[Connie]

Yes, please, especially #5!!!!

[sm]

@CreativeLeahG "...combined with the 'most popular' and 'lowest price' filters not working..."

Wow, how long has it been since the filters haven't worked properly and is there a fix for it in the future? I can't find anything from Zazzle in the technical issues. I reduced a lot of my prices for the 'struggling economy' {but mostly for myself haha) and they are still not being seen? And the popular one isn't working either? Geez, have I wasted my time again? So how is the MP working as a default now? What comes after editors picks? Products with covers?

Zazzle seems to always be just one big mess. Aside from the early days, I can't recall a time when things just worked smoothly and we knew where we stood in this gigantic game of whack-a-mole.

Edit: Okay, I see that the filter for lowest price is working but it's taking account of different product types. Eg. for business cards, it shows magnetic cards first in order of price, then folded business cards in order of price, then the standard ones in order of price. I'm okay with that. Phew!

[BevStuff]

I'd like to highlight #1. Good idea. ALL creators deserve the option to have a Zazzle email response for ALL Collections and not JUST the cross-event collections! 

BIg Request: Add option for Media Manager to generate a horizontal code for marketing the video slide show on social media. (Made this suggestion as an idea alone elsewhere). 

For those looking for mockup backgrounds, you can get lots from Pixabay or Pexels free. (particularly for use with flat cards and framed art.)  

[KBMD3signs]

@CreativeLeahGThat the collection images and cover images appear underneath a product depends on the type of collection you created.

Even in the CrossSell/Events category are differing displays. My understanding is Zazzle works on making this feature available step by step. Of course those connected to wedding, birthday and office are covered. There might be more. When last I tried Home & Living and Vacations & Travel are among those to be included.

Beate, KBMD3signs