Zazzle 101 ... How to make a profit on Zazzle

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Top 10 Zazzle Tips

Zazzle is one of the Print-on-demand companies out there that allows people to design & sell their own creations. I love Zazzle's ease of use, friendly staff, and the fact that I can make money on my art. Here are my Top 10 Tips to have a profitable Zazzle Gallery.

A fun (free) way to promote your Zazzle projects!

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Why Zazzle? 

I have been using Zazzle now for almost two years now and am thrilled with the results. Zazzle allows artists like me to upload their artwork and create products like Postage Stamps, Cards, Mugs, Mouse Pads, Ties, Buttons, Magnets, Hats, Stickers and Key Chains.

Zazzle is called a Print-on Demand company which means that you don't have to retain a stock of products to be in business. You simply upload a digital image made with software like Corel (my favorite) or Adobe. You can also scan your original artwork as well.

After you upload your image to Zazzle, select a product, size or customize with text, then post for sale in the public marketplace. It's that easy. People can then purchase your work online. Zazzle prints, ships and deals with the customer service. You collect a royalty of 10%-99% on the sale (you set the Royalty amount).

Listed below are the Top 10 Tips that have made my Zazzle Gallery a success. I hope you find them helpful. Also don't forget to add your Zazzle Gallery to the list below!

USA TODAY Zazzle Visit | Talking Tech | Jefferson Graham 

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My Zazzle Gallery 

D & D Art Studio on Zazzle
I Specialize in Original Digital Computer Art & Photography. I offer a huge variety of items including digital art, kaleidoscopes, fractal art, stained glass window art, rainbow art, photography, baby, wedding, graduation, birthday and holiday items. All of my items are fully customizable. Add your own text to cards or a name to a mug.

Tip # 1 - Be Creative & Organized! 

There is nothing worse then a boring unorganized gallery. Upload your own logo and color coordinate your page with you logo.

Organize your products by theme (Baby, Wedding, Photography). Don't put all of your work into one catagory. It makes it really hard to search for products. Also use subcatagories (Aprons, Buttons, T-Shirts).

Feature a Product line. You can have 5 Featured lines.

Tip # 2 - Open an Associate Account 

This just in!
Visit the New! Zazzle Seller Incentive Program
 to learn how to make even more money with Zazzle!

An Associate Account will allow you to earn an additional 15%-32% when you link customers to Zazzle through your website, blog, MySpace, Squidoo, etc. Plus get Volume Bonuses!

An Associate Account can be a powerful tool.

Zazzle Store Builder

Zazzle RSS and Google Base Feeds

zBar

Zazzle Bulk Image Uploader

Create-a-Product API

Merch Booth

Merch Store Application

Flash Panel

Tip # 3 - Choose Your Content 

Are you an artist, photographer, painter, graphic designer or all 5? On Zazzle you can be everything.

When I first started doing Zazzle I only did my digital art. Then I realized that I could display my photography and graphics too. Don't limit yourself with one genre. A lot on galleries do focus on one theme which is fine but you can combine themes as long as you stay organized (See Tip # 1)

Most of your business will come from people searching for key words like dog, fractal art or wedding. Once they find your product an see your organized gallery they can search for other items the want. More is better!

Tip # 4 - Quantity = More Profits! 

Zazzle is a numbers game. If you have 10 items you might sell something now and then. But if you have 10,000 items you are going to sell a lot. This is not to say that you should sacrifice quality for quantity, you need both.

The bottom line is the more product you have, the more you will sell so get moving!

Tip # 5 - Know What Product Fits Your Design. 

Zazzle offer a lot of different products. From Aprons to T-Shirts. The key is knowing what to put on each product. A T-Shirt that says "Super Mom" works, but putting that design on a tie looks stupid.

I have started putting art on a product only to realize that the size is not quite right. A round design on a square mouse pad might not look to cool. Also if you are using the Quick Builder customize your design to fit the products.

Also think like a consumer. If you do a line of wedding cards also include the design on postage, postcards and stickers so that they can buy your design as a set. People love matching products.

Tip # 6 - Read & Learn 

Zazzle offers a really comprehensive and easy to read web site. Read up on how to maximize your gallery. myZazzle has a ton of useful information and tips. Also use the "Help" section to answer basic questions.

Read the Zazzle Blog, Zazzle Tech Blog and Zazzle Contest Blog (See Feeds below) to stay current on the latest Zazzle news.

Tip # 7 - Join in! 

Zazzle is an amazing community or artists and Zazzle promotes this community really well. Click on the Contributor link to see the lastest comments made on gallery walls and products. See who the busiest contributors are, whos's featured and who has the biggest fan club. It's a great place to meet your fellow Zazzlers and show off your products!

Check out the Pulse too. This is Zazzle's live real-time forum of what's cool and happening on Zazzle. See your newly created dseighns on the top of the screen.

Tip # 8 - Adjust your royalty amount! 

Zazzle now allows you to change your royalty structure. You can now set the amount that you want for your royalty. 10% is the default amount.

Zazzle recommends that you set you royalty amount at 50% or less for products like T-shirts, buttons, mouse pads, mugs, etc. You want to stay competitive but not price yourself out of the market. On posters however many people are setting their royalty rates as high as 90%. Artwork can command top prices especially if you are a well known artist.

You can also change existing royalty settings all at once by following these simple instructions: Go to, My Zazzle, Account Settings, Contributor Information. The set the "Default Royalty Percentage". Check the box marked "Also set all your existing products to this Royalty Percentage?" to change your entire gallery. Click, Update!

You can also over-ride this feature when you create a new item. Say you want everything to be at 15% but have a painting that you want set at 50%. You can just change this at the time you create your product.

Tip # 9 - Choose your model 

You can now pick which model you would like to have advertise your T-Shirt. Just choose your model under "Apparel Options" when you create a T-Shirt. Try and pick a model that wears your design well!

Tip # 10 - Advertise 

Now that you have an awesome gallery you need to advertise it. Below are some great links to advertise your New Zazzle Gallery on.

Where to advertise your Zazzle Gallery 

deviantART: where ART meets application!
Art - community of artists and those devoted to art. Digital art, skin art, themes, wallpaper art, traditional art, photography, poetry / prose. Art prints.
Digg
Digg is all about user powered content. Everything is submitted and voted on by the Digg community. Share, discover, bookmark, and promote stuff that's important to you!
Facebook
Sign up for Facebook to see more and connect with Zazzle.
Fine Art America - The Local Fine Art Marketplace
FineArtAmerica.com is the premier internet marketplace for artists, fine art galleries, and fine art collectors! Artists and galleries are able to promote their latest releases and upcoming events. Collectors are able to view our comprehensive art directory and request bids from local galleries.
Foundmyself - Sell art free & buy art.
Sell your art commission free. An online art community with free personal galleries! Post your artwork to the gallery, chat, and wander. Discover useful information and interesting people in our artist message board / art forum.
Gather
Gather is a place to connect with people who share your passions. Let your unique voice shine through the articles, images, reviews, or audio you publish. We'll even compensate you with Gather PointsTM. Rewarded for something you'd do for free -- now that's a pretty good deal.
JoePopular.com
Social networking site.
LaunchTags
Launchtags lets you create mini-pages about your expertise, interests, know-how, hobbies, ideas or just about anything bright and shiny. Use text, pictures, videos, links and RSS feeds to build your page. Share 50% of the advertising revenue brought in by the traffic to your great page. Launchtags.com is simple, free and fun!
MySpace
MySpace virtual community site allows users to network, meet people, browse their profiles, and make friends from all around the world.
Qassia
Qassia.com is a brand new site for people to add "Intel" to help create a "credit driven inteligence engine". While still in beta it is limited to joining by invitation only.
reddit.com: what's new online
Reddit is a source for what's new and popular online. reddit learns what you like as you vote on existing links.
Twitter: What are you doing?
Twitter: What are you doing?
TypePad Blog
Creating a blog is a great way to drive traffic, show off your art and make annoucements! Create Your Blog Today TypePad
Zimbio - The People's Guide to the Web
Our network of public portals are designed to help people quickly get down the learning curve on any topic of interest by seeing what other people are reading, saying, and recommending about the topic.

Bonus Tip! 

Use Squidcasting to announce your new Zazzle products!
featured lens 50 Ways To Use Squidcasting

What the heck is Squidcasting? No it's not fishing for Squid! It's the awesome new interactive tool from the Squidoo HQ team. In a nutshell Squidcasting allows you to interact and react with your fans and fellow Squids. Check out my 50 Ways to Use Sq...

Get the FAQ's about selling on Zazzle! 

Zazzle FAQ's
Learn about selling on Zazzle!

Be a ProSeller! 

Who are Zazzle ProSellers?
Zazzle ProSellers are the most successful sellers on Zazzle. We are very proud to recognize their contributions to the success of the Zazzle Community and look forward to supporting and accelerating their continued growth and success!

Zazzle Profits Poll 

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Check Out My Latest Zazzle "How-To" Lens! 

featured lens How To Create A Beautiful Squidoo Lens For Your Zazzle Gallery

Welcome to "How To Create A Beautiful Squidoo Lens For Your Zazzle Gallery". Here's how you can create a perfect Lens for your Zazzle Gallery with the new Zazzle Gallery Lens Builder!

Look What You Can Do With Squidoo! 

I created these Squidoo Lenses to promote my Zazzle Gallery. Use the "Text Module" in Squidoo and copy the HTML from the "Build your own Product Link" on Zazzle to create these lenses!
featured lens D & D Art Studio's Bead Cards & Stamps

We specialize in Original Digital Computer Art & Photography. I made this page because I work hard on my Zazzle gallery and my designs, and wanted a fun way to reach new people like you. Here's the link to my Zazzle Gallery. Head on over and look a...

featured lens Custom Postage Stamps For Your Baby Shower

Dress up your Baby Shower Invitations with Custom Postage Stamps from Zazzle. These beautiful US postage stamps add a personal touch to any invitation. Here are some of my designs for a Baby Shower and Thank You cards. Or you can customize your own s...

featured lens Twilight Inspired Gifts on Zazzle

Get some super cool Twilight inspired gear on Zazzle! Get your fill of Gothic sexy vampires with these amazingly cool designs!

featured lens Thank You Cards for Your Teacher & Coach

Thank your Teacher or Coach with a Greeting Card and Gift! These cards a so popular right now and they are all original designs by D & D Art Studio. Click on card to order from Zazzle!

featured lens US State Greeting Postage Stamps by D & D Art Studio

I love the idea of the State Quarters so I decided to put my artistic skills to work and design a set of "Greetings From" Postage Stamps on Zazzle for each of the 50 states. Click the Postage Stamps to order and see...

Tools of the Trade! 

Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2

Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2

Amazon Price: $34.99 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 [OLD VERSION]

Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 [OLD VERSION]

Amazon Price: $86.33 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

Adesso CYBER TABLET 12X9

Adesso CYBER TABLET 12X9" GRAPHICS/DRAWING TABLET WITH 2-BTN USB PEN AND MOUSE ( CYBERTABLET 12000 )

Amazon Price: $105.52 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

NEW! Announcing Advanced Store Customization! 

from the Zazzle Tech Blog
You're up on the stage, in front of millions, singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", a song that's been done to death. How do you stand out? How do you make it NOT sound like Karaoke? Easy. Change the tempo, add different inflections, improvise a vocal run%u2026basically, you make it your own, dawg! (ahhhh, he said it!)

NEW! - Quick Product Create 

Quick Product Create
Creating multiple products for your friends and family, or to sell, just got a little easier thanks to Quick Product Create! Now you can take your design and create up to 100 products instantly with just three easy steps. Check out the Quick Product Create Tool and get started today creating your products.

NEW! Custom Embroidery on Zazzle! 

Embroidery on Zazzle!
Real Embroidery on Demand - Shop Clothing, Bags, Hats or create your own. Ships fast.

NEW! Design Your Own Shoes & Skateboards On Zazzle! 

featured lens Create Custom Skateboards on Zazzle

Now you can create you own custom skateboard on Zazzle! They are made from North American Maple decks and come in three styles, Comp, Mini and Old School. So what are you waiting for...design your deck!

featured lens Custom Designed Keds from Zazzle

You can now design custom Keds on Zazzle! Here are some groovy design by my mom and I. We are addicted to creating cool shoes! Click Here to design your own shoes on Zazzle!

Zazzle Blog 

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Zazzle Seller Blog! 

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Zazzle Tech Blog 

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Other Print-On-Demand Companies 

Artist Rising
Artist Rising is a new online community for contemporary artists around the world, providing tools and resources to enable artists to pursue their artistic and professional goals.
CafePress
Shop or Create What's On Your Mind at CafePress.
deviantART: where ART meets application!
Art - community of artists and those devoted to art. Digital art, skin art, themes, wallpaper art, traditional art, photography, poetry / prose. Art prints.
Printfection.com
Design and sell custom t-shirts and promotional products in your own free online e-commerce merchandise store. Better than silk screen printing.
Printpop.com
Printpop.com sells high-quality digital reproduction posters, prints of unknown, undiscovered, part time, hobbyist and student artists.

Zazzle vs. CafePress 

Which company do you prefer?

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Zazzle

Squidoo-Writer says:

Cool stuff here..

Posted July 09, 2009

lucykitty says:

ZAZZLE OF COURSE!!!!!

Posted July 07, 2009

roddick909 says:

I prefer Zazzle also

Posted July 06, 2009

tintin79 says:

I choose zazzle.. Very Unique Product line..

Posted July 04, 2009

roddick909 says:

i like zazzle coz more of choices

Posted July 04, 2009

CafePress

Cop-Speak says:

I have only used CafePress, but now you have wet my interest... so I'll have to check out Zazzle, for sure!

Posted July 07, 2009

twittfadder says:

I chose Zazzle

Posted June 13, 2009

GrowWear says:

Have to go with CafePress; it's where I got my start. But, I am planning to do lots more at Zazzle and see how it goes. :)

Posted May 24, 2009

gabrielangel says:

Cafepress is where I had my start. I tested out 3 free sites and now I've got 3 of my own domains. I've just got around to trying Zazzle out and I'm excited about trying out the unique products, but Cafepress still pays me more ... for now.

Posted May 20, 2009

Spitfire70 says:

For now, CP. Only because I have a successful store with them since like, 2001. But, you have made me quite curious about Zazzle so I will check it out for sure! Especially because there are a couple things about CP that I am frustrated with; like their sizing templates which don't always match the product. Plus, they don't offer shoes or skateboards! Cool! I just wonder about having to re-establish all my work onto another site. *sigh*

Posted May 13, 2009

 
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