I am a newbie to Zazzle - do you have any advice?

[John Dilbeck]

Good afternoon.

I've had a shop on CafePress for years and I've been pretty happy with it, but with the recent changes and most of my sales being made through the marketplace (at a much lower commission), I've decided to branch out and examine other options.

So, today, I opened an account on Zazzle and started working on my brand new Zazzle store.

Although I'm comfortable designing products and adding them to my shop on CafePress, I feel totally out of balance at Zazzle. I can already see that I'm going to have to do some modifications to the designs I already have, in terms of size and pixels per inch. Other than that, I'm unsure about where to start.

So, I thought that I'd turn to my friends here at Squidoo Marketing and ask for your advice. In addition to helping me get started, you may also learn some tips if you follow this discussion, and we may provide helpful information to others who would like to open a Zazzle shop.

So, although it may be Friday before I can make the time to start working on designs and adding products to my store, I'm going to try to spend some time later today learning my way around Zazzle.

So, I'm open to advice and suggestions. Anyone want to share your expertise?

Act on your dream!

JD

[spunky duckling]

Not sure where exactly you want to start. I think there are squidoo modules on the topic.. The thing i like about zazzle is that you can create word only designs using their templates or you can upload images. When you upload an image you get to choose whether you want to upload unto one or a few products or all of zazzle products automatically. And also if you would like that design to be able to be manipulated by customers or if they should buy only.
Just visited your store and I would suggest that you upload a nice header for it and add some categories to the store..see this one www.zazzle.com/sugarvsspice

[John Dilbeck]

Good evening, Spunky Duckling.

Thanks for your suggestions.

I just now tried creating multiple products from a single design and I'm already stuck. They show up in my In Progress section and I don't see how to get them into the Public section.

Until I can get at least one product available for sale, it's a real stumper. I don't see any Getting Started guide, either. Perhaps I just don't know my way around, yet.

Once I get something in the store that I can sell, I'll think about the header.

I'll be adding categories over time as I create the products.

At least, that's the way I've done it on CafePress.

Have I overlooked something?

Act on your dream!

JD

[spunky duckling]

If the product you added was a postage stamp or keds shoes it will need to get approved first so it will stay in progress until. try this video on adding images on zazzle Hope that helps.Also you must add a price in order for it to show in the market place. feel free to ask if still confused. And since they are in progress you can go back and finish..by filling any description, price etc..so that it appears. not sure exactly what you are doing for it not to appear. I'll see if i find a better video,,,

[John Dilbeck]

Good afternoon, Spunky Duckling.

I was out of the loop all day yesterday, but I'll be working on my new Zazzle store today and over the weekend.

I added the image (a styled-text USA with stars and stripes) to a bunch of buttons, keychains, shirts, etc. No postage stamps or Keds shoes. So, I don't know what the problem is.

I'm assuming, without really knowing, that I now have to edit each of those products individually, even though I already chose the markup for the entire group and I already entered the description, categories, etc, as part of the group creation.

I don't see a link to a video in your previous comment.

I'll try going in later today and seeing if I can get the In Progress products to show up in the public part of the store.

Thanks for the help.

JD

[spunky duckling]

oops i think the link to the video just disappeared. going to have to locate one for you again. And you can do bulk editing for all. After editing you must hit the post it button for it to appear. Did you do that?

[John Dilbeck]

Good afternoon, Spunky Duckling.

I appreciate your help.

I got a surprise a few minutes ago when I visited my new shop and there were 24 items in the public section ready to sell. So, I guess I was being impatient and "in progress" meant what it said.

I don't remember clicking the "post it" button, but probably did.

It'll take a little while to learn my way around and feel comfortable with Zazzle, but I'm still liking what I'm seeing so far.

Thanks!

JD

[spunky duckling]

You're welcome..just take your time..glad to know all is ok. cheers!

[Beth Day]

John,

It can take Zazzle up to 24 hrs. to publish your products. They will send you an email telling you that your products are in the marketplace.

[Beth Day]

John,

I love the USA design in your store. It certainly doesn't look like you're having a problem. Zazzle is like anything else. The more you do, the better you get at it.

[John Dilbeck]

Thanks for the kind words, Beth.

You're exactly right. There's a lot to learn and I sometimes get impatient, but I'm trying to take it one step at a time.

Act on your dream!

JD

[Shelley Kuhn]

Hi, Here is a lens I created to help new Zazzlers... many have said they found it helpful so thought I'd share it here too!
http://www.squidoo.com/create_your_own_zazzle_store

[John Dilbeck]

Good morning, Shelley,

Thanks for the link to your Zazzle lens.

I have a lot to do before my Zazzle shop is where I want it to be, but with the help of everyone here, it's going to be easier than it looked at first.

Act on your dream!

JD