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Fieldnotes #03
It's October!
It's October!
πFirst of all, I hope these Fieldnotes find you and your loved ones safe from this past week’s disastrous weather and tragedies! Our thoughts and prayers definitely go out to all those who have been affected - both directly and indirectly, and I know we are all holding our loved ones extra close right now.
πOctober has always been a “thoughtful” month for me, even more so in the last few years. It’s the month where we unexpectedly lost my Dad (in 2021), so it’s a time of both nostalgia and reflection on what is important, and these recent events have been another reminder of that. π
Have you ever read the poem “The Dash” by Linda Ellis? It’s a popular inspirational poem that reflects on the significance of the “dash” between the dates of birth and death on a tombstone. I won’t add the whole poem here, because I think there’s a copyright issue, but my favorite line is this one:
For it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash.
What matters is how we live and love, and how we spend our dash.
October always makes me think about my dash…how I’m arranging my life and what (and who) matters in that space. I want to make the most of the opportunities I’ve been given, but I also want to “slow down enough to consider what’s true and real” and focus on what will have long term effects, not just the short term wins (even though they’re important, too!).
πOctober has always been a “thoughtful” month for me, even more so in the last few years. It’s the month where we unexpectedly lost my Dad (in 2021), so it’s a time of both nostalgia and reflection on what is important, and these recent events have been another reminder of that. π
Have you ever read the poem “The Dash” by Linda Ellis? It’s a popular inspirational poem that reflects on the significance of the “dash” between the dates of birth and death on a tombstone. I won’t add the whole poem here, because I think there’s a copyright issue, but my favorite line is this one:
For it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash.
What matters is how we live and love, and how we spend our dash.
October always makes me think about my dash…how I’m arranging my life and what (and who) matters in that space. I want to make the most of the opportunities I’ve been given, but I also want to “slow down enough to consider what’s true and real” and focus on what will have long term effects, not just the short term wins (even though they’re important, too!).
π€ͺRandom Experiment: That time I listed 100 products in one week…
You know that old saying, “Just because you CAN do a thing, doesn’t mean you SHOULD”? Yeah, it applies here! π
β‘ Here’s how it went down. Early in September, I noticed I was very behind on holiday preparations in my own Zazzle stores, so I decided to set myself a challenge to LIST 100 products in 1 week in an attempt to catch up a bit. I’ll pause while you do the math on that. π
Did I do it? Yes! Would I do it again? Erm, maybe. π
I learned a LOT about myself that week: about my habits and my weaknesses, for sure, but also about my drive and determination. If I did it again, there are some things I would do differently - both to make the week go more smoothly and to keep myself from going bug-eyed. I was going to tell you all about it here, but these Fieldnotes are getting loooong!
So, if you want me to tell you how I did it (and how I did), click below to let me know if you prefer a video or a written post.
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Don't forget to come back and finish the Fieldnotes! You know that old saying, “Just because you CAN do a thing, doesn’t mean you SHOULD”? Yeah, it applies here! π
β‘ Here’s how it went down. Early in September, I noticed I was very behind on holiday preparations in my own Zazzle stores, so I decided to set myself a challenge to LIST 100 products in 1 week in an attempt to catch up a bit. I’ll pause while you do the math on that. π
Did I do it? Yes! Would I do it again? Erm, maybe. π
I learned a LOT about myself that week: about my habits and my weaknesses, for sure, but also about my drive and determination. If I did it again, there are some things I would do differently - both to make the week go more smoothly and to keep myself from going bug-eyed. I was going to tell you all about it here, but these Fieldnotes are getting loooong!
So, if you want me to tell you how I did it (and how I did), click below to let me know if you prefer a video or a written post.
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β‘Which brings me to some NEWS: I have decided to
I’m also reflecting on where I want to go with the Designers Toolkits in 2025. I love making them, but they do take a lot of time and effort on my part, so I want to make sure I’m making kits that will be useful and helpful. My goal is to make them quarterly (4 times per year).
π‘I have some ideas, and I would love it if you would weigh in on them and add any ideas YOU have for upcoming toolkits. If you click the survey below, you’ll be able to tell me which toolkit you’d like to see me work on first! That’s right, my friends, put me to work! π Just click below to VOTE! Thank you!
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Don't forget to come back and finish the Fieldnotes!πMoving on!
If you are in Zazzle Unleashed, you watched me create a bunch of products for a holiday collection. I’ve already made nearly $28 in royalties from that collection! π€π On the surface $28 isn’t a ton, but that’s just within the few weeks (less than 2 months) since I created it, AND the season hasn’t even officially started yet! It’s a great reminder that the process works and ample motivation to continue building out that collection.
It’s not too late to get YOUR holiday products up for this year, by the way (although it is getting close! π).
If you need a quick start, dive into The Christmas Designers Toolkit for a boost. Open the niche guide, pick a niche (hint: go to the bonus niches page for a super kick start!), then grab some matching graphics from the Toolkit and start creating!
It doesn’t have to be elaborate - minimalism is HOT right now - but you do have to get products up if you want to see sales. Don’t have The Christmas Designers Toolkit yet? You can still get it for $9 (but only until Oct. 5). The link is at the bottom of this page.
The Niche Guide is FREE, though! Click here to grab it!
This month’s freebie will help you out too – more on that in a bit!
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πβ I keep seeing the word “cozy” popping up everywhere. It is, after all, “cozy season.” If you have any designs that have this vibe (even if they aren’t specifically designed for the “cozy season,” be sure to get “cozy” in one of your tags or somewhere in your description (preferably both!).
π I’ve been fielding a lot of questions about TAGS (keywords) lately. I know - I get it - figuring out which tags to use can sometimes feel downright impossible. I don’t spend a lot of time on it in Zazzle Unleashed simply because it is such a broad topic, and it’s different for everyone depending on your niche!
But here’s what I do recommend: don’t overthink it. Just think like a customer who is coming in to search Zazzle. It is unlikely that they will be searching for things like “four corner diagonal box,” right? Makes more sense that they are searching for “abstract pattern” or “geometric pattern” or even just “diagonal pattern.” Same goes for the labels we sometimes give our own designs. Customers aren’t coming in to search for “melody in springtime;” they’re looking for a “spring pattern” or “floral” or “pink peonies,” etc. Get it? π‘
π‘ I highly recommend taking a look (or another look!) at Zazzle’s page on best practices for Titles, Tags, and Descriptions. It is full of very helpful information.
What should you be focusing on right now?
πThis is key promotion time for Halloween and Thanksgiving, and the winter holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years) are just around the corner. Remember, last month I gave you a couple of sweet freebies to help you with your promotion - go get 'em and get to work!
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This month’s Fieldnotes has been very interactive, and I appreciate you taking the time to help me out.
Here’s your sweet reward! This month’s freebie is actually a sample from a pack that I considered adding to The Christmas Designers Toolkit, but ended up not, for some reason. Well, now I know why!
Here is a Free Sample Pack of a set of patterns that I made for New Years designs, but honestly I can think of a ton of other uses for them. I personally love using patterns! They make minimalist designs pop, they make great “accents,” and I love combining them with personalization options. Plus there’s a special BONUS pack (ooh - a bonus on a bonus product! It’s a double bonus!) of some cute New Years clipart!
Just click the image to get the Sample Pack!
Remember, if you have one of our Toolkits you get the FULL pack for free (see below).
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A note about patterns: I generally don’t just use the pattern “as is.” Not that you can’t - but remember, people come to Zazzle looking for that customization / personalization option, so you have a much better chance of selling a pattern on a product when it has a name or monogram or even a quote. So when you use these patterns, ask yourself how you can make this unique: how can you give your customer the opportunity to have something custom and amazing?!Take a look at the Full Packs!
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Normally I put the freebie (Free Sample) in the Fieldnotes for everyone, and then I put the full pack in the Bonus section of The Designers Toolkit. This month I’m still doing that, but I will also be putting it into the Bonus section of The Christmas Designers Toolkit, too! So if you only have one toolkit, you’ll still get the full pack! π Just head over to your toolkit and grab the full packs there.Fun Fact: Currently, the only way to get these graphic packs (and all of the graphics packs I've ever included as bonuses) is to own one (or both) of the toolkits! I don't sell these anywhere else at the moment, and I don't have plans to. So if you have them, you're in a pretty exclusive group. π
Don’t have the Toolkits yet? Grab ‘em here - just click the links below!
πThe Christmas Designers Toolkit - only $9 until October 5th! I extended that deadline, so act fast! Use the coupon CTKEARLYBIRD if necessary.
βThe Designers Toolkit - still only $9 (but that price will go up in 2025)
Whew! You made it to the end! You're a trooper, you! π
I’ll leave you with this thought provoking quote from James Clear:
“Opportunities are grains of sand. They slide right past drooping fingers, but an active palm can gather whatever is within reach and shape it into a little castle. It is the act of engaging with the material that gives it shape.”
Thanks for sticking with me to then end.
Be sure to reach out if you have questions
or just want to say hi!
Be sure to reach out if you have questions
or just want to say hi!
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