fieldnotes 17
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Fieldnotes #17
What happened to 2025?!
I was doing some housekeeping and reorganization of these Fieldnotes (more on that in a sec), and I kept thinking, “wasn’t this issue just a month or two ago?”...when it was actually January or February! Time is just a crazy thing, am I right?! Regardless, here we are, winding down 2025. It was a…well, it was a year!
A little housekeeping: In order to keep the dashboard of the Fieldnotes looking less cluttered, I “archived” all of the Fieldnotes from 2024. So if you have an old email from 2024 (you keep all my emails, right?), your links might not work. Rest assured, the Fieldnotes are all in the dashboard - just in a new spot. Sometime early in 2026, I’ll do the same with all the 2025 Fieldnotes. It just keeps things looking neater!
Okay, let’ s get to it! Remember, as always, you’re free to just scroll down and snag this month’s freebie! You know I won’t judge! π
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Year in Review:
So, I’m not saying “I told you so,” but…I kinda did. π Every prediction I made this past year - 101 Niches & Trends, Weddings, Christmas - you name it, ended up showing up exactly where I said it would. {{mic drop!}}
And since one of my blind spots is pretending my own wins don’t exist, I’m taking a second to acknowledge this one. I poured a lot of hours into that research, and I’m proud of how spot-on it was. It reminded me that I actually do know what I’m doing when it comes to niche and trend scouting, and that the insights I share with you carry real weight.
So when I wave my little “hey, this is hot” flag next year…go ahead and trust me on it. π
Sincerely,
Kate “Nostradamus” Thompson. π
Black Friday {{Shudder}}
Black Friday this year felt like pure chaos. If you’re wondering whether you missed a deal from me, you didn’t. I stayed quiet on purpose. I had affiliate offers I could’ve shared, but honestly, everything blended together into one giant wall of “LOUD NOISES!”
I deleted so many emails last week without even opening them. Half the “sales” didn’t even feel like sales. One pitch hit my inbox offering a “deal” for a $20k coaching program. Yes. Twenty. Thousand. Dollars. (Keep that in mind when my membership launches at seven bucks. Seven dollars. Just saying. π)
Even the flood of “freebies” started to feel exhausting.
It reminded me of a trip I took back when I lived in China. We visited Hainan Island (“China’s Hawaii” π ) and tried to enjoy a beach day. Instead, we were surrounded by little kids selling sugarcane sticks, all chanting the same English words: “Buy! Cheap! For you!” We bought some, of course (buy local!π), but they didn’t budge. They just knelt around our towels, waving sugarcane in our faces like a very sweet, very persistent sales brigade. π Eventually we had to move because it was just too much.
That’s exactly how BFCM felt this year. Everyone waving something at me. Everyone shouting. And all I wanted was a semi-peaceful experience and maybe one email that didn’t start with, “I know your inbox is overflowing…”
So I opted out. I just didn’t want to add to the noise. And since I’m about to start talking about the new membership anyway, giving you a little breathing room felt like the right move – you know, before I start waving something at YOU! You’re welcome! π .
Black Friday this year felt like pure chaos. If you’re wondering whether you missed a deal from me, you didn’t. I stayed quiet on purpose. I had affiliate offers I could’ve shared, but honestly, everything blended together into one giant wall of “LOUD NOISES!”
I deleted so many emails last week without even opening them. Half the “sales” didn’t even feel like sales. One pitch hit my inbox offering a “deal” for a $20k coaching program. Yes. Twenty. Thousand. Dollars. (Keep that in mind when my membership launches at seven bucks. Seven dollars. Just saying. π)
Even the flood of “freebies” started to feel exhausting.
It reminded me of a trip I took back when I lived in China. We visited Hainan Island (“China’s Hawaii” π ) and tried to enjoy a beach day. Instead, we were surrounded by little kids selling sugarcane sticks, all chanting the same English words: “Buy! Cheap! For you!” We bought some, of course (buy local!π), but they didn’t budge. They just knelt around our towels, waving sugarcane in our faces like a very sweet, very persistent sales brigade. π Eventually we had to move because it was just too much.
That’s exactly how BFCM felt this year. Everyone waving something at me. Everyone shouting. And all I wanted was a semi-peaceful experience and maybe one email that didn’t start with, “I know your inbox is overflowing…”
So I opted out. I just didn’t want to add to the noise. And since I’m about to start talking about the new membership anyway, giving you a little breathing room felt like the right move – you know, before I start waving something at YOU! You’re welcome! π .
Membership Update (aka: Thanks For Giving Me Zero Direction π)
Regarding the new membership…the survey results from last month were hilarious. You were almost perfectly split between: wanting a membership with community, wanting one without community, and not caring either way. π
So basically: “Kate, you decide.”
Got it. π
I’m deep in the planning stage now: simplifying what I want to provide, what makes it different, and how to make it genuinely useful without turning it into yet another obligation on your plate.
Here’s what I can tell you right now…
What It’s NOT Going To Be
1. No coaching (live, group, Zoom-anything).
I’m not a coach. I love bossing you around, sure, but that’s different. π My lane has always been more “biz-bestie who’s in the trenches with you,” not “Here’s my $20k framework for success.”
Call me a mentor, call me a tutor or a teacher, just don’t call me Coach (unless, of course, you want to pay me $20k, in which case I will coach you into next week π).
2. No peer reviews.
Not because I’m anti-feedback, but because those spaces already exist and if I’m being totally blunt, they often turn into a procrastination trap. I see too many creators get stuck in a cycle of “check this for me,” “tell me if it’s good enough,” “let me get five more opinions,” and meanwhile, the product never gets listed.
My goal is to give you the tutorials, resources, and clarity you need so you can post with confidence instead of crowdsourcing reassurance.
3. No product-sharing groups.
No “post your product and we’ll all click it.” No “like for like.” Those groups exist everywhere, and I’m going to ramble on about them in a few minutes.
So What Will You Get?
A lot of me, basically. π
But also, graphics, resources, niche research, trend forecasting, and tutorials (videos) that help you move faster and create better products with less overwhelm.
There will be light accountability and mindset support because you know I’m a mindset girlie.
And if you come in as a founding member, you’ll have a real say in shaping future additions…as long as your ideas aren’t coaching, peer reviews, or product-promo threads. LOL.
And that brings me to a topic I’ve been itching to unpack for a while: promotional groups and why they make me twitch.
You might want to grab a snack.
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Is there a benefit to promoting your products in “Zazzle Groups” or “Etsy Groups” on Facebook, Reddit, Discord, etc.?
Let me be clear: I’m NOT against these kinds of groups; I’m in some myself and you’ve heard me promote Happy Zazzling multiple times! (In fact, some of what I say here is from a comment I made in HZ back in June.) I love the groups I’m in! The people are kind, helpful, and genuine, and I recommend joining them just for the camaraderie alone. π
So don’t get me wrong when I say this: posting your product links to online “XYZ seller” groups isn’t the rocket boost people think it is. It might give you some accountability and it might nudge you to create more, but while those things are genuinely helpful, in terms of actual marketplace traction it barely leaves a fingerprint.
I have two main issues with relying on this as a marketing strategy:
#1 Seller groups are filled with other SELLERS (designers).
They are not your customers. Designers don’t buy from other designers; they look, they compare, they self-promote, and they leave. It’s basically like shouting into a room of people who are also shouting.
#2 Traffic from seller groups doesn’t really move the needle - at least not in the way you’re thinking it does.
Here’s the typical pattern in Zazzle seller groups:
π Sellers post links.
π Members click the link and hit the little heart.
The idea is that these “views” and “likes” will somehow game the algorithm and push the products up.
And I’ve also seen people post in hopes of getting sales from others in the group, which… I’ll just say it: that’s a waste of energy. (See #1.)
But for the sake of our conversation here (if we can call my rambling a conversation! π ), I’m specifically talking about the idea of seeking “engagement” from other sellers to nudge or bump your listings artificially.
So why doesn’t this work? Because you can’t game the system long-term.
Let’s revisit our favorite point about the algorithm: Zazzle wants the sale.
“Likes” are meant for customers. They’re part of a shopper’s personal browsing experience. When someone from a seller group “likes” your product, Zazzle sees that as their favorite item, and adjusts what it shows them, not the entire marketplace.
Put another way: likes tell Zazzle the product is popular with the person who liked it, not that it’s necessarily popular to the wider Zazzle audience or that it will get sales.
And sure, likes tell us that someone cared enough to click the heart. But think about a scenario where 20 group members go “heart” something. The designer gets a burst of notifications, but those hearts came from other sellers. That doesn’t tell you or Zazzle anything about real shopper interest. The algorithm will quickly figure out that those likes were not authentic buyer engagement. Best case scenario, your product doesn’t move at all; worst case, the algorithm sees your store as “unhealthy” and doesn’t push your products as much.
On the other hand, if a stranger likes my product, that’s useful information to me as a seller. It means a real shopper connected with the design, and that tells me I’m in the right niche, or style, or color palette. That’s the kind of signal I want to pay attention to, because it comes from a buyer, not a buddy. (Yes, yes, I’m using alliteration! Always an English teacher! π€)
But what about “views,” Kate? Doesn’t the algorithm care about those?
Yes, but only if they’re engaged views.
If someone clicks the link, hearts it, and immediately moves on? Low engagement.
If they click and hang out on the page for a moment? Slightly better.
If they interact with the personalization tools? Way better.
If they check out similar products afterward? Zazzle still sees that as a good sign because the shopper stayed engaged in that category, and Zazzle pays attention to buyer behavior, not designer behavior.
That matters far more than 20 designers tapping the heart button just to be nice.
The longer a viewer is engaged with a product, the more likely the algorithm is to push it out to more people.
Remember: Zazzle wants the sale.
Side Note: we also can be pretty confident that the “This item is trending” badge can also be “hacked,” so it’s not super relevant to us - especially if it is a low number. I’ve seen that badge on items where it says “7 people have viewed this item!” I don’t care if 7000 people have “viewed” it - if none of those people BUY it, it isn’t trending!
The bottom line is this: The more desirable (likely to sell) the algorithm thinks a product is, the more it will work to push that up for more people to see.
That comes from: engaged views (ultimately, conversion to a sale!), strong designs, good SEO, and buyer interest (people are searching for it). “Likes” alone aren’t going to move the needle. Neither are “views” alone, for that matter.
Please understand, I’m not saying you shouldn’t post in your favorite group. But I AM saying that if that’s your marketing plan, it’s not going to work for you long-term.
So what SHOULD you do? You probably already know what I'm going to say here. My friend, your time is far better spent making products people are actually searching for, using solid SEO, creating strong cover images, and promoting your designs (using those strong cover images) on Pinterest. Pinterest lives forever…I still get clicks and sales from pins I made in 2019!
Alright then, what ARE these groups good for?
#1 Light accountability and keeping your head in the game. Seeing others do the work can be helpful and grounding. Just avoid the folks who only ever post doom and gloom.
#2 Marketplace intel. Groups are often faster than Zazzle’s own announcements for product launches, glitches, and changes.
#3 Workflow hacks. This is gold. Listing tips, AI tricks, Pinterest strategies, niche spotting, etc. I’ve picked up so many shortcuts from groups.
What about using them for peer feedback?
This one’s personal for me. I only ask for feedback when I have a specific question: “Which colorway?” “Does this font feel off?” “Can someone check my template?”
I don’t trust general group feedback because first of all, skill levels vary wildly. But also, people want to be encouraging, so they say “cute!” even if it needs work. And like I said earlier (much earlier LOL), I think peer feedback can quickly turn into a procrastination tool.
If your group feedback works for you? Great. Just remember: not all feedback is equal.
At the end of the day, groups are great for connection, encouragement, and learning, but they’re not a marketing plan. Your real momentum is going to come from creating strong products (that people are searching for!), building good SEO habits, making better cover images, and getting your work in front of actual shoppers.
If you treat groups as a place to grow instead of a place to get sales, you’ll get a lot more out of them!
What should you be creating right now?
πValentine’s Day is the next big seasonal event you should be designing for. I know it doesn’t feel right designing for Valentine’s Day when we’ve just passed Thanksgiving, but those products need time to “marinate” in the marketplace and on Pinterest. So get going!
πSpring (and even Summer) Weddings will be right around the corner before you know it, so if that’s your niche, hop to it!
π«Here’s a fun one: 100 Days of School! If you’re in the teacher/classroom space, get on it! This day usually happens in January or February, so now’s the time to get those products made.
βEvergreen (year round) niches never go away. If you’ve always been a “seasonal” designer, take this as your cue to break into some new territory! The goal is to get sales all year round, not just in clumps at certain times of the year.
What should you be promoting right now?
You should still be focused on promoting a LOT right now. Like I said last month, Q4 buyers are lining up and you want to get a piece of that pie!
βοΈ Winter Holidays (people are searching for their holiday cards as we speak!)You should still be focused on promoting a LOT right now. Like I said last month, Q4 buyers are lining up and you want to get a piece of that pie!
π‘ New Years Resolution-Related stuff (goal planners, habit trackers, etc.)
π Self-Care and Health-related products (journals, yoga mats, candles, etc.)
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Ladybugs. Absolutely not.
I’m not a fan of the ladybug. I said what I said. Next to la cucaracha, it is my least favorite of all the bugs. I think it’s because I find them deceptive: they LOOK cute, with their little spots and all, but then they open their wings and they look like little flying beetles and ewwww! {{shudder}} Don’t believe me? Check out this image I found on the internet.**
The internet doesn’t lie! π**Yes, I know, technically these are “lady beetles” not “lady bugs.” Potato, potahto! And don’t come at me with your, “but Kate, they're harmless! They help the garden!” They are welcome to stay in the garden. They are NOT welcome in my house, garage, shoes, hair, etc.
So you can imagine my horror when I learned that one of the distinct features of living in a rural, agricultural, Midwestern state is the annual “invasion of the ladybugs!” ππππ
As Autumn moves in and the nights get colder, all the bazillion ladybugs leave the fields and come looking for community and warmth. As a result, they’re drawn to homes and garages - pretty much anywhere warm and cozy - and they cluster up in piles…nay, MOUNTAINS of bugs! π±
Garage ceiling - covered.
Windowsills - jam packed!
Go look it up - I’m not posting pictures here!
Think you’re gonna just vacuum them up or sweep them out? Wait - there’s more! When they’re crushed, they release a stinky yellow goo, so there’s that to enjoy, too! π€’
But guess who IS a fan of ladybugs? Your CUSTOMERS! Yep - ladybugs, (heck, bugs of all kinds) are big sellers! I did some deep research for you (remember, Kate is always right π ), and the ladybug theme is alive and well in both the stationery and print-on-demand world. In fact, if anything, it’s crawling (see what I did there?) slightly upwards thanks to a confluence of cultural trends and its enduring cuteness for children’s events. Artistic styles can range from cartoonish to vintage, and clipart/cute and watercolor floral designs lead the pack for invites and decor. Even niche styles like minimalist and retro have their devoted audiences.
If you’re looking for a safe, sweet choice for your next designs, the ladybug theme has lots of spots (LOL) where it continues to charm consumers, and it isn’t flying away (with its nightmare wings) anytime soon!
Which brings me to this month’s freebie! Bugs o’plenty! Enjoy this sample of 10 cliparts from the Cute Little Critters pack. (Fun fact: the full pack has over 90 images in it, and it will be available in the new membership!) This set has that sweet, painterly, slightly whimsical vibe that people LOVE for kids’ products and cheerful spring/summer themes. Everything from invitations (baby showers, birthdays, etc.) to party supplies (favor tags, stickers), to thank you cards and welcome signs and even nursery art - this set is perfect for both seasonal and evergreen niches! Enjoy! Just click the image below to go right to the Google Drive Folder.
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P.S. None of the ladybugs’ wings open. You’re welcome.
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No Field Tested Finds again?! I’ll be honest - nothing has struck my fancy! Remember, I told you I’d only promote things in this section that I’m really on about, and lately I’ve been in a bit of a rut in that arena.
Tell you what - I’ll do a little recap of a couple of my favorite free “groups” (to prove to you that I’m not against groups LOL). I’ve mentioned these before, so they’ll sound familiar, but do check them out if you haven’t already.
Happy Zazzling Facebook Group: You won’t find a nicer bunch of Zazzlers on Facebook!
CtrlZ Creative Community on Substack: Looking for a place to share your progress and jump into fun creative challenges with other designers? Don’t miss this one!
♥ That’s it for 2025! ♥
That’s it for our 2025 Fieldnotes!
You might hear from me again at “Twixtmas” (between Christmas and New Years), about a cool thing I’m participating in next year, but it depends on how much eggnog I drink. LOL
But if we don’t speak again, I wish you the MERRIEST Christmas and the HAPPIEST of Holidays!
I am BEYOND excited about 2026 and the new membership and allllll the amazing things I have for you - so hang on to your hats!
Thank you again for being awesome!
Be sure to reach out if you have questions or just want to say hi!
That’s it for our 2025 Fieldnotes!
You might hear from me again at “Twixtmas” (between Christmas and New Years), about a cool thing I’m participating in next year, but it depends on how much eggnog I drink. LOL
But if we don’t speak again, I wish you the MERRIEST Christmas and the HAPPIEST of Holidays!
I am BEYOND excited about 2026 and the new membership and allllll the amazing things I have for you - so hang on to your hats!
Thank you again for being awesome!
Be sure to reach out if you have questions or just want to say hi!
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