fieldnotes 18
.png)
Fieldnotes #18
Happy 2026
First of all, I’m sorry for the slight delay in this month’s Fieldnotes. It’s been pretty wild around here for the past few weeks! 2025 went out with a bang and 2026 came roaring in just as strong! We spent Christmas Eve in the ER thanks to an eye emergency (my husband’s, not mine), and we rounded out New Year’s week with him having unplanned (but very necessary) eye surgery. π
In between, we tried to rest and “keep his head still.” It makes me laugh just typing that! It reminds me of the time he had oral surgery and the dentist punctured his sinus cavity! His post-op instructions were, “don’t sneeze for 2 weeks!” Sometimes I wonder if the doctors have ever had any of the issues they treat us for. Anyway, add to that my own chronic pain issues and you end up with a bumpy holiday season and a late Fieldnotes! π«
But I’m here now.
Second of all, this will be an unusually short Fieldnotes. Like I said above, it’s been a wild few weeks around here and I’m really just feeling the need to slow down and ease in! If you’re new here (welcome!), enjoy the short Fieldnotes; they’re usually a mile long! π Which reminds me, you can always read “back issues” of the Fieldnotes by clicking on the “Home Page” button at the top of the screen.
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
.png)
Do You WOTY?
Do you do a Word of the Year? I’ve done them in the past, but I’m not gonna lie - I always forget what they are about a month into the year! π I’m always very motivated in January - I have big dreams and ideas for the year - but then life sets in and let’s face it, life is unpredictable. π€·π»βοΈ So I don’t know if I want to do a WOTY this year or not. But if I do, I think I will use the word “yet.” I find myself using that word a lot (unlike so many of my previous WOTYs π).
Think about it: depending on where you put it in the sentence, the word “yet” can have a different connotation or vibe. For example, if I say, “Yet progress was made,” it feels like a declaration or like I’m resolved to complete something. But if I say, “I haven’t made progress yet,” it feels more like patience and becoming. Ooh and if I put it in the middle: “I haven’t built the habit yet something has shifted inside of me” - that’s even more powerful!
So tell me, what have you not done YET or YET, what have you done?
Membership News:
This is the month! Due to needing to spend more time care-giving lately, it hasn’t launched - YET (see what I did there), but I am actually still on track to launch it mid-month! So you’ll be getting another email from me in a couple of weeks with all the details. π
.png)
So not only is this month’s Fieldnotes short, I’m actually reusing some of my own material! What follows is a post I made for the Happy Zazzling Facebook Group back in December. I’m re-posting it here, word for word (you’ll even see me reference that I plan to use the post for my Fieldnotes), because I feel like it is very important information, especially going into 2026 with all the changes at Zazzle.
Enjoy.
Hard Truth Monday Tuesday: Why Your Beautiful Designs Are Invisible (aka: The Algorithm Is a Big Chicken!) π
This is something I get asked about all the time (and I do mean all the time—so much so that I will be doing a Fieldnotes post on it soon!). People want to know why they’re not getting views/sales, so they show me their stores, and what I see are SMALL stores with SCATTERED products.
If you only have a couple hundred random products, you have built a Scrapbook where you need to build a Store.
This isn’t just about spamming the marketplace (don’t do that!). It comes down (once again) to how marketplace algorithms work. Zazzle’s algorithm (like most in this field) is “risk-averse.” It’s a big chicken! π Its primary job is to reduce risk and maximize its own profit. So before it pushes your design, it needs data to prove you are a dependable source!
And yes, good, well-researched designs are very important, but this issue isn't about your talent as much as it is about sheer scale. Remember, Zazzle is home to millions of listings.
βLow Volume = Low Odds: Every single product you upload is a new, indexable doorway for customers to find your store. So with only a handful of doors, you are relying on pure luck in a marketplace where the competition has thousands. You are casting a tiny fishing line in a vast ocean.
βThe Algorithm's Test: The algorithm is a chicken, remember? It wants to promote sellers who can satisfy the customer's entire need. If it shows your one invitation and the customer has to leave your store to find the matching RSVP card somewhere else, that signals high risk and low authority for you.
There’s a lot more to be said when I go into it in the Fieldnotes*, but for now, please keep this in mind when you’re tempted to think negative thoughts about yourself when you’re not getting the views/sales.
Ask yourself: How many products do you have? Are they strategic and well-organized or are they random?
Your goal is to train the algorithm to trust you so it won’t be such a chicken! A couple hundred products just isn't enough proof of commitment or comprehensive inventory for a platform as huge as Zazzle. You need to focus your creation more narrowly until you have built a deep, authoritative catalog that the algorithm has to promote.
*Here it is:
The “Wide-but-Shallow” Trap
Now, I know what some of you are thinking. You’re looking at your dashboard and saying, “But Kate, I have thousands of products! I’ve done the work, I’ve filled the store, and I’m still hearing crickets. Why is the chicken still running away from me?” π
That leads us right back to that second (but equally important) question: Are those products strategic and cohesive, or are they just a massive, scattered pile of “stuff”?
Sure, having 5,000 products sounds impressive, but if those products are a “wide and shallow” mix of random niches, you’re still failing the algorithm’s trust test. 5,000 products spread across 50 different, unrelated categories is simply not an authoritative store.
The Authority Test: Can You Contain the Journey?
Remember, the algorithm wants to reduce risk. It wants to know that if it sends a customer to you for a baby shower invitation, that customer can find the diaper raffle cards, the thank you notes, and the welcome signs, etc., all in one place. If a customer has to leave your store to find the matching pieces of their event, that signals to the algorithm that you are a “high-risk” seller. You aren’t satisfying the customer’s entire need. To win the trust of the “Big Chicken,” you have to demonstrate authority. You need a catalog so deep and well-organized that the algorithm feels safe keeping the customer inside your “four walls.”
Are You Building or Just Making Noise?
This brings us back to the lesson we learned from the woodpecker a few months ago. Are you pecking with purpose, or are you just making noise? Because scaling is only a superpower when it’s paired with focus. Five hundred products in one narrow, deep niche will almost always outperform 5,000 products scattered to the wind.
π The Hardest “Hard Truth”
I’ll leave you with one more thought, and it’s a tough one that we’ll probably dive deeper into another day.
If you have the volume, and you have the strategic depth, but you still aren’t seeing the sales...it might be time to look in the mirror. It is possible that your designs are no longer what Zazzle buyers are looking for or that maybe your design skills aren’t where they need to be. Whatever it is, at some point, we have to ask the hard questions about the quality of the work itself.
If that feels like a lot to take in, just remember: every successful designer you see has had to have this exact same “mirror moment.” So think of it as a sign of growth, not a sign of failure. You have the tools, and you definitely have the heart for this. Now, let’s just get that focus dialed in so your hard work actually gets the spotlight it deserves.
I’m right here with you! ππͺπ»
What should you be creating right now?
πSpring and Summer) Weddings
πSt. Patrick's Day
πMardi Gras
π‘Want to get a head start: Start creating for Mother's Day!
βAs a reminder, Evergreen (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.
π Chinese New Year (Year of the Horse)
π«Presidential Holidays (if you're in the USA education/school niche)
.png)
This Month We’re Spillin’ the Tea!
Think Tea Parties are just for teddy bears and Mad Hatters? Well I’ve been deep-diving into the forecasts, and guess what: the “tea party” trend isn’t going anywhere, but it is growing up. We are moving past the super-rustic, shabby-chic vibes of the last few years and into our “Post-Regency” phase.
Think less cluttered, and more refined, more “Chateaucore” (European summer elegance) or “Grandmillennial 2.0” (nostalgic heirloom vibes, but cleaner). This spring, I predict the appetite for elevated bridal showers, “Cu-Tea” baby showers, and milestone birthdays is going to be huge (and remember, all my trend predictions came true last year! π).
So this month I’ve pulled together a strategic 10-Item Sample Pack (a “TEA-ser” if you will π ) from the full “Tea Party Time” clipart pack just for you! The full pack has over 40 graphics and will be available in the membership.
By the way, this is not just a random selection. I specifically chose a mix of the French Blue and Dusty Pink teapots, functional floral borders, and accent pieces like macarons. They are designed to be mix-and-match so you can create products that feel curated and boutique, rather than cookie-cutter. Plus there’s an Inspiration Brief in there for you, too, to really get your brain flowing! No excuses!
No Party? No Problem! If you don’t design for events, don’t skip this freebie! The 2026 tea trend is actually exploding in the Lifestyle and Wellness niches, too. We’re seeing a move toward “Afternoon Tea as a Healing Ritual.” So think about your audience who values slowing down, screen-free hobbies, and intentional living.
Grab the pack, look over the brief, and try creating just one new product this week. Just click here or on the image below to go right to the Google Drive Folder.
.png)
This is the month! Due to needing to spend more time care-giving lately, it hasn’t launched - YET (see what I did there), but I am actually still on track to launch it mid-month! So you’ll be getting another email from me in a couple of weeks with all the details. π
So not only is this month’s Fieldnotes short, I’m actually reusing some of my own material! What follows is a post I made for the Happy Zazzling Facebook Group back in December. I’m re-posting it here, word for word (you’ll even see me reference that I plan to use the post for my Fieldnotes), because I feel like it is very important information, especially going into 2026 with all the changes at Zazzle.
Enjoy.
Hard Truth
This is something I get asked about all the time (and I do mean all the time—so much so that I will be doing a Fieldnotes post on it soon!). People want to know why they’re not getting views/sales, so they show me their stores, and what I see are SMALL stores with SCATTERED products.
If you only have a couple hundred random products, you have built a Scrapbook where you need to build a Store.
This isn’t just about spamming the marketplace (don’t do that!). It comes down (once again) to how marketplace algorithms work. Zazzle’s algorithm (like most in this field) is “risk-averse.” It’s a big chicken! π Its primary job is to reduce risk and maximize its own profit. So before it pushes your design, it needs data to prove you are a dependable source!
And yes, good, well-researched designs are very important, but this issue isn't about your talent as much as it is about sheer scale. Remember, Zazzle is home to millions of listings.
βLow Volume = Low Odds: Every single product you upload is a new, indexable doorway for customers to find your store. So with only a handful of doors, you are relying on pure luck in a marketplace where the competition has thousands. You are casting a tiny fishing line in a vast ocean.
βThe Algorithm's Test: The algorithm is a chicken, remember? It wants to promote sellers who can satisfy the customer's entire need. If it shows your one invitation and the customer has to leave your store to find the matching RSVP card somewhere else, that signals high risk and low authority for you.
There’s a lot more to be said when I go into it in the Fieldnotes*, but for now, please keep this in mind when you’re tempted to think negative thoughts about yourself when you’re not getting the views/sales.
Ask yourself: How many products do you have? Are they strategic and well-organized or are they random?
Your goal is to train the algorithm to trust you so it won’t be such a chicken! A couple hundred products just isn't enough proof of commitment or comprehensive inventory for a platform as huge as Zazzle. You need to focus your creation more narrowly until you have built a deep, authoritative catalog that the algorithm has to promote.
*Here it is:
The “Wide-but-Shallow” Trap
Now, I know what some of you are thinking. You’re looking at your dashboard and saying, “But Kate, I have thousands of products! I’ve done the work, I’ve filled the store, and I’m still hearing crickets. Why is the chicken still running away from me?” π
That leads us right back to that second (but equally important) question: Are those products strategic and cohesive, or are they just a massive, scattered pile of “stuff”?
Sure, having 5,000 products sounds impressive, but if those products are a “wide and shallow” mix of random niches, you’re still failing the algorithm’s trust test. 5,000 products spread across 50 different, unrelated categories is simply not an authoritative store.
The Authority Test: Can You Contain the Journey?
Remember, the algorithm wants to reduce risk. It wants to know that if it sends a customer to you for a baby shower invitation, that customer can find the diaper raffle cards, the thank you notes, and the welcome signs, etc., all in one place. If a customer has to leave your store to find the matching pieces of their event, that signals to the algorithm that you are a “high-risk” seller. You aren’t satisfying the customer’s entire need. To win the trust of the “Big Chicken,” you have to demonstrate authority. You need a catalog so deep and well-organized that the algorithm feels safe keeping the customer inside your “four walls.”
Are You Building or Just Making Noise?
This brings us back to the lesson we learned from the woodpecker a few months ago. Are you pecking with purpose, or are you just making noise? Because scaling is only a superpower when it’s paired with focus. Five hundred products in one narrow, deep niche will almost always outperform 5,000 products scattered to the wind.
π The Hardest “Hard Truth”
I’ll leave you with one more thought, and it’s a tough one that we’ll probably dive deeper into another day.
If you have the volume, and you have the strategic depth, but you still aren’t seeing the sales...it might be time to look in the mirror. It is possible that your designs are no longer what Zazzle buyers are looking for or that maybe your design skills aren’t where they need to be. Whatever it is, at some point, we have to ask the hard questions about the quality of the work itself.
If that feels like a lot to take in, just remember: every successful designer you see has had to have this exact same “mirror moment.” So think of it as a sign of growth, not a sign of failure. You have the tools, and you definitely have the heart for this. Now, let’s just get that focus dialed in so your hard work actually gets the spotlight it deserves.
I’m right here with you! ππͺπ»
What should you be creating right now?
πSpring and Summer) Weddings
πSt. Patrick's Day
πMardi Gras
π‘Want to get a head start: Start creating for Mother's Day!
βAs a reminder, Evergreen (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?
π Valentine's Day (and Galentine's Day!)π Chinese New Year (Year of the Horse)
π«Presidential Holidays (if you're in the USA education/school niche)
This Month We’re Spillin’ the Tea!
Think Tea Parties are just for teddy bears and Mad Hatters? Well I’ve been deep-diving into the forecasts, and guess what: the “tea party” trend isn’t going anywhere, but it is growing up. We are moving past the super-rustic, shabby-chic vibes of the last few years and into our “Post-Regency” phase.
Think less cluttered, and more refined, more “Chateaucore” (European summer elegance) or “Grandmillennial 2.0” (nostalgic heirloom vibes, but cleaner). This spring, I predict the appetite for elevated bridal showers, “Cu-Tea” baby showers, and milestone birthdays is going to be huge (and remember, all my trend predictions came true last year! π).
So this month I’ve pulled together a strategic 10-Item Sample Pack (a “TEA-ser” if you will π ) from the full “Tea Party Time” clipart pack just for you! The full pack has over 40 graphics and will be available in the membership.
By the way, this is not just a random selection. I specifically chose a mix of the French Blue and Dusty Pink teapots, functional floral borders, and accent pieces like macarons. They are designed to be mix-and-match so you can create products that feel curated and boutique, rather than cookie-cutter. Plus there’s an Inspiration Brief in there for you, too, to really get your brain flowing! No excuses!
No Party? No Problem! If you don’t design for events, don’t skip this freebie! The 2026 tea trend is actually exploding in the Lifestyle and Wellness niches, too. We’re seeing a move toward “Afternoon Tea as a Healing Ritual.” So think about your audience who values slowing down, screen-free hobbies, and intentional living.
Grab the pack, look over the brief, and try creating just one new product this week. Just click here or on the image below to go right to the Google Drive Folder.
.png)
The Email Experiment
Just a quick reminder that our Field Tested Finds area often contains affiliate links (sister’s gotta pay the bills, ya’ll!), but I promise I only recommend things I actually use and love.If you saw my ‘Twixtmas email, you know that I am absolutely giddy to be on faculty again at The Email Experiment!
Consider this your cordial invitation to come and join me in this one-of-a-kind Email Experiment where you get to meet over 50 email experts over the course of the year (2026) who are all eager to share their know-how with you in 10 minutes. Click here or on the image below to use my affiliate link:
(1).png)
It’s a one-time cost of $47 for the full year (plus the last 2 years are added as a bonus if you sign up soon).
This is not a set of copy and paste templates for email. This is not a challenge, where you have to win badges, post-homework, or have accountability buddies. No one will judge you if you can’t make a week. Choose what works for you.
What I can say is you will get new ideas and ideas so you can…
β format your emails for the best results
β track the statistics which matter
β have your list eager to hear from you
β plan what you say, when
β show off your personality
β re-engage readers who dropped off the radar or gracefully say goodbye
β build your list to new heights
It’s easy and fun learning, and you can take bite-sized actions to improve your marketing week by week and get things done. It’s mostly videos, some audio, and some e-book style learning. π
So if you’ve got an email list, or you’re thinking of starting one, definitely check out The Email Experiment. Right now if you join, you also get access to the last 2 years of The Email Experiment, too! I was a speaker in 2025, so that’s a nice double dose of Kate for ya!
p.s. The cart for this year’s experiment closes on January 12, but I know a secret: it will open again in late April for a short time. So if you’re not keen on it yet, I’ll remind you again later this Spring. π
♥ That’s it for January! ♥
Remember, you will be hearing from me again in a couple of weeks about the new membership! It's going to be amazing and I can't wait for you to join!
Thank you again for being awesome!
Be sure to reach out if you have questions or just want to say hi!
Remember, you will be hearing from me again in a couple of weeks about the new membership! It's going to be amazing and I can't wait for you to join!
Thank you again for being awesome!
Be sure to reach out if you have questions or just want to say hi!
.png)