Episode 92 - Let’s continue our comparison series! We’re on a mission to help you choose the print on demand (POD) platform that’s right for you as an online business. Today, we (Jen and Elke) are diving into a comparison between two popular print on demand platforms: Zazzle and Spoonflower. 

Both Zazzle and Spoonflower have benefits and drawbacks associated with them, but which wins out in the end for someone looking to make a passive income in the online space? Well, we’re giving you all the details so that you can make an informed decision!

Here are the different criteria we touch upon:

• Ease of Use
• Overall Cost
• Number of Potential Customers
• Earnings Potential
• Product Availability
• Customization
• Type of Market
• Design Versatility

We hope that this analysis helps you understand where you can make a living best within the print on demand space. We know it’s a tough decision and you’re looking to support yourself in the best and most efficient way possible, which is why we did the research for you on this one!

To hear the full episode and to learn about what typically holds people back from starting their own online business, tune in to episode 92 of The Creative and Ambitious Entrepreneur Podcast: Which Print on Demand Platform Suits Your Needs? A Look at Zazzle vs. Spoonflower 

If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag us! @msjenclarke and @elkeclarke

Love it? Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. We would love to hear your key takeaways. Share them with us!

CONNECT WITH JEN & ELKE:

Join The Profit by Design Academy®

Official Website

Jen’s Instagram

Elke’s Instagram

EPISODE RESOURCES:

The Profit by Design Academy® - Learn how to get started and scale your ideas: https://elkeclarke.com/startandscale/  

Webstats for Spoonflower: https://www.similarweb.com/website/spoonflower.com/#overview 

Webstats for Zazzle: https://www.similarweb.com/website/zazzle.com/#overview

Episode 91 - Today, we (Jen and Elke) are diving into a comparison between two popular print-on-demand platforms: Zazzle and RedBubble. These each have their own advantages and disadvantages, and we’re using our own distinct set of criteria to help you decipher which of them may be right for you from an online business standpoint.

We have a lot of expertise on the Zazzle platform, having sold there for the past 14 years. With that being said, we have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with you and we also have done tons of research on comparable platforms so that we can help you make an informed decision.

Here are the different criteria we touch upon:

• Ease of Use
• Number of Potential Clients 
• Type of Market
• Searchability 
• Design Versatility
• Product Availability
• Work Once, Sell Many Times Over Many Years

Hopefully, this breakdown is useful for you if you’re considering taking the plunge and starting your own print-on-demand online business. It’s an exciting journey, and we certainly want to help you choose the platform that’s most aligned with your vision.

To hear the full episode and to learn about what typically holds people back from starting their own online business, tune in to episode 91 of The Creative and Ambitious Entrepreneur Podcast: Zazzle vs Redbubble: Which is the Best Online Business?

If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag us! @msjenclarke and @elkeclarke

Love it? Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. We would love to hear your key takeaways. Share them with us!

CONNECT WITH JEN & ELKE:

Join The Profit by Design Academy®

Official Website

Jen’s Instagram

Elke’s Instagram

EPISODE RESOURCES:

The Profit by Design Academy® Coaching Program: https://elkeclarke.com/startandscale/

Episode 90 - When we (Jen and Elke) think back to when we started on Zazzle in 2008, there are a lot of similarities between the world then and the world now. Back then, there was a housing recession and it was the start of e-commerce. Now, we have a lot of uncertainty with COVID-19 and there’s a recession looming. With that being said, a lot of people are looking for a job that can give them some kind of career and income security. 

Online businesses are a great way to achieve that, but still, a lot of people are hesitant to start one. Why is that? Well, that’s what we’re addressing in this podcast episode.

Here are the five different objections that we talk about:

• People Don’t Know About Zazzle and How It Can Be  A Great Option
• Overwhelm by What Business to Choose
• Fear of Delving Into the Unknown
• Doubts Whether the Business Will Succeed
• Experiencing Imposter Syndrome

We understand these fears, but we also want to help you overcome them so you can tap into an amazing business model that can bring so much to your life. We’ve experienced that with Zazzle, and we help aspiring entrepreneurs achieve their own Zazzle success every day. 

To hear the full episode and to learn about what typically holds people back from starting their own online business, tune in to episode 90 of The Creative and Ambitious Entrepreneur Podcast: 5 Reasons Why People Don't Start an Online Business

If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag us! @msjenclarke and @elkeclarke

Love it? Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. We would love to hear your key takeaways. Share them with us!

CONNECT WITH JEN & ELKE:

Join The Profit by Design Academy®

Official Website

Jen’s Instagram

Elke’s Instagram

EPISODE RESOURCES:

The Profit by Design Academy® Coaching Program: https://elkeclarke.com/startandscale/

Episode 89 - Everyone likes to have a little extra money in their bank account, right? Whether you’re trying to meet a savings goal or looking to fund a big purchase, bringing in an extra $1,000 a month is definitely possible thanks to an array of different side hustle options. In this episode, we (Jen and Elke) are diving into six side gigs that are ideal for creatives. 

Along with explaining what these side gigs are, we’re talking through the possible pitfalls of each as well as tips and tricks about best matching yourself to the right side hustle. Just because this won’t be your main job doesn’t mean you shouldn’t align it with your strengths and interests.

Here are the six different side hustle options we explain:

• Affiliate Marketing/Blogger
• Facebook or Instagram Influencer 
• Freelancer
• Drop Shipping Business 
• Etsy Maker
• Print on Demand Business

There’s no shortage of side hustle options out there, and finding the one that is best suited for you can make a big difference in your bottom line. Now, all that’s left for you to do is decipher which side gig is best for you, your skills, and your preferences.

To hear the full episode and to learn about possible side gigs to rake in extra cash, tune into episode 89 of The Creative and Ambitious Entrepreneur Podcast: 6 Best Side Hustles to Make an Extra $1,000 Monthly

If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag us! @msjenclarke and @elkeclarke

Love it? Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. We would love to hear your key takeaways. Share them with us!

CONNECT WITH JEN & ELKE:

Join The Profit by Design Academy®

Official Website

Jen’s Instagram

Elke’s Instagram

EPISODE RESOURCES:Influencer Marketing Costs: https://www.businessofapps.com/marketplace/influencer-marketing/research/influencer-marketing-costs/ 

Episode #85 - Zazzle vs. Etsy: How to Avoid the Etsy Struggles and Sell Digitally on Zazzle with Ease: https://elkeclarke.com/zazzle-vs-etsy-85/

The Profit by Design Academy® Coaching Program: https://elkeclarke.com/startandscale/

Episode 88 - Working from home has so many benefits associated with it, but there are also some downsides to note. It can be hard to focus and there is no shortage of distractions when working from your own space. But, work still must get done! That’s why, in this episode, we (Jen and Elke) are sharing six tips for productivity while ensuring you practise self care too.

Besides just sharing efficiency tips and tricks, we’re also noting ways to get your mindset in a good place. Your mental health plays a huge role in how productive and efficient you are, so these tips should definitely not be overlooked!

Here are the tips we go into deeper detail on:

• Tip #1: Take Regular Breaks
• Tip #2: Create a To-Do List in Advance
• Tip #3: Cut Down on Time Wasters 
• Tip #4: Schedule Time for Self-Care
• Tip #5: Set Boundaries 
• Tip #6: Communicate Clear Expectations to Those Around You

The more you can work smarter instead of harder, the more you’ll be able to get done, and - in turn - the more success you’ll have. Running an online business is tough work, so every way that helps conserve energy and allows you to cross more off of your list is a huge help. We know that because we’ve been in your shoes!

To hear the full episode and to learn how to hack your productivity, tune into episode 88 of The Creative and Ambitious Entrepreneur Podcast: 6 Tips to Maximize Work-From-Home Productivity and Mindset

If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag us! @msjenclarke and @elkeclarke

Love it? Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. We would love to hear your key takeaways. Share them with us!

CONNECT WITH JEN & ELKE:

Join The Profit by Design Academy®

Official Website

Jen’s Instagram

Elke’s Instagram

EPISODE RESOURCES:Pomodoro Technique: https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique

Tomato Timer free option: https://www.focusboosterapp.com/

Christine’s insight on using a VA: https://youtu.be/17Gh5hkhlqc

Episode #62 - Scale your Zazzle business with a VA: Interview with a Gold ProDesigner - Christine: https://elkeclarke.com/how-to-scale-your-zazzle-business-62/ 

The Profit by Design Academy® Coaching Program: https://elkeclarke.com/startandscale/

Episode 87 - What’s your why? Everyone has a different life, and with that, different reasons for wanting to pursue an online business. We work with many people who have their own motivation for building their Zazzle businesses, and in this episode, we (Jen and Elke) share our own reasons for starting our online businesses as well as why six of our clients have chosen to do the same.

We know from experience that you likely have yearnings behind wanting to start a business that go deeper than an income stream. The two of us had our own separate reasons for building our Zazzle businesses, tune in because we share our stories and “whys” here in the podcast!

In this episode we cover:

• Our Business Why’s
• It’s About More Than Money
• Prioritizing Your Family
• Travel While Maintaining Income 
• Enjoying Retirement
• Having Pride as a Business Owner 
• Generating Wealth for an Early Retirement
• Growing a Safety Net Income

It’s about more than money - it’s really about those deeper meanings and motivation that prompt fulfillment and joy. We all work to make a living, but in this episode, we dive into the more significant motivations that you may resonate with to start your online business. By hearing and resonating with other people’s “whys” that they have and what they have accomplished, we want to inspire you to believe that it’s possible for you.

To hear the full episode and to learn about the diverse reasons our clients have built their own Zazzle businesses, tune into episode 87 of The Creative and Ambitious Entrepreneur Podcast: 6 Reasons to Start an Online Business

If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag us! @msjenclarke and @elkeclarke

Love it? Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. We would love to hear your key takeaways. Share them with us!

CONNECT WITH JEN & ELKE:

Join The Profit by Design Academy®

Official Website

Jen’s Instagram

Elke’s Instagram

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Lorena Interview: https://youtu.be/S73FxoIgczg

Christine Interview: https://youtu.be/17Gh5hkhlqc

Ep #38 - How To Sell 1 Million Dollars-Worth of Zazzle Products in One Year with Christine Factora: https://elkeclarke.com/1-million-dollars/

The Profit by Design Academy®: https://elkeclarke.com/startandscale/

Episode 86 - Do you ever think that there are simply too many obstacles to overcome on the path to earning a 6-figure income as an online entrepreneur? If so, this is the episode for you! Today, I (Elke) talk about the common struggles Zazzle sellers face and how you can work towards beating them.

Society has conditioned us to think that we MUST struggle to achieve our goals, but I (Elke) am here to challenge that thought. When you enroll in the Profit by Design Academy®, you’ll soon see that working only 20 hours a month can help you build a passive income. When done correctly, you’ll end up with the six-figure income you’ve dreamt about.

In this episode I cover:

• Why Reduce the Struggle?
• Why Struggling Can Prohibit You From Reaching Your Full Potential
• Overcoming Your Own Struggles

This doesn’t go to say that you don’t have to work hard to achieve success on Zazzle - you certainly do have to put the effort in. But, you also don’t have to struggle the way you may think. Open your mind to that wonderful possibility and alter your mindset to escape the struggle and step into progress.

To hear the full episode and to learn about overcoming your own struggles, tune into episode 86 of The Creative and Ambitious Entrepreneur Podcast: How to Overcome the Struggles of Earning 6-Figures Online

If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag us! @msjenclarke and @elkeclarke

Love it? Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. We would love to hear your key takeaways. Share them with us!

CONNECT WITH JEN & ELKE:

Join The Profit by Design Academy®

Official Website

Jen’s Instagram

Elke’s Instagram

BLOG RESOURCES:

Ep #38 - How To Sell 1 Million Dollars-Worth of Zazzle Products in One Year with Christine Factora: https://elkeclarke.com/1-million-dollars/

Million Dollar Seller on Zazzle - An Exclusive Interview: https://youtu.be/Ygmx_rYn2RU

The Profit by Design Academy® Group Coaching Program: https://elkeclarke.com/startandscale/

The Creative CEO Mastermind®: https://elkeclarke.com/creative-ceo-mastermind/

Episode 85 - Let’s talk about something that I (Elke) am super passionate about! In this episode, I (Elke) address the differences between Zazzle and Etsy and why so many Etsy makers are jumping ship completely and getting onboard with Zazzle.

Zazzle and Etsy have some pretty stark differences, and that’s something that a lot of people aren’t acutely aware of. I want to bring those differences to light and help you understand why Etsy makers find Zazzle to be a more sustainable business model.

In this episode I cover:

• Debunking a Common Myth About Creativity
• Differences Between Etsy & Zazzle
• The Real Struggles of Makers on Etsy
• Why Etsy Sellers are Switching to Zazzle

Running a business is definitely hard work, but that doesn’t mean that it has to be a full-on struggle. I want you to break free of - or avoid completely - some of the struggles that Etsy catalyzes. 

To hear the full episode and all my knowledge on this topic, tune into episode 85 of The Creative and Ambitious Entrepreneur Podcast: Avoid the Etsy Struggles and Sell Digitally on Zazzle With Ease

If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag us! @msjenclarke and @elkeclarke

Love it? Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. We would love to hear your key takeaways. Share them with us!

CONNECT WITH JEN & ELKE:

Join The Profit by Design Academy®

Official Website

Jen’s Instagram

Elke’s Instagram

EPISODE RESOURCES:

The Profit by Design Academy® Coaching Program: https://elkeclarke.com/startandscale

The Creative CEO Mastermind®: https://elkeclarke.com/creative-ceo-mastermind/  

Episode 84 - If you’ve been utilizing Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform for low content or no content publishing needs, then I have an opportunity that’s worth checking out. In today’s episode, I (Elke) discuss the opportunity to sell these types of products on Zazzle and why it could be an even more lucrative option for you than KDP.

There are several reasons that the KDP Amazon Publishing model may not be the best avenue for you to pursue, and I’m here to fill you in on those details as well as what may make Zazzle a better fit.

The Zazzle platform has so much going for it, and I want you to know your options for selling not only journals but other items with your designs on them.

Here are the topics I expand upon in the episode:

• What is KDP Amazon Publishing?
• The Opportunity to Make Sales on Zazzle

It’s my philosophy that you should get the most out of your time, maximum profitability from the least amount of time spent. Although the cash grab factor on KDP Amazon Publishing is high, it’s not a sustainable business model to generate passive income over the long term. On the other hand, Zazzle can make you a steady, passive income over time if you start your shop correctly.

To hear the full episode and why you should consider selling low or no content items on Zazzle, tune into episode 84 of The Creative and Ambitious Entrepreneur Podcast: How KDP Amazon No Content Book Sellers Can Make Money on Zazzle

If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag us! @msjenclarke and @elkeclarke

Love it? Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. We would love to hear your key takeaways. Share them with us!

CONNECT WITH JEN & ELKE:

Join The Profit by Design Academy®

Official Website

Jen’s Instagram

Elke’s Instagram

EPISODE RESOURCES:

The Profit by Design Academy® Coaching Program: https://elkeclarke.com/startandscale/ 

The Creative CEO Mastermind®: https://elkeclarke.com/creative-ceo-mastermind/

Episode 83 - While using a bulk upload feature for your print on demand (POD) products may seem like the most effective and efficient way to sell, you may be discounting yourself when it comes to income from the Zazzle platform. I (Elke) am here to explain how and why this happens! In today’s episode of the Creative and Ambitious Entrepreneur podcast, I explain why adding items to your Zazzle storefront on an individual basis can help drive more income instead of bulk uploading.

Having a deep understanding of how the Zazzle platform works and how products actually sell may seem intimidating, but that’s why you have me and Jen to help demystify the ins and outs of it! Understanding the most effective way to upload products is one of those nuances that’s worth learning about.

Here are the topics I expand upon in the episode:

• What is Bulk Uploading?
• Improving Product SEO By Listing Items Individually
• Niche Down with Customized Products 

I completely understand how tempting it can be to just use the bulk upload feature. In just a few clicks, you could have thousands of items in your storefront! On other platforms like Society6, RedBubbles etc. it makes sense. But I also understand your yearning to build an income on Zazzle, and that’s why this episode is so important.

To hear the full episode and how individually adding items to Zazzle can be more lucrative, tune into episode 83 of The Creative and Ambitious Entrepreneur Podcast: Why You Are Missing Out on Sales With POD Bulk Uploading to Zazzle

If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag us! @msjenclarke and @elkeclarke

Love it? Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. We would love to hear your key takeaways. Share them with us!

CONNECT WITH JEN & ELKE:

Join The Profit by Design Academy®

Official Website

Jen’s Instagram

Elke’s Instagram

EPISODE RESOURCES:

The Profit by Design Academy® Coaching Program: https://elkeclarke.com/startandscale/