Just wondering for those folks that also have items on Zazzle, which site is best at promoting.  Not sure if i should spend all my energy at one place or not.  Since it takes so long to get approved here, what are the benefits vs. zazzle?  Thanks for any advice. Much appreciated!

I love Zazzle and sell a lot more there. Probably, because even the front of cards is customizable. And if you always follow high standards and review your products carefully, you can do very well without the approval process. But as for promotion, this part is always what you need to take care of yourself...

Does anyone know if it's okay to sell the same card design on both sites? Or do both sites need to have different products?
 

Thanks! I just opened a Zazzle account and need to start filling my shop!

I have 4 stores at Zazzle which I opened the same time I opened my GCU store.  I sell very well at both locations.  It's important to remember a few key things...
 
You won't be found on ANY site if you expect them to promote your products.  Both GCU and Zazzle do promotion for their business, your products are sand specks within those businesses.  In order to be a sand castle that is easy to see by their customers, YOU have to promote your own stores and build your own business.
 
In general the people who come to GCU are not the same shoppers who shop at Zazzle.  So if you focus on one and not the other you are not doing your business any favors.  I have many of my GCU cards up on Zazzle and sell just as many cards there as I do here.  Zazzle offers personalization, that's their strength, use it to your advantage and you'll sell.  GCU offers perhaps the most unique and largest variety of paper greetings available anywhere.  Don't compare the two.
 
The challenge is becoming a master of your time.  My online business and art is my full time job.  Since 2009, I've spent 10 to 12 hours a day creating, managing, marketing, promoting, connecting, and giving back to build an online presence.  I can tell you it works, my business grows every month and now contributes considerably to our living expenses in month.
 
I spend 4 weeks creating, designing and uploading new products.  Followed by 2 to 3 weeks updating my 24+ sites (includes Squidoo lens), writing my online newsletter and in general promoting.  This works really well for me...find what works for you and be patient.  This is a business you need to grow.  As long as you have a high quality, marketable product it can grow into a nice business for you! Know that it will take at least a year to see any consistent sales from any of these sites.
 
GOOD LUCK!!  
 
Doreen
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/SalonOfArt
http://salonofart.wordpress.com/

Doreen, Love your sand castle analogy!  And becoming a master of my time is my biggest challenge.  You are truly an inspiration and really appreciate the time you give providing input... it's always helpful.
 
Lily,  I just passed my 2 year mark on GCU with 2100+ card sales.  My Zazzle studio is a little over a year old and I have a pretty good sales average there too.  Both stores continue to be on an upward growth curve.  I have done very little promotion, but the stats would probably be much better if I did.  I  keep telling my self, once I get established I'll move on to promotion.  Not there yet.
 
Comparing the two sites is like comparing apples with oranges.  GCU is very unique, has a different customer base and as Doreen said it offers the largest variety of paper greeting cards available anywhere. Customers come to GCU looking for cards and cards only.  The feedback I've received from GCU customers has always been positive.  I don't worry about the approval time on GCU for it's great to know that my crazy mistakes won't show up and it has certainly helped me become more precise in my own review.  Zazzle is a totally different environment.  The product variety on Z gets my creative juices flowing and I tend to concentrate on other products there besides cards. Both sites do a super job in supporting their artists and I am often amazed to see something of mine pop up on the first page of a google search.
 
One difference I see is in the personal store.  I don't believe many GCU customers visit the stores here.  I find I have many more store visits on Zazzle and return customers that come directly to my store there.  Possibly could change that with more promotion.
 
There is a wealth of helpful and very valuable information provided by the artists though this GCU forum.  And... the new GCU Community Newsletter, developed for and by GCU artists, has already provided much that we can all use as well as encouragement.  Corrie Kuipers is a jewel and we can learn so much from her expertise, experience and success.
 
Wishing you many sales and much success!
 
Kati

I dont think i will stay with GCU long.  Got a refusal for one  my pic, which i have used before in other places and it has come out great.  Did not know that they also tell the artist what the composition should be.
 
" Snap shots don't make good greeting cards. "  
 
Well all my pics with zazzle have  come out brilliant.
I have made money on that particular photo and gotten raves.  The quality is great.  No. i dont think that big brother knows it all. sorry.  
 
http://www.zazzle.com/lilyofthewoods

"If you are interested in what is marketable as a photograph, here is an article I wrote "
Thank you for your great interest, it is always good to learn something new that is so true.
 
 U are assuming that I have not been able to sell though, and that is not the case.  You know what happens when we ass u me ...
 
This particular pic has made me money which Is the reason why I would guess most of us are here in the first place. It just makes me wonder how many other pics have been shot down that would have looked great and made the artist a little money.   Anyhooo we shall see.  All is good, if it keeps happening I will still have learned something.  So far I dont even have one card on my page.  Did about 6 more we shall see..