Print-on-Demand HATERS - Zen Watercooler Podcast

In this audio-only podcast, I do a deep dive into criticisms my channel has received. Am I a fraud? A greedy guru? Am I peddling snake oil trying to convince you that you can make thousands of dollars a month by uploading one t-shirt design? I do love print on demand and I am definitely open to criticisms - and I go over sites like Redbubble, Merch by Amazon, and the products that you can sell on them. Join me to celebrate print on demand!
#zenwatercooler #printondemand #amazonkdp

[@luzgiraldo2468]

Since about 2 years ago, I have been watching your videos from both channels. I have learned a lot with your videos, specially because I also love vintage art. I also love to look at new sites where you can get public domain images because they tend to be vintage. You give me great ideas for new designs. I even like your podcasts, and in general I´m not into podcasts very much because I´m visual. So, don´t let anyone put you down. You inspire many people.

[@jonh180]

ignore the moaners and complainers. They'll always find someone to take aim at. It's their hobby. You're videos are great and you're one of the most useful POD YT channels. Always pleased when I see you've posted another video. And yes maps are art - the detail and craft that goes into creating them is the work of an artist.

[@andreabalestrieri8832]

I enjoy listening to your videos/podcasts. I think you're honest, which is refreshing since most KZbinrs these days paint a picture which is too pretty to be true. I like the way you put things, it's more realistic.

[@mixedspots]

I love print on demand as well. I would start at 7 am and finished at 11 pm coz I’m enjoying it! Errands in between and watching videos to learn more. The haters would more likely fail because they lean on the negativity than a step forward to do better each day. If I don’t like the content on KZbin, I just scroll and move on, more focused on finding good ideas than spend a time to complain. I appreciate you’re sharing knowledge on this and you’re helping a lot! Thank you!

[@jaygee1103]

My favourite videos of yours are the taking public domain images and adapting them into new designs ones, - like the horror comic book one you did, and the finding new niches ones.

[@wendyon4517]

You are the better kind of KZbin talking head. Not reliant on KZbin revenue so you feel no pressure to pump out videos. I feel lucky to stumble on your type of KZbinr. You put out content that I want to watch. If I don't it's usually because it doesn't apply to software I use. I'm on a slow boat to success. I get Red bubble and Teepublic sales. I haven't tried Amazon Merch yet but REALLY should. I tried Displate but got no reply so I'll do it again with an adjusted portfolio) I JUST opened an Etsy store. It wasn't available for sellers in Japan until recently. It will be slow to start I think. I'll see where I am after I have a 100 listings up.

[@larryjoseph1170]

Long time subscriber .. always thought of you as a decent person genuinely trying to help others. I love the content on both your channels.

[@pubgiant24]

I have watched you for years, learned a lot. You are the OG. Many thanks!

[@perliva]

Well, maps are not art, but when they are beautifully designed and embellished, they have a certain quality in common with what art once had and that is _beauty._

[@TruthwillsetUfree1]

I enjoy your videos, listening to you talk on these subject and your sense of humor. I appreciate the no music as well.

[@lunastormfeather2147]

I love both your channels and really enjoy listening/watching. I'm glad you're not bothered by the foolish complainers.

[@aaronyoung8716]

I have listened to you for a couple years zen and I have never heard you say it is easy I have taken a lot of pod people off of here and only kept the ones that make sense to me and tell the truth so zen that says a lot because you are still on my list that I enjoy listening to. So people that have a problem with this channel I suggest that you try POD instead of complaining about it. That is what I did and have many sales and it channels like this one I have learned many great ideas from. Keep up the great work zen. I am a subscriber of both your channels.

[@sandragillen6006]

I have found this podcast very encouraging thank you. I love all your videos especially public domain ones . I have learnt alot from . Thank you

[@tmatti79]

Thanks, Zen, for this honest video. Very refreshing.

[@jcarlin596]

An excellent podcast about the realities of life as an online entrepreneur. Thanks for keeping it real.

[@joycet.3040]

I always enjoy your videos you put out and think you give valuable information to use. One time I emailed you and asked you to look at my print on demand site and tell me what I needed to do to get more sales. I used your advice and started to make sales. What people don't realize is that a person has to work on print and demand. Like anything a person does, the more you do the more you get better at it. Some people enjoy trolling. I have heard this from other people as well. You give great information and you are my favorite to learn from. I had a cousin one time that thought that anything that I did she could do better. When she tried to do what I was doing better she would always fail. Some people think they are smarter than they actually are. I am giving you a pat on the back. Keep doing what your doing. I hope you keep making videos because I find them very helpful. 😄🤗

[@pushismano77]

LOL , I'm a living proof to make money from knitting, 10 years ago it was very good business. Life happened and I switched to POD, I don't understand t-shirt market, but it's a ton of other products that I sell online every day. And yes KISS is an awesome band 😄

[@globalgogetter4469]

The people who leave negative messages can kick rocks. Your channel has been great for years now. On another note what you can do about the video(s) with poor audio is edit the title to give a heads up to your viewers And lastly, NOBODY has the final say on what is or isnt art. These are the haters and idiots of the world. Keep doing what you're doing💯🎯✔️

[@zenwatercooler]

Thank you, that is a great suggestion!

[@AdaleCreates-oj1mw]

I think a lot of the hate comes from jealousy. I've had my moments of feeling 'hate' towards a successful POD designer, then I would just remind myself that they have been doing this longer, and they are just better than me! It's all about effort, work ethic, openness to learning, and time. I think the hate comes mainly from people who have already given up because they weren't willing to do those things. I don't blame them, as many youtubers will lie about how easy this is. The haters probably feel 'duped' into trying it, and may have wasted lots of money doing so.

[@zenwatercooler]

This is very insightful, I appreciate that!

[@GoWestYoungK9]

POD is not passive per se, in that you have to put in a lot of work to with designs, etc. But scaling it is pretty passive. In my old business, I knew there were only so many orders I could process a day without hiring employees (which was not of interest), so my income potential (and my energy) topped out pretty quickly. In POD, I do almost the same amount of work whether I get 1 order or 50. Which is darned nice 🙂

[@zenwatercooler]

Well said!! Totally agree!

[@stephie97]

Hi Zen, i wanna buy your book. But because I'm not in the US. The delivery fee is quite expensive to ship it to my country. Do you have an e-book version instead?

[@plscholl6304]

Internet Trolls.... They are there for the sole purpose of stirring up trouble. Ignore them and do not engage; they are not worth it!

[@aaronyoung8716]

Time to work on my zazzle shop lol.

[@WriterLady]

Please don't take the criticism to heart. Anyone left peevish and wounded by your map videos will also whine in the comments of vids about colorized blueprints, patent schematics and monochromatic Gothic architecture prints (these clearly aren't as "arty" as their papier-mâché hat collection...). My dad put it into perspective for me years ago: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, critique." The rest of us highly appreciative everything you share. While you do what you love, let them sob into their their flour & newspaper fedoras about how hard and non-subjective this all is.

[@zenwatercooler]

This is one of the best comments ever! I appreciate you!

[@nacerovich7836]

Letzgooooooooooooooo ❤

[@norwaynicole]

Omg - history teacher here with info about maps/art -- the emergence of science and exploration and cartography was absolutely connected to God+church because basically "through Him all things are possible... blah, blah, blah." So yes, official, "finished" maps were created to be not only as accurate as possible (science) but as aesthetically pleasing to the eye as possible in order to impress those who paid for the ventures, but also to please the almighty. A little education goes a long way, haters.

[@nayb1398]

Hi, Mr Watercooler. Do you have any suggestions for research tools? I see Podły, Merch Inf, and Dominator get mentioned quite a lot by others. Thanks! 😁

[@zenwatercooler]

Hello! That is such a great question that I am doing a whole podcast episode dedicated to tools that I use. Thank you for the suggestion, episode coming shortly!

[@nayb1398]

@@zenwatercooler Look forward to it. Thanks!

[@datapenguin]

The print on demand complainers you speak of are lazy people who don’t understand how hard the work is. It’s a shame, but in my opinion. Please quit! Less competition for the rest of us. Bye 👋🏽

[@shobhafernandes5006]

I have watched your videos and have learned a lot. The people who are criticizing don't know any better. Please continue with your work, there are people who need you 🩵