Hello everyone, and welcome! This is the first official blog post of Annie Sharae Creations. Cue the confetti! Before diving into the meat and potatoes of today’s topic, let me catch you up to speed on what Annie Sharae Creations is and how this brand, born in 2023, is just now getting its blogging act together in January 2025. (Spoiler alert: life happens!)
A Proper Introduction
Annie Sharae Creations came to life in early 2023, right after I found myself laid off from a job. It started as a way to channel my creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Initially, I offered an array of “creations”—think stickers, seasonal products, notebooks, journals, and even album cover posters. Over time, I learned an important business lesson: sometimes, less is more. Today, Annie Sharae Creations focuses primarily on notebooks, journals, and a few carefully selected wall prints. Now that you’re up to speed, let’s talk about the things no one tells you when starting a print-on-demand (POD) business.
1. Get Rich Quick? Think Again.
Back in 2023, TikTok creators made it seem like you could start a $10,000-a-month side hustle with little more than Canva, Printify, and a dream. While some people do hit it big, here’s the reality: building a reliable brand that appeals to a niche audience takes time, patience, and a lot of consistency. Spoiler alert: it’s not as easy as slapping a cute quote on a notebook and watching the sales roll in.
When starting out, it’s easy to feel discouraged, especially if you’re pouring money into Meta ads without seeing immediate results. Trust me—I’ve been there. One thing I wish I had done differently? Spending a few months creating buzz about my brand before launch day. Growing a social media following, building hype, and getting those crucial first customer reviews takes time, but it’s so worth it. Making $10,000 a month is achievable, but it’s more of a marathon than a sprint. Give yourself grace and room to grow—you’ve got this!
2. Choose the Right POD Provider
Launching a POD business is like diving into an all-you-can-eat buffet of providers. They all seem to offer similar products, but the quality, production, and shipping costs can vary wildly. Early on, I experimented with multiple providers to find the best fit for Annie Sharae Creations.
For premade notebooks and journals, Printify stole the show. Their production costs are reasonable, the quality is top-notch, and they deliver to customers in just 5-8 business days. For custom notebooks and journals, I use Lulu Direct. Why both? Printify excels at creating beautiful exteriors, while Lulu Direct lets me design custom interiors—perfect for planners and personalized journals. It took some trial and error, but finding the right providers has been key to delivering products I’m proud of.
3. Marketing: The Make-or-Break Factor
Let’s get real: marketing can feel like a full-time job. And in many ways, it is! Have you defined your target audience? Do you have a clear idea of who’s buying your products and why? Before you launch, ask yourself: “If I hit publish today, do I have at least 10 guaranteed sales?” If the answer is no, it’s time to revisit your strategy.
Last year, I ran a marketing survey on Instagram, and it was a game-changer. It helped me refine my product offerings and better meet my customers’ needs. Beyond that, SEO (search engine optimization) has become my new best friend. I’ve spent countless hours watching YouTube videos and reading blog posts about SEO—and while I’m still learning, the effort is paying off. (Hence this blog!)
Pro tip: Once you’ve got your SEO game in gear, don’t forget to analyze your metrics. Track what’s working and what’s not, and don’t be afraid to make adjustments. It’s all part of the journey.
Wrapping It Up
I hope sharing my early experiences has given you some helpful insight. Running a print-on-demand business is challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. One of my biggest goals this year is to publish two blogs a month: one on the first Friday of the month to share the background of Annie Sharae Creations and one on the last Friday to discuss strategies I’m trying with the brand.
Thank you for being part of this journey! Don’t forget to follow Annie Sharae Creations on Instagram and TikTok, and subscribe to our site for exclusive promos and updates. Here’s to making 2025 our best year yet!