The world of digital scrapbooking is growing every day.  New designers are wanting to throw their hats in the ring, and established designers are wanting to know what it takes to keep their customers happy.  Here are my thoughts about it -- both from the randomness inside my head, and from conversations I've observed on message boards.

Your kits / Your store:
~ Quality over quantity!  Two great kits in a month is MUCH preferable to eight mediocre ones.  When I see BLAH kits I stop looking at that designer, and sometimes at the site all together.
~ Before you do ANYTHING:  Make sure your monitor is calibrated!  Otherwise what you think is the perfect shade of grassy green might look like puke green on everyone else's computer.
~ With alphas, include numbers and punctuation.  If the alpha is characters on an object, include a blank object.  Punctuation I personally would like to see in all alphas:  ? # { } ( ) * % ! " , ~ --.  Please include in your TOU file the name of the fonts that you use in making your kits, in case customers want to match them.
~ In the store -- if you offer parts of kits sold separately, be sure you specify clearly where the elements are otherwise included.  Especially for alphas!  If they’re sold separately AND within the element pack, include wording with the alpha listing such as “Also available in XXX kit.”  I really like that as part of her description for an alpha, Ashley Olsen at SBB writes “(NOTE: this alpha set is part of the "Goodness" kit from my Fruits of the Spirit CD Collection. If you already have this collection or kit, do not purchase this set!)”  Look out for your customer.  Some of us browse with our eyes glazed over and need everything spelled out for us!  In the same vein, when a paper set has matching elements, let us know!  Show a picture with a link to get there.
~ Add on solids to go with kits are a great option for customers to buy if you (as a designer) don't feel like including a lot of solids with each kit -- just keep the price reasonable.
~ Pick a way to name all your files, and keep it consistent.  INCLUDE YOUR NAME OR SET OF INITIALS IN EVERY FILE NAME.  Some scrappers will rearrange files and folders within their computer and accidentally put one of your files in a random folder – without a clue in the file name, how will they know it’s from you? PUT YOUR NAME ON ZIP FILES TOO.  This is mostly so we at the Stop Piracy blog can easily identify your kit in a download link without having to take the time to download it ourselves.  One scrapper commented: "I would like to ask all designers to label EACH file with their name, not just on the TOU, or preview but each and every dang file, free or not and if it is an abbreviation better be one I can figure out easy."  Additionally, someone asked me to let you know that if the file names are TOO long, the files may not be able to be written to a CD for backup. 
~ Kit previews are important.  Really work hard to make them show off the great stuff in your kit.  Make there be an option to click on the preview so it can be viewed larger.  Make a preview that rotates through several frames to show everything in the kit.  People want to see DETAILS -- that helps them make the decision whether or not to buy!  Make sure that the first preview a customer sees isn't absurdly tiny -- not everyone has time to click to enlarge.
~ Speaking of previews . . . Put a preview of the kit in the download folder so people get it when they buy your kit.  Make sure your name and the name of the kit is on the preview.  This not only helps fight against piracy, it helps the person who bought your kit remember that it's from YOU and makes giving credit very easy.  Previews included in zips do not need to be big giant full resolution jpegs that take up a lot of space on a hard drive.  Online viewing previews are fine and still print out fine when printed somewhat smaller for contact sheet type purposes.
~ I've love to see downloadable/printable lists from each designer of ALL their stuff -- especially those with a ton of kits.  That way I could keep track of what I have and what I want from a particular person.  This, of course, would need to be updated on a regular basis in order to be effective.  Someone asked me to elaborate on this: I guess what I was thinking of when I wrote that, was Jen Wilson -- I buy a TON of her stuff, and she has SO MUCH in her store. Sometimes I can't remember what I do and don't have already from her. So to have a file I could print out that listed all her "lines" of kits and the names of each with a little box to check next to them . . . this would especially be effective for people who have different things at different stores. So when someone is a huge fan, they can make sure they get everything.
~ TOU file -- include a TOU file in each kit, in a NOTEPAD format. No one wants to open up Word just to read TOU.  Notepad opens quickly and is easy to read.  Even freebies need a TOU file!
~ In ADDITION to your text TOU file in Notepad, include a TOU/No Piracy graphic.  (There are many examples of these at the Stop Piracy Blog.)  These are very effective in spreading the knowledge that sharing/stealing is NOT ok.  Especially for people new to digital scrapbooking, this is a great way to give them a friendly head's up.  Including the address of the Stop Piracy blog on the graphic is a good way for them to know where to learn more if they are curious.  Again, these graphics don't have to be huge -- 600x600 or 800x800 is enough.  It's just for viewing, not printing -- so it doesn't need to be at 300 ppi resolution.
~ Be careful and mindful of who you associate with.  If you are selling at a store where the site layout is unattractive and the other designers have sub-par quality kits, people aren't going to stick around and shop.  People make decisions quickly, especially when browsing the internet -- if they scroll through a page or two of kit previews that are ugly and unoriginal, they may just go to another site and never get to your stuff!
~ The “industry standard” resolution for creating is 300 ppi.  If you are a designer who has chosen to create at 200 ppi, that is fine – but PLEASE make it very clear in the shopping process that your kits are at 200 ppi.  This will help avoid surprise and disappointment by the customers who only want 300 ppi elements.
~ Also something you should tell customers about ahead of time: Hollie comments "please please please mention if your elements contain drop shadows or not! I know Miss Mint does this and I soooo appreciate it. Some designers add drops to a select few elements that really need them to be created properly and I know that, but some description that lets me know what I am getting is soo helpful. I have bought so many elements that I will probably never use (or don't like to use) b/c the drop shadows are totally inconsistent with mine--it makes me want to cry."
~ More from Hollie: "I really appreciate it when designers make "corner" type elements for all 4 corners b/c the lighting is different for each. If you just flip and rotate one, then it looks funny b/c the light and shadows are wrong. Also elements that are bracket style would need 2 for the same reasons"
~ If you're going to give out freebies, control the process.  Put them in your cart system so people have to create a user account to get them.  If you give them out on your blog, that's fine -- but realize that you are NOT going to get anywhere near the number of thank you’s as the number of people who download.  And people are more likely to move on, still searching for the next freebie instead of looking at your other products.  When a freebie is in a cart in the store, the user is already at your store and registers at your site -- which puts you two steps closer to that person actually BUYING something there.
~ For the extremely new designers:  Realize that you’re not going to magically just start racking in $$$.  As fun as that would be, it just doesn’t work that way.  And realize that your first stuff you create probably isn’t going to be very good.  That’s ok – it’s a learning experience!  The best thing you can do is learn your program inside and out.  Don’t expect other designers to just tell you all their secrets – they worked hard to learn their tricks and skills.  You have to put in the time, too.  I very strongly recommend DigiScrapDesigner – Tandika’s tutorials are amazing, and you can have full access for $35 a year.  She also has a mentoring program you can try to get in on.  Use freebies to build a customer base and “brand” awareness -- I wouldn’t recommend trying to sell your early stuff.  My piano teacher in college was fond of saying “You’re only as good as your worst performance.”  If you’re giving out freebies with the understanding that you are learning, people will respect that.  If you’re trying to sell stuff that isn’t “up to par,” people will write you off as a designer not worth coming back to.

Marketing / Advertising:
~ Be aware of your options for advertising and promos.  JustDigitalCalls.com is free to list events, calls, contests, whatever.  They also have great sponsorship options.  Promos4DigiScrappers has a $10 application fee and gives you access to sending ads through their mailing list.  DigitalScrapbookPreviews has a $20 lifetime membership cost to be able to post previews of your new kits or a graphic notice of events to their gallery.  And you know you want to advertise with me!  ha ha ha.
~ Additionally, make sure you are listed on all the proper lists!  Most obviously, my Alphabetical Designer’s List.  Click here to learn how to be added.  Make sure your site is on my All Sites list – just e-mail me and ask me to add it.  Make sure your blog is listed in the TopDigiBlogs site.  Other top sites to look into for your website or blog:  Digital Top Sites.  Scrapbooking Top 50.  America Scrapbooking.  Elite DigiScrappers.
~ A blog is an awesome marketing tool -- when done right.  Don't use a cheapo like Blogspot unless you know how to make it look cool.  A blog is a reflection of you as a designer -- we have high expectations!  Your blog should look clean and fun.  Ideally it would feature your new kits (for goodness sake, put a direct link to where to buy the new kit!), stuff you're working on, highlight layouts from your creative team AND regular scrappers who use your stuff . . . it can also have commentary from your life, but remember that readers like SHORT, easy to "digest" entries.  Unless you have a major cult following and have a LOT of interesting things to say, remember that less is more!  Update regularly or people will stop checking.  Blogs as a marketing tool should be updated at LEAST once a week.  If you'd like an example of how this is really done well, go to Dani's blog: http://www.designbydani.com/blog/
~ My friend lisahoo has some great advice: "BUY YOUR NAME as a DOMAIN NAME!!!  Ok, so not everyone's name is still available, but some variation might be! For only $15 a year, you can "own" your name -- and even if you don't want to run your own store, you can at least set it up to link to your blog and you can make sure folks can always find you even if you switch which stores you sell at."  If you need help doing this, look up Kathy Moore -- she does website setup on a for-hire basis and she is TOP NOTCH!
~ Put out a newsletter.  Give customers the option to sign up for your newsletter when they register for your site -- then make your newsletter not suck!  :)  Feature layouts made with your stuff -- not just by your design team, but by your regular customers.  Talk about new kits that have been released or that are in the works.  Give us some INTERESTING info and pictures and fun stuff -- keep it short and to the point, and WORTH IT to read.  Sneak peek at kits, head's up on sales.  Get your act together first and don't send out a message that ends up as HTML gobbley-gook.  I think Shabby Princess has one of the best newsletters out there -- here is a link to her Nov. 05 newsletter.
~ Make yourself easy to find.  Include your e-mail addy in your TOU and on your blog or website.  (Use an e-mail addy that isn't tied to a store or an internet provider.  You may THINK you'll never change which store you sell at, but stuff happens!  Same with Comcast or whatever -- you might change your mind.  Don't back yourself into a corner.  Gmail is awesome and free and has HUGE amounts of file space.  I can give you an invite, if you'd like.)  Learn about search engine optimization and meta tags, and make sure you are easily found through Google.  Realize that with your blog and website, the first text in the homepage (and for the blog, the first text in the first column) is what Google pulls up as a description.  This is why on my DigiScrappin' with Jen blog, at the top of the left column I have the text "Welcome to Digi Scrapin' with Jen! Practical Advice for the {new} Digital Scrapbooker (and some tips and links for the experienced ones, too!)"  This is so when someone sees my listing in Google, it's BLATENTLY OBVIOUS what my site is about and that they should click on my link to experience all the coolness.  (ha ha ha.)
~ Have a page of blinkies and graphics about your site readily available to anyone to snag and use.  Here is an example of mine: Linky Love.  
~ Your creative team is important.  When customers are browsing through a layout gallery, they're often window shopping for great kits, too!  Encourage your CT to post their layouts on their blogs, along with the preview for the kit they used (and a link to where it is in the store!).  Have them disply your graphic in their message board siggie when appropriate.  Choose CT members who will be dependable and aren't already over-booked.  Take a chance on new people who aren't on ANY CT teams.  Make sure your CT team knows upfront how much will be expected of them.  Have a rotating spot or two for guest team members to give more people a chance and to get more exposure.  Take it a step further and hand-pick scrappers who you have noticed using your stuff well or buying a lot of your stuff, and give them a new kit a week before it comes out, with the request (but no pressure) that they make a layout and post it to a few galleries if they have time.  Most people will be thrilled with this.
~ Advertising can be the one thing that makes or breaks your sales for the month (that is, if you don’t have a cult following yet.)  But it has to be in the right place, which is tricky.  I really believe in advertising spots – let me tell you about the first digital kit I ever BOUGHT.  I was browsing around Shabby Princess’ site (back when she only had freebies, pre-ShabbyShoppe days) and I saw an ad for ScrapKitchen.  I followed the link and found such beautiful kits that I bought them on the spot.  This is especially effective when people who are new to digi are wondering around – if they see an ad that looks interesting, they will follow it.  They are in search of and in need of a favorite designer – and it could be you!
~ Speaking of advertising – realize that there is more than one way to pay for advertising!  You are in a unique position as a designer in the digital world that you are able to have conversations with just about anyone in your industry through e-mail or message boards.  Build alliances.  Trade with other sites or designers for advertising space – but approach asking about it with respect for the other designer and realizing that her ad revenue might be the thing that makes or breaks her budget!  Some people are happy to trade and make deals, some people are strictly “cash only.”

Legal Stuff / Technical stuff:
~ Find yourself an intellectual propery rights lawyer.  Or at least read up on your rights as an artist.  If you are going to make money doing this, you need to know how to protect yourself.  If you haven't already, browse through the Stop Piracy blog to see what's up.
~ I’ll repeat myself: PUT YOUR NAME ON ZIP FILES TOO.  This is mostly so we at the Stop Piracy blog can easily identify your kit in a download link without having to take the time to download it ourselves.
~ Seriously, make sure that YOUR NAME is on your kit previews, along with the name of the kit.  AND, make sure you are easy to find through e-mail or Google.  We use my e-mail list from addresses I get when I add people to the designer’s list – so if you aren’t on the Alphabetical Designer’s list, we may have trouble finding you.  Consider adding "If you did not download this from www.xxxxwebsite.com then the download was illegal." to your previews.
~ As the FBI's website states, "it is perfectly fine for anyone, without FBI approval, to use the following generic language on material protected under U.S. copyright law: 'Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.' "
~ If you're using scanned or bought art or photographs, make VERY sure you understand the rules and implication of using them.  Understand that you can't use trademarked characters in any way.
~ Repeating myself again: In ADDITION to your text TOU file in Notepad, include a TOU/No Piracy graphic.  These are very effective in spreading the knowledge that sharing/stealing is NOT ok.  Especially for people new to digital scrapbooking, this is a great way to give them a friendly head's up.  Including the address of the Stop Piracy blog on the graphic is a good way for them to know where to learn more if they are curious.
~ Many designers and stores have a graphic link to the Stop Piracy blog.  This helps show that the community is unified in our efforts to stop the piracy of digital scrapbooking graphics.  If you don’t have a graphic yet and would like one, they can be found here.
~ When dealing with the “pirate loosers,” take the high ground.  Don’t resort to personal attacks -- be professional.  Don’t stoop to their level.  When talking about piracy problems, realize that the thieving people can read what you write on your blog and on message boards.
~ It’s sad that I have to say this – when you give your Creative Team codes to be able to download anything they want from your store, give each person a unique code.  This way if you somehow get a dishonest team member who wants to share their code with a friend (or heaven forbid, a Yahoo group!), you will be able to identify who is doing it.  (Yes, this HAS happened to someone before!)
~ Be an original.  Don't rip-off paper lines already out there (many companies WILL fight to protect their designs, and since paper companies are established companies, they have the resources to do so.)  Don't just copy something another digital designer has done.  I know this is a gray area and that whole thing "there's nothing new under the sun" . . . coincidences are one thing.  Live (and design) with integrity, that way you'll never have to second guess yourself if someone starts asking questions or making accusations.

Customer Service / Community:
~ Scrappers want validation.  If they send you a link to their layout made with your stuff, COMMENT OCCASIONALLY!  Reply to e-mails.  This will help build brand loyalty.  Reward them for repeat purchases -- it will make them feel special.  Hand pick "on demand" CT people randomly to create buzz for your new kits.  This can change every month – or every kit -- and can be "under-cover."  But everyone wins – you get free advertising, the customer gets a free kit and feels special!
~ Official guest spots on your CTs gives everyone a turn, helps with loyalty, and gives your product more exposure.  (There are obviously not enough creative teams to go around or fill the demand of so many scrappers wanting to feel special.  These two ways I just mentioned help fill the gap.)
~ Make layouts sometimes with other designers’ kits.  It helps you to seem a part of the community.  Participate in message boards whenever possible, in a non-marketing way.  Stop by chats sometimes just to hang out.  Let other digi-girls get to know you.  You don't have to read and comment on everything thread . . . but simply by browsing the boards from time to time, you'll have your hand on the "pulse" of your customer base.
~ Participating in a charity mega-kit is a great way for you to do something that feels good, and to get your name out there.  Customers have a way to sample your work and if they like it, they’ll come looking for you.  Make sure you frequent boards just for designers to stay in the loop for when these are coming up.  Sponsor contests, contribute prizes, participate anywhere you can.
~ Designers boards – DigiShopTalk has a private board just for designers.  Promos4DigiScrappers has one, too.  Join them to stay in touch and in the know.
~ True, technically other designers are your competition – but at the end of the day, what benefits one person in the digi-scrapping community benefits the community as a whole.  As a cottage industry that is growing and changing every day, we need to stick together! 

Long story short?  There are over 300 designers on my  Alphabetical Designer’s List here at jenstrange.com – how are you going to stand out?  Obviously, not everyone can be a super-star.  What makes a designer stand out?  Here’s something I really believe: regardless of anything else you do, you will not succeed unless you have a unique, high quality product, sold at a reasonable cost and good customer service to back it up.