Advertising. Do's and Don'ts (in my opinion, of course)

(please remember what is stated below are *my opinions*.  No names are mentioned, nor will they be.  please do not be rude in the comments.  if you don't agree, feel free to say so politely, or I will delete the comment. thanks!)


A couple of weeks ago I was emailed rates for advertising.
They were seeking me out to advertise.  Which is fine.  I get a lot of those.
I see the rates and about faint.  This has happened only twice.  The almost fainting due to sky high ad rates.
And let's face it.  I didn't almost faint really.  But I did say "are they serious?" out loud.
This prompted a few comments on Twitter about advertising, and what is this world coming to, and pretty soon no small business is going to be able to afford advertising.  OK, so you may be thinking I am being a bit dramatic, but am I, really?

This has nothing to do with my post, but I had to share the picture!  

I love how Dana makes it look like it's a magazine ad!

The first time I almost "fainted" over advertising, was because the price was so high that I literally shouted "What the ..." H E double hockey sticks.  Yep.  I cuss like a sailor but not on here, m'kay?  This website/blog had just started offering advertising.  And their rate was $700 a MONTH!  Seven Hundred Dollars.  That did not include a giveaway which was an *additional* $300!!!  Now we're talking $1000.  $1000 could get me an ad in a small magazine!  I politely declined.  (though I wanted to ask what they were thinking, I refrained).

I have a hard time justifying high ad prices.  I mean there are so many blogs out there that have a HUGE following, but have super reasonable rates.

Anyway.  The rant on Twitter prompted several people to ask me what I thought was reasonable.

So here it is.  I really can't answer that question.  But for me, reasonable is not $1000 a month.  Reasonable is not even $200 a month when the blog is new at offering advertising.  Why do you need that much?  And I have heard it from blog owners before... if you value your blog you'll charge what you think you're worth.  Well, I'm sorry.  I don't agree.  Charging someone $1000 a month is insane.  There, I said how I really feel.  I have felt so many times that blog owners are getting carried away.  They're getting greedy.

Now, maybe I am just too thoughtful.  So what if I am?  I like helping others.  I like seeing other prosper and succeed.  And I feel by charging such high amounts for ads on our blogs is just holding people back.  Now, I realize this really is non of my concern.  I get that.  I know that.  But for me it's still a concern.  As I try and seek out places to advertise, or people seek me out, well, I have to think about this, do I not?  And I'm sorry, but I do think about others too.  I can't help it.

While I know some blog for money, and some blog for fun, and some blog for business, or whatever, I just don't get why the prices go so high.  Now some of the prices I would pay.  For instance.  If The Pioneer Woman was offering advertising or Dooce or names like that.  Then yeah.  Paying $500 a month would be justified.  They have several hundred thousand followers.  And that $500 could help me get out there more.

But paying $100 a month for a blog that has 100 followers is just not my bag baby.  I have to think wisely with my money.  I need a return on my investment at least 80% of the time for my advertising dollars to make sense.  Now I am hoping that I am making sense.  Am I?

I have been thinking a lot lately about sidebar ads as well.  About how they have become the norm.  Everyone has sidebar ads.  I get to the point now where I don't even look at the sidebar, because it no longer catches my eye.  This is one reason I no longer offer sidebar ads and only offer weekly blog post sponsorships.  Because now-a-days people are using Google Reader or some other form of easy blog reading.  Sidebar ads are not seen on those.  However.  If you are having a giveaway on a blog or are sponsoring a week of posts, or someone is reviewing a product of yours, then you'll be seen every. single. time.

And can I ask something else?  Some people are taking on so many sponsors that their entire sidebar is FULL of ads.  How does this get anyone noticed?  They all blur together and it's so overwhelming you end up dashing off the page because you're so overstimulated!  What I have also noticed happening is those with too many ads on their blog can not do 1 giveaway at a time.  So group giveaways are starting.  Let me be frank.  Group giveaways are ridiculous.  It's like the mass grouping off ads.  Your brain can't think.  There is not enough time to go to everyone shop.  You get all shaky and panic because you JUST CAN NOT HANDLE IT.  Ok.  I am being so dramatic!  LOL!  My point is... group giveaways take away from the point of advertising.  You advertise to get noticed not to be herded into a mass group like cattle and be looked over.  As a business owner we want our own attention, yes?  We want to be noticed we want to show off our stuff and when we pay for advertising and giveaways we want the giveaway to be us and us alone, right?  (I sound like I am starting a revolution or something)

My main point of all of this is, at what point do we say "no more"?  At what point to the ad rates stop climbing so high and so out of reach?

What say you?





xo,

So I've Been Thinking Of Starting A Business... Part 5 - "How Do You Do It All?"

Oh the big question!
"Shey.  How do you do it all?!?!"
I can't tell you how many times you all have asked me this.
Want to know the answer?  Let's keep it real!  All of these photos will prove that I am keepin' in real!  ;)

I don't.  I can't!  *gasp*  Yep!  I just admitted it!  I can not do everything.  Not even close.

When I first started my business, I really had no idea what to expect.  I thought it would be a fun way to support my fabric addiction (which has gotten worse over the months. but I don't care. I love fabric!).  I also thought it would be great to offer anyone who takes photos a little extra comfort while doing so.
Fast forward from then (August 2008) to now, March 2010.  Wow!  Just wow is all that I can say.  My business has far exceeded my original goal!  How wonderful.  A true blessing.

Now.  Back to that question.  And my answers.

There is positively no way I could ever clean my house, take care of my kids all throughout the day, spend time with my husband, read, make dinner, lunch, breakfast, care for the dog & cat, do the laundry, shower, sew, take time for myself, etc etc so on and so forth all by my lonesome.  No way NO HOW!

How does it all get done?  The answer is simple.  I ask for help.  Isn't that all we have to do really?  Just ask?  Well, it should be.  If help was never asked for by me, then my house would look like these pictures I took a couple weeks ago 24 hours a day 7 days a week!  In fact, it would look worse.  Because I really have no time to clean the house lately.  What did I do to rectify this huge problemo?  Well, I made the decision to hire a housekeeper.  She comes once a week and cleans my house all sparkly clean.  And I will spot clean here and there throughout the week.

Now.  I KNOW not everyone can get a housekeeper.  So why not challenge yourself to stop what you're doing and clean an hour every day?  Make yourself a chart that assigns yourself and other family members a duty.  Even though I have a housekeeper, I have to clean up stuff in between times she comes.  My entire family contributes.  My oldest girl does the dishes and cleans up her and sissy's room. Zoe is assign small things, and I keep a close eye on her to keep her on track.  She is only 3, so of course she isn't able to do much, but she loves to help if she can.  My sweet lovely amazing hard working husband does ALL of the laundry.  ALL of it.  I know.  He is simply swoon worthy.  :)

(Celeste! Look at all those Coke Zero cans! haha)

As far as dinner goes.  I go as easy as I can.  My husband works late a lot, so I have to think about things I can make quickly for my children and myself.  I do not do gourmet often.  So many times it's spaghetti, soup, grilled cheese, breakfast for dinner, etc.  Sometimes, like tonight, it's McDonald's.  But I try not to do greasy fast food too much.  I like dinners made easy and fast.  No matter what it is.

I also realized something as a busy business owner.  I CAN NOT DO IT ALL there either!  2 assistants later and I think it will be much easier for me.  I will be able to have more time off!  I need some nights off, my friends.  And hiring people to help me will enable this.  Hallelujah!  I might be able to read again!  :)  My assistants come 2-3 days a week, work 2-4 hours every time and everyone is happy.  Realizing you can't do it all in your business is a big step.  But a bigger step is getting help so you can achieve what you need to faster.  Take time off for yourself and your family... you'll be amazed how much more enjoyable creating can be!

Don't choose the stressful, prideful road like I have done.  That just ends in breakdowns, crying and the grumps.  I am not superwoman or supermom or super anything. I am just me, and I can only do so much.

So, my friends.  I am keeping it real.  I, Shealynn Benner aka SheyB aka The Camera Strap Girl, fully admit to you that I can not do it all.  Nor do I try.

So go ask for help now!  You deserve it!


P.S.  Scroll down for the current giveaways!!!  You're going to LOVE them!!!

P.P.S.  The winner of the Burlap Camera Strap Slipcover is ERIN!!!  Congrats!  Email me your address.  shealynn AT gmail dot com

P.P.P.S.  The winner of the Two Little Tots Giveaway is NATALIE!!!  Congrats!  Email me your address!  Visit Two Little Tots today to get your little ones something fantastic!

P.P.P.P.S  The Couture Camera Strap Slipcover has been SOLD!!  Another Couture coming soon!

So I've Been Thinking Of Starting A Business... Part 4

Advertising.  That is the number one question I am asked about.  Now, please understand that I am no expert.  I just have my opinions, and once again, these things are what have worked for me.

Here we go.

When I look at a place to advertise, I look at a few things before I decide to definitely advertise.  The cost of the advertising is the last thing on my mind most of the time.  So, for example.  I hear about a blog that's offering advertising.  What is my process before my decision?

I look at their layout first and foremost.  You do NOT want to advertise with someone who doesn't have their advertisers as close to the top of their blog as possible.  If they're putting advertisers even half way down their blog, I likely will not consider them.  The goal in advertising is to get a lot of views on your site, and hope those views get you sales.  If their list of sponsors/advertisers is at the bottom... views are going to likely be bad.  I learned this the hard way.  If views are bad, this means sales will be bad, which also means you've likely just wasted some of your precious hard earned money.

Next I look to see if they offer giveaways.  As I've said before.  Giveaways are THE best form of advertising a blog can offer.  It's that 'In Your Face' form of advertising.  Think of it this way.  You're looking through a magazine.  There are TONS of magazine ads in them, right?  But I bet most of you at least glance at them if not read them, right?  The only difference to me between a magazine ad and a blog giveaway is that the magazine isn't offering something free... usually.  :)  And obviously, most magazines get more views than your average blog, but that's beside the point.  haha.  Anyway.  Magazine ads are 'In Your Face' advertising too.  Most of the time, you find yourself looking.  A giveaway will tell you if that site was worth advertising at or not.
Now, I not only look to see if giveaways are offered, I look at that blog's past giveaway comments.  You'd ideally like to see a lot of comments there.  A lot of comments is totally your opinion.  Everyone is going to think differently on what's a lot and what's not.

Now, if giveaways are not offered, then I will ask the blog owner if they at least announce their new sponsors.  If they do not.  I will not advertise there.  Not usually anyway.  If the blog owner doesn't offer giveaways, and isn't even willing to let his/her readers know about the new advertisers, then it's not worth it to me.  My goal with advertising is ultimately to get sales.  And since nowadays so many people subscribe to people's blogs via Google Reader, Bloglines and other places, the ads are not seen all that often.  So, at least by announcing advertisers and doing giveaways, your store will get the attention you want.

This brings me to the most popular question in the advertising category.  How do you know when to pull your ad down?

There are a lot of different opinions of this out there.  But, since you're on my blog, here is my opinion.  If after 30 days you notice you're not getting many views even after your giveaway, and your sales from that site are pretty low.  PULL YOUR AD!  Sorry for the caps, but I feel like this is so important.  So many people think that leaving your ad up for multiple months is the only way to get sales and get yourself known.  I could not disagree more!  Why spend your money on a blog that's only giving you maybe 1 sale a week and is not bringing you many hits/views?  The first month of advertising is key.  That is when you will normally do your giveaway, be announced, etc etc.  That's when you're "fresh meat".  Sorry for the lame term, but it's true.  ;)  Now, if you're still getting several sales a week and quite a few hits  a week several days/weeks after your giveaway, then make your decision from there.  I will pull my ad after 30 days without a thought if my views and sales are bad with that site.  It's business, and you have to think about what's best for you.  Plus, you'll be able to try another place to advertise.  Also remember... Hits on your site don't mean much of anything if they're not generating sales.  You could be getting 50 million hits on your site, but getting 0 sales.  So to me, hits are a great way of knowing how many are visiting, but that doesn't mean sales are going to happen.

Now, once you've established or feel you've established yourself with advertising, do you stop?  No way!!  Keep on advertising!  There are an endless amount of places to advertise out there.  The sky is the limit.  Now, if you want to keep your business at a slow pace, definitely don't go advertising at a ton of different places at once.  Slowly branch out to new places as you feel comfortable.

So go on... advertise yourself!  You'll likely be glad you did.

So You're Thinking of Starting a Business Part 3: Agile Business

So she asked me back, and how could I say no?


Last time I was here I talked about competition and being excited that they are copying you.  This time I want to let you know about a philosophy that has been around in the software development industry for quite sometime.  Agile Software Development.  Now I am not going to talk about software design, but rather how you can use this process to help keep your business innovating and your customers happy.


First let's look at the Agile Manifesto:

• Individuals and interactions over processes and tools 
• Working software over comprehensive documentation 
• Customer collaboration over contract negotiation 
• Responding to change over following a plan

Now, this statement doesn't mean the stuff on the right is not important, it just means that the bold items on the left are valued over them.

Let's dig into them shall we?  

Individuals and interactions over processes and tools.  As individuals we are all unique.  We have our own thoughts, ideas and interpretations and when we interact with each other and more importantly, each others thoughts and ideas, wonderful things begin to happen.  Process and tools help you stay efficient, reliable and productive, but none of those things will breed innovation like working with others.  One thing I find extremely important here, is getting outside of your area of expertise to have these interactions.  My first business success came from meeting with an Imaginarium employee, property manager and a used golf equipment salesrep.  The conversation that came out of that spawned a full suite of homeowner association management solutions.

OK, so maybe this next one needs to be reworded for any business not in the software industry.  But I challenge you to come up with one and leave it and the reason behind the change in the comments.  Who knows, maybe I might use it when I speak on this subject at the Scottsdale Small Business Conference in April.

Customer collaboration over contract negotiation.  I think this one can be a stickler for many businesses.  The world today can get very concerned over getting the better deal, not getting sued (or being able to sue) and just being in the right.  Time is to short to be concerned with all this crap and if someone is overly concerned with it that should raise some red flags.  I want to work WITH my customers.  I not only want them to be happy but I want to take their input and make my business better.  Collaborating with your customers can also bring new ideas, cost saving solutions and long lasting partnerships.

Responding to change over following a plan. To me this is the biggest and more important of all the above.  Plans are good.  They give you a path and direction to follow.  However, what you do when a wrench gets thrown in your work is what matters the most.  There are too many examples of this in the business world.  Companies seeing things changing around them and their failure to adapt to the situation and becoming stagnant and irrelevant.  One of the principles in agile is reflection.  This can be handled with a weekly retrospective.  Get your team (yes I said team, not staff and not employees) together and look at what went on the previous week.  Celebrate the success and discuss the failures and pain points. Come up with a plan to make the necessary changes and a way to measure your progress.

I issue a challenge to you.  Try reading up on the agile process and find ways to adopt in your business.  Then strive for just one percent better every week.  One percent is not much, but like that retirement plan compounded interest pays off and by the end of the year you will be 68% better.  Not shabby for a small incremental change every week.

Until next time she asks me back, go change YOUR world.

Mike Benner

Good Morning My Friends!

Thank you all so much for the kind comments about my new blog makeover!!  Beth really did a great job!!  Contact her to do a makeover for your blog!  She does super fast, and a blast to work with.  

I know I haven't had much time to blog lately.  So sorry about that.  I hate not talking to you all on a semi daily basis.  I will try harder, but until I am all caught up with these orders, I can't promise anything.  But I will try.  I know the 3rd installment of "So I've Been Thinking Of Starting a Business" didn't go up last week, but it will be going up TOMORROW!  So... this is where you lovely friends come in!  Ask away!  Don't be shy.  Remember my husband is now part of this series, and he is VERY good at all things business... you can ask him {or me} anything that comes to mind.  Even about his tattoos if you want. haha!!  Just leave your questions here in the comments,  because my inbox is really full right now.

I now leave you will some unedited terrible quality {but fun} iPhone photos.  :)

I am a fabric addict.

More fabric.

 

 OWLS!  She loves them. :)  Thanks Lemon Tree Studio!  ;)

  

 The day I went to pick Luna {"Moona"} up when she was found!

Cuddling with "Moona" the day she was found.

I think running away tired Luna out for the rest of her life.

 

The perfect Valentine's Day card I got for Mike.  :)

  

 Our girls' new bunkbed

  

Oh look!  More fabric!  

  

And more!

  

I think she was tired.

  

 Posy Pin from The Pleated Poppy.  Looks cute on my purse!

  

My new friend Melanie!  We finally met in real life last Saturday! 

She came and helped me SO MUCH!  Love her!

  

 Oh and she brought me more FABRIC!

Shocking.  ;)  She owns a fabric store online called

Above All Fabric.

  

Holy orders!

  

I wouldn't be The Camera Strap Girl if I didn't 

show some of them, right?  Some being over

FIFTY! 

  

 And here they are all ready to go to their new homes!  

 

There is still time to vote!!  Only 4 days left though!  It takes mere seconds to vote.  Promise!  :)  Click here.  Thank you again to those of you that have!!!  You ROCK my socks off. 

Do You Have Questions For My Husband? Or me?

Hello lovelies!

Scroll down for the fun giveaway below this post.
Also... I am going to be working on the 3rd installment of "So I've Been Thinking Of Starting A Business" tonight.  My husband will make another appearance!  So, if you have questions you'd like us to cover, please please either leave them in the comments here, or email me.  shealynn AT gmail DOT com.  You can also click on the "Contact Me" over there -------> .
My husband is SUPER busy, and is going out of town tomorrow, so if you can get them in fast, that would be awesome!

Looking forward to your questions, suggestions, and/or statements!

Now... I need to go sew!  These camera strap covers can't make themselves... unfortunately.  ;)

So I've Been Thinking Of Starting A Business... Part 2

We are working on Part 3 tonight!  If you have questions, suggestions, please see this post...  Thank you for visiting! 

Let's talk about the realities of owning your own business.  For this post I have asked the input of others.  Those others will be kept anonymous.  Thank you to those of you who asked questions, and told me your thoughts!  

Lets talk advertising again.  I am finding that so many of you have a hard time figuring out where to advertise and how much to advertise.  I don't blame you!  This can be so daunting!  What I did was test the waters with advertising.  I didn't have a lot of money to spend on advertising, so I started small and worked my way up.  I can't tell you where to advertise, but what I can tell you is that once you test those advertising waters, you will find you niche.  Meaning, you will find where your advertising pays off.  Whether it be mom based blogs, crafting blogs, etc.  Remember, advertising may not always work, but to me, it's been worth the risk.

Another question from someone was asking about advertising or soliciting business in person.  I am not really experienced in this area, but my husband is, so I asked him...

"Perfect your elevator pitch.  Meaning.  Learn how to sell your product in 30 seconds or less.  Or 130 words or less.  If you can't do this, then that is the first thing you should work on."

"If you're looking to sell to locals in your community, then you need to get on Twitter.  Look for people in your area that have similar likes and dislikes and follow them.  Twitter is the easiest way to do this and the fastest."

"If you are shy, then perfect your elevator pitch. Once you've perfected that, then you'll need to work on engaging people in public in a conversation.  It doesn't need to be about your business, it can be about anything.  This gets you out of your comfort zone and gets you comfortable talking to strangers whom you wouldn't normally talk to.  

You know those people at the mall kiosks that try and get you to try their free samples?  Well, when you're at a trade show or a craft show, become that kiosk worker.  Engage people walking by your booth, or you could miss a potential sale."

I couldn't have said it better.  He is so good at business!  My husband has even more input and advice coming up!  Stay tuned.

***

When I say realities of a business, I am talking the whole shebang.  With owning a business comes tough things too.  There are a plethora of rude people out there just chomping at the bit.  Or so it seems.  When you own a business, you need to know that people will be rude to you.  It happens to everyone.  Getting a tough skin is key.  Otherwise, you'll end up taking every. single. thing. personally.  This can lead to discouragement and failure.  I have had many bad things said to me.  I did take it a little personal at first, but realized after talking with my husband and thinking it through, people are just mean sometimes.  That's how it is.  Now, I just let it roll right off my back.  I don't care anymore what someone says, because it's really just a big waste of time and energy.  Spend that energy working harder, rather than fretting over or crying about what has been said to you.  I know this is easier said than done, but it is SO so important to remember!

Loving what you do.  This is a must.  Now, I am not talking about always loving it.  I mean, there are going to be points where you are going to go through a blah slump.  This is normal, and I think it needs to happen sometimes.  Sometimes those blah times bring about incredible inspiration, which in turn brings you right back to the Aha! times where you love creating again because you took a break.  Breaks are not bad.  When deciding what you want your shop to house, make absolute sure you love it!  Because if it's popular, you are stuck with it!  :)  

Remember this.  If you're product(s) become very popular... you now have to figure out how to manage your time.  Especially if you have children.  If you don't have kids, then figuring out time for creating is just so. much. easier!!!  Kids throw in a whole new level of hard to your business.  Balance.  That is something I still haven't perfected, but I work on it daily.  I doubt I will ever perfect the balancing act, but trying is good.  If you have a supportive spouse, then discussing times that you need to create will be worth your while.  Make sure you go in your space, and either close the door or make it clear to everyone that it is your time to create.  It might be a struggle at first, but keep working at it until you have found the best time and way to get time for your creations.

Someone brought up an enjoyment of getting to know their competitors... knowing your competitors is a toughie, because in one aspect, you may be gaining a new friend or a mentor.  But in another aspect, you could be gaining frustration. . . . which brings me to my next topic, and where my very knowledgeable husband comes in.

Because this is a sensitive subject for many, I asked him to write up a little about this next bit for me.  It's all about copying.  When you've found your things being copied, etc.  Take it away, babe!

"We have all heard it before imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.  And while a pretty accurate statement to many business owners it can also be the biggest cause of stress.  The type of stress that is caused when a competitor releases a very similar product to the one you offer.  While I agree at first this can be unnerving, you really should be honored and more importantly excited.

I know what you are thinking, "Excited?!?!? I am going to lose sales

now."  Yes, you probably will a lose a couple, but that is okay,

because you are working on the next version of your product or

creating another product to add to your arsenal. You are actively

doing that, right?  You see, I get excited when I find out a

competitor has been spending their time merely trying to catch up with

me and not coming up with their own ideas to outpace me and set

themselves apart.  As long as they are busy mimicking your every move

they will ALWAYS be in second place and you will be free to innovate

and stay out in front.

What happens when one of your competitors does actually innovate and

release something before you?  Well, don't get stuck being in second

place.  You don't want to get caught in that trap of mimicking their

every move.  INNOVATE! CREATE! BREAK DOWN BOUNDARIES!  This is when

you rally the troops and get back to why you started your business.

You saw a need not being met and you pounced.  Take a deep breath and

find the opportunity to meet that need again.  With good marketing you

could even create a need that wasn't there to begin with.  This part

of business is actually why I love running my own businesses.  The

challenge of seeing a problem and create the best solution for that

problem.

So next time a competitor copies you send them a bouquet of flowers

with a Thank You note and continue to create products that keeps them

chasing you."

Isn't he awesome?!  He is so so knowledgeable, and he is ALL MINE!  hee hee hee.  :)

My 2 cents on this.  Do not ignore your competition!  Check them out.  See what they are doing.  Do not copy what they or others are doing... make something better!  Perfect what you are doing, and perfect it again!  Make it better!  Do your research.

When I came up with my ruffles, I did hours and hours of research.  I searched and searched the web, etsy, and other places to see if there were ruffles on camera strap covers... there were NONE.  That is how I knew I was about to create something *new*.  Get inspired!  Look around you.  A new design could be right before your eyes.  DO NOT be afraid of competition!  Competition should just make you want to work harder, and be better!  And that's a good thing.  

Part 3 will be next week!  If you're wanting some questions answered in the next installment, please email me!  shealynn AT gmail DOT com - would love to help, or have my husband help if we can!  Maybe this should be a husband wife series.  ;)

I sincerely hope this was helpful to you!  Leave your input in the comments.  As always, I love to hear what you have to say.  Even if you disagree.  Just be nice about it.  ;)

  

Now I need to prep orders for tomorrow.

Good Night, friends!

So I've Been Thinking Of Starting A Business...

I get many questions asking me about starting a business.  How I started mine.  How I got my name out there, so on and so forth.  I also get asked a lot, "how do you do it all?".  I will talk about that last question at a later date, but let's tackle the questions about starting a business, shall we?  Now, I am no expert.  So what I say is just my experience.  I feel like I should put a disclaimer in this post.  You know like a weight loss infomercial does.  "Results not always typical".  I can't possibly guarantee what has worked for me will work for you.  

2 years ago is when the idea came to me to make camera strap covers.  I knew nothing of Etsy.  I knew nothing about starting a crafty business.  And mostly.  I knew nothing about sewing.  I just knew that I had just gone on a photo shoot, and my neck hurt.  Bad.  A red mark from my camera strap led me to the thought, and action led me to my business, *Shey*[B].  But the action part didn't take place until we moved from North Carolina to Arizona.  It's hot here.  I don't like the heat.  So... I stay in the house a lot.  What better time is there to create?  And that's just what I did.  Now, I am lucky, because my husband is a Vice President of one of the companies he works for.  He is incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to anything business.  He helps me, advises me, and he is my biggest cheerleader.  Having someone who supports you whole heartedly is KEY to owning your own business.  

Now.  You have this business.  What do you do next?  Good question.  Figure this out...  How big do you want your business to get?  And be realistic about it.  What kind of time do you have?  Do you want to sell only what you have already made, or do you want to sell made to order/custom items?  I also have noticed that having a focus in your store helps too.  If you have 20 different items that are completely random from each other, it can get confusing, and turn people off.  Also.  Set realistic goals for yourself. If you don't get many sales, don't quit.  Keep going - Don't let the lack of sales get you down.

This is where my passionate side comes out, because I really believe this is what works.  It worked for me, and it works for -so- many others.  Advertising.  I know I have said this before.  And yes, I am saying it again.  And I am sure you'll here it again, and again.  

Let's think about advertising for a minute.  All companies advertise in some way or another.  Otherwise how would anyone know the company existed?  Right.  They wouldn't.  Advertising is especially crucial for us little guys who don't have millions of dollars to throw down for TV commercials, magazine ads, etc etc.  Where should you advertise?  How about your favorite blog?  Start there and see how it goes.  When I first started my business, I was given this same valuable advice.  At first I brushed it off not thinking anything of it.  But I began noticing that advertising does work!  That's when I began offering giveaways.... Giveaways are in the advertising bubble.  It's an "in your face" type of advertising.  A blog features a store and talks about nothing other than that person and their products in that 1 post.  It's a great great way to start getting your name out there.  Now, a fact.  Presently, many blogs are charging for  advertising.  Sometimes you'll just pay for a giveaway, sometimes the advertising and giveaway are included.  I offer advertising on my blog.  Why do people charge for this?  Simply because all of this takes time.  Writing a giveaway post can take me upwards of an hour or more to write.  That's a lot of time.  But we are trying to sell your company and get you some sales.  Pricing for advertising varies a lot, so make sure and ask the blogger what their rates are.  I believe in the saying, "You've got to spend money to make money."  Believe it very much.  Keep this in mind too.  Advertising is a risk.  It may not work... but is it a risk you're willing to take?

And lastly, remember.  Believe in yourself and your business!  Pray about it.  If it's meant to be, it will happen.  

I hope this has helped... if not.  Feel free to leave a comment, and if I can answer your question, I would be more than happy to!  :)  Please remember.  These are just my opinions.  This is what has worked for me... *Results not always typical*.  

goodnight friends.