tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89551638162939735712024-03-13T09:32:25.117-04:00Craft CafeHandmade is HOT!
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Discover handmade the Craft Cafe way :)Craft Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103575944254895533noreply@blogger.comBlogger498125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-6738701058890590522013-04-22T14:38:00.000-04:002013-04-22T14:38:53.102-04:00Building Your Handmade Online Empire {A Five Part Series} Tip #3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8496659956872463" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">Welcome to my five tip series to help get the web on your side, a little bit at a time. Each month I will provide a new tip to get you inspired!</span></b></div>
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8496659956872463" style="font-weight: normal;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">My last </span><i style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">Tip #2, "Harness The Power Of Stats"</i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;"> gave you a crash course in approaching stats for your various websites, social networks and shops. I hope you cracked open a few stats pages and got excited about the wealth of information there. Did you find my article helpful? <a href="http://craftcafelove.blogspot.com/2013/03/building-your-handmade-online-empire.html" target="_blank">If you missed it, please be sure to read it here!</a></span></b></div>
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8496659956872463" style="font-weight: normal;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.8496659956872463" style="font-weight: normal;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">--- <a href="http://craftcafelove.blogspot.com/2013/02/building-your-handmade-online-empire.html" target="_blank">If you missed the first tip, be sure to read it here!</a> ---</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8496659956872463" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">Tip #3. Ask Yourself The Hard Questions About Being In Business</span></b><br />
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8496659956872463" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.8496659956872463" style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; text-align: left;"></b></span></b><br />
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8496659956872463" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.8496659956872463" style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.8496659956872463" style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I see it all the time: new sellers open a shop, list their wares and then get extremely discouraged when no sales happen right away (hey...that is where I started too!). If you're a handmade seller, you simply cannot ignore the part of the puzzle that requires you to be a business person. </i></span></b></span></b></span></b><b style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Here are some hard but necessary questions to ask yourself if you are at this crossroads.</i></span></b></span></b></div>
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.8496659956872463"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Question: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are you ready to run a business?</span></span></div>
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.8496659956872463"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.32532279496081173" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most handmade sellers don’t start out with a huge budget for advertising, paying employees, hiring accountants or business advisors. Being a one-person business means that besides making awesome stuff, you’ll be in charge of:</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Accounting (Taxes, Payroll, Inventory Management, Banking, Pricing, Billing)</span></div>
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.32532279496081173" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Customer Service (Sales, Packing & Shipping, Correspondence, Inquiries, Tracking, Refunds)</span></b></div>
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.32532279496081173" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Research & Development (Product Testing and Quality Assurance)</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s17XQLJMluo/UXSnOQQlqoI/AAAAAAAAC18/7ZkoX714ysY/s1600/TaxEnvelopeTip3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s17XQLJMluo/UXSnOQQlqoI/AAAAAAAAC18/7ZkoX714ysY/s400/TaxEnvelopeTip3.jpg" width="400" /></a><b id="internal-source-marker_0.32532279496081173" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That amount of responsibility can be stressful, overwhelming and discouraging at times. It is a lot for one person to manage, but it can be done. </span></b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Approach your business as a business, and create a schedule and a plan for handling all of those elements. Be sure to research legal issues concerning safety, insurance, taxes and licensing for what you sell. I know it isn’t any fun, but if you want to do this for a living, it needs to be taken seriously.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Question: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have a plan for getting traffic to your shop?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m sure you’ve seen this topic before. You simply cannot expect that if you put something on the internet that anyone is going to find it. On a tight budget this can be especially daunting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Think of marketing like a starter home. Have you heard the term “Sweat Equity”? Well, when applied to improving a house, it means do-it-yourself to increase the monetary value of the house. If you apply it to marketing, the value is increased traffic and sales. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here are some examples of marketing techniques that cost <i>more time and effort than money</i>:</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bring business cards everywhere you go. Hand them out. Yes that part is important!</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Put your shop and facebook links in the footer of your email. </span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mention that you are available 24/7 online at xyz.com on your voicemail and your email footer.</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Use social networking to get your brand some visibility. </span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you sell at craft fairs, hand out business cards to people who stop and look.</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Swap packs of 20 business cards with other sellers. Package up the cards as a “freebie” to send out with your orders, and have yours go out with those you’ve swapped with. There is a Craft Cafe group for this. Request to be added in the comments of this post.</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Add a coupon code to the back of your business card to entice visitors. </span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wear and gift your own work, and hand a card to anyone who asks about it. </span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Donate a product to a local fundraiser, as in return they may add your business name and link to a website or flyer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most of all: be willing to spend a great deal of time getting your links out to potential customers. Organic or "guerilla" marketing is different for every seller. There are myriad ideas for marketing on the cheap. Be bold, be patient and be willing to try new things. In time, this will pay off!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you have a budget for advertising, things are just as tricky. Where to spend it? What ads will reach the most potential buyers for your products? What can you risk for the p</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">otential success or failure of any given ad investment? Again, different for every seller.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Question: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do people want to buy what you’re selling?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have you ever seen someone posting links to something they are selling that makes you wonder “who would buy that?” I have. In fact, I’m sure some of my products have inspired such a response. We all have our own style and that comes through in our handmade work. It is tough to admit, but sometimes people won’t want to buy what you make, be it the price it needs to be for you to make a profit, the style of the product, the nature of the product, and so on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you've made it, priced it right to make a profit, listed it, marketed it and it just isn't selling: you might be trying to sell something nobody wants. Not a fun revelation, but a really really important one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Question: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What makes your shop, product, business different AND better than your competition?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is Marketing 101: <b>“Differentiation”</b>. If you can’t determine what makes your business or product better than the rest, I suggest you sit down and think about it. If you can’t explain why someone should choose you over the rest, you’ve got some soul searching to do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you’re struggling with that question, keep it simple. Is it your superior customer service? Fast turn-around times? Do you use premium materials or ingredients? Do you use a special technique? Perhaps your background makes you an expert in your craft. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When you determine one or more reasons you’re brand is better than the rest, you’ve created a resource for your sales and marketing. Now you know what to say that will make people choose you over the others. Talk about it in your listings, your social networking and on your business cards.<b> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Determining differentiation for your product, service or brand also provides a road map for how to run your business. If you sing the praises of orders going out the door within 24 hours, then I suggest you make that your number one priority. If it takes two weeks to turn around an order because you make custom knitted accessories upon order, then you’ve got a different angle. You offer variety based on the customer’s EXACT preferences, and you go make what they tell you to make, when they tell you to make it. That is pretty cool too. So brag it up, whatever your strengths. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you’re still struggling to figure out why you’re better....head back to the drawing board and see if this whole business thing is for you, or if you’d rather just make stuff and not have to compete in the marketplace. I know plenty of creative people who decided after selling for awhile, they realized they weren’t even spending half their time on making what they love to make, and it just wasn’t what they set out to do. That is perfectly reasonable! Give it some thought and keep on moving the right direction for you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Question: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are your prices working?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This topic challenges handmade sellers to take a leap of faith that what they’re making is WORTH IT. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>You are not competing with Walmart</b>.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Not everyone is a handmade customer. If somebody wants the $5 version of what you can sell for $25, then let that customer go. It is not judgmental or exclusive to say no to a customer who wants what you have for less than you can offer it. You can be polite and consider it a good time to educate the customer about why yours is more expensive. An opportunity to help raise the awareness for you and your fellow handmakers....who can resist?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wait for </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">your</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> customer. That is, a customer who understands the value of your work, creativity and product. The handmade, DIY wave is here! Those customers are everywhere, so don’t give in to desperation and self-doubt. It takes time and hard work to get your products in front of those customers, be willing to wait!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No-nos of the pricing variety:</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t simply price your items by guessing.</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t price based on what you think people will pay.</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t price based solely on what your competition is charging.</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t follow a pricing algorithm that you find doesn’t actually work for <b>you</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t price low out of desperation to make a sale.</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t allow a customer to tell you what they are willing to pay.</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t price materials & labor only (consider how to compensate expertise, design, service, overhead costs of your business within your pricing scheme)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you’re pricing your products with these practices, you’ll have a hard time making a profit and getting paid to be in business. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Handmade sellers frequently devalue their own work and products (and the handmade marketplace in general) by pricing to compete with the market at-large. Don’t do it! If you truly plan to become a full-time business owner, you’re going to need to let some customers go. I hereby give you permission to be polite, but inform customers that your work is handmade and custom and your expertise costs more. If you need support or advice about pricing, please comment here. The community of handmade sellers on Craft Cafe and elsewhere offers a giant pool of talent and expertise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Question: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have what it takes emotionally to make it through the tough stuff?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve talked about all of the hard work, skills and other nuts & bolts of what it means to run a business...but there is another side to it all. EMOTIONS! Yes, I said it. Emotions are a HUGE part of getting somewhere in business. So, if you have a thin skin, prepare to get a few blisters and toughen up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dealing with the many first time situations, slow sales days, confusing paperwork challenges, budget issues (or lack there-of) and crazy customers can make you want to scream. I can’t change that, but I can offer some techniques for dealing with it all gracefully.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here are a few general guidelines to managing the rollercoasters you’ll certainly encounter.</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Negativity is poison.<span style="font-weight: normal;"> If you are frustrated and discouraged, don’t expect your peers to talk you down or be responsible for helping you when you’re being a jerk. Did you read an article hoping for a particular answer and it wasn’t there? Just ask nicely and maybe the author or other commentors will give you some advice or input. Complaining and being insulting will get you nowhere. Plus people tend to remember negative experiences longer than positives. Sad but true. So don’t go poison a group or a comment thread with a bad attitude. Just don’t! One more thing...this includes being snippy! Don’t comment if you’re just here to minimize or sabotage. Contribute positivity, and watch it come back to you!</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are you having a slow sales day? Tell your peers in a private group that you need some cheering up, or ideas for dealing with it. Ask for tips. Say you’re discouraged. But please remember to bring a pro-active attitude to the party. If somebody encourages you to try A B or C and you already did, it might be nice to say “I’ve been using those techniques, and I’m not seeing results. I wonder if you could take a look at my product description and see if you have any insight” instead of “I’ve tried everything and nothing works. Nobody is buying anything and I think I might quit”. Especially DO NOT BLAME THE INTERNET! </span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is not anyone’s job but yours to make your business work. </span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you feel like you can’t take another article, piece of advice or slow sales day or you’re gonna go insane? This is a real trick, but I promise you it works: </span><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Walk away.<span style="font-weight: normal;"> Close your laptop. Go on a walk, meet a friend for coffee, GET OUT OF YOUR WORK SPACE!!!! </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We all need to give ourselves permission to give up for the day once in awhile. If you find yourself being negative about everything and anything, you need to go enjoy something. ANYTHING. Ice cream, coffee, a walk with your dog, play with your kids, have dinner out with your friends. Tell somebody you love that you’re discouraged. You’ll come back with new energy. Bonus points: you won’t associate being in your work space with negative feelings. That rocks!</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have a customer who is borderline abusive, insulting or making you feel scared or unsafe? Never write to a customer who is insulting you until you’ve had some time to cool off. It isn’t worth it. Don’t argue. If a customer becomes abusive, report them to your shopping host such as Craft Cafe. There are policies that handle this stuff. Don’t let into fights. If you’re in above your head with a nutcase, get help!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One last question: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Did you survive the tough questions?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have a healthy relationship with your business, just as you would a significant other. You need open lines of communication. You need truth. You need boundaries, and you want a rewarding future together. A hobby is like dating. Going in to business is a real committed relationship to your craft. One that involves planning, ups and downs and putting up with the annoying stuff...because you’re in love! The passion should get you through the moments where you want to just throw in the towel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you read this, you were willing to face some scary stuff, and maybe it seems a little less scary now. Remember that not every day involves every issue I’ve gone over here. But the nature of being a one-person, or a very small business will guarantee that some days will be over-the-top with lots of the difficult stuff. If you can get through it all one day at a time, you will get somewhere. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><a href="http://mdesignboutique.wordpress.com/about/press-and-wholesale-inquiries/" target="_blank">Above: After years of turning down requests for freebies,</a></span></div>
<a href="http://mdesignboutique.wordpress.com/about/press-and-wholesale-inquiries/" target="_blank">I recently created a web page to handle the issue</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><a href="http://mdesignboutique.wordpress.com/about/press-and-wholesale-inquiries/" target="_blank">instead of handling the requests one email at a time.</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create some guidelines for making progress on the business side of things. Make some rules about working hours vs. non-working hours. Look to your fellow online sellers for advice and encouragement, and observe their methods of success. Pay attention to issues that arise and create Policies & Procedures that give your business structure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whatever you daydream about spending less time on...that is where you’ll want to start thinking about your long-term plans for growing your business. When something is hard, think of what would make it easier, and then work toward that goal. Create a vision for a future </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">where you spend more time doing what you love. Without that vision, you may be looking at burn-out in the not-so-distant future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Creative businesses take lots of love, but what you get back can change your life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope asking yourself the tough questions has already made you tougher! </span><b style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rome wasn’t built in a day. Give yourself time to think things through and come up with the answers only after lots and lots and lots of careful thought. I am happy to share my experiences, so please do comment on this article if you would like my input!</span></b></span></b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Be sure to follow my shops on facebook to get announcements about more articles like this!</i></span></b></span></b></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><a href="http://www.facebook.com/spoiledcowgirlbymdb" target="_blank">Spoiled Cowgirl by MDB Here</a></i></span></b></span></b></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><a href="http://www.facebook.com/mdesignboutique" target="_blank">M Design Boutique Here</a></i></span></b></span></b></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></span></b>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thanks!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">Melissa Machowski</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">Owner, Designer, Maker at </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.spoiledcowgirlbymdb.com/" target="_blank">Spoiled Cowgirl by MDB</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Nobile; line-height: 23px;">, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mdesignboutique.com/" target="_blank">M Design Boutique, MDB Weddings and Events</a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;" />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">Why listen to my advice?</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"> I believe in getting perspectives from all over the place. I have learned from other people succeeding at what I am trying to do. I’ve tried a lot, read a lot, failed a lot, and ultimately found some real success at running an online handmade business. My lessons learned can be yours too...at least, I hope so! ----> next tip coming in one month! <a href="http://www.facebook.com/craftcafe" style="color: #aba389; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Follow Craft Cafe</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/spoiledcowgirlbymdb" style="color: #aba389; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Spoiled Cowgirl</a> to get the anouncement!</span></div>
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Melissa (Fouch) Machowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13977389668676251617noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-38975538998278790332013-04-12T11:08:00.000-04:002013-04-12T11:08:38.497-04:00"Something for Mom" Feature Favorite Post & Vote Winner - Dzign by Jamie<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Something for Mom" Post & Vote Winner!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/dzignbyjamie" target="_blank">Dzign by Jamie</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/dzignbyjamie.php?viewproduct=46740" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lqvK9918Yng/UWgjFLbyQWI/AAAAAAAAAOU/3YK3XoivQHs/s320/jamiepostvote.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/dzignbyjamie.php?viewproduct=46740" target="_blank">The Story Of Us - Hand Stamped Stick Figure Metal Necklace</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;">The Story Of Us is simply told with a stick figure representation of each family member. Hand stamped on both brass and copper discs. There's a cute swirling vine and leaf design as well. A dainty brass ball chain necklace with a lobster clasp finishes off the design.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;">~* MORE DETAILS *~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;">Hand stamped items are very unique, due to the hand made nature of this item no two will ever be exactly alike. There will always be slight variations. That's what gives hand stamped items character!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: MyriadPro; font-size: large;">Be sure to visit </span><a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/dzignbyjamie" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Dzign by Jamie</a> <span style="font-family: MyriadPro; font-size: large;">Today!</span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-80177147076003682382013-04-09T14:27:00.001-04:002013-04-09T14:27:08.104-04:00New Blog Look!<div style="text-align: center;">
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Hi Everyone!</div>
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How to do you like the Craft Cafe Love blog's new look?<br />
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Nice clean styling with large post area and just one side bar ♥<br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-86529447734723534792013-04-08T07:24:00.000-04:002013-04-08T07:24:27.587-04:00"Jewelry" Pinterest Challenge Winner - Frawgz Dezignz<div style="text-align: center;">
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Craft Cafe Seller "Jewelry" Pinterest Board Challenge Winner</div>
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Carrie Foster (<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/frawgzdezignz/" target="_blank">Frawgz Dezignz</a>)</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-62164415750048607342013-04-05T08:21:00.000-04:002013-04-05T08:21:53.138-04:00"White" Feature Favorite Post & Vote Winner - Chenille Chateau<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">"White" Post & Vote Winner!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/chenillechateau/" target="_blank">Chenille Chateau</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/chenillechateau.php?viewproduct=10971" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4k_NStzHEHE/UV6_NVV0URI/AAAAAAAAAMs/dhxTU5s81JM/s320/chenillechateau.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee; font-family: MyriadPro;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><u><a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/chenillechateau.php?viewproduct=10971">PEARLS AND DAISIES vintage chenille pillow cover</a></u></span></span></div>
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Washable pillow cover 12 x 12 inches.<br />
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PEARLS AND DAISIES showcases creamy white on white 'pearls' set in striped triangles and pairs this with creamy white on white Hofmann daisies.<br />
Such texture!!<br />
This color is a winter white. A huge vintage pom pom has been added in the center.<br />
This pillow front has been lined. This additional step adds beauty and strength to handmade textile accessories, enabling you to enjoy them for many years.<br />
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<span style="font-family: MyriadPro; font-size: large;">Be sure to visit <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/chenillechateau/">Chenille Chateau</a> Today!</span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-15428636293311979942013-03-29T10:00:00.000-04:002013-03-29T10:00:01.550-04:00"Your Favorite" Post and Vote Winners - Izzy's Place & Dragonfly Arts Pottery<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Your Favorite" Post & Vote Winner #1!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/izzysplace" target="_blank">Izzy's Place</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/izzysplace.php?viewproduct=17612" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QIVABp2dGZc/UVWAmhxbt1I/AAAAAAAAAMU/WtNUZDvxWA4/s320/izzysplace.png" width="317" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee; font-family: MyriadPro;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><u>Pink Roses Puffy Round Glass Tile Pendant Necklace</u></span></span></div>
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Pink Roses Puffy Round Glass Tile Pendant Necklace<br />
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This beautiful altered art puffy heart pendant is made from a 1” x 1" glass tile. This pendant features an Aanraku Silver Plated bail and it arrives to you on a 24 inch ball chain which can be shortened easily. Graphics are printed out on photo paper to maintain that crisp, clear look of the picture and to capture the colors. Sent in a pretty organza bag.<br />
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<span style="font-family: MyriadPro; font-size: large;">Be sure to visit Izzy's Place Today!</span></div>
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/izzysplace" target="_blank">Craft Cafe</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/myizzysplace" target="_blank">Facebook</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Your Favorite" Post & Vote Winner #2!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/dragonflyarts" target="_blank">Dragonfly Arts Pottery</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/dragonflyarts.php?viewproduct=21230" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vs-40VnGKV4/UVWBrLHsQyI/AAAAAAAAAMc/A6v7_MhgTE0/s320/dragonfly400.png" width="304" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/dragonflyarts.php?viewproduct=21230" target="_blank">"Spongette" Stoneware Kitchen Sponge Holder</a></span></div>
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Wheel thrown stoneware pottery.</div>
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The Spongette keeps your kitchen sponges up off the sink top and out of the basin! No more sponge in the garbage disposal! :)</div>
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The air holes allow air flow to dry your sponge quicker and reduces bacterial growth, keeping your sponge fresh longer!</div>
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Dishwasher safe -- when your Spongette gets mucky, simply pop it into the dishwasher and it's brand new again! :)</div>
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Also makes a great business card holder!</div>
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<span style="font-family: MyriadPro; font-size: large;">Be sure to visit Dragonfly Arts Pottery Today!</span></div>
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/dragonflyarts" target="_blank">Craft Cafe</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DragonflyArts" target="_blank">Facebook</a></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-44579271109998668152013-03-28T09:37:00.000-04:002013-03-28T09:38:26.540-04:00Delicious Delights Video Creation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Watch our</div>
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"Delicious Delights & More"</div>
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Video Creation</div>
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Q9Fs1R5a_eQ/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q9Fs1R5a_eQ?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q9Fs1R5a_eQ?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-22395541794069451272013-03-25T16:00:00.000-04:002013-03-25T16:00:01.912-04:00"Yellow" Pinterest Challenge Winner <center>
Craft Cafe "Yellow" Challenge Pinboard by</center>
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Denese Woodard (<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/deessilkcreations/" target="_blank">Dee's Silk Creations</a>)</center>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-92134088107427381852013-03-25T08:20:00.000-04:002013-04-22T08:09:29.490-04:00Building Your Handmade Online Empire {A Five Part Series} Tip #2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Welcome
to my five tip series to help get the web on your side, a little bit at
a time. Each month I will provide a new tip to get you inspired!</span></div>
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My last </span><i style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">Tip #2, "Harness The Power Of Stats"</i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;"> gave you a crash course in approaching stats for your various websites, social networks and shops. I hope you cracked open a few stats pages and got excited about the wealth of information there. Did you find my article helpful? If you missed it, please be sure to read it here!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;"> </span><a href="http://craftcafelove.blogspot.com/2013/02/building-your-handmade-online-empire.html" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;" target="_blank">If you missed the first tip, be sure to read it here!</a><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Tip #2. Harness The Power Of Stats</span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Once
you have tried creating some new online places such as a Facebook or
Twitter account, a Pinterest page or maybe a YouTube Channel, it is time
to determine what is working, and try to figure out why! The power of
stats will make your online presence drive traffic and sales to your
shop!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This
article is not a detailed course in specific stat applications, but
rather a crash course in recognizing the importance of watching your
stats (even if only once a month!), and a resource guide to get you
started and keep you learning about what stats can do for you. So..let's get started! </span></span><br />
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<i><b><span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><b>WHAT ARE STATS?</b></i> </span></b></i><span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Stats
are collections of data that provide information about activity
on the web. You can find stats almost anywhere you create an account,
including Craft Cafe, Etsy, Big Cartel, Facebook, Twitter, and of
course, the great Google Analytics, which allows you to see your website
traffic in lots of great visual ways. </span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Start Simple: Ask these three questions, and look for the answers in your stats:</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>1. Where is my traffic coming from?</b> (search engines? referrals? links from your facebook posts? outside links?)</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4lj0PTuMu_o/UU_iZ8_kLPI/AAAAAAAAAv8/NDsq7f0mrS0/s1600/StatWPSlice.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="66" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4lj0PTuMu_o/UU_iZ8_kLPI/AAAAAAAAAv8/NDsq7f0mrS0/s1600/StatWPSlice.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a sample of my website stats that shows where my traffic came from during a 7 day period last month.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>2. What do people click on?</b> (most popular pages, posts, items in your shops)</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>3. Are those clicks turning into sales?</b> (example: if you get 1000 clicks to your necklace and earring set, but no sales...you might reconsider your pricing, or see if you need to make a more alluring or informative description)</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>QUICK TIP:</i> Look in your "admin", your "dashboard" or "shop tools" for stats. Click around and get familiar with what each account looks like!</span> </span></b><br />
<b><span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></b></div>
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">From the simplest numbers (how
many clicked your link, visited your site) to complex and visual
information sliced and diced (so you can see exactly how people reacted
to your link, post, sale, campaign), stats enlighten what goes on after
you post a listing, a sale announcement and so on. Don’t ignore stats! Look around at all the different places where you have stats available. Do you see any trends? Do you see anything unexpected? </span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VDRDktfuJSY/UTfNhNQEsiI/AAAAAAAAAvU/5DKh6XmAuA8/s1600/ScrnGrbViral.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VDRDktfuJSY/UTfNhNQEsiI/AAAAAAAAAvU/5DKh6XmAuA8/s640/ScrnGrbViral.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Facebook Shares, Likes, Comments</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><b><span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><b>TAKING A CLOSER LOOK: </b></i></span></b></i><i><b><span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Stats
give you information about WHAT people react to, and as you observe
your stats, you might begin to see trends that tell you which things you
posted that brought customers, fans and sales to your shops, pages and
accounts.</span></b></i></span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.15204251358190934" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The screen grab of my facebook post illustrates a very simple version of stats you can see right on your facebook page. Every time you post, facebook shows you how many people saw the post (lower left corner of the image), how many likes, comments and shares. Note the posts that get a great reaction and keep up the good work!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><b>Something to think about:</b></i> You might see that nobody clicks when you simply post a link
to your listing, but when you talked about a new technique you used to
create your product (and yes, add your link to it in your shop), you got
a lot of clicks and a couple of new fans. That example is actually one I
learned about in my stats. When I first created my Facebook fan page
for M Design Boutique, I used to post links to my items for sale in my
shop. I got very few clicks on those posts. When I began posting about
orders I was making or new ideas I was looking for feedback about...I
got a lot more clicks, more comments, questions and that lead to more
sales.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><b>What makes you interesting?</b></i> </span>Think
about each post as a potential conversation, and when you get a
click...you’re being a good conversationalist. Handmade small business
owners are interesting. What makes you interesting? Think about that
every time you post. This works to attract bloggers and fans who might
decide to share what you posted! That is the definition of viral
activity! Be so interesting that everybody wants to share what you have
to say. It all links back to your page!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><b>Think like a customer: </b></i>As a customer, I am more likely to click and see
your link if you tell me something I didn’t know before. I am more
likely to find you interesting and want to know more. I am more likely
to become your customer because you’re not selling to me, you’re
inviting me to learn more about something I’m interested in. You are an
expert! Be interesting! It sounds a little touchy-feely, but it works.
Just watch your stats to see it working! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><b>What to watch for:</b></i></span> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Spikes in traffic can indicate that somebody on the internet has linked into your shop or page! That is exciting! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[208].[1][2][1]{comment543387542359836_543392085692715}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[208].[1][2][1]{comment543387542359836_543392085692715}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[208].[1][2][1]{comment543387542359836_543392085692715}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[1]"><strike> </strike> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>READER CONTRIBUTION: </i></span>Carrie Foster</b> of <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/frawgzdezignz.php?ref=c164745f" target="_blank"><b>Frawgz Dezignz</b></a> submitted this example of her <b>Craft Cafe Stats</b> page, which shows the direct correlation between her facebook fan page posts and the traffic into her Craft Cafe shop.</span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NJ8mdQMoZQY/UTfKRZQyAkI/AAAAAAAAAvM/NTd2fnTD6CQ/s640/Stats+for+CC+for+Mel..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NJ8mdQMoZQY/UTfKRZQyAkI/AAAAAAAAAvM/NTd2fnTD6CQ/s640/Stats+for+CC+for+Mel..jpg" width="400" /></a></span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[208].[1][2][1]{comment543387542359836_543392085692715}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[208].[1][2][1]{comment543387542359836_543392085692715}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[208].[1][2][1]{comment543387542359836_543392085692715}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[1]">"I
check every day. I know the days I post new items on groups or my fan page, the days I even post at all on my fan page
with a link to my shop, my stats go up. The occasions I'm featured
somewhere, my stats go up." -- Carrie Foster, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FrawgzDezignzJewelry" target="_blank">Frawgz Dezignz</a></span></span></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[208].[1][2][1]{comment543387542359836_543392085692715}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[208].[1][2][1]{comment543387542359836_543392085692715}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[208].[1][2][1]{comment543387542359836_543392085692715}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[1]"><strike> </strike> </span></span></span> </span></span></i></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xdk7HcYoyUI/UTfHImxvUjI/AAAAAAAAAvE/a36jZfOdPAg/s1600/EtsyStats01.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xdk7HcYoyUI/UTfHImxvUjI/AAAAAAAAAvE/a36jZfOdPAg/s640/EtsyStats01.png" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Etsy Stats from M Design Boutique on Etsy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">Here is an example from my Etsy shop stats. Last June there was a major spike in traffic to one of my listings. I was in the midst of my busiest season for filling orders, so I didn't look till later to see why. I ended up figuring out that a VERY beloved website "Regretsy" listed one of my products in a post they made. Look at that traffic! Without looking at stats, I would never have known why so many clicks happened all at once. Especially since I don't promote my Etsy shop on my social network sites. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Notice also that I get a good amount of clicks coming from other places where my products are showing up in search queries. I'll talk about it in another post, but well-written KEY WORDS, TITLES and DESCRIPTIONS all help with those rankings and click-throughs.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This is a good time to stop, breath and go brave those stats. You're armed with some basics...and before you know it you'll be excited every week or day or month...to go see what your stats have to offer you.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Thanks for taking the time to read! <i><b>Watch next month for Tip #3: Ask Yourself The Hard Questions</b></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Please do leave comments and questions here! I will be sure to respond to everyone. I know that many of you are experts. I welcome your input, as I am speaking only from my experience. What works for one works for many. Increase the expertise! Add your advice to the discussion!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Thanks!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Melissa Machowski</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Owner, Designer, Maker at </span><a href="http://www.spoiledcowgirlbymdb.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Spoiled Cowgirl by MDB</span></a>, <a href="http://www.mdesignboutique.com/" target="_blank">M Design Boutique, MDB Weddings and Events</a> and <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/spoiledcowgirlbymdb/" target="_blank">Spoiled Cowgirl by MDB at Craft Cafe</a><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Why listen to my advice?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
I believe in getting perspectives from all over the place. I have
learned from other people succeeding at what I am trying to do. I’ve
tried a lot, read a lot, failed a lot, and ultimately found some real
success at running an online handmade business. My lessons learned can
be yours too...at least, I hope so! ----> next tip coming in one month! <a href="http://www.facebook.com/craftcafelove" target="_blank">Follow Craft Cafe</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/spoiledcowgirlbymdb" target="_blank">Spoiled Cowgirl</a> to get the announcement!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
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See our latest video creation</div>
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"Craft Cafe Jewelry Artisans"</div>
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So many wonderful jewelry artsians!</div>
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Find what tickles your fancy at <a href="http://craftcafe.co/">CraftCafe.co</a></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-49551826698515060292013-03-22T11:00:00.000-04:002013-03-22T11:00:00.350-04:00"Yellow" Feature Favorite Post & Vote Winner - Dollipop Cosmetics<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Yellow" Post & Vote Winner!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/dollipopcosmetics/" target="_blank">Dollipop Cosmetics</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/dollipopcosmetics.php?viewproduct=1090" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yzPzPVpOEtk/UUxRKNSrBkI/AAAAAAAAAFE/FTCcqKEKXdc/s320/dollipop.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/dollipopcosmetics.php?viewproduct=1090" target="_blank">Happy 5g Pigmented Mineral Eye Shadow Jar with Sifter</a></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Our mineral eye shadows are super pigmented and go on smooth for all day wearability.<br />
Most are packed full of sparkle and shimmer!<br />
We don't use any yucky synthetic fillers like talc! Our recipes are all our own, no repacking!<br />
5 gram pots come filled to the brim with pigment, no half-full jars here.<br />
They also come with sifters for easy dispensing.<br />
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Happy is a beautiful bright sunshine yellow with lots of shimmer.<br />
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A little goes a long way with this color.<br />
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Dollipop Cosmetics does not test on animals!
Happy is part of our Permanent Line!<br />
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<span style="font-family: MyriadPro; font-size: large;">Be sure to visit Dollipop Cosmetics Today!</span></div>
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/dollipopcosmetics/" target="_blank">Craft Cafe</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dollipopcosmetics" target="_blank">Facebook</a> </div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-63850989853361673722013-03-21T15:20:00.001-04:002013-03-21T15:21:38.275-04:00Easter in the Cafe Video Creation<div style="text-align: center;">
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Have you seen our</div>
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"Easter in the Cafe" </div>
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Video Creation?</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-7694395041865928012013-03-20T10:30:00.000-04:002013-03-20T10:30:04.498-04:00Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Me and the Boy♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BF8yAEPNAAg/UUcXWEFb42I/AAAAAAAAAEU/UAb6CBOgBmA/s1600/meandboy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BF8yAEPNAAg/UUcXWEFb42I/AAAAAAAAAEU/UAb6CBOgBmA/s320/meandboy.png" width="241" /></a></div>
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Meet Tanya and Val from Me and the Boy</div>
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♥ <b>Please tell us about yourself: </b><br />
I'm the mom of a great son. We love to craft and create with whatever we can get our hands on! My company started when I couldn't always afford play therapy for my autistic son....than slowly, I was able to afford for my husband to take an extra day off work. Family is my everything.<br />
Our bath and body line is almost all Vegan friendly and every single item contains no paraben, silicone or phthalate.<br />
All our candles and tart melts are made of non GMO soy wax<br />
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♥ <b>How long have you been in business?</b><br />
Just a little over 2 years<br />
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♥ <b>Please describe your business:</b><br />
We offer a bit of everything. Our tagline is accessorize yourself and your home. We offer <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/meandtheboy/?category=2180" target="_blank">candles</a>, <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/meandtheboy/?category=2181" target="_blank">bath</a> and <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/meandtheboy/?category=2182" target="_blank">body</a>, <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/meandtheboy/?category=4623" target="_blank">nail polish</a>, <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/meandtheboy/?category=2183" target="_blank">jewelry</a> and more.<br />
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♥ <b>Tell us what inspires you:</b><br />
Everyday life inspires me. My family...and being able to not only offer my products to those that appreciate and love handmade but also shop handmade myself. It's awesome knowing that someone loves what I do!<br />
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♥ <b>Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:</b><br />
I provide free samples in virtually every order I ship. Based on an order I try to find something in my stash of samples that I think you would love or would work well with what you already have picked. Also word of mouth is HUGE....and it's advertising I can't buy!<br />
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♥ <b>What do you love most about your business?</b><br />
The freedom to do as I please.....and working in a tank top and shorts everyday is nice too! Plus I love when my son helps.....it teaches him a lot of life lessons.<br />
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/meandtheboy/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Eci4qRXF95Q/UUcXVoZyi7I/AAAAAAAAAEM/9IjlvYpCPJg/s1600/393679_493252977400892_1324277466_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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♥ <b>Please tell us why have chosen <a href="http://craftcafe.co/" target="_blank">Craft Café</a> as a venue for your business?</b><br />
It's simple.....I don't pay a thing when I sell! I pay a small fee yearly to sell.....and have amazing support from owners of the site that are also handmade lovers and makers! I can even offer my items a bit less as I don't have to pay seller fees<br />
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♥ <b>What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?</b><br />
BE PATIENT.....don't expect much the first year....believe that you are full of passion and greatness and just when you decide to quit....give it your all....it will pay off.<br />
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♥ <b>Where do you see your business in 5 years?</b><br />
We are slowly working into the Canadian retail market and hope to have a better percentage of our products in the retail market by then.<br />
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♥ <b>Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?</b><br />
Yes, please use code: BLOGLOVE for 20% off an your entire order at my <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/meandtheboy/" target="_blank">Craft Cafe Shop</a>.<br />
{Expires 4.30.13}<br />
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♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥<br />
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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Tanya and Val for all their love and support.<br />
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Be sure to visit Me and The Boy soon ♥ ♥ <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/meandtheboy/" target="_blank">Craft Cafe Shop</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/meandtheboyfan" target="_blank">Facebook</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/meandtheboy" target="_blank">Twitter</a><br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-53873542535110897402013-03-18T08:04:00.000-04:002013-03-18T08:05:27.852-04:00"Purple" Pinterest Challenge Winner<div style="text-align: center;">
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Craft Cafe "Purple" Challenge Pinboard by Briar Rose</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-43166411468214127482013-03-15T10:00:00.000-04:002013-03-15T10:00:10.715-04:00"Easter/Spring" Feature Favorite - Post & Vote Winner - Faerieland Fragrances<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"Easter/Spring" Post & Vote Winner!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/faerielandfragrances/" target="_blank">Faerieland Fragrances</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ifgHKINPkSQ/UUMXOWTkNuI/AAAAAAAAADQ/5mEHvsaSchs/s1600/faerieland500.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ifgHKINPkSQ/UUMXOWTkNuI/AAAAAAAAADQ/5mEHvsaSchs/s320/faerieland500.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee; font-size: large;"><u><a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/faerielandfragrances.php?viewproduct=46029" target="_blank">JELLY BEAN JUBILEE Faerie Frosting Body Soufflé Lotion</a></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;">Scent: JELLY BEAN JUBILEE</span><br />
<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;">Whimsically yummy and fun! Smells super sweet & fruity, just like opening a bag of jelly bean candies! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;">Yummmmm! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;">(✿◠‿◠)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;">My Faerie Frosting Super Fruit Body Soufflé Lotion is my personal favorite lotion that I carry. Fluffy, light, and blended with an array of nourishing ingredient such as: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;">~Sweet Almond Oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;">~Aloe Vera Leaf Juice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;">~Noni Fruit Extract</span><br />
<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;">~Goji Fruit Extract</span><br />
<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;">~Mangosteen Fruit Extract</span><br />
<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;">~Acai Fruit Extract</span><br />
<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;">~Pro-Vitamin B5 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;">~Vitamin E </span><br />
<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;">~Aloe Vera </span><br />
<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;">~Silk Amino Acids</span><br />
<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;">It has an inherent shimmer to it, and it feels silky, wonderful, and moisturizing on your skin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: MyriadPro; font-size: large;">Be sure to visit Faerieland Fragrances Today!</span></div>
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/faerielandfragrances" target="_blank">Craft Cafe</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FaerielandFragrances" target="_blank">Facebook</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/FaerieFragrance" target="_blank">Twitter</a> / <a href="http://pinterest.com/faeriefragrance/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> </div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-5530584453709078782013-03-12T11:00:00.000-04:002013-03-12T11:00:09.757-04:00Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Cornish Dragon♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zRe1yP9d82k/UTZd9-Iem5I/AAAAAAAAABc/ISUjBiQHkNk/s1600/me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zRe1yP9d82k/UTZd9-Iem5I/AAAAAAAAABc/ISUjBiQHkNk/s320/me.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Meet Victoria Tierney from <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/cornishdragon/" target="_blank">Cornish Dragon</a></div>
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♥ <b>Please tell us about yourself: </b><br />
I have always loved making things since I was little and it influenced my first Job, as I'm a qualified as a Florist. Even though I don't work with flowers anymore the skills I learned have helped with my making and crafting.<br />
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♥ <b>How long have you been in business?</b><br />
Since January 2009<br />
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♥ <b>Please describe your business:</b><br />
Something for everyone, from gifts, <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/cornishdragon/?category=3200" target="_blank">jewelry</a>, <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/cornishdragon/?category=3201" target="_blank">lampwork beads</a> and not forgetting the <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/cornishdragon/?category=3202" target="_blank">Elves</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/cornishdragon.php?viewproduct=45228" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sHvJ6KyoYV4/UTZeAkZfPJI/AAAAAAAAABs/P2m0JGGSxEI/s320/smudge1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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♥ <b>Tell us what inspires you:</b><br />
Living in by the Atlantic Ocean here in Cornwall, is just my biggest source of inspiration the ever changing sea, moors and nature. Also living an hour away from places like Tintagel and Boscastle the myths and legends of South West, England are a rich source of inspiration<br />
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♥ <b>Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:</b><br />
When I started I didn't really market much, good customer service gave me a lot of "word of mouth" publicity. Now I use most of the social media like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cornish-Dragon/132363886782370" target="_blank">facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CornishDragon" target="_blank">twitter</a>, etc.<br />
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♥ <b>What do you love most about your business?</b><br />
Just making things that people love and enjoy.<br />
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/cornishdragon/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="56" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U9IaX81gvf8/UTZd__-yBhI/AAAAAAAAABk/PdoT4g2ZJSw/s320/sig-banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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♥ <b>Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?</b><br />
<a href="http://www.craftcafe.co/" target="_blank">Craft Cafe</a> has no listing fees, which is great as listing regularly is not as expensive.<br />
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♥ <b>What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?</b><br />
Make what you love and enjoy crafting. It can also be lonely at times so join a forum of like minded crafters they can hep and support you with problem plus have some fun and laughter, I have made some great friends since starting out through some forums.<br />
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♥<b> Lastly, where do you see your business in 5 years?</b><br />
Still making and crating new things and just enjoying it.<br />
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♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥<br />
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We would like to send out a big <b>THANK YOU</b> to Victoria for all her love and support.<br />
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Be sure to visit Cornish Dragon soon ♥ ♥ <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/cornishdragon/" target="_blank">Craft Cafe Shop</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cornish-Dragon/132363886782370" target="_blank">Facebook</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/CornishDragon" target="_blank">Twitter</a> / <a href="http://pinterest.com/cornishdragon/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a><br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-1420972171934708342013-03-09T13:00:00.000-05:002013-03-09T13:00:06.175-05:00Top Free Tools for Running Your Handmade Business<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h20MQ06klnU/UTs7A6EeZXI/AAAAAAAAACg/DHyKnOXNqMw/s1600/latteshell400.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h20MQ06klnU/UTs7A6EeZXI/AAAAAAAAACg/DHyKnOXNqMw/s320/latteshell400.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tychay/617891442/" title="Making it rain by tychay, on Flickr"><img alt="Making it rain" height="360" src="http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1382/617891442_fb2ec423a8.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tychay/617891442/" target="_blank">tychay</a> makes it rain with the money he saved from free styling, yo. </div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.39292981568723917"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Running a handmade business can be tough, especially when trying to keep your business profitable while maintaining competitive pricing. There is an old saying that “you have to spend money to make money” but it is almost impossible to dedicate that extra $10 a month to start an email newsletter, let alone a few thousand on the latest version of Photoshop. Luckily there are a few tools out there to help the bootstrapping small business owner, and best of all: they are FREE!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.gimp.org/" target="_blank">Gimp</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This open source alternative to Photoshop is much more powerful than the more budget friendly Adobe Lightbox or Photoshop Elements. Edit and adjust your product photographs, create marketing material and more.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.openoffice.org/" target="_blank">OpenOffice</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Open office, or even Google’s Drive products (drive.google.com) offer a great, free alternative to the world dominated by Window’s Office. Spreadsheets, presentations, databases and more are all at your fingertips for free. Plus both products have a wide option of templates available for creating with them, just like Windows.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cloud Storage</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cloud storage is a must for any important office documents and files. There are many options available, and with a little research, you can find one that best fits your workflow and needs. A good article on the options can be<a href="http://www.techradar.com/us/news/internet/best-cloud-storage-dropbox-vs-skydrive-vs-google-drive-vs-icloud-1120024" target="_blank"> found here</a>. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://adwords.google.com/o/KeywordTool" target="_blank">Google Keywords</a> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Keyword research is not only a good way to determine how to word your titles and tags, but is critical when deciding if there is even a need out there for the product you are considering to sell. Google keyword tool can give you great insight into what people are searching the internet for and with what terms they are using in their search (is it a baby hat or a bonnet?)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.mailchimp.com/" target="_blank">Mailchimp</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most email newsletter service providers have a 30 day free trial, but Mailchimp alone has a free trial...forever! Well, as long as your list is smaller than 2000 subscribers anyway. Free or not, their customer service is top notch and their new drag and drop layout tool is awesome! Plus they are connect to tons of other applications out there courtesy of their api-loving tech crew. And it’s the chimp. And he is based out of Atlanta (swoon). What’s not to love?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bloggity Blog Blog</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hosting, domain names, DNS setup, FTP, security...oh my. If the idea of a self served blog leaves your head spinning or your pocketbook burning, then a free blog on a host server may be your answer. The battle of the blogs: <a href="http://wordpress.com/">Wordpress.com</a> versus <a href="http://blogger.com/">Blogger.com</a>? With all the restrictions Wordpress.com puts on editing the limited number of themes of their free service, one is almost tempted to say “Go with blogger”. But then, what’s this? Out of nowhere comes..<a href="http://www.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">.Tumblr</a>! Tumblr is a great option for free blog services, because not only can you edit their themes, but the built in sharing functionality of their community means that your blog works for you instead of just being another piece of your company that you have to market to get people to. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.hootsuite.com/" target="_blank">HootSuite</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Foursquare, Google+. Linkedin. Tumblr, YouTube, Flickr, Mixi, MailChimp, SocialFlow, InboxQ, Constant Contact...um, why are you sitting there? You have social networks and they all need updating...RIGHT NOW! GO!!! Luckily Hootsuite makes it easy to update your networks all from one central location, saving hours a month on logging in and logging out of every. single. one. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.blisscontrol.com/" target="_blank">Bliss Control</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While we are on the subject of social networks, you still have hours of work ahead of you if you want to update your profile avatars or cover/header images to feature your weekly special, or to add your new blog url to your profiles, or to change that typo in your boilerplate. Yeah. That would have sucked until Bliss Control came along and made THAT possible from one central location as well, too. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So there you have it, a few of the must know about web apps to help you save some money on running your business so that you can spend it on more important things...like a much needed trip to the tea shop. </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15.199999809265137px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Craft Cafe would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Shell Bufton for this amazing guest blogger post!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15.199999809265137px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-7417164434785693842013-03-08T12:45:00.000-05:002013-03-08T12:45:15.718-05:00Craft Cafe Bath & Body Boutique Video Creation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">View our </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Craft Cafe Bath & Body Boutique" </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Video Creation</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/TrZO200pwho?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">See More Fun Videos at our You Tube Channel </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/CraftCafeLove"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.youtube.com/user/CraftCafeLove</span></a></div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-43991264238679734372013-03-08T10:00:00.000-05:002013-03-08T10:00:05.403-05:00"Purple" Feature Favorite Post & Vote Winner - Paint It Pretty<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Purple" Post & Vote Winner!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/paintitpretty/" target="_blank">Paint It Pretty</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/paintitpretty.php?viewproduct=35316" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1204rwT2XqM/UTnj_NCNzbI/AAAAAAAAACI/NCBQL0E6FDY/s320/paintitpretty500.png" width="296" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/paintitpretty.php?viewproduct=35316" target="_blank">Tote Bag With Two- Toned Purple Flowers</a></span></span></div>
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This is a OOAK hand painted natural rope handle tote bag with two-toned purple flowers.<br />
The centers of the flowers are embellished with hand sewn beads.<br />
Bright green leaves highlight the lovely flowers. This bag would make a great accessory with any casual outfit.<br />
It's a great piece that you'll find yourself coming back to again and again.<br />
It's also a durable, roomy bag that would be great for carrying just about anything.<br />
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<span style="font-family: MyriadPro; font-size: large;">Be sure to visit Paint It Pretty Today!</span></div>
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/paintitpretty" target="_blank">Craft Cafe</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paint-It-Pretty/266322970120125" target="_blank">Facebook</a> </div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-38851977142612691412013-03-07T10:30:00.000-05:002013-03-07T10:30:01.133-05:00Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Bent Tree Crafts♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5YDc7Ibd-qw/US4cyoxc14I/AAAAAAAADlA/zuZfpji_3_A/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5YDc7Ibd-qw/US4cyoxc14I/AAAAAAAADlA/zuZfpji_3_A/s320/photo+(3).JPG" width="273" /></a></div>
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Meet Bridgett Howard from <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/benttreecrafts/" target="_blank">Bent Tree Crafts</a></div>
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♥ <b>Please tell us about yourself: </b><br />
I worked in the corporate world for my entire career, in the technology industry, and I have a degree in computer science. Once I had my two sons, I decided to be a stay at home mom to be with them. I was looking for a fun hobby, and I have always been a crafty person so I decided to take a jewelry making class and I was hooked. I love making bracelets and that is what I mostly sell in my shop. I also love photography, taking pictures of the beautiful scenery we have here in Colorado, and of course pictures of my two wonderful sons and husband.<br />
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♥ <b>How long have you been in business?</b><br />
3.5 years<br />
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♥ <b>Please describe your business:</b><br />
In my shop you will find mostly casual, <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/benttreecrafts/" target="_blank">bohemian style jewelry</a>. Mostly bracelets because that is what I love making and wearing. My jewelry is perfect for everyday wear; for moms on the go, like me, that want to add a little bit of fun to their jeans and t-shirts! <br />
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/benttreecrafts/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vZehK9E4peY/US4c1-S5tkI/AAAAAAAADlQ/0OWOsWo44cU/s320/Image+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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♥ T<b>ell us what inspires you:</b><br />
The colors in Nature. I am an earthy and simple kind of girl so I love using natural colors and materials with some brightness every now and then. Bohemian, and beach items also inspire me; I would have been the ultimate hippie if I grew up in the 60s and 70s. Also, living in Colorado and having 4 seasons makes for great inspiration, especially late spring and fall.<br />
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♥ <b>Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:</b><br />
Social Media has been the best marketing tool for me. Being an online-based business, using social media sites, really is the key method to get your name out there. I find that <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Benttreecrafts" target="_blank">Facebook</a> is one of the best marketing tools I have used so far. <br />
I don’t really have a budget for marketing so taking advantage of free sites on the internet like blogging and sharing things on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Benttreecrafts" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://pinterest.com/bridgetthoward/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> are great too! <br />
I also believe having crisp, clear photos that show the details and colors of your items are important. When purchasing something online, since you can’t pick it up and touch it or try it on, you really need to see the item at different angles and in different lighting. Words can describe a product, but a good quality, detailed photo can make all the difference.<br />
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♥ <b>What do you love most about your business?</b><br />
I like the fact that making jewelry is my hobby and I love doing it so it does not feel like work to me, its fun.<br />
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/benttreecrafts/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SOtY0UvqMjk/US4c0-OMWUI/AAAAAAAADlI/ONBEmynQQ5c/s320/BTC+LOGO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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♥ <b>Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?</b><br />
First off, I was impressed at the pricing for selling on <a href="http://craftcafe.co/" target="_blank">Craft Café</a> it is very reasonable. Secondly, I have been even more impressed with the management of Craft Café and how they truly support their sellers and try to help the shops promote their business through social media, and through contests and such. You just don’t find companies that have such great customer service very often, so when I find one, I like to stick with them.<br />
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♥ <b>What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?</b><br />
Do something you love that way it does not feel like work. I have gotten discouraged in the past and almost given up, but I keep going and making jewelry. It takes a while to get established online, to get your name out there, so don’t give up. Not everyone will like what you make and that is ok as long as you like what you do and you are happy with it. Just be confident in yourself and your abilities and that is all you need to be successful.<br />
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♥ <b>Where do you see your business in 5 years?</b><br />
I don’t plan on trying to make it big as a jewelry designer. I just do it for fun, and to pay for my hobby. I would like to participate in a few craft fairs in the next few years. A few goals I have for myself, in the next 5 years, are to learn more about working with leather and possibly taking some metal working classes.<br />
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♥ <b>Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?</b><br />
Sure! Use code: CCBLOG during checkout at my <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/benttreecrafts/" target="_blank">Craft Cafe Shop</a> and receive 20% off your purchase! {Expires 4/30/13}<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">♥ ***PLEASE NOTE: Craft Cafe is experiencing cart issues at this time. If you would like to order from Bridgett, please message her directly from her shop with your order and she will be happy to send you an invoice. {Don't forget to mention the coupon code}</span></b><br />
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We would like to send out a big <b>THANK YOU</b> to Bridgett for all her love and support.<br />
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Be sure to visit Bent Tree Crafts soon ♥ ♥ <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/benttreecrafts/" target="_blank">Craft Cafe Shop</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Benttreecrafts" target="_blank">Facebook</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/bridgetthoward" target="_blank">Twitter</a> / <a href="http://benttreecrafts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a> / <a href="http://pinterest.com/bridgetthoward/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> / <a href="http://wanelo.com/benttreecrafts" target="_blank">Wanelo</a><br />
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Craft Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103575944254895533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-92119310021431689512013-03-05T14:06:00.000-05:002013-03-05T14:09:22.625-05:00Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Skinny Dip Soaps♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VOOfehz--dw/USu1olBQwpI/AAAAAAAADjY/61Pqlavqw-Q/s1600/294509_10150283265295617_3249583_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VOOfehz--dw/USu1olBQwpI/AAAAAAAADjY/61Pqlavqw-Q/s320/294509_10150283265295617_3249583_n.jpg" width="195" /></a></div>
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Meet Amber Wilkins from <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/skinnydipsoaps/" target="_blank">Skinny Dip Soaps </a></div>
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♥ <b>Please tell us about yourself: </b><br />
Hi there! My name is Amber and I'm a work from home mom of 4 amazing kiddos. 2 are in school and 2 are home with me during the day. My kids are the reason I started making soap in the first place :) I get most of my business work done late at night when everyone is sleeping and early in the morning after I take the 2 older kids to school. <br />
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♥ <b>How long have you been in business?</b><br />
I started making handmade soap in 2003 for my family and started selling it locally. I started my Etsy shop in March, 2011 and the Craft Cafe shop in July, 2012.<br />
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♥ <b>Please describe your business:</b><br />
You can find a variety of bath, body and home fragrances goodies in my shop. <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/skinnydipsoaps.php?category=592" target="_blank">Handcrafted soaps</a>, <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/skinnydipsoaps.php?category=5668" target="_blank">scrubs</a>, <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/skinnydipsoaps.php?viewproduct=42922" target="_blank">lip balms</a>, <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/skinnydipsoaps.php?category=5519" target="_blank">whipped cream soaps</a>, <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/skinnydipsoaps.php?category=4102" target="_blank">soy blend melts</a>, candles and <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/skinnydipsoaps.php?category=3582" target="_blank">lots more</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/skinnydipsoaps/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iNQNL22WHPg/USu1rDZRO_I/AAAAAAAADjg/DmKX2ulhgkM/s320/Ribbet+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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♥ <b>Tell us what inspires you:</b><br />
My family. I strive to make great products that are gentle enough for all of them to use.<br />
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♥ <b>Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:</b><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/skinnydipsoaps" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and coupon codes. Interact with your fans and keep your page or group active. Also, put a coupon code out there. It is a great way to get new people to try your products.<br />
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♥ <b>What do you love most about your business?</b><br />
Being able to do what I love. I feel so blessed that I get to stay at home with my babies and work from home. I am doing what makes me happy and I'm loving it!<br />
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/skinnydipsoaps/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="64" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s3v2Jpmgr4E/USu1rdGJ_kI/AAAAAAAADjk/MckyrqQauMQ/s320/ccafe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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♥ <b>Please tell us why have chosen <a href="http://craftcafe.co/" target="_blank">Craft Café</a> as a venue for your business?</b><br />
When I heard about CC I jumped on it! I get more profit because I am not having to pay a fee for listing the item or a fee when the item sells. I made back the yearly fee within my first few sales on CC. I also love how Traci puts so much time into promoting the artisans. You don't see that with a lot of the big online shops out there.<br />
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♥ <b>What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?</b><br />
Research, research, research, test and repeat. Take pride in the product that you have created, don't sell yourself short.<br />
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♥ <b>Where do you see your business in 5 years?</b><br />
I would love to be making products full time and hire a helper. I also hope to have my products in a few more shops here locally.<br />
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♥ <b>Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?</b><br />
Yes! Please use code: "ccblog" for 15% off your entire purchase at my <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/skinnydipsoaps/" target="_blank">Craft Cafe Shop</a>.{Expires March 31, 2013}<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">♥ ***PLEASE NOTE: Craft Cafe is experiencing cart issues at this time. If you would like to order from Amber, please message her directly from her shop with your order and she will be happy to send you an invoice.</span></b><br />
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We would like to send out a big <b>THANK YOU</b> to Amber for all her love and support.<br />
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Be sure to visit <b>Skinny Dip Soaps</b> soon ♥ ♥ <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/skinnydipsoaps/" target="_blank">Craft Cafe Shop</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/skinnydipsoaps" target="_blank">Facebook</a><br />
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Craft Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103575944254895533noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-31011452379791351872013-03-02T11:59:00.001-05:002013-03-02T11:59:56.093-05:00Promote Yourself With Confidence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o8-VcM675pQ/UTDFwgEZLFI/AAAAAAAADo0/zCxHam__PbE/s1600/lattepromote400.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o8-VcM675pQ/UTDFwgEZLFI/AAAAAAAADo0/zCxHam__PbE/s320/lattepromote400.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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HI HO there! This is Krissy from PiixlWix Candle Company, and I am thrilled that Craft Cafe invited me back to write another blog post!<br />
As an owner of 2 small businesses, <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/piixlwixcandlecompany/" target="_blank">PiixlWix Candle Company</a> and as a hair color specialist/make up artist, I have had to promote myself unabashedly for about a decade. Now, that is not to say I was always comfortable with it, but in order for my businesses to thrive (and for me to eat) I had to tell people what it is that I do.<br />
And that is what we are talking about today. How do you let EVERYONE know about your fabulous Craft Cafe shop and feel good about it? How do you tell people that you do not even know that you make the most beautiful things, that are so close to your heart, things that you have poured your soul into and you feel like are your babies? AND that you sell these precious items, and they will think they are awesome too if they take the time to look at them? AND to do this in a way that you don't feel like a snake oil salesman?<br />
Here are some tips on doing just that. Here we go!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qAyYwdUWeRE/USryEJIZhqI/AAAAAAAAAbA/Fyhi7_Ro31A/s1600/quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qAyYwdUWeRE/USryEJIZhqI/AAAAAAAAAbA/Fyhi7_Ro31A/s320/quote.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. Create a script for your business.</span></b><br />
Plan out what you want other people to know about what you do. Write it out. Rehearse it. Make it your second language.
Practice on your adoring family or long suffering dog. That way, when
you are going about your day, it can come up naturally in conversation.
And you can tell them with confidence. Trust me, the more you rehearse the more it will come up.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. <span style="font-size: large;">Everyone you mee<span style="font-size: large;">t</span></span> is a potential customer, yet no one wants to be sold to.</span></b><br />
And you are not going to do that. YOU are not selling anything. Yes, you have items for sale, but it is really the process of creating the things you make that you love. Talking about where they can find your glorious things, like your Craft Cafe shop, simply is how you let them know where to find you. And that leads us to number 3....<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. ALWAYS have a business card (or 12) with you.</span></b><br />
When you are
talking about your creative business, the best way to close a
conversation is with asking if they would like your business card. It
is so weird how having something tangible, like your card, validates
your conversation. It makes it seem official, but it puts the sales
ball in their court. And it takes that pressure off of you personally.
The card holds all the information to your business that they need and
you don't have to sell them anything. WHEW!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4. NEVER, and I mean EVER, take rejection personally.</span></b><br />
WOW! Wayyyyyy easier said than done. Ask yourself, "What does rejection mean to me?" Does it mean not getting a sale? Does it mean not getting a wholesale account? Or not getting any likes on your Facebook post? Does it mean that no one seems to need or want what you are offering? You are the only one that can weigh the value of your craft. And you are the only one that can soothe your bruised artistic soul. Find out how you do that best and it will empower you to move on. Fear of rejection is one of the biggest hurdles you will have to jump in learning to promote yourself and the best way to figure out how is to simply JUMP. JUMP!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5. Give yourself permission to share what you love.</span></b><br />
Passion for
creating!! That thing that drives you to late nights in your studio,
your extra bedroom or your kitchen table (you wish you could eat on) will
help you in all areas of self promotion. As artists, crafters, and
creators, we may have a hard time letting other people into our world.
After all, what we are making has a little bit of our souls in it. That
can be difficult to share, but allowing others to enjoy your items too
will enrich your life as an artist. As will allowing your self to just
talk about it! So, start with this blog post. Tell me in the comments
what you are in love with creating!<br />
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Thank you again to Craft Cafe and to all you creative rock stars out there for reading my post!<br />
I hope this helps with self promotion and if you have any questions feel free to ask away. And don't forget to tell me what you love in the comments below!<br />
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Blog On :)<br />
Krissy PiixlWix Candle Companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870250711921808460noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-73971410862849702782013-03-01T09:26:00.000-05:002013-03-01T09:26:30.863-05:00"Pastel" Feature Favorite Post & Vote Winner - Quilted Keepsake Ornaments<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Pastel" Post & Vote Winner!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/quiltedkeepsakeornaments" target="_blank">Quilted Keepsake Ornaments</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/quiltedkeepsakeornaments.php?viewproduct=42954" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C_-kTZvekjU/UTCoRLTbz1I/AAAAAAAADoc/MR0jCeFT7yA/s320/bf_green1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/quiltedkeepsakeornaments.php?viewproduct=42954" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Butterfly Quilted Ornament - Pastel Daisies Accented In Aqua Blue</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;">This quilted ornament is adorned in pastel daisies with a solid aqua blue accent. It is sweetly embellished with tiny silk flowers that are attached with corsage pins, white ribbon for hanging and an organza butterfly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;">All ornaments come in a white gift box for storing or gift giving.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: MyriadPro;">Ornament Size: 2.5" in diameter</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: MyriadPro; font-size: large;">Be sure to visit Quilted Keepsake Ornaments Today!</span></div>
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/quiltedkeepsakeornaments/" target="_blank">Craft Cafe</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quiltedkeepsakeornaments.byRenee" target="_blank">Facebook</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/QKOrnaments" target="_blank">Twitter</a> / <a href="http://pinterest.com/quiltedornament/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> </div>
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Craft Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103575944254895533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-39599674496966757162013-02-28T11:38:00.000-05:002013-02-28T11:38:01.397-05:00Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Sweet Light Candle Co. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jou7AUoEcRo/UR-nO7wJ5JI/AAAAAAAADYU/Jq0gJpF5RyA/s1600/PICT0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jou7AUoEcRo/UR-nO7wJ5JI/AAAAAAAADYU/Jq0gJpF5RyA/s320/PICT0027.JPG" width="207" /></a></div>
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Meet Dina Muzzy from <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/sweetlightcandleco/" target="_blank">Sweet Light Candle Co.</a></div>
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♥ <b>Please tell us about yourself: </b><br />
I am the proud mother of a 5 month old baby girl! I just turned 40 last May and I'm originally from New York. I currently reside in South Florida with my husband Dave and my daughter, Alora. I attended the Fashion Institute of Technology where I received an Associates Degree in Fashion Buying and Merchandising and an Associates degree in Display and Exhibit Designing. After years of being employed in the creative and corporate worlds, I began my own business of designing and creating custom invitations. My customers loved the invitations and continuously asked me to create a unique favor. They were bored with the standard wedding, shower and party favors, especially when they had one of a kind invitations. I decided to combine my love of baking, desserts and candles and try my hand at creating these unique Gourmet Dessert Candles. Well, it was so much more difficult than I thought! I had never made candles before, not even jar candles. Months and months of research and product testing developed into a passion which evolved into Sweet Light Candle Co. Although I loved designing the invitations, I found my niche in the candle world and decided to create these candles exclusively. Not only do I enjoy creating the candles, I enjoy the freedom I have of being able to set my own schedule each day and juggle being a mom, wife, daughter and business owner. I look forward to many years of creating fabulous Dessert Candles and watching my daughter grow up into the person she will become.<br />
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♥ <b>How long have you been in business?</b><br />
Sweet Light Candle Co. was born in January 2011<br />
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♥ <b>Please describe your business:</b><br />
All of my <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/sweetlightcandleco/?category=1213" target="_blank">Gourmet Scented Dessert Candles</a> and <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/sweetlightcandleco/?category=1216" target="_blank">Wax Melt</a>s are made by me in my candle bakery. Combining the highest quality wax and fragrance, and with careful attention to every creative detail, they all look as good as they smell. They look so realistic you might even be tempted to take a bite! We are currently a small family involved incorporated business but plan on growing it into a huge success!<br />
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/sweetlightcandleco/?category=1213" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nTMf_klS9Cg/UR-nSIMfLxI/AAAAAAAADYk/-ULPsKymjmw/s320/ad+picture.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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♥ <b>Tell us what inspires you:</b><br />
My inspiration comes in many forms. Whether it's strolling through a bakery, seeing a picture of a mouthwatering dessert, or chatting with my customers. My creative juices flow and I'm constantly thinking "how can I make that dessert into a candle?". <br />
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♥ <b>Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:</b><br />
I've found that social internet sites like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweet-Light-Candle-Co/178149735558464" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/sweetlightco" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, as well as being a part of a group like Sampler Village, have helped spread the word about my company bringing me new and repeat customers. Providing customers with small samples of my candles allows me to introduce them to my business without spending a fortune on advertising.<br />
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♥ <b>What do you love most about your business?</b><br />
It's definitely the creative aspect. I've always been creative and business minded, but I'm happiest being creative. I love thinking about new candles to add to my product line, and I get excited when I've developed the perfect candle recipe for that new item.<br />
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<a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/sweetlightcandleco/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NsQEfoNou3o/UR-nPufezmI/AAAAAAAADYc/1mZtf2V32Eg/s320/logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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♥ <b>Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?</b><br />
Being a part of Sampler Village and knowing Traci is in charge of Craft Cafe was just another opportunity for me to be a part of the amazing community of artisans she has gathered. <a href="http://craftcafe.co/" target="_blank">Craft Cafe</a> is easy to navigate through as a seller, from listing my items, to editing them, posting sales and special offers. And the infinite amount of hours Traci and her team put into advertising Craft Cafe and getting exposure for all of the shops is a bonus. Plus I like being able to add as many products as I want without extra fees.<br />
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♥ <b>What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?</b><br />
Create what you love. If your passionate about your products it will show and your customers will become passionate too. You also have to be able to change and evolve as your business grows. Test out a new product before dumping tons of money into creating it. Try out different avenues of marketing and advertising. Some things will work and some won't. Don't become fixated on having to do things a certain way because it's working for another business. It's all a learning process until you find out what works for your particular product.<br />
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♥ <b>Where do you see your business in 5 years?</b><br />
I am diligently working on growing by business, gaining new customers and adding new items to my product line so I will be able to move it out of my home and into a commercial work space. As my business grows, I would love to contribute more to the various charities and groups in my community. I'd like Sweet Light Candle Co. to be known not only for fabulous, high quality Dessert Candles, but being involved in the community and helping others.<br />
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♥ <b>Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?</b><br />
Yes. Use the coupon code SWEET2013 to enjoy 10% off my entire <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/sweetlightcandleco/" target="_blank">Craft Cafe Shop</a>. {Expires 3.31.13}<br />
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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Dina for all her love and support.<br />
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Be sure to visit Sweet Light Candle Co. soon ♥ ♥ <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/sweetlightcandleco/" target="_blank">Craft Cafe Shop</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweet-Light-Candle-Co/178149735558464" target="_blank">Facebook</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/sweetlightco" target="_blank">Twitter</a> / <a href="http://pinterest.com/sweetlightco/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> / <a href="http://www.sweetlightcandleco.com/" target="_blank">Website</a><br />
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<br />Craft Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103575944254895533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955163816293973571.post-32272055555689495492013-02-25T13:01:00.000-05:002013-02-25T13:01:54.365-05:00Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Green Street Mosaics♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥<br />
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Meet Lauren Constantino from <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/greenstreetmosaics/" target="_blank">Green Street Mosaics</a></div>
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♥ <b>Please tell us about yourself: </b><br />
My name is Lauren Constantino and I am the creator behind Green Street Mosaics. I live in Saint Petersburg, Florida with my husband and our yellow labrador retriever Quincy.<br />
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♥ <b>How long have you been in business?</b><br />
Since January 2012.<br />
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♥ <b>Please describe your business:</b><br />
Green Street Mosaics specializes in Custom Mosaics. I make <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/greenstreetmosaics/?category=3461" target="_blank">mosaic mirrors</a>, <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/greenstreetmosaics/?category=3464" target="_blank">personalized mosaic name plaques</a>, <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/greenstreetmosaics/?category=4937" target="_blank">mosaic address signs</a>, and <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/greenstreetmosaics/?category=5371" target="_blank">mosaic home decor</a>.<br />
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♥ <b>Tell us what inspires you:</b><br />
Colors and patterns! I enjoy mosaics because I love taking so many small individual pieces of glass and forming them into one cohesive unit. It takes patience, but it is worth it.<br />
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♥ <b>Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:</b><br />
I’ll include my top three.... 1) I am active on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GreenStreetMosaics" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/GSMosaics" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, Wanelo, Pinterest, Google+,We Heart It... you name it. This has helped to create back links and ‘fans’ (aka potential customers!) 2) I think it is important to be consistent with branding to make my product and store recognizable. 3) I include a coupon with each shipment - a way to say thank you to customers and remind them that new items are added frequently so be sure to come back for another look. This has helped me to become successful at building repeat customers and a loyal customer base.<br />
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♥ <b>What do you love most about your business?</b><br />
I love making my own schedule and meeting customers, fellow crafters, and other business people from all over.<br />
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♥ <b>Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?</b><br />
The <a href="http://www.craftcafe.co/" target="_blank">Craft Cafe</a> community has been so active and supportive from day one. The site is friendly to both sellers and buyers. Listing and managing my shop is intuitive. Prices are beyond reasonable.<br />
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♥ <b>What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?</b><br />
Know that it takes time and a lot of work to be successful. Things don’t happen overnight. Research your customer base. Decide what makes your product unique and go with it.<br />
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♥ <b>Lastly, where do you see your business in 5 years?</b><br />
I see Green Street Mosaics continuing to be successful.<br />
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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Lauren for all her love and support.<br />
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Be sure to visit Green Street Mosaics soon ♥ ♥ <a href="http://craftcafe.co/shop/greenstreetmosaics/" target="_blank">Craft Cafe Shop</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GreenStreetMosaics" target="_blank">Facebook</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/GSMosaics" target="_blank">Twitter</a><br />
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**Craft Cafe's Custom Mosaic Sign is in the works! Thank you Lauren!!</div>
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Craft Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103575944254895533noreply@blogger.com1