Here is an example of some of the lampwork beads I have created recently - this set is $28.00 and is available on my website {UPDATE - SOLD}
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Wonderful Lampwork Bead Giveaway
Laura - a fellow overseas lampwork artist is have a generous giveaway of some of her "lonely beads" I call mine orphans but they are all little examples of her creativity - Head over to her post here and enter the draw. - Got to be in it to win it!
Here is an example of some of the lampwork beads I have created recently - this set is $28.00 and is available on my website {UPDATE - SOLD}
Here is an example of some of the lampwork beads I have created recently - this set is $28.00 and is available on my website {UPDATE - SOLD}
Monday, May 24, 2010
Putting in the Social Media Networking Hard Yards
Today I have put a few hours into tweaking my blog and social media networking tools. I am already seeing the results in numbers, followers and fans. No wonder I did not dedicate a lot of time to this when I had the retail store as there is so much to learn, read and consider. This has been a bit of a full time job in itself.
What I want to provide you on my blog is a bit of a middleman approach to social media networking as I test things out. I would like to share with you what I feel has worked and what is not working for my business, and maybe you can take some of this information and use it in your businesses.
In the time I had my retail store which was nearly four years I would hate to tell you how much I shelled out on paid print media advertising, it would be over $20,000 and for a small business, that to me is a lot of money that I felt I got little return from.
I was promised the moon and stars but instead I felt like I was eating dirt and worms. I cringe every time I get a phone call from a print media organisation regarding advertising in their publication.
I am on the war path with advertising and feel that there must be a better way.
These are my tips so far
Get a google account.
Get a twitter account.
Get a Personal Profile on Facebook - and from that start your business fan page - both the personal and fan pages are used for your business - if you want a personal fan page to talk about your personal life with friends and family have that as a separate account - I will explain in another post why you need to separate them.
Get a blog - I am now using Blogger , I have used Typepad and looked at Wordpress - but I prefer blogger so far.
Get a Website.
In further posts I will talk about each media and how I have it working for me
So for today I suggest you get a Google Account then go to Google Places if you have a business. If you business is already on Google Maps make sure everything is correct - this service is free. This is mine so you know what it looks like Jet Beads & Craft Google Place. Google places with give you statistics which shows you over time if people are searching for you and by what means they found you . People don't use the yellow pages book or the UBD anymore. So you have to be digital and accessible.
So what did you think? I always love hearing your feedback, so please leave me a comment down below with questions, thoughts, or feedback. And please share this post with your Twitter and FB friends by clicking on the share buttons below. I totally appreciate it!! Thanks so much for spending time with me here today!
Before I go - here are some featured sewing patterns from my website that were loaded up today - if you register on the website you will go on my newsletter mail out list which contains special discount codes which will apply to your orders.
Cheers Tania
What I want to provide you on my blog is a bit of a middleman approach to social media networking as I test things out. I would like to share with you what I feel has worked and what is not working for my business, and maybe you can take some of this information and use it in your businesses.
In the time I had my retail store which was nearly four years I would hate to tell you how much I shelled out on paid print media advertising, it would be over $20,000 and for a small business, that to me is a lot of money that I felt I got little return from.
I was promised the moon and stars but instead I felt like I was eating dirt and worms. I cringe every time I get a phone call from a print media organisation regarding advertising in their publication.
I am on the war path with advertising and feel that there must be a better way.
These are my tips so far
Get a google account.
Get a twitter account.
Get a Personal Profile on Facebook - and from that start your business fan page - both the personal and fan pages are used for your business - if you want a personal fan page to talk about your personal life with friends and family have that as a separate account - I will explain in another post why you need to separate them.
Get a blog - I am now using Blogger , I have used Typepad and looked at Wordpress - but I prefer blogger so far.
Get a Website.
In further posts I will talk about each media and how I have it working for me
So for today I suggest you get a Google Account then go to Google Places if you have a business. If you business is already on Google Maps make sure everything is correct - this service is free. This is mine so you know what it looks like Jet Beads & Craft Google Place. Google places with give you statistics which shows you over time if people are searching for you and by what means they found you . People don't use the yellow pages book or the UBD anymore. So you have to be digital and accessible.
So what did you think? I always love hearing your feedback, so please leave me a comment down below with questions, thoughts, or feedback. And please share this post with your Twitter and FB friends by clicking on the share buttons below. I totally appreciate it!! Thanks so much for spending time with me here today!
Before I go - here are some featured sewing patterns from my website that were loaded up today - if you register on the website you will go on my newsletter mail out list which contains special discount codes which will apply to your orders.
Cheers Tania
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Free Video Tutorial using Jumprings
Just over a year ago I made a few video tutorials for jewellery making - over the last 6 months I have sorted of neglected this project, moving our shop was sort of a bigger priority.
My most popular tutorial - Wire Wrapped Ring Cluster has had over 36,000 hits in a year! - WOW!
Now that I have moved to the new studio I will have more time to update and create more video for my viewers
This was one of my first attempts to video myself - so I do sound a bit nervous, and I still find it hard to listen to my own voice.
I have a few more on my youtube account and I am in the process of changing all the website links over this will happen over the coming weeks
After watching the video I would love you to leave me a comment - see below
Hope you enjoyed it! So what did you think? Was this helpful? Do you have questions? Any video tips or stories to share? Would love to hear from you! And please pass this on to your Twitter/Fb friends below, too! Thanks so much!
My most popular tutorial - Wire Wrapped Ring Cluster has had over 36,000 hits in a year! - WOW!
Now that I have moved to the new studio I will have more time to update and create more video for my viewers
This was one of my first attempts to video myself - so I do sound a bit nervous, and I still find it hard to listen to my own voice.
I have a few more on my youtube account and I am in the process of changing all the website links over this will happen over the coming weeks
After watching the video I would love you to leave me a comment - see below
Hope you enjoyed it! So what did you think? Was this helpful? Do you have questions? Any video tips or stories to share? Would love to hear from you! And please pass this on to your Twitter/Fb friends below, too! Thanks so much!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
The Social Media Network Challenge
I am currently on the biggest technical challenge that I have ever embarked on - Social Media Networking. I have dabbled, flirted, and toyed with the concept for a while, but now I am more serious than ever. Since closing our retail store and not having the impulse customer dropping a few dollars my way, I have had to look seriously at how to maintain my net profit and also the awareness of my business.
I would like to share with you my journey and experiences with this amazing world of social networking and when I find information that is insightful and relevant I will post about it.
My friend and fellow facebook/blogger companion Amanda Foy was kind enough to share with me this info on facebook today - It is a little video from a lady called Katie - never heard about her before today but I think I will be frequenting her site quite often to pick up helpful hints
How I Got My Blog to a Page Rank of 5
I have sort of cheated with this last bit and took her advice to ask for you feedback - so here it goes LOL!
So what did you think? I always love hearing your feedback, so please leave me a comment down below with questions, thoughts, or feedback. And (yes, here’s my call to action) please share this post with your Twitter and FB friends by clicking on the share buttons below. I totally appreciate it!! Thanks so much for spending time with me here today!
Ok - so there may not be a share button below yet - but I am working on it - only so many hours in the day. {EDITED - There is now - Sharing is Sexy}
I never like doing a post without a photo so here it is
Ella would also like you to shout it out and share this blog with your friends
I would like to share with you my journey and experiences with this amazing world of social networking and when I find information that is insightful and relevant I will post about it.
My friend and fellow facebook/blogger companion Amanda Foy was kind enough to share with me this info on facebook today - It is a little video from a lady called Katie - never heard about her before today but I think I will be frequenting her site quite often to pick up helpful hints
How I Got My Blog to a Page Rank of 5
I have sort of cheated with this last bit and took her advice to ask for you feedback - so here it goes LOL!
So what did you think? I always love hearing your feedback, so please leave me a comment down below with questions, thoughts, or feedback. And (yes, here’s my call to action) please share this post with your Twitter and FB friends by clicking on the share buttons below. I totally appreciate it!! Thanks so much for spending time with me here today!
Ok - so there may not be a share button below yet - but I am working on it - only so many hours in the day. {EDITED - There is now - Sharing is Sexy}
I never like doing a post without a photo so here it is
Ella would also like you to shout it out and share this blog with your friends
Friday, May 21, 2010
New Studio New Blog
I am starting a fresh new blog - it sort of goes hand in hand with all the new things that have been happening to me so far this year.
After having our retail shop for nearly 4 years we decided to bring the business home and I have a brand new studio positioned at the front of our residence.
I have made a lot of new friends in my local area that are involved in home based and online businesses and it has been a fantastic ride.
I will talk more about my adventures in later posts but I just wanted to welcome you all along for the ride.
I will blog about new craft book and pattern releases, my world of lampwork bead making, my experiences with social networking and of course giving my fans excellent deals and discounts on my website.
There will also be an announcement about my sponsorship of the Contemporary Handmade Alliance
To start the excitement off I have a 10% deal for you running until Monday 24th May - all you have to do is pop over to my fan page and "like" me then head on over to the website to do your order - in the discount coupon code section put FBFAN10% and you will get 10% off your items
We are always adding to our range of Amy Butler, Melly & me and other Funky Sewing Patterns
After having our retail shop for nearly 4 years we decided to bring the business home and I have a brand new studio positioned at the front of our residence.
I have made a lot of new friends in my local area that are involved in home based and online businesses and it has been a fantastic ride.
I will talk more about my adventures in later posts but I just wanted to welcome you all along for the ride.
I will blog about new craft book and pattern releases, my world of lampwork bead making, my experiences with social networking and of course giving my fans excellent deals and discounts on my website.
There will also be an announcement about my sponsorship of the Contemporary Handmade Alliance
To start the excitement off I have a 10% deal for you running until Monday 24th May - all you have to do is pop over to my fan page and "like" me then head on over to the website to do your order - in the discount coupon code section put FBFAN10% and you will get 10% off your items
We are always adding to our range of Amy Butler, Melly & me and other Funky Sewing Patterns
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