Etsy EBay Bonanza Ecrater Poshmark Mercari Marketplace Platform

 

Etsy EBay Bonanza Ecrater Poshmark Mercari Marketplace Platform with LilacsNDreams. Welcome to all who are visiting!

Been thinking about, and trying to feel what platform is for me to sell on. There are so many choices out there. Trying to choose one, or which ones you would like to use can be confusing. Everyone says sell here, sell there, no this one is better, etc. You need to choose the platform that will benefit for you, and what you sell.

I started years ago with EBay. Back then it was fun, and I looked forward to listing things there. Things started changing, and honestly I was changing too. From EBay I moved onto Bonanza, Ecrater, Artfire, and I did land on Etsy where I spent more time there too. 

Things are changing again with Etsy. Fees, rules, how they are charging the sellers, advertising fees that are forced upon you according to the money you make. I was fortunate enough to be able to opt out from that. If you offer free shipping, advertising, and so on its suppose to help with your position of how you are found in searches. Honestly with what little bit I do I have been seen more by my internet actions than what Etsy has done. 

So many places, so many ways to put things together for you to sell. Using a platform you pay fees with, place that you could pay monthly plans with, and many things to consider. Maybe you wish to do Big Commerce where you can work with Facebook Marketplace, and Instagram being in same place. You could consider Shopify, or maybe Square Space too. Then there are ideas for your own website.

So, now you need to consider the shipping company or companies you would like to use. Trying to use the best rates possible with shipping costs being an issue for some right now. If you do some of your sales yourself you need to have a payment processor for completing transactions by collecting money paid. 

Wow! It can be overwhelming can’t it? I have a friend who has a store at EBay, she does well, and enjoys what she does. She has also been using Facebook Marketplace, and doing pretty good there. Less hassle, less fees, and rules to abide by. If you offer items for sale there you should also consider offering shipping with your items too. People notice a difference with sales there by offering shipping which makes it better. I also just found out that if you have an item to sell for over $500 on the Marketplace they do not permit you to offer the shipping. Why I don’t know, but I do find it odd. Some are able to get around that by noting their price for $123, and explaining their asking price is actually XXX amount. 

I’d love to have my own website which takes a little money for that. So, till then I use Etsy a little bit, I show things with my Blog/Site that I have, and I have been picturing items that I will be offering at Facebook Marketplace for sale. Wish I could do more, and be speedier about it too. Unfortunately, there isn’t much support from home to do these things. So, working at my pace, and time I have for me is limited some days. 

I apologize if the posting I offer today seems kind of short. I have been feeling a little under the weather today. Nothing serious. I think yesterday caught up with me riding around looking at properties for sale, checking some areas out for living, realtor in the morning being given information and ideas to look for, etc. Over did it a bit I think, and the weather changes aren’t helping a lot either.

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Stop on by anytime, say Hi, share something if you like, and hope you enjoy the visit too. Till next time take care everyone, and be safe. Toodles . . . . 

EBay Etsy Poshmark Shopify Mercari Bonanza Selling Platforms

Etsy EBay Poshmark Mercari Shopify Bonanza Selling Platforms with LilacsNDreams. Websites, domains, webstores, and there is so much out there to think about, and choose from!

I, along with many other sellers, sell their vintage collectibles, repurposed, handmade, crafts, home decor on Etsy along with other selling platforms as well. Recently Etsy put a notice out to us about Advertising, the cost, and pretty much in a nutshell we are being forced to pay for it. For those who make $10,000+ for the year will have to pay like 13%-15% of that along with the other fees we normally pay Etsy to use their platform for selling. Roughly about 25% and more will be paid if your item sells because of one of the ads. Now, for those who sell less they have what they call outside advertising which 13% will be charged along with our normal Etsy fees that are paid. For this you are suppose to be able to opt out of it, and this is the category I fall into. I have tried numerous ways to opt out of this deal following instructions I found. The system says the link is not working, or I get 1/2 way through the list, and I cannot get any further. I have tried different ways to contact support which I get told link does not work that I click on. I have read I have till March 28th to decide, and I also read I have till April 10th too. 

I am not happy at all with this! Many other sellers are in an uproar about this because of being forced to pay for advertising that is not wanted, the cost, not being given the choice to decide, etc. So, I like many others have decisions to make. Stay at Etsy, and deal with it, and most won’t be making any money for their time. Another idea that many are sharing is to move onto another place, and keep just a few things with their shops at Etsy. It’s ironic that at the same time EBay is making some changes that sellers are not happy with there either. Shopify got wind of some of the issues because many sellers at Etsy received emails with offers that they have too. 

It’s very upsetting being forced to pay for something you don’t want to use. We lost a little more control of our shoppes after working to get them where they are at now. Like I had mentioned in a group I get offers for Google Ads too. I don’t accept the offer. But, it is my choice, my decision that I am making myself for my Shoppe. 

Moving to another platform. Where to go, looking at pros and cons to different sights, cost, exposure that you would get there, getting your own webstore, getting your own domain, and many different things to consider. 

Last Sunday I spent the day with a very good friend of mine. A little thrifting, lunch, and discussing about stepping a little outside our boxes. She sells on EBay, I sell on Etsy, and maybe it’s time for us to change things a little bit. Not only the places we sell, but adding some items into what we normally sell. She showed me a few items she sold, prices, and offered some ideas to me from what she has learned. I am going back a little bit to when I first started selling on eBay years ago. Along with some of the things that I sell now I use to do fairly descent with purses too. So, I am going to start adding that in along with different pieces of clothing. 

Right now I am going to put some things at Poshmark which will be a collection of purses I have accumulated. Along with that I am going to start selling clothes items too. Their selling fee is the average of what is usually dealt with. They pay the shipping, and for these items the shipping will not be as heavy. I won’t have to use bubble wrap, and packing peanuts that I normally use. 

I’ve also looked a little into Bonanza. They have been around for awhile. I use to sell a little bit there a long time ago. I looked a little more into them yesterday. They have 3.5% fees paid with sales, they give you the option of advertising with different plans to choose. They showed a chart, and the smallest fee they showed was with the selling fee plus advertising, and it was like a total of 9%. Most places charge at least a 10% fee for sales made, and that’s only sales. No advertising, or anything else. Also, you can have a webstore with them for a fee of $25 a month. They offer more payment options than just Paypal. They had some things to consider, and think about here.

As for the advertising? I’ve gotten this far without it. I have spent a little time here, and there with promoting myself through different social media channels. I try to include back links where I can, and use hashtags where it’s permissible too. Trying to save cost, but also trying to be effective with things that will help me with exposure as well.

So, I have some ideas. I’m looking into things, researching, reading up on what others have to say and offer, testing a few things out, etc. If you have anything to share I’d be happy to hear from you as well.

LilacsNDreams will still be around, and doing what I have always done with selling online. If I feel it will be an issue adding in clothes, and purses I always have my domain for LilacsNDreams Shoppe that I can use for that if I have to. Everywhere I go, every platform I use, and anything I do I will keep you updated. Just look for LilacsNDreams because I’ll be around some where. 

Thanks for visiting with me today, and hope to see you again soon. Again, any ideas you wish to share are welcomed here. Thanks again everyone! 

Etsy Poshmark Ebay FB Marketplace Websites Used For Online Sales

Etsy Poshmark EBay Own Website For Online Sales

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy to have you stopping by! How many of you sell online? If you are selling online are you using Etsy, Poshmark, EBay, your own Website, FB Marketplace, or maybe another place not mentioned. So far I am using my Shoppe at Etsy, and once in a while I’ll put something at Poshmark. Years ago when I first started selling online I started with EBay. I usually sold vintage collectibles, sometimes home decor, and then over time I started adding in some repurposed, restyled, DIY, handmade treasures. 

Season is changing, holidays are approaching, advertisements are being done on TV for some of the venues, and I’m reminded I need to get to work. I have made some items that need to be posted with my Shoppe at Etsy I love the seasons, the holidays, and I enjoy occupying my time making things for the home to display too. 

If you are selling online what preference do you have for a venue? Which one have you had more success with? Would love to hear the ins, and outs of your experiences shared with us. 

eBay is eBay, and is the well known one to use. I enjoyed it when I first started, and later on decided it was time to move on. I tried a few places out with one of them being Etsy. That is one Shoppe I have hung onto over time. They are known for handmade products along with vintage collectibles too. I’m anxious to list items I have made, and really get back into the swing of things. I need to hurry up, and finish projects for the home I am working on. I also need to better focus on doing my listings instead of being side tracked by all the products that others are offering. I love what others share which helps me with ideas of my own, and maybe keeps me a little busier roaming around than I should allow it to...LOL! 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! I enjoy the visits, comments, messages left to me, and look forward to you stopping by again. Take care till the next time everyone! Toodles . . . . . .

Etsy Vintage Collectibles DIY RePurpose ReStyle Handmade

Etsy Vintage Collectibles DIY RePurpose ReStyle Handmade

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! I have been busy the past 3 days, and today was really busy! As you all know I have a shop at Etsy that I have decided to sell with again. It's been a working progress, but today I hit 20 total listings there. Today I did listings for 6 items. I just completed my last listing there a few minutes ago. 

Past 2 days I was kind of working with Google a little bit. I found something free that I could do there, and so that's been a working progress too. When you have time stop by to see what I am talking about at https://www.lilacsndreams-collectiblesstore.business.site.com Kind of neat putting my information there I want to show, helps me show on Google Search and Maps, I can show pictures/posts there, etc. 

This Indiana Milk Glass Top Hat Fenton Style Daisy and Button Pattern is the last item I listed with my Etsy Store tonight. Whew! What a day!

I hope that everyone is having a great week so far! For some I wish you well with some weather/snow that you are/about to receive. Hopefully it will be the last for a while, right? 

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Take care, and hope to see you again soon!

Blog Blogging Website Web Presence Venues For Free

Blog Blogging Website Web Presence Venues For Free 

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Quite a while back I had read about someone making the comment about their brick & mortar store. They had moved from 1 state to another. I'm not seeing the business name in my notes, but she was from California, and had moved to Ohio I believe. Anyway, she had made a comment about wanting to show that using free spaces on the internet...for instance your blog, website, facebook, etc...how it could be done, and that you would profit from it too. Her ideas she shared was that you could do this free with no/low cost, and that it could be done with results. 

So, I decided to implement some of the ideas of what she had suggested. I can say as of right now the one cost that I do have, and have kept is having my domains that I have for my Blog, another Blog, and Blog page that I have chosen. It makes the web addresses easier to remember, and of course shortens them for use too. I started with my .com which I have LilacsNDreams.com that lands you directly on this page to my Blog. I have LilacsNDreamsShoppe.com which lands you on a page with my Blog that I use mostly for showing things that I offer for sale. I note that you can contact Me for purchases and invoicing through Paypal, I share links for items if you wish to purchase through my Etsy Shop, and I will also share items of others who sell with links back to their items for purchase. Another place I haven't worked with for quite some time is another Blog I had started, and I do have my LilacsNDreams.net domain directed to that as well. 

Then, I decided to work more with Social Media too. That's something that is always mentioned to help all of us being seen, found, advertising our business, etc. Now I found if you can follow charts/analysis with these different places you are able to see what you benefit with, what is helping you, where your traffic is coming from, etc. I have played around with Google a little bit. I have a Google website that has been ignored for a long time. Recently I have doodled a little bit with business.google.com which gives you a minor free website. You can share a little bit about your business there, it helps with locating you in google maps and searches, and you can also share some posts there as well. Here is where I shared 2 items I have listed for sale, I can be contacted through email, or to visit my Etsy Shop to see more pictures and more descriptions of items, and to purchase there as well. Just the other day I looked closer at charts that Etsy shares for the sellers to view their traffic, where it comes from, their views, and etc. It was quite interesting, and helpful too. 

From some of the charts I seen with a few places where my traffic comes from. It's nice to see that my Blog helps with some of my traffic. I can also see that traffic comes from Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.  Once in a while I will see some things coming from LinkedIn as well. What's great is that all of these places mentioned are free for everyone to use. No, I do not sit with all of them all the time. I don't do it morning, day, and night. Facebook I will visit, make a comment with others, and I share things there I have been working on with some links. Pinterest has been known for being good in helping with your traffic too. Not just pinning items of yours, but also of others who have the same interests as they come around and pin on your boards too. Twitter I have set up where my postings on Facebook, and my Blog will go there. When you can do something like this it's a big help in completing tasks that you have for the day. 

With some of these free sites we use to help us we can also get notices sent to our phones, emailed to us, etc. I didn't like the idea, sometimes it still bothers me, but I have found it to be helpful when you do sales online. It's business,right?

I am no professional, and I enjoy sharing with you things I have learned along the way, things I have read by others, what maybe works for me can possibly work for you, etc. I hope this was understandable, and you were able to follow some of the ideas I have shared here today. If you have any questions contact Me. If you have anything to share Please feel free to do so with the comments/talk that you can do below my posts. 

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams! I enjoy the visits, the contacts made, and comments that are made too. Take care till the next time everyone. 

Vintage Collectibles Blue Glass Diamond Ring Etsy

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! I have been busy trying to respond to people, do some listings with my Etsy shop, and working on my LilacsNDreams Shoppe page here too. Whew! So far it's all going well. Pictures of 3 items I have listed to give you an idea of some things I am listing right now. 

Son left this morning to go back to base, unfortunately. He was not happy to go, but duty calls. So, now here I am doing all of this. 

When you have a chance hop on over to my page LilacsNDreams Shoppe to see what I am doing with that page...tab at the top of here to click on too. You can also visit with my Etsy Shop too. Get an idea of what vintage things I have been listing there. Soon...I hope real soon...that I will be able to start listing my crafty items that I have worked on as well. Table is cleared off, and I am hoping to start being constructive with things again. 

Wishing you ALL a fabulous weekend! Have fun, be safe, and see you again soon!

Repurpose Restyle Reuse DIY Upcycled Vintage Collectibles

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Repurpose, Restyle, Reuse, DIY, Upcycled, Vintage Collectibles. At some point we all find ourselves intrigued with these things for the decor we use in our homes, remodeling our homes using some of these techniques, some of us like all of this because it is our way of surviving and making money with it, or maybe it is just because we like it. Some of us do it for pleasure, some do it as a past-time, and some do it as their business. How did you get started with this? When was it you acquired the taste, and desire for these things? Have you been doing this a long time, or is it still kind of new to you?

I have had these thoughts over time...when I have time to think to myself, and what is suppose to be my alone time during the day. For me I think mine honestly started during my childhood years. I always enjoyed working with my hands. When I was on the farm with my Grandmother I would play with the sewing machine, I would use her tube paints to make designs with towels and materials, I would go out to the old hen houses and organize things out there with windows, paints, and design some things out there. Over time my Grandmother would give me little things here, and there that involved some sort of craft. I would use it now, or put it with my things for a later time as she would tell me. 

So, I got older, things changed a little bit, and I focused more of my time with vintage collectibles. I had collection books to help me identify pieces, some things I collected myself, I was learning a little over time of how to research a few things, and then came Ebay where I eventually started to sell things. The Ebay thing was from a little help of a close friend, a little nudge from her, and she was already selling on Ebay herself, and felt it was something I would like to do. In fact, that is how LilacsNDreams evolved, and has been with me ever since during my sales, creations, and over time. 

Like many others over time I had the urge that there was more than just selling on Ebay. So, I ventured off a bit into other places like Bonanza, Artfire, Ecrater, and Etsy. During this time of searching for what I felt like I was missing I noticed how I was becoming more interested with the crafty side of things. I was in awe of seeing work done by others of what they were offering. Some of the things that were being done, and how neat some of it was too. Little bit of glue, little bit of paint, this piece could attach to that piece, and how some of the vintage collectible pieces could be brought back to life! Oh, and how neat some things were that had been created, were made from a little bit of this and that, and the possibilities were endless! So, selling on Etsy was one place that I landed that open some more doors for me since they do things just a little bit different than Ebay. 

I still love my vintage collectibles. A lot of glassware really. The creative side of me, working with my hands, seeing things differently and what they can become really sprouted during this time. It has become a passion of mine. I love seeing what others offer when I roam around the internet, visiting stores where others show their creations, seeing things in a way that others offer them from their visions, and so on.

It's something I have been slowly working my way back into doing again. I was headed that way a few years ago, and due to some circumstances a long break was taken. Once we get moved into our new home - it's a working progress, I get organized one more time, I will have more time to myself, and I truly cannot wait to get back into doing all of this again. I'm excited!

So, how did you get started yourself with repurposing, upcycling, restyling, DIY, and etc? Was it something you have always done? Was it something that you acquired over time? Also, is this something you do yourself, or maybe you find these treasures completed to bring home so that you can adore them with all of your collections. Sorry for all the questions everyone. Curiosity gets the better part of me sometimes. 

Thanks for stopping by LilacsNDreams. Hope you enjoyed the visit, and feel free to share as you wish too. Take care till the next time everyone. Toodles . . . 

       

Happy Easter Everyone!! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Vintage Collectibles, Repurposed, Handmade, DIY, Recycled, Reused, Restored, and etc. LOL! I have a lot of interests, and I hope that they are things that you will be interested with too. 

This has been a very long time for me, and again I apologize for this too. Without telling you a long story of everything there were circumstances with health, and some serious family issues that had kept me away from everyone. I have been very excited to get back to my site here, but also was nervous to do so as well. It has been a while, things have changed over time, my interests have grown a little from what they use to be, etc. Many times I have wanted to jump in here, and instead I would research a little bit more, read a little bit more, take some more notes, take a few more notes, read a little bit more, and you get the picture. I just want to make this right so that you have a good place to visit, maybe some day do some shopping on one of my pages, place to read about some of the same interests that you have, maybe learn a little something now and then, and of course I love to hear from everyone and have them share along with us all here too. 

Over time I was able to make sure to keep the domains I wanted to use for my pages here with my sight. If you ever get a chance with some of your extra time just google LilacsNDreams to see where I have been, and what I use to do. Better yet, just put in LilacsNDreams.com, and stop by here to visit, read a little, say Hi, and share some things with us too.

So, for right now you will see me a lot on my first page, my home page here. I will slowly be working with my other pages, changing, revising things a bit, etc etc. Nothing drastic, but more like updating and just making it a little bit better. I have been over thinking this really, and it's time for me to just jump in, and start doing what I know to do. I'll learn along the way, and of course have a little fun with it too. 

The other page that I will be offering with my site here is my LilacsNDreams Shoppe page. That one will be slow working as I would like to see things in order a little bit more before I jump into it. But, eventually that will be my page where I will offer items for purchasing with vintage collectibles, repurposed, handmade, DIY, Reused, Restored, etc etc.  Would be much easier shopping there then heading over to one of the market places that is used for selling, signing into them, etc etc. That is a little ways off right now, no need to dwell on it at this time. It will come together in time.

So, for now my main focus is to visit with you all here. Get on a weekly schedule of postings here for everyone to visit with, and hopefully have you share a few things too. I have some things I am working on with crafting....or actually waiting for some good weather so that I can do some painting....and will be happy to share with everyone too. 

I'm excited for the new fresh LilacsNDreams, and I hope that you will be too. I hope that everyone had a great Happy Easter, and could enjoy the day. Thanks so much for stopping by, and I will see ya'll again real soon! Take care till the next time!

Toodles, 
Kim ~ Lilacs  

Taking Money to Make Money in Business

Taking Money to Make Money in Business

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Today is about that good old saying we all know only so well "It takes money to make money" 

Your business start up account can be a stressful thing when starting your business. Many of us pull from our own personal accounts to do so. In doing this we have the feel of guilt, and not to mention the worries too. You will often ask yourself if you are doing the right thing, is this business worth it, am I being selfish using this money because I am doing what I want to do, and so on. 

Often we will ask ourselves if we are plan for our futures. Many of us will answer with a yes! With this thought we have personal goals, we have dreams, and we plan ahead too. How many of us actual visualize, and focus with our business future?

There had been article with an inspiring question of "if you were given $20,000 to invest with your business, what would you do with this?" Wow! How does one start with a list of things. It would help to think long-term. It helps to have a detailed picture of what you want your business to become one day. Savings doesn't just happen for people. It comes to those with careful planning, and with some budgeting too. 

Sit down, and spend some time with the thought of what you would do with a $20,000 investment. You will find it will be a list of not only what the wants are, but what you are needing for your business to grow and expand. Once you have your list prioritize it. You know which item do you need first, second, third, and so on. 

Since income can be unpredictable you might find yourself holding back with your goal setting. In order to better help you consider "what if you had $20,000 to invest, and a guaranteed salary of maybe $50,000" That might open the doors, and clear away some fear and hesitation with your thinking. Redesign a website, find a substantial location to house inventory, maybe use same location for shipping from, and notice how your thinking starts to change right? When you look back over some of your ideas you might also realize that some of them are doable within your current situation now too. It is important for you to think past your current limitations. By doing this you can open up your plans for the future. 

There are plenty of ways to get some money if you wanted to. Getting a personal loan, maybe take out a small business loan, and there is Kabbage which is a lending service to specifically fund small businesses. For Kabbage you have to have a proven income of $1000 a month to be approved. 

A saying by Grandpa in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is: 

     "There's plenty of money out there. There print more every day. But this ticket-There are only 5 of them in the whole world, and that's all there's ever going to be. Only a dummy would give this up for for something as common as money. Are you a dummy?" 

This makes you think about business, and how often times we hesitate to invest in ourselves. Money is considered common, and the chance of creating something out of nothing and building your own career. Well, there is nothing common about that. 

This series regarding business will soon be over with. Remember to visit with Lisa a Market Your Creativity. There she shares things in full, and shares experiences she has had along with things she has learned to help her.  

As some of you may have noticed my posts are just a bit off of schedule, and I deeply apologize for that. I want to note to all of you that I am dealing with an internet issue. Hopefully it will be resolved in full soon so that I can get back to things fully. Having my posts here for you all to visit at LilacsNDreams, and to get back to work fully with my listings in my shops with Etsy, Ecrater, and over at Ebay too. Links for those can be found on the right column that you can just click. 

Thanks so much for sharing time with LilacsNDreams! I wish you all a wonderful day with all you do. See you again soon!

Your Passion, Your Business With Time Management

Your Passion, Your Business With Time Management

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Your passions should be treated like your business, and your time should be managed accordingly with it. You don't want to just let it grow like weeds, and going everywhere uncontrolibly. You should give it some boundaries, and tend to it like a garden. It will take a little bit of planning, but it will be worth it too. 

Start with setting a goal. Calculate what you would like to achieve, and set it for like a 6 month goal. Make sure to ask yourself a few questions in setting your goals. Like what is it you would like from your business within 6 months, What do you need to make happen in the next 6 months that you feel it is becoming successful, What actions should I be taking to make these goals happen, and so on. 

Make sure you have these questions noted, or recorded some where. Then, you would like to work on the steps of action that can get you there. Your steps, your actions need to be steps that you know will work for your business. If you are just starting try to do what you know has worked for others. 

You will find on average days for you that you will want to take some time to knock some of those items off your to do list. Then, you will have times when you maybe just want to sit online, and chat. This I am guilty of myself, and I do lose track of time! At the time it is fun, but frustration soon hits afterwards too. You need to find your when your levels of tendencies, and and energy so that you can set a rythmn for them of productivity. 

For example, I generally post date my blogs late night, or late night the evening before I want everyone to be able to read them. In the mornings it takes me time to wake, get around, and generally I like to read emails. I respond to emails, and I will also visit with forums at different places too. Then, I feel the urge later morning that I need to get away from the computer, stretch, grab a sandwich, and roam around the house. By the time 1 o'clock to 2 o'clock comes around for me I am more into the mood of doing listings with shops, maybe creating things, doing pictures for listings, etc. 

When, and if you find yourself saying your time is too busy to do this or that. You need to evaluate your schedule. Consider that if this particular moment were a dollar, are you investing it wisely, or are you burning it? So, you need to find where you are wasting your time. 

Maybe it's with tv, with some games at home or on the computer, Candy Crush...I know this is popular, YouTube, and so on. Once you figure out your time waster, then ask yourself when are you mostly wasting your time. 

To turn some of that time into a pleasure make note of where you seem to apply your attention. Things can't all happen at the same time. So, you need to actively choose one, or the other. 

In life every week we have items on our to-do list that we just do not want to do. We all get this feeling. Rememeber, you wear many hats. When some of those tasks come up you can just feel your energy go into the zap it mode, right? Leaving piles of some unfinished projects, maybe calling a friend in the middle of you doing a task, of course clicking around on the internet, are all ways of pushing off to do something else. If helps you if you can acknowledge this. 

In order to get some of this stuff done you need to create a time of uninterruption. Think of a time in your day when you will work on nothing else but your task, and work on putting it into short sessions. Use a timer, and an alarm clock so that you will work to stay focused on your task at hand. Do this for maybe some where around 25 minutes. Then, take about a 10 minute break. After your break set your timer again, and go back to your task for about another 25 minutes. 

Try it once, and see the results that you can produce. Keep going with this, and you can also increase your time with each work period. Try not to go over 50 minutes at one time, or your focus can then suffer. Make sure to always schedule that 10 minute break in between your sessions to help you refresh your attention, and to take a breather too.  

Remember when you spend your minutes wisely your efforts will generally be rewarded. 

Make sure to visit with Lisa at Market Your Creativity who shares these topics, and has had more experience then me with selling too.  

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams everyone! Until the next time I wish you all a wonderful day, and hope to see you again soon. 

A Business Owner Wears Many Hats

A Business Owner Wears Many Hats in their own small business.

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Today's topic will cover how many hats we wear as business owners in creating our careers for ourselves.

Stop and think about your day for just a moment. When you wake up you probably go over your days schedule. You might consider all that needs to be done, who you need to reply to, and what customers maybe need to be served. You are your own assistant.  

You might have a list you are looking at, hoping you can at least get one thing crossed over, and maybe be able to do this over a couple cups of coffee. Ok, maybe another cup is needed too. You would like to do this before anyone else in the home wakes up like the kids, your furry little children, etc. Now, it's time to make some donuts, or something for breakfast. You are the manufacturer.  

Now that has been done, and completed the rest of the world is now probably waking up as well, and they too are logging on. So, now it is time for you to start getting busy with spreading the word about your business, and making sure that customers will have something new for them to look at. Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, Blog, Wordpress, Twitter, Instagram here you come! You are the PR Agent.   

Ok, now that you have that out of the way it really is time to get down to business. Maybe prepare your orders for shipments, maybe dealing with some custom requests for the creative people, and also answer to some questions too. You are the customer service representative.

Wow! Phew! What a long morning it has been for you so far, right? By now it might be time for you to take a lunch break, get up and spread your legs a bit, and then consider maybe doing some planning for the next week, 2 weeks, or the month. Maybe now is a good time to consider your books, or maybe your budget too. New designs to plan, inventory to fulfill and maintain, supplies to consider, etc. Yes, you are also the office manager.

Then, all of a sudden you realize that the new inventory, or your new designs will not be marketing themselves. So, you should consider your advertising strategy, and some kind of plan to spread the word about those things. Let's see, who will be interested in what you are offering? Where might these people be hanging out at? You are the VP of marketing and sales.  

Look it here, the day has gone by, and maybe family is gathering at home for the evening. This would probably be a good time to consider quitting. First take a few minutes to look over that to-do list. You might then be asking yourself if you are doing a good job? Is this working? Am I wasting time, and resources? Is what I am doing going to succeed? Have I done enough, or do I need to maybe do more? Am I getting the results I want from the things I have been doing? You have to look at this thing you love, your business with a wider vision because You are the CEO.  

Start up isn't easy, and pointing out some of these things is to help you realize what you all do in a day with your business. Yes, it will be hard for some of your family, and some of your friends to realize what it is you do. You get lost in your online storefront, revolve around you products, and they come and go. As mentioned at other times, Start Up is not easy. 

You might find yourself struggling, find yourself in a rut, or as many have felt the feeling of being overwhelmed. So, keep digging. 

Think of your next step. What should you be doing to grow? Most of us probably know what the answer is, but it is hard to know what to do as this is all new to us. You don't need to have that next step accomplished right away, but you should know the next action that you should be taking to accomplish your goal. It helps to break those big goals down into some small goals to work on, and achieve. By doing this you make it a bit more comfortable for you. So, write down your goal. As the pen, and paper hit generally you start to brainstorm with some ideas that will come together for you. These ideas will start falling into place for you as you write them. You will want to then start putting this into a to-do list by prioritizing them. Be persistent. 

Do something you will thank yourself for tomorrow.  Maybe it's a mess you haven't cleaned up, that one thing you wanted to do and have pushed off, some unfinished business that you have been pushing off. Go to it now, and finish it. When you wake up tomorrow you will feel relief that is was done. Stop procrastinating. You will thank yourself in the morning for this. 

Is what I am doing working?  Many times we will find ourselves getting caught in an ineffective way of how we are doing things. We go with a "that's just the way things are" We can let this slow us down, and over think the common sense of things. If you are happy with the results of what you are doing, and it's working then do more of it. Now, if you are not happy with the results then you need to change it, and do it differently. If you weren't already doing your shipping, scheduling, branding, customer service, mailing lists, and etc this way, consider is this how you would start? If it isn't then change it the way you would do things in order to get the results that you want. 

Be realistic. Remember, it is a fact that a business can take up to 3 years to get off the ground. With a start-up nothing happens unless you make it happen. Making it big can take even more years. It can take up to 10 years which is a fact. What you get out of your small business is what you have put into it. Be realistic about the time, and the energy it will take to become a success at what you do. 

Protect Your Dream, and keep up the good work everyone! Don't forget to visit with Lisa at Market Your Creativity where these topics come from. She has many more things that she shares there with everyone to help them with their businesses, and to make them successful.  

I thank all of you for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams. Until the next time I wish you all a fabulous day! See you again soon. 

Branding For Your Business Shop Online

Branding For Your Business Shop Online

Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone! Today I will discuss a little bit about branding, and what it can do for your Etsy, hobby, craft, or online business. 

Branding can revolve around different things depending where, and how you sell. It can include your shop banner, your logo, the profile, and just the over all professionalism of the website being used. A strong brand will help assure your customers of any doubts. When visiting your online business the first impression should communicate your brand confidentially.  

Plan on building a strategy brand that will revolve around what your company is about, who you are, and etc. So, everything that you have been doing with any advertising, social networking, and communicating with customers should be matching up, and now making sense for your brand. 

With Facebook, Twitter, and other Social Networks you should now be talking about business. Items you sell, how you make them, other things of interest that relate to the products you offer, and etc. You might have interests in a lot of different things with animals, the gardening, and etc. But, those interest do not fit in with your marketing of your brand, and would be confusing to those who visit with you. 

Getting a logo can be done with a graphic designer that you would pay. You can also create your own logo. Doesn't have to be fancy. Simple is good too. Your logo will help with your brand identity. Consider when you see apple for Mac computers, the swish for nike, and etc. Doing this helps your customers to recognize your brand.   

A tag line should be created as well. A tag line would show what the purpose of your business is, and sends your message as well too. This is something that you can have fun with. Play around with different words, different phrases, and you will find something that truly represents your business.   

Be Authentic when you are branding your business. If your brand, or your shop is not attracted customers interest, there is a chance you may not have tapped into your genuine interest yet. Hey, that's okay. Just keep digging, and remember to have fun with it too.  

As always, remember to visit with Lisa over at Market Your Creativity to see what she all shares with these topics, what more she has to offer, and to follow with some of the things she is sharing. 

I appreciate you taking time to visit with LilacsNDreams today. Until the next time I wish you all well, and to have a wonderful day. See you all again soon!

Identify Customers With Target Marketing

Identify Customers With Some Target Marketing

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Today is a little bit about identifying your customers with target marketing. As sellers you provide customers with a special feeling that items made from passion can produce, and treasures found that they have been looking for. Targeted Marketing simply means finding those customers who desire your work, and what you have to offer. 

It is time for you to share with everyone what it is you have to offer. It's time that you introduce yourself to people so that you may find some of those paying customers for your business. Replace some of that old fashioned marketing with that warm, and inviting smile with today's socially acceptable advertising. Permission marketing (customers sign up, request more, voluntarily follow you) is some of what is happening in today's marketing. Keeping customers up to date, and informing them about your work can help make them into paying customers. 

When you add value to the world, the world will value what you offer. The question is how to find those that value what you have to offer. Many look for fans, followers, likes, and favorites. The bottom line is that your audience will compose of those who become your paying customers. Your audience will be composed of people who "get you" and they truly want what you have to offer. 

You will have to find these people by identifying them. Are they male, or female. What is their age. Are they single, or maybe married. From which genre do they do most of their shopping. Are they a crafter, artist, collector, etc. Are they maybe a blog reader, or not. How will your products of handmade, or collectibles make them feel. Many many questions to keep in mind as you approach your marketing for your business. 

You can generate a list of where these people hang out at by identifying them. This in turn will help you to identify your niche market. These people will pretty much be doing the same in that niche market. Give it a little time, and let the answers be put onto paper. You might be amazed at the ideas that you will come up with. 

Remember to visit Lisa at Market Your Creativity as she shares these things into a little more depth of what I am sharing from there to here.

Thanks so much for sharing some time at LilacsNDreams. Until the next time I wish you all well, and have a wonderful day. See you again soon! Toodles . . . . . 

Your Shop and Presentation For Your Online Storefront

Your Shop and Presentation For Your Online Storefront.

Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone!  Today we will lightly discuss your shop unity, and the presentation with your online shops, or storefronts. 

When visitors come to your online shops, land on your blogs or websites, visit your pages they draw a first impression when they land there. Most people do not realize they are doing this analyzing of your shop. They like to consider if they can make sense of anything they see there. Does this style go with anything I own? Is anything catching my eye? Having an overall united presence will keep people interested longer. This is how you will pull customers in, and how they will then become a paying customer to you. 

In some ways when customers buy from you they want something that will reflect their own styles that they have. Most times they are shopping personally for themselves, but they also will shop for others at various times too. 

Many customers will roam through the internet by floating through different searches. Your pictures, keywords, titles, and etc will help catch the attention of the prospective buyer who will then visit your shop. They are intrigued with what they seen in search, and sometimes when they get to your shop they realize it is not completely the style they are looking for. They see nothing else that interests them. You then could lose business from this person. 

It is important to realize that many people that will visit your online shop are looking for a proof of a style that will match their own. 

Pinterest is a great place to see what styles, interest, and images would appeal to customers.  Here is where you would pin pictures, quotes, and etc for items that appeal to you. Pin items that appeal to your brand. Not only can these people get to know you here, but you can also get a sense of understanding their style as well.

When a new pinner follows you an email is sent from Pinterest to you. In that email there will be a list of pins recently done. If it looks interesting to you that is when you can further visit, and check out their profile. If things look good you can then follow them back. Great way for you to connect with people, and their insights as well. Customers will often pin products, interests, websites, and so on. This in return can spark some new leads for you too. 

Remember that your product is not for everybody. It is for a select few of people who share the same interest, taste, and who have an eye for the same quality products. 

When visitors come to your online shop it's because you have a style that appeals to them. So, you want to make sure to showcase your products for appeal, to catch their eye, spark a desire with them, and make them want what you have to offer. Keep some of this in mind as you prepare your shops for people to view. 

Remember to visit with Lisa at Market Your Creativity for more extensive discussions about building your business. 

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams! Until the next time I wish you all well, and hope to see you again soon. Toodles......

Creating and Building Email Lists For Your Business

Creating and Building Email Lists For Your Business

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Today is about creating and building your email lists for your businesses. I often see this issue mentioned, suggested, discussed, and etc. This is something I have not done myself. I often think about it, and know that there are pros to doing this. 

It is often mentioned that we should be building an email list. Doing this will help you to engage with your customer base, and this is noted to be one of the most important marketing tools for us to use. 

In order to organize, and have a place for your customers to sign up for this email list it is best to have an email service. You can google email marketing services, and see some of them that are being offered. Some are free, and some will be a paid service too. I often see mentioned, and used is Mail Chimp and Constant Contact. 

There are some benefits to using an email marketing service. They can provide you with tracking information, web pages where your customers can join, website forms, they handle the "unsubscribes" which does comply with the Spam laws. This is also a cheap, sometimes free way for you to connect with your customers directly. 

These services might seem overwhelming at first. You have to give it a chance. With a few clicks, and some practice you will be handling your list. 

The friendliest way to advertise is to call it "opt-in" Or "permission. Using this customers are asking for more information, to be updated, and to keep in touch with your business. 

You can announce at different places about signing up for your email. You can politely remind your customers that they can keep an eye out for some new things by signing up for your newsletter. You can share you email sign up link with different places such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+, your blogs, on your websites, etc. 

Don't just ask your customers to sign up, but give them some reasons to do this. People are protective of their email accounts, and they need to know what is in it for them in order to be inviting you in. Specials, promotions, new listings, maybe some item that is hot/popular, and so on. 

When done correctly email marketing works in making a relationship between you, and the customers. Over time the customers will come to know you, trust you, and this will let you show them that you care too. 

Remember that the customers who are on your list will be the biggest fans of your business. They would like to be the first ones to know what is going on in your business. Maybe you are going to run a sale on Saturday. Well, send out coupons to them on Friday night to use for Saturday. This gives them first dibs on your sale. Maybe you would like to host a special private sale. You could offer such a deal to only your customer email list. Makes them feel special, and appreciative towards you as well. 

The customers on your list can be a big contributor to the success of your business too. Think of them first, and treat them with respect by offering special things to them through your email list. 

Remember, Lisa at Market Your Creativity offers these topics being shared with you, and you can read a little more about them by visiting her too. 

Hope you enjoyed this Email List For Your Business Topic today. Thanks for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams everyone. Until the next time I wish you all a wonderful day. See you again soon!