Social Media Tools Use Vintage Collectibles Handmade Crafts

 

Social Media Tools Use Vintage Collectibles Handmade Crafts Repurpose at LilacsNDreams. Welcome Everyone!

I wanted to touch base a little bit about our Social Networking, and Social Media that we all participate in for pleasure, and many do it for business too. 

I think we can agree the more popular sites we use for our social connections are with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and LinkedIn too. Keep in mind there are a lot of places out there being used. Remember this is not all of them, and there are others that some use depending on your interest, business you might have involving it, your personal thoughts and feelings, your goals, etc. I hope this will help you a little bit with what you do now, or maybe any personal goals you have. 

FACEBOOK is a social networking service that allows its users to upload pictures, and share text. There is Facebook Messenger that many will use to contact people with, send notices, share things, etc. Facebook Pages are still around. Some use them for maybe a personal blog, use for their business pages, and so on. With Facebook Pages you can collect fans, and followers that can better follow you, and your updates to things too. 

INSTAGRAM has become quite popular to use too. Those accounts can be connected to your Facebook accounts which is good for business. When you can connect some of your social media accounts you can put 1 message, picture, announcements in 1 spot that will share to some of the other accounts. This is good to get backlinks that will refer to your website, blog, business page, and so on. 

PINTEREST is another form of social networking we do by using pin boards. You use a photo sharing technique of things you find of interest which could include vintage collectibles, handmade projects, crafts you’ve done or of what others have done, repurposed projects, blogs, websites, selling platforms, etc. It’s a great way to organize some thoughts, and another way to bookmark things you find of interest too. 

TWITTER is yet another form of social media, and social networking that is used for people to share things. Pictures can be used, usually limited wording, and we seen how it was popular for our former president Donald Trump too. Usually when I share something on Facebook it will also go to twitter too.

LINKEDIN is another social networking sight that does focus a little more with business relations. 

For those who use the internet for selling, or maybe advertising your products Social Networking is something good to use. It’s free unless with some you want to pay a fee to get a little more of what they offer. Keep in mind being involved with social media will help you be seen, or found at times on the internet. Google picks up on things with your use of keywords, use of backlinks, and so on. Connecting everything where you can, or with those that offer that. Keywords, backlinks, and it all works together. Google LilacsNDreams some time. You will see places I’m connected with, and what is maybe working for me. Takes time, patience, and being consistent with it too. Don’t forget that for some it’s their pastime keeping in touch with people, and their interests. 

Remember you are always welcome to share along with things that have been discussed. If you have had success, or good things with a place please share with us. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Always happy to see you. Till the next time take care, and be safe. Toodles . . .

Vintage Shoes Addiction For Women Men and Babies

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Vintage Shoes Addiction For Women Men and Babies too. I want to show you a little bit of a vintage era of why you would buy, why you would wear, and especially the fun of seeing all things vintage too! Hopefully it will remind you a little bit of times past wearing vintage shoes. You are seeing some vintage shoes for women of course, but we must not forget the babies shoes, and we need to remember that this vintage addiction also carried over into the mens shows as well!

                                              Vintage Shoes of Times Past For Everyone

                                                         Vintage Womens Boot Shoe

                                           Vintage Baby Shoes From 1950s...Flickr

                                                 Vintage Addiction For Mens Shoes 


I hope that you had a little fun going back in time with some of the memories with vintage shoes. Today they are still a collectible for some collectors, and there are some who look for vintage clothing so that they can wear them too. Some of these vintage addictions are being reproduced in order to bring back some of our times of yesteryears. Oh, what fun! Don't you think?

Thanks for sharing some time with LilacsNDreams today, and I hope you enjoyed some of the memories from yesteryears that were shared with you here. I enjoyed your visit, and hope to see you again soon! Toodles . . . 

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!

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!

Keyword Use and Using Traffic Boosting Descriptions

Keyword Use and Using Traffic Boosting Descriptions

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Today I am gonna talk a little bit about your keyword usage, and how to effectively use some traffic boosting descriptions. Doing some of this will help your customers to find you. 

I see many times people asking on Etsy "How do I get found through an Etsy Search" Honestly there is no complete effective method at Etsy because they change their algorithmns, and their codes regularly. 

I know some don't agree with me when I slightly mention it, but I do not rely on Etsy for my traffic. When I share something, or advise of something I like to offer what can be done "outside the box" In other words being found with search engines, and bringing people to your shops, sites, blogs, and etc. Yes, you should use your keywords in tags, and in materials. At the same time it is also important, and very helpful for you to learn to not rely on Etsy, or the platform that you are using to sell on. 

It helps if you can learn some of the language that your customers would speak with their searches. What you consider using for words of your product names can be different than what customers are using when they are searching. This is where you consider altering some of the keywords in your shops to help more customers to find you. 

For instance a word that is often used at Etsy is the word "convo" I know what it means myself. The word is used frequently around Etsy. When you step outside of Etsy with someone new to the shops there they might not speak the same language, and understand what it is. So, in some of the listings there when a seller tells customers to "convo" them for something, it could confuse them. It would be a little more appropriate if they would tell them to "message" them with any questions, or to maybe click on the contact button to ask their questions, and etc. Something simple like this can really make a difference in the eyes of customers. 

So, to maybe improve your language a little further consider visiting Google's Keyword Tools which has changed to Google Keyword Ads I think it is.  What you want to do is be able to punch in a word, or phrase that you might call your product (it's a good start for this) You should then get a page of some suggested similar words, or phrases. Next to each of the similar terms Google's Keyword Tool displays a number of global monthly searches that have been received for it. Now, the higher you see the number of searches this lets you know the more popular the term is too. 

This not only helps you in assisting the finding of new keywords, but it will also help you with the language we discussed to attract more customers, and buyers to you shops. 

Keep it Simple when using keywords. We have all seen keyword filled titles. I mean titles that are completely filled from different ones telling us to do this in helping us to be found by customers, and to rank with Google and search engines too. However, when customers visit your online shops all of those keywords could confuse the mind of them too. If you are not sure what you are selling how can the customer know for sure what they should be looking for? 

By mixing, and matching keywords throughout your titles you can still get a great number of search results. You just don't want to use every keyword in each of your listings. This will have your shop full of keywords that customers are using to find products. It also helps your titles to be a bit more clear for customers who are looking to shop.  

Customers will not notice that all the keywords are there within your shops, and this is how it should be too. Use your keywords effectively. Spread your keywords throughout your shop while also keeping the message clear for the buyers.   

You can test your keyword effectiveness to get an idea of how you are doing. You can Google search your exact product title. See where you come up in the results when you do this. You will see your title, and then you will also see a portion of your description. So, your first 2-3 sentences for sure should have some keywords in them too. This helps with searches that people will do. 

So, you want to use your keywords wisely. Don't over do it, but use them that it is effective for you to be found with search engine searches. Make sure to visit Lisa with Market Your Creativity to see what details she shares, and to learn from her as well. 

Thanks for sharing time with LilacsNDreams today. Hope you all had a great weekend, and stayed warm in areas that again had snow. Until the next time I wish you all a wonderful day. See you again soon. 

Have a Cheery Happy Friday

Have a Cheery Happy Friday!

Welcome to LilacsNDreams, and happy you stopped by. Here it is Friday again. Ummm....where did the week go? Seems like it just started, and already it has gone by. Thankful for the weekend to be here because I think I need to be home this weekend doing my own thing. 

Here is wishing all of you out there a wonderful Friday, and a gorgeous weekend! Thrift, Create, Blog, Listings, Pictures, and whatever it is you do this weekend....enjoy it, have fun, and be safe. Take care, and see ya'll again soon. Toodles . . . . . . 

Growing Your Business Online Reputation

Growing Your Business Online Reputation

Welcome to LilacsNDreams Everyone! The next topic to be shared is Growing Your Business Online Reputation. This comes from feedback, trust, and the brand recognition that has been earned. 

With Social Proof this can help your customer to feel right at home with you. This can come from a combination of you having experience, history, and the familiarity of the site. This can help to build customer trust with your sales transactions. You can also get this social proof from having product reviews, word of mouth, and from your brand recognition as well. 

You will need to build your reputation slowly, and gradually. Having your shop start off with a good impression with good photography, professional listings, and then will come to a time when you can build your price points as well. 

You might see others who sell the same products as you, or similar ones. With some of these places you might notice that they sell for a lot more money. Your profit margin will grow with the size of your business, and the reputation that you have built. It could be a couple of years before you maybe start to increase your prices, and by building your reputation you can accomplish this. We don't start out this way in the beginning with making big money. We build over time. 

Many of us dream of getting that big break. Boy, wouldn't that be nice, right? In reality a business will succeed with a history of some wins. Just keep putting yourself out there with things you have learned, use different opportunities to help spread the word about your business, and never stop building and accomplishing your goals.

Visit Lisa with Market Your Creativity, and enjoy the things that she shares from her knowledge, and experiences. 

Well, that is it for now folks. Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and have a super day! Till the next time. See you again soon. 

Effective Networking, Making Connections Online

Effective Networking, Making Connections Online

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Recently covered was Blogging, and Social Media. Today I will briefly cover some effective networking, and making online connections that will help us with our businesses.  

I am going to share a statement that Lisa from Market Your Creativity had shared in one of her first posts that she had shared on Etsy in the forums. What she had told the community there was "I am always your friend. We have neighboring shops and we help each other, whether you realize it or not."  

Interesting idea when you think about it as this is something we do with the different platforms we use to sell on, how we become involved with different social networks, and it would be like having a shop in the mall or one of those mini malls. So, what we do to attract customers to our shops, and places we sell can also help those around us. What you do to draw people to your shops is something others near by can benefit from as well. So, if someone comes to visit my shop, you are right next door, and could also get a visit as well. You are not trying to outsell the competition, or take their sales, but rather you are working to make sales. 

So, Lisa shares how she sees this as not pulling competition from each other, but rather how we are all pulling from the same places to make sales. It's an interesting thought don't you think?

We are all human, and sometimes we will get that sudden jolt of envy when we see someone else getting the good sales, and maybe some success too. Consider transforming some of those negative thoughts into admiration for those sellers. Take the opportunity to learn from them, and with some respectful admiration convert that into something positive for you. Get your creative juices flowing, putting your thoughts into work, and go forward to create your own success. 

Try to believe that there is enough business for all of us to have which includes some money too. This positive thinking can open some possibilities, and some potential connections around you. Feel the need to reach out to other competitors, and business owners that inspire you. When you do this you will be surprised with some of the ideas, some of the projects, and some of the exchanges that you will generate. 

This in turn will give you more confidence to build something from nothing. Brainstorming with sharing, and connecting with others can help produce many more things for you. 

I myself am a huge fan of networking in different ways. Since I live most of my time online most of my networking is done within the virtual world. The benefits, and knowledge that comes from these places can be priceless for many of us, and our careers.  

You can start this by setting some goals, reaching out to others, and maybe connecting with other business owners. Take the step, and see where it leads. It is beneficial to you, but it can also be a fun experience too. 

Remember to drop by, and visit with Lisa at Market Your Creativity. She really shares some good things there to learn from. 

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

Some of the Social Media Basics to Know

Some of the Social Media Basics to Know

Welcome to LilacsNDreams where I will discuss some of the social media basics that you should know to help you with your business. 

Facebook is one that we all know, and is by far one of the most popular ones for anyone to start out with. Most of your small, and creative businesses do have a Facebook fan page. It is simply a great way for you to connect with your customers. 

To create a Facebook fan page from your home tab (the news feed page) on the far right dial click on create page. The rest of your process is pretty much user friendly, and self explanatory for you to use. Decide on the type of business that you own, fill in the necessary information, and twala there you have it. 

For those of you with an Etsy shop you can connect your facebook fan page to it. On your Etsy account page click on Info & Appearance under the Shop Settings category. Under the heading of Links you will see the check box that is for a Facebook page, and for Twitter. Click on the Link a Facebook Page with your shop, and connect the two. This will then result in a Like button that is under your Etsy Banner. 

Twitter is misunderstood at times. It is not for advertising as many think. I would recommend strongly to not go through your shop, and try to tweet one product of yours after another. This kind of thing will result with a large amount of the unfollows. 

Twitter is for networking by reaching our to your peers. It helps to make connections with your customers, and other businesses alike. Like others it helps to contribute to your business.   

A few suggestions that will help you to benefit with Twitter is to consider tweeting bloggers with an interesting comment, or suggestion from their posting. Consider maybe tweeting an article that you found interest in. You could tweet about a story for some of the same interest as your industry. You could tweet about one of your favorite characters in a program while you are watching the show. 

You can also link your Twitter account to your Etsy shop by going to your Etsy Account Page. Click on the Info & Appearance under the Shop Settings category. Under that heading Links see the checkbox for a Facebook Page and a Twitter Account. Just click on the Connect with Twitter to connect the two. You will then get a Follow button under your shop banner also. 

Pinterest is something we have all heard about, and has grown and populated amongst many people. Inspiration boards are fun, and very inspiring for many who visit. Have a board for your shop with others shared from Etsy. Have a board with like interests, and products of not only your items, but of others that fit into your same industry too. Have a board that represents blogs which of course you will have yours pinned in there too. When you pin things you can also share them to Facebook, and Twitter too.  

Instagram has been another popluar form of social media that has become popular as well too. I haven't tried this quite yet, but am working on it. I have seen many great comments about it. Many start an account by their shops name. They then will post likable, and some trendy pictures of their products. As has been seen they will then #hashtag like crazy. You will then answer inquiries from others in the comments section of each photo. They will show prices, and they can link the pictures to their Etsy shops and other places of business. 

So, what other forms of social media have I missed? Believe me, there is plenty out there. Some of you have found success with using other places as well as what has been mentioned too. If you have a favorite not mentioned by Me I would love to have you share with us, and also share some of your experiences with those that have been mentioned too.   

As always don't forget to visit with Lisa at Market Your Creativity to see what more she is sharing of these business topics, and helping out with too.

Thanks so much for sharing time with LilacsNDreams. Until the next time I wish you all a Happy Day, and see you again soon. 

WooHoo Its Friday, Weekend is Here

WooHoo It's Friday! The Weekend is Here!

Hello everyone, and hope ya'll are having a wonderful fabulous Friday! Wanted to wish ya'll a super Friday, and to have a great weekend as well. Have fun with all you do. Enjoy, and be safe. Will see you all again on Monday. Have a super day!

Blogging Represents Your Brand, Drives Traffic to Online Storefronts

Blogging Represents Your Brand, and Drives Traffic to Your Online Storefront.

Hello there, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Today I will talk a bit about blogging which is something I enjoy doing. I want to share with you how blogging represents your brand for your business, and how it can help drive traffic to your online storefronts. Actually it is good for those who have websites, and is a form of social media that is good to use. 

When you blog you should do it regularly. Remember, if you don't have a business yet this is still good to have for a business that you might have some day. If you don't have any intentions of starting a business I believe it is still good for people to do. As you sit down to write for your blog you will ask, like many do, what is it I want to say? Once you start sharing it only gets better for you. 

When I first started to blog online I had no clue as to what I was doing, what I wanted to say, how to get started, and then nervous if anyone would actually find me to read anything. Getting started can be hard. I didn't think I would really have anything to say, or talk about. Over time ideas would come to me, I would read something that would give me a thought, and I learned to make small notes to myself of these ideas for later uses. 

It can take a while to find your way of what you think you should say, or what you think that maybe people would like to read. Once you get started, once you find your way, you will find that blogging is not as bad as you first thought. You find that the words come pouring through you as you open more to share, and more of you is revealed for others to see you which is good for business too. You will find over time how this helps to reveal your brand. 

If the business you have chosen is meant for you then you will find yourself eating, sleeping, dreaming, and living your brand. So, share it to the world in a conversational style way by using a blog. 

The blog is an ongoing thing in conversations between you, and your readers. People can come to your blog that would like to get to know you, and maybe ask you questions too. It's great when they wish to share things with you, and the other readers who visit. With your blog they can read a full post compared to the short messages with Facebook, or with the 140 characters that can be used at Twitter. 

Don't be offended with people who are not interested in reading. Some people do not like to read which is okay. Your target audience is going to be with those who are online looking for something of substance every time they visit online. This helps those who like to dig a little deeper, and get more of a feel for things by getting to know you. Consider it like writing an email to a good friend of yours which will help you share what others are looking for. 

Some of the traffic that comes to my shop is from my blog. Once in a while I enjoy sharing items that others are offering to help boost a little traffic for them as well. You will find that the blogging community is friendly, engaged, and they are willing to help other bloggers too! Blogging is not like visiting some of the forums that we have with our online storefronts. Some of those forums can get kind of mean, people get rude, and like others I cringe when it happens to me or see it happening to others. 

The blogging community is certainly people who like to share, and are friendly writers. We all look for new stories, some inspirations, and etc. You will also find that they are happy to link with you, tweet, pin, post some of your products in return, and that they enjoy sharing as well. The more that you can share the more your links are put out there, and the more clicks you can get too. It's a revolving circle. 

So, where do you start to blog? If you have your own website sometimes a blog can be made with that. Many will use the free blog from Google known as blogger.  There is also wordpress that many will choose too. Some will start with wordpress.com, and later will switch to the wordpress.org self-hosted site. Keep in mind that you can also get your domain with a place like GoDaddy, and have that directed to your blog with blogger too. That is something I do for Me. So you might ask, which one is better, and what do I choose? Many like wordpress, and there are some that prefer blogger. Here is a little article about blogger vs wordpress. See what is being shared about the 2 places. 

My preference is with blogger as I have a hard time getting around with wordpress. I am not a computer techie person, and blogger was easier for me to work with myself. Who knows, maybe some day I'll grow up more (LOL), and venture over to wordpress. Till then I am with blogger, and have been content with it so far. I like things simple I guess.  

If you would hop on over to visit Lisa at Market Your Creativity check out Day 14 in her series that she shares about how to build your own creative business. There she gives you some links for the beginning blogger, and for the advanced blogger too.  

Well, there you have it for today everyone. If you are not blogging I hope you will consider it, and know that it truly is good for you to do. It's one of the forms of social media that is good to use when branding, and building your business. Don't forget, you don't have to have a business to blog either. Many do it to share with family, and others too. 

Thanks for sharing time with LilacsNDreams today, and hope to see you again soon. Take care, and have a Happy Day!

Writing Your Listings or Descriptions For Your Products

Writing Your Listings or Descriptions For Your Products that you are offering for sale online.

Welcome to LilacsNDreams, and happy to see you!

Writing Your Listings or Descriptions For Your Products is where we are going to try to focus with today's topic. This is about the text the you use that will help in advertising your product. The listing you create can help you with making your sale. 

When you write your listings you need to understand what your customer's needs are, and what they are wanting to get from your products you offer. In your listings you want to help them see the results of the product, and why they should buy it. You want to share about your products offered their size, their length, how you made it, materials used, etc etc. While doing this you also need to make your customer realize the benefit, and the pleasure of them owning your products too.

If you can help identify what the customer is hoping to gain from owning your products you offer you are letting them know that you do understand what their needs may be, and what their desires are also. You want to make this about the customer as well. 

When doing your listings it helps to think like the customer. Think about how you shop as a customer. You want your customers to be pleased, happy, and comfortable with their purchases they are receiving. 

Try to have a clear picture of how the customer will benefit, and what their end result will be with owning products you offer. Try to practice putting the customers needs first. Try to switch your focus from just making a sale to the service of your customers. 

Key elements to effective writing are the What, the Why, and the How. 

The WHAT is the basic features of what your product is, what it's made of, what it measures, and etc. This should be the first paragraph of your listing descriptions. Try to make this short, and sweet if you can as you are leading them into the Why of your products. 

With the WHY of your listing you would like to describe to your customers the benefits of of the product that you are offering. This is one place to think like the customer to help them envision them having your product, using it, and what uses they can have from it in their homes. Try to give them a picture that they can envision from your description that you are offering. You are giving them the product in their mind simply because you offered a form of a visual for them to see. 

When it comes to the HOW of your description this is where you the seller come into the picture of your listing. Pretty much here you tell the customer how you are able to answer their questions or their needs, and confirm this is why you are the person to buy from. 

When you write your listings you want the customer to feel that you understand what their needs, desires, and wants are. These types of descriptions can add to the life of your photos, and listings. Your are helping the customer envision having your product in their world.   

Remember to also visit with Lisa at Market Your Creativity to follow some of her suggestions, and what she is sharing as well.

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams, and it has been great to see you here too! Hope to see you again soon. Take care everyone, and have a Happy Day!

How to Sell With Market Places You Choose

How to Sell With Market Places You Choose

Have you chosen the market place you would like to start selling with? There are many options available out there, and you will have to choose what feels good to you. Make sure you research them a little bit before you sign onto one. 

Etsy is for handmade, upcycled repurposed, vintage, art, and supplies. An alternative to this is Artfire. Etsy has really taken off from where it started back a few years ago when there was just 400,000 active sellers which it is now up to more than a million, and counting. Other alternatives to look into would be Ebay, Amazon, Storenvy, Indiemade, Zibbet, Ecrater, and there is plenty more to consider. It depends on the type of products you intend to sell, if you want to sell straight out, or if you prefer auctions like what is offered at Ebay. Some will be free to list, some will have small final value fees, some will offer different payment processors that you can choose to offer with your shops, and many other things. 

Once you have chosen the place you would like to start with, and have set up shop with your shop name, policies, shipping, and etc. You will then want to get started with pictures of your products for you listings. Make sure that your pictures are bright, crisp, and clear. With good pictures your products will be noticed. Remember that the photos are a very important part of your customers first impression when they visit your shop. 

Next you will want to work on proper listings for your products you are offering. Remember as you do this that the customers cannot touch the product you offer. So, you will have to describe a physical experience for them. If you do not take the time to list your products properly then the customers will not give you the sale. 

Don't make your listings like they are going to be on craigs list. Customers won't go for that. They like to have the descriptions in full so that they do not have to spend all their shopping time asking you questions. Instead welcome them into your shop just like you had a physical storefront. When they click on your picture they want to feel that you have taken the time to respond to their interests. 

This is all a part of building your shop. With the early stages of your shops you will have time which is on your side for you to do things with. You could start a blog with the same shop name, or if you already have a blog maybe you would want to use that for your shop name. Use Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram. Set up some social media accounts, and spend some time establishing those places as well. As you get busier you will be able to choose the places that are more enjoyable, and that you find benefit with too. It's all a part of building your small business. 

Think about one of your favorite places that you like to visit, and shop with. Remind yourself of the atmosphere, and the surroundings it has that you so enjoy. This is what you would like to incorporate into your own shops so that your customers will want to take a part of your business home with them.  As your business grows you will refine things along the way. 

Keep in mind that the market place you choose is just a starter home for you to build with. Also, do not be disillusioned by business takes off the minute you open shop. It takes time, many things to learn, mistakes will be made, but it will grow with patience and work of it. Visit with Lisa at Market Your Creativity to learn from her experiences that she shares with everyone. 

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams in learning some ways to start our online businesses. I enjoy it, and hope to see you again soon. Have a Happy Day everyone!