Crafting & Selling - Money Talks

What Is Pinterest?

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 17:24:00 +0000

If you haven't heard about Pinterest yet, you might want to double check that you don't live in a cave. Even my mother uses Pinterest!

Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard.

"Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes. Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests."

The Mission Of Pinterest

"Our goal is to connect everyone in the world through the 'things' they find interesting. We think that a favorite book, toy, or recipe can reveal a common link between two people. With millions of new pins added every week, Pinterest is connecting people all over the world based on shared tastes and interests."

Is Pinterest Addictive

Short answer.

Yes.

Everyone who talks about Pinterest at one time or another talks about the way it can pull you in for hours. All those pretty pictures of fun things to see and do! Of course it is addictive!!! However, it can spark creativity in your brain too.

Often we get so wrapped up in all the things we have to do that we have a hard time slowing down so that the creative part of our brain kicks in to create. Browsing Pinterest is relaxing to help us slow down, but exciting enough to hold our attention.

What Can Pinterest Do For Me?

Not only is browsing Pinterest enjoyable, but it can also help you:

Meet new people - Networking
Find great blogs to follow
Host the memorable party
Redecorate your home
Plan a wedding
Pick up more traffic for your website or blog
Grow your business
Advertise your blog or business
Find your style
Save money by making things yourself
Save your inspirations
Save your patterns and recipes

Seriously, if you haven't logged on and checked out Pinterest yet, give it a try. I'm sure you will be pleasantly surprised. I'm over there too and all you have to do is click on the button below to see!

Our Own Felt Chore Chart

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 03:39:00 +0000

Contribution by Kennith Griffin

I thought it was so funny a few weeks ago when my daughter came home talking about a play date that she had at one of her friends' house. She was telling me about all the things that their family had in their house, including a chore chart. She thought it was so neat that they had a chore chart and wanted for us to make one. I thought it was too good to be true and told her I'd make one, which would mean that she had chores to do.

I decided to jump on that as soon as possible and make one. So I went online with our ISP to find some directions on how to make one. I found some to make a felt one that sounded really easy so I decided to go with that one.

My DIY felt chore chart turned out really well and my daughter was still surprised about it when I was through making it. I'm curious as to how long her excitement about doing chores will last.

MI was compensated by my friends at WildBlue.com for this guest post.

#5 Laws of Advertising

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 16:52:00 +0000

Who is in your market? What type of person do you target for your business?

Knowing your market is vital to the success of your business. Let's think about this for a moment...

Would you market golf balls to new mothers?

Would you market cloth diapers to deep sea divers?

Would you market paperback books to the blind?

Look at your product. Does the general population know that they need your product? Catch the wording...Do they know they need your product? This knowledge can result in two actions.

1. You market your product to the right audience, the general audience sees it and then buys it
2. You are a fantastic sales person and are able to convince the audience that the product is worth buying (example: the Pet Rock)

First step in advertising is to learn and know your product inside out, upside down and backwards. Here are a few questions to ask yourself about your product:

• What is it?
• What is it made of?
• How does it work?
• What is required to make it work?
• What are the dangers and precautions?
• Why do I need it?
• How will it improve my life?
• Why should I buy it from you?
• Why is it better than another product?
• How much does it cost?
• Where can I buy it?
• Can I buy it online?
• How much is shipping?
• Can I return it hassle free?
• Can I get my money back quickly?
• If I need help, how do I contact Customer Service?

When asking these questions, try to think of yourself as the customer. What kind of answers would you want to hear if you were being approached with this product?

Next, think of the people that make up the audience:

• Who is your target market?
• What is their age?
• What is their gender?
• What is their station in life (mother, widow, child)?
• What is the income of your market?

Will you need to change any of the answers to your product question based on the target audience questions? Thinking about the audience will help direct your answers to all the product questions. It is important for businesses to design their online sites with the target audience in mind. Not only should the graphics, color, font and navigation be applicable to the product, but it also must be directed towards the target audience. You must appeal to the senses of the people you want to buy your product.

Always keep your target audience in mind not only when choosing a product, but also throughout the entire selling process be it face-to-face or online.

The audience is the key.

Sending Out Christmas Cards Early

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 01:00:00 +0000

Guest post written by Abigail Truman

One of the things that comes with preparing for Thanksgiving is getting our Christmas cards ready to send to friends and family. I always like to put them in the mail the Monday after Thanksgiving so that I at least have that huge Christmas responsibility out of the way.

This year though, I thought about sending out some DIY cards instead of just some store-bought ones. So I went online to figure out how much trouble DIY-ing cards would take me. As I was getting some ideas online, I ran across this website www.clearwirewimax4g.com/clearwire_coverage_maps.html and decided to sign up for one of the internet packages that were featured on it.

Well, in the end I decided to send out DIY holiday cards and got to work on them at the beginning of November. I actually got all of them made in time for addressing and stuffing them in envelopes before Thanksgiving and had them ready to mail out on the Monday afterward. I'm not sure that I saved much money by making instead of buying them, but I had a lot of fun doing it.

MI was compensated by my friends at Clearwire for this guest post.

Blue Sky Scrubs and Crafting

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 07:30:00 +0000

Sometimes I'm a very messy crafter and I usually have to wear an ugly old shirt to protect my clothing. I'm here to tell you that there is an alternative!

There is an alternative. Wear nursing scrubs when making your crafts! They come in so many different colors! You will find them to be extremely comfortable and easy to clean. They are so versatile and you won't have to worry about messing up your other clothes.

Cheap scrubs from Blue Sky Scrubs can be thrown in the wash and dried in the dryer. It doesn't get better than that and you know it if you wash as many loads of laundry as I do.

Scrub clothing is really the way to go. I was thinking about all the money I would save because I tend to splatter paint and get glue stuck where it isn't supposed to be - namely, my clothes! I'm ready to jump over and buy the Original Scrubs because they are not only inexpensive, but they also look great with...:

stitching on both back pockets of the scrub bottoms
stitching on the pocket of the scrub top
scrub pants are between a flare-leg and a boot-cut
scrub tops are tapered at the waist

Obviously, they are cute and I also love the family all dressed alike. I love the uniformity of it all especially since I can throw them all in the same load of clothes. The scrub tops and scrub pants would obviously be comfortable to work in if you are in the medical field, but I think a pair or two should be a staple when you craft. Since I always did crafts with the my daughter and niece, I would have just loved having them wear the Blue Sky Scrubs for kids and I'm sure they would have loved them too. The fabric can take the rough and tumble of children too, so think of all the money I could have saved!

A rather fun item at Blue Sky Scrubs are the fashion-forward scrub hats and scrub caps for women. They carry three different hats:

The patented Pony scrub hat®

I wish that when Alyssa was splatter painting, we had the Pony scrub hat® to protect her hair from all the paint. Currently, this hat can be purchased in hundreds of colors and designs

The Pixie scrub hat®

The Poppy scrub hat™

Scrubs are no longer ugly, boring uniforms. Instead, they are a fashionable and stylish alternative for casual wear during many activities spanning from crafting to nursing to sleeping in them as pajamas.

I'm hooked on comfort and scrubs rank high on the comfort scale!

My opinions are valued and I was compensated by my friends at Blue Sky Scrubs for this post.

Quilting

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 03:59:00 +0000

Quilting.

Just the word conjures up lovely thoughts of hearth and home.

Quilting is a sewing method that joins three layers of material (top fabric, bottom fabric and batting) using a needle and thread. The thread is drawn through all the layers and then brought back up in simple to intricate stitches. Usually, the top layer of fabrics are cut in shapes and then joined in varying patterns.

This method of sewing can be used on blankets, throws, bedding for cribs, purses, ornaments, pictures, pillows, table runners, placemats and much more.

It takes time to quilt. The preparation alone requires precise planning and measurements. However, quilted products are often handed down from generation to generation and become family heirlooms.

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#4 Laws of Advertising

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 17:59:00 +0000

Thus far we have learned that the first three laws of advertising are:

• Take it in small bites
• Always tell the truth
• It is worth the money

Now we are on to #4 which is "Be easy to contact"

In the world of modern technology, people expect to have immediate access to information. Therefore, on every piece of company literature, all contact information should be listed:

• Email address
• Website address
• Fax number
• Phone number
• Physical business address
• Mailing address

The main point to remember is if you are going to spend the money and take the time to advertise, include the information that will bring the customer back to you!

Include tag lines and attention getting tidbits of information that leave the customer hungry for more. This will encourage them to reach out to you and when that happens, your contact information should be readily available everywhere.

Just as a side note: UPrinting is extremely user friendly and their templates enable a quick and easy design solution to many literature needs you may have for your business. I created the sample business card below in two minutes! On 3/23/10 I will be offering free postcards on The Redhead Riter blog. This could be a nice addition to your advertising media.

BLOGNTWEET...
The forum for savvy women and men!
Join here.

Are You Paying Attention To Your Customers

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 19:56:00 +0000

We all know that without customers, a business would only have their own product or service. Customers make a business. Do you pay attention to your customers?

1. Be genuine. If you can't be real, get out of business. We all dislike a phony.

2. Customer needs. Pay attention to the needs of your customer and work to fulfill them.

3. Affected. Your customers are affected by your decisions. Have you thought through the plan when you go on vacation, raise prices, change ingredients or switch styles?

4. Make it easy. The customer should not have a problem finding your or purchasing your services or products. Online shopping should be a snap without a bunch of hoops to jump through first. That can quickly deter a sale.

5. Communication. Talk to your customers. Ask questions. Seek feedback on your services and products. Is your customer happy?

6. Benefit. Ensure that your customer knows up front the benefits in shopping with your as opposed to other vendors. This will help make the sale and keep the customer.

7. Details. Pay attention to the little details. If everyone hates the color, but it is your favorite, it won't sell! See the point? Do you want to be your only customer? If someone complains, take the time to address them personally. Don't send out form letters. Do you like receiving a form letter and being a number?

These are just a few of the things that you can do to make and keep customers for your business.

BLOGNTWEET...
The forum for savvy women and men!
Join here.

Knitting Assistance

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:00:00 +0000

There is something luxurious about the softness or beauty of an item that is knitted just for you...well, as long as the person knows how to knit!

If you want to learn to knit or if you just can't remember and need a refresher, I have found a super site for you. It is jam packed with video instructional tutorials.

I know you have seen video instructions and thought, "Did this person really believe they were helping anyone?" because either their body parts blocked what they were trying to teach you or their speaking could not be heard and/or understood. The instructions at Learn How to Knit at KnittingHelp.com are clear and easy to understand.

So if you need some "knitting" "help", jump over to Knitting Help. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

There is also a market for hand knitted items. Don't believe me? Jump over to my other blog, The Redhead Riter and check out all the gorgeous knitted items you can purchase.

Other helpful links:
Free Knitting Patterns
Learn to Knit - Lion Brand Yarn

#3 Laws of Advertising

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 03:30:00 +0000

Advertising is worth the money.

When I was an Avon representative ten years ago, before they had websites for everyone, I worked hard and smart. While others would order 25 books to pass out, I ordered 3,000. That wasn't a typo. I ordered 3,000 books, 3,000 plastic covers for the books and stamped the date in red on 3,000 books after which I stamped my name/phone number in blue on 3,000 books. I could have said that in one short sentence, but I want you to get the full impact of 25 books vs. 3,000 books.

Granted, I spent a whole lot more on 3,000 books and I did not immediately see the rewards. I remained constant. Every two weeks, they found a new Avon book on their doorknob. By the third campaign, they were hooked. Out of 3,000 new homes getting the book for three weeks, I would pick up 50-100 new customers. It was a given. If I invested the time and money, I would get more customers.

You have to know from the very beginning that the only way you are going to make money is if you advertise. Advertising is not free. There are places you can advertise for free, but if you invest a little money in as many places as possible along with the free advertising, you will be better off.

In the beginning, you probably will not have unlimited cash flow. Wise spending is a must, but it also has to include advertising. If people do not know about your product, they will not buy it and you will not make money.

Calculate the numbers and set aside the amount you are going to use for advertising. Include as many different venues as possible. Advertise on bulletin boards, websites, blogs, newspapers, flyers, business cards, phone calls, emails...Everywhere!

Just remember...you must spend the money to make the money.

#2 Laws of Advertising

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:09:00 +0000

Advertisements have to include the truth. If your word isn't credible in your advertisment, the customer will not even take the time to try the product. Once you are seen as dishonest, it is hard and sometimes impossible to regain the consumers' trust. Do not make unrealistic claims about what your product can do or will do for the customer.

Cheerios claims to be toasted whole grain oat cereal and Panera Bread is baked fresh in their ovens every day. Those advertising points are the reasons that people choose Cheerios and Panera Bread over other cereals and restaurants. On the flip side, those are also the reasons that other people do not choose to consume these products. Each customer knows the truth about the products and therefore makes an informed choice.

As a consumer, we want the facts so that we can make appropriate choices. Consumers are quick to turn against companies that lie in their advertising. So after viewing the commerical below, I am sure that I will eat green apples all the time. Now what was this company advertising? (wink)

#1 Laws of Advertising

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:04:00 +0000

Advertising your business can feel overwhelming, but we can take it, just like many other things, in small bites.

What do these companies' advertising have in common (I'm going to make your brains work a bit)?

Nike

"Just Do It!"

Pepsi

"The Joy of Pepsi!"

Twister

"You can't resist the twist!"

Verizon Wireless

"Can you hear me now?? Good!!"

Yellow Pages

"Let your fingers do the walking."

M&M Candy

"The milk chocolate melts in your mouth - not in your hand."

Coca Cola

"It's the real thing."

Hershey's Chocolate Candy Bar

"There's a smile in every Hershey Bar."

American Express

"Don't leave home without it."

Campbell's Soups

"M'm M'm Good!"

Do you give up?

Their slogans are easy to remember, catchy and most of all, able to communicate the product/company's core message in three seconds or less.

Let that sink.

Three seconds or less.

Now think of your business or your blog. What is your slogan?

Does it describe your core message with a catchy, memorable phrase in three seconds or less?

Are you thinking that you don't feel very creative or aren't that big on linguistics?

Think of a few adjectives and then look them up in Webster's Synonym Dictionary at http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/book.pl?synonym.htm&2

Print all the words on a piece of paper and make copies for your family and friends. Pass them out and have everyone help you think of a slogan using at least one of those words.

You can even make it a contest. The person who creates the slogan that you decide to use gets a prize...gift certificate, favorite meal, etc.

Easier than you thought?

Copyright© - Get The Facts

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:13:00 +0000

Copyright© Facts

• Almost everything created privately and originally after April 1, 1989 is copyrighted and protected whether the piece contains a notice or not.

• Works not registered or protected under copyright, may enjoy protection by trademark or some other form of contract law.

• Your artistic works are copyrighted upon creation, as soon as they’re “fixed in a tangible medium of expression.” If you do nothing further, the law forbids others from copying that goes beyond fair use. Readers can’t take the patten and detailed descriptions you’ve posted and copy them verbatim, but can they make and sell the craft described? That depends on the copyright in the crafted object: a richly patterned sweater’s surface design could be copyright-protected, but its shape would not. Further, if you’ve published a pattern, readers probably get an implied license at least to make the craft from it. That means too, that when you’re on the other side, using someone else’s patterns, you’re free to take uncopyrightable methods and “useful articles,” but limited in taking full-blown expression. Taken from Craft Magazine at http://craftzine.com/magazine/

• Copyright for Quilters & Crafters at http://www.sylvias-studio.com/copyright.htm

• Copyright for Artists at http://www.etsy.com/shop/attorneysarah

• Creative Commons at http://creativecommons.org/choose/

The Steps to Selling Successfully

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:58:00 +0000

What is selling?

A simple definition is persuading someone to buy one's product or service.

Communication is the key.

It seems like everything we do always boils down to communication. However, honest, persuasive and clear communication is absolutely necessary to closing a sale. Following these basic steps in the selling process will ensure your success.

1. Preparation and Research
• Know your product inside out and upside down
• Know who is the decision maker
• Know the person and company
• Reinforce a positive relationship
• Know the consumer's needs
• What can you do for them?

2. The Introduction and Meeting
• Value their time and be on time
• Be friendly and smile
• Show your honesty and integrity
• Smile
• Listen intently to their needs

3. Qualify
• Question to determine needs
• The other person should talk 80%
• Gather answers to questions
• Confirm answers to questions
• Do not interrupt
• Be approachable and direct

4. The Presentation
• Appeal to their emotions
• Prove your worth
• Agree on person's needs
• Establish the connection
• Prove their need=your solution
• Clearly communicate
• Demonstrate unwavering honesty
• Use the buyer's language
• Sell yourself
• Maintain control

5. Close
• Ask for the sale
• Negotiate
• Overcome their objections
• Leave no doubt
• Answer all questions
• Their emotions=logic
• Be the "friend"
• Be source of knowledge

6. Follow-up
• Finish paperwork
• Ensure delivery
• Ensure satisfaction
• Overcome problems
• Gather more information
• Thank the customer
• Reminder of your worth
• Check back later

You've read the list and you may be thinking, "How does this apply to my online sales?"

Whether you are selling face-to-face or online, your goal is the same - Make the sale. The disadvantage of the internet is that you must have steps 1-5 in your initial presentation and meeting so be INTERESTING.

If you have the advantage of a previous relationship and friendship, the person will be more open to listening/reading your entire pitch. The most successful sales begin with a relationship.

Network. Use every means available to let your personality shine through so that your honesty is apparent. Online social networking includes Twitter, Facebook, My Space, Digg, YouTube, blogs, emails, and many more. Be engaged and ever present. The squeaky wheel really does get the grease!

Be sincere and motivated. If you are not sincere, you will appear pushy and we all do not like to be pushed into anything. Selling is not for everyone. You need to have a basic love for people and enjoy interpersonal relationships and communication.

Set your goals and remain centered and focused. Once you follow these steps and commit to your goals, let the process work. Be steady and persevere with your plan. Do not waiver or doubt your worth and value.

Success awaits you!

Diaper Cakes

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:00:00 +0000

A diaper cake is a creative gift for an expectant mother. It is a collection of diapers rolled and stacked together to resemble a traditional tiered cake that is garnished with baby care items such as pacifiers, toys, babu socks, bibs, bottles, and much more.

Using the Internet

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 06:00:00 +0000

In order for your craft to be successful on the internet, there are few steps you can take that can steadily advance your business to promote and sell your product. The computer can be your #1 selling and marketing tool.

Research

Research your product, the cost to make it, the selling price, the amount of effort to make the product and its popularity to the general public. Ensure that the product you are making or selling is a viable product.

Non-competitive sites linking to your site

Search engine spiders need to crawl your site often which is the key to getting plenty of traffic on your site. The common practice of getting back-links from non-competitive sites, the value of these backlinks (this demonstrates a quality site to the search engines) still lies in the search engine crawlers reporting back more information about your site.

Write

Enough can not be said about writing content. A little content here and a little content there will get you a little traffic here and a little traffic there. The information you write on your site should be fresh and new like the product you are selling.

Keywords

Use keywords in your meta tags, site and marketing materials. Keywords are words that people would use while searching in the major search engines for a site that sells your type of product. There are many sites that will help you find keywords and key phrases that will describe your product and are used most often. A couple are Word Tracker at http://freekeywords.wordtracker.com/ or Google Adwords at https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal

Become an author on other sites

Often other sites will not pay you for writing, however, not only do you get more visibility to the public, but you also will obtain back-links for the search engines to popularize your site and products. Enough can not be said for marketing your site through every possible way.

Social networking

This leads me to discuss social networking at sites such as Twitter, Digg, Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube. Five out of 10 social media tools evaluated in a recent study ("Community and Social Media Study," conducted by the e-commerce consulting firm the e-tailing group and online customer review firm PowerReviews) are being used by more than 50 percent of brands and retailers. This sends a clear message ---- Join forums to post discussions, meet new people, and obtain more visibility to your product. Also, social networking through sites such as Twitter are invaluable in sending links of your site and posting a very prominent display as a background. Every time someone clicks your name, the product on your background will appear with the link to your site. Fantastic marketing!

Fun

Have fun! If you are not enjoying the product you make or sell, change it. If you enjoy what you are doing, it will not only be easier to dedicate the time needed to make it grow, but it also will make you more money. You are starting from the beginning, so choose wisely. If your computer skills are weak, take a class to enhance them. The more knowledge and proficiency you enjoy while working on the internet drastically reduces the frustration thus adding to a happier mood.

Image: Macy's man selling Jones of New York

Great salesman! He definitely makes me want to buy Jones of New York!

How To Get Traffic

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:17:00 +0000

How do you get traffic to your website?

It is quite simple.

Marketing!

If you do not advertise, no one will know you exist. If no one knows you exist, no will come to your website to purchase your products.

Here are a few ways and places that you can advertise:

1. On The Crafting & Selling Blogroll

2. Write articles about your product and submit them to magazines and websites

3. Use the social media sites: Twitter, YouTube, MySpace, Facebook, Digg, Stumbleupon, etc.

4. Craft shows and trade shows

5. Email marketing with newsletter updates

6. Business cards

7. Create an interesting website(s)

8. Create relationships

9. Pay-per-click advertising

10. Discussion forums

11. Make sure that the search engines can find you with proper coding in your websites
(site maps and pings)

12. Create quality product

13. Have a great reputation for service, quality, and timely shipping from the very beginning

14. Volunteer to teach others by holding classes and writing tutorials

15. Work consistently at building your business, but do not stare at the numbers. Remember when you were a child...if you watch it constantly, nothing happens, but when you look away, it happens.

16. Be enthusiastic and confident in yourself and your product. That alone will ensure that the rest of the list is accomplished in high flair.

Which Crafts Sell?

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:19:00 +0000

Crafts that are easy to sell:

• Easy to Make
• Popular and/or Useful
• Crafts that know their niche
• Priced Correctly
• Unique
• Cost Effective

According to Ebay the top selling products are:

• Bead art
• Ceramics & pottery
• Fabric, textiles & handwork
• Painting & drawing
• Family crafts
• Traditional and old world crafts

I think that just about covers every product I can recall! Was this list supposed to tell me what to make or just inspire me towards the product I love to make?

Exactly!

Make the product that you enjoy, price fairly, advertise, find your niche and it will sell. And whatever you choose, don't give up! It will take time for your business to grow, so "patience" is the keyword.

"Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience"
~Anonymous~

Sewing Machines

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Mon, 11 May 2009 06:33:00 +0000

Sewing machines have come a long way and all I can say is, "Thank goodness!"

A sewing machine is a textile machine used to stitch fabric or other material together with thread. Sewing machines were invented during the first Industrial Revolution to decrease the amount of manual sewing work performed in clothing companies. Since the invention of the first working sewing machine, generally considered to have been the work of Englishman Thomas Saint in 1790, the sewing machine has vastly improved the efficiency and productivity of fabric and clothing industries.

Elias Howe patented his machine in 1845

Old Singer

Singerhttp://www.singerco.com/products/

Husqvarnahttp://www.husqvarnaviking.com/mediafiles/dd/launch/index_en_us.htm

Janomehttp://janome.com/index.cfm/Machines/Professional/MC6600P#Machines_Overview

Brotherhttp://www.brother-usa.com/HomeSewing/ModelDetail.aspx?ProductID=NV6000D

Pfaffhttp://www.pfaffusa.com/126_240.html

Now I want a new sewing machine!

Selling Tips

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Sun, 10 May 2009 15:59:00 +0000

1. Know the competition. Research, research, research. Become an expert in your field and with your product.

2. Be close to and face your customer. Online speak TO the customer.

3. Let your customer hold the product if in person. If online, show a lot of photos from all angles and distances. Also, add video!
4. Ask for the sale! This is key. Ask for the sale more than once.

5. Use accurate and carefully chosen keywords to describe your product.

6. Create attractive websites with flair.

7. Don't be greedy and overcharge.

8. Advertise, advertise, advertise. Remember that there are subtle ways to advertise and that you do not have to be IN THEIR FACE to get the point across. Mama Mia!

9. Know your customers and build a relationship. Relationships THEN selling the product.

10. Enjoy it or don't do it. Have fun! Buy this book: Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow: Discovering Your Right Livelihood at Amazon.com online or click http://www.amazon.com/What-Love-Money-Will-Follow/dp/0440501601

Attitude of a Salesperson

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Sat, 09 May 2009 15:58:00 +0000

How can you become a good salesperson? A key element of being a successful salesperson is often confused with concentrating on actually selling the product, but it is really about meeting the needs of the customer. This can only take place if there is a positive relationship between the salesperson and the customer.

Norman Vincent Peale said" "The most important thing I've learned in my life is that positive thoughts produce positive results and negative thoughts produce negative results." A few more key elements that make up the attitude of a salesperson are: consistency, integrity, tenacity and a strong work ethic.

Successful sales people set personal targets that exceed those formally set for them. Personal accountability and a winning, positive attitude is a strong motivating force.

Every interaction with the customer must be positive. A positive attitude begins with knowing that there are possibilities and hope no matter how the circumstances appear. When I started my own business, I had one customer...my mother. Most people looked at me and said, "Wow, you will never make any money." I didn't just see my mother...in my mind I saw my mother's co-workers, her friends, my friends, my neighbors, my neighbors' neighbors, my neighbors' co-workers, my neighbors co-workers' neighbors, and you get the picture. Yes, there were setbacks which I had to ignore and say, "Next!" because there are literally SO MANY PEOPLE.

The salesperson must believe in themselves and the products they sell which is subsequently reflected in their enthusiasm. His/Her enthusiasm during customer interactions generates trust and confidence in the customer's mind. The relationship with the customer is of utmost importance because without it, there can not be a sale.

Another aspect of being a successful salesperson is enjoying what you're doing. If you're not happy and positive, the customer will see it and most likely mistake it for a lack of confidence in your product. Besides, when you are happy IT SHOWS in everything you do, how you act and how you appear.

It is easy to teach a person the techniques of being a salesperson, but finding that person with a consistent and contagious positive attitude is priceless because their successes exponentially exceed their more hum-drum counterparts.

Welcome!

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 08:06:00 +0000

Nice to meet you!

Whenever there is an opportunity to learn something new, I am like a sponge...bit of a nerdy geek that way, but that's just me. Because of this desire to learn and because I love people, I have a very large blogroll.♥

As a matter of fact, it is so huge that I needed a very organized way of keeping track of everyone because I don't want to miss the birth of a baby, an anniversary, a cool giveaway, an exciting announcement or just fantastic information concerning people who I find interesting or who care about me. I now have six blogroll websites which originate from The Redhead Riter! The web addresses all start out the same (rr for Redhead Riter - br for BlogRoll):

My blogroll sites will also benefit you. These sites can be yet another way to get your blog out there and in front of more people. It automatically updates each time you post and pulls you to the top of the list. It is like a one-stop shopping site with all your favorites! Take a glance to your right and see how quickly you can identify who just wrote the newest posting. It makes it really easy to stay on top of the "new stuff" and helps in not visiting sites that haven't updated since your last visit. There is also that added benefit of making it really easy for me to identify new postings so that I can visit everyone and make comments! I know how you all like comments ♥

There are openings for you to advertise your site's daily snippet and posting picture or you can advertise with your site's thumbnail image. Just send me an email to express your advertising interests and visit the Advertising & PR Info tab for more information.

I will also post helpful information applicable to the site such as:

How to keep food fresh.
Recipes!
Critiquing the best appliances.
Nutrition.

I will include interviews with you so that we can get to know you better and find out how we might be of service to you. I believe that helping one another makes us better people and I want my daughter to incorporate this type of belief in her life, so I try to "practice what I preach" and lead by example. If you are interested in volunteering to be spotlighted, just send me an email.

If your blog is on "the wrong" blogroll and you would like to be listed differently, please let me know and I will be happy to make the change. I had a difficult time with some blogs determining which list was better suited for your blog. I consider this "our" blogroll, so I want to have your favorite blogs listed to make it easy for you to visit them as well. The more the merrier! I feel like this is as close as I will get to having you all together "for dinner" like a family. Let's support one another, have fun, and learn all kinds of new stuff!

Sincerely,
The Redhead Riter

Product Reviews & Giveaways

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 07:54:00 +0000

Advertising & PR Info

noreply@blogger.com (The Redhead Riter) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 06:02:00 +0000

Locations on page for advertisements:

**Ads between posts also available. Inquire for rate.

Blogroll blog location: above blogroll lists, left sidebar and footer, between posts

The Redhead Riter location: above header, right sidebar, footer, between posts

Community at BlogFrog location: above header, right sidebar, left sidebar, footer

Size of advertisement:

All blogs:

125 x 125 pixels square button (thumb)

Additional sizes available depending on the blog(s) you choose and your budget requirements

Thumbs with link back to your blog created for free with advertising on any blog

Text only ads available as well

You can send me the HTML for a button and I will link it to your home page