Building A Better You!

January 13, 2008 Interview:

Cheryl L Coccaro is my name and I am also known as the Gypsy Woman. I started my business in 1999 and decided on my business name Gypsy Woman Caravan. I am always asked about my business name and how I choose it.

Actually there is a story that goes like this:

My mother’s mother came from Latvia in Europe and fell in love with an “outsider”.  She was forbidden to see him and married another. Her love was always for the gypsy-man who she could never be with. My mom told this tale to me this when I was a little girl and I remember wishing that someday I could be a Gypsy-Woman and fall so much in love.

 Well, what you wish for becomes true. When I was 17 years old, I met my husband and was married him 7 months later. This was done without the approval of my mom and dad.

Today, I am the Gypsy-Woman. on eBay and yes, I am still in love after 43 years with my man.

Why Did You Start Your Business?

I decided to start an Internet business in order to make some extra part-time income.

My husband was between jobs after a company layoff and I needed to find an outlet for my frustrations and my inability to do anything about his situation.

Did You Have Any Previous Training?

Other than being an organized person, I really had no previous experience on how to start a business. I was skilled on using a computer and that was something I enjoyed.

I was employed by a dentist for 22 years as his front desk assistant and on my lunch hour, I been making earrings using glass beads with costume findings. The women in my building would stop by on their way back from lunch to see what my latest creation and it became known as the “Earring of the Day”. My creations were selling as fast as I could make them and I was thrilled. My thoughts were, hmmm…if I could sell them on eBay http://tinyurl.com/ytagkn  and perhaps make in some additional income.

Selling on eBay was my first avenue of income, mostly from the sale of my earrings for the low price of $2.99. Just simple glass beads with costume findings. I told a tale that was woven with mystery and lore from the Gypsy-Woman. and each auction became an act of creativity with me writing a compelling auction along with a great tale.  I was “selling and telling”.  Along with creating desire and appeal in the auction text, I wrote in a way to compel the reader to want to make their bid. My writing created a desire for them to want to own my earrings, and have the tale I told apply to their life. 

I visualized them wearing a jewelry creation of mine and the auction sold. Below is a picture of one of my earrings that I first sold on eBay.

Simple glass beads with costume findings.

Others sellers were selling similar items, but mine promised love, luck, success, and sexiness to the wearer.

Gypsy Woman Caravan soon became a reality with a heart and soul. I was filled with desire to learn all that I could about “how to sell”.  eBay was tricky and I studied other winning auctions to see how they differed from mine. I made changes to the template I used; I picked my auction apart line by line and made it better.   I had discovered a creative outlet for my inability to change what I could not, and to change what I could.  

I offered a promise of hope, love and beauty to the wearer and I created a compelling tales to let the wearer feel the benefits of owning my jewelry, after all, I am the Gypsy-Woman.

I need a logo and it needed to be different. This logo I have used for the last 8 years and I created it myself.

 

My Website Logo

 

 

An Artist from the Very Beginning

Growing up, I loved crafting and would always be designing, drawing, painting, molding and even wood working. I was constantly recycling and making pieces of art. My mother told me I assembled my own art desk when I was 10 years old.

As a child I loved going to summer school for the Arts & Craft classes. If there was crafting to be done you would find me there.

Both my parents often told me that there wasn’t anything I couldn’t do, if I wanted to do it. Everything was within my reach; all I had to do was make it happen.

I developed from an early age the “Just Do It” mentality which became part of my life. I was so lucky to be brought up with this “You Can Do It “attitude.

How to Create a Product from an Idea

Product #1

Some ideas for my new ventures come from the questions I see on different jewelry making forums. One example is my unique jewelry display item. Someone made a post, ”Has anyone seen a display ear that could be used at shows and craft fairs to display earrings and ear vines?” There was no response.

I had not seen an ear as a display in any supplier catalogs. They carried hands, feet, busts, but no ears. I thought to myself, I could design an ear and then market it. The My Perfect Ear – Earring Display http://tinyurl.com/5rthy was created using my own “perfect” ear as my mold.

My Perfect Ear Earring Display

Before I proceeded with this idea, I completed a search at the US Copyright Office http://tinyurl.com/jn5pu  to see if someone had already filed for a Copyright for this type of item. Nothing showed up in my search, so I proceeded with the application along with the mold and took an impression my own ear. You need to submit either a photo or the actual piece with your application.

Appling for a copyright to protect myself was the first business step to take. To go ahead and make the item, buy the web name, secure a hosting site, become so invested in this new venture only to find out that it had already been created would be a waste of my time.  I needed the security and protection and to apply is not expensive. The application fee was only $30.00.

It took a few months before I received an approval confirmation of my copyright in the mail; then I created the web site, sales page and secured the hosting site.

 My earring display has been quite successful and I have been contacted by a large jewelry supplier for the purchase of my product and its copyright ownership.

Product #2

Another of my business product items was also a direct result of a jewelry forum question, ”What to use to carry your jewelry creations to beauty parlors and consignment shops or to work to show others? I faced this same problem. I used a cosmetic bag in my purse to transport my creations to work for my co-workers to see.

After searching the Internet for products that were currently available, I found that they did not meet my needs. I wanted a case that looked pretty, elegant and sophisticated and gave the appearance of carrying something valuable and special was inside. I read that others use a zip lock type of plastic bag and this would be a step up in quality.

I wanted something different, something pretty; so without a pattern to follow, I drew a plan out on paper, cut it out of some fabric I already owned and made a prototype travel case.  I liked it and it was just perfect to show the new “Earring of the Day”

This became my next business venture and I called it.” My Jewelry to Go” travel case.

http://tinyurl.com/cm975

I knew that this was a “good product” when I heard the excitement in my co-worker’s voices when I took this case from my purse to show my latest creation. Not only were they excited about my jewelry, but my case too!

To know when a creation is a success, just watch the reaction from others when you show them your jewelry; when it’s a winner…others are just as excited as you.

My Jewelry To Go Travel Case

I learned to sew as a child from my mother who was a good seamstress and extremely frugal. She sewed all her own draperies and set up her old Singer Featherweight sewing machine on her dining room table. I still have this machine and it still in working condition.

My Mother’s Singer Featherweight Sewing Machine

Her dining room became a very friendly place for me to create and sew my own clothes. As a teenager, I had a race with time before my date would arrive…if I could finish and wear my sewing project before it was time to leave.  Most times I made it!

Do I have any tips for mass producing items?

I would have to say, you really need to know the exact creating process before you go ahead and offer the item for sale. Think it through and brainstorm the idea.

Since I sew my travel cases to order, when I first started to sell them, I offered a special deal to the viewers of the jewelry making forums I belonged to. I was swamped with over 60 orders and this was my first “production” run, I felt so overwhelmed. I needed to take a step backwards and think about the whole assembly process. I needed to be organized.

What I discovered was I needed to sew each part of the case at the same time before proceeding to the next step. Before I knew it, all 60 cases were completed at the same time. If you are producing multiple items, learn from me.

Do all the same steps at the same time in an assembly line format.

You can also use this method when creating one style of jewelry and you plan on making more than just one. Cut all the wires first, gather together your beads and create project trays. You can use foam meat trays that have been cleaned, or ask for some at your supermarket.

Also ask at your local pizza restaurant, if you can buy some of the personal size pizza boxes. They stack easy and make working on your project easier and very organized.

Product Packaging

The packaging of your jewelry item is actually another part of your design process.

You need to find what standard size packaging is currently available, and if you can use it for your items. If it not, why not modify or make changes to your item so it will fit? Don’t reinvent the wheel if making a few small changes in your design plan will make it fit.

With my travel case, I used prepackaged cellophane bags available in the candy making department of my craft store. My case size was a perfect match for the cellophane bag, so I was in luck.

Another product design change was needed for my jewelry pieces. I wanted to only buy one style of cotton lined jewelry box with a clear top.

Clear Top Jewelry Box

I created a tri-fold card which fits into the jewelry box perfectly. On the back of the card I typed my contact information and also the type of material I used in the creation of the jewelry piece. I prelisted all the types of metals I used along with the types of materials like Dichroic Glass and Polymer Clay.

I also put a small square check off box allowing me to indicate the materials I used and also left a blank line to write in any products that were not already listed. Having everything listed saves me time and it looks extremely professional. A bonus is an improvement over my handwriting. Adjust the length and width to fit and you can get 3 per page. I printed these out on quality card stock paper.

How I created this jewelry card was to take your jewelry box and measure the inside and design your jewelry card to fit slightly smaller than the inside measurement.

The advantages are you will only need to purchase one size box, save money and storage space. I found that this was extremely helpful not only in being organized but if you purchase the clear top box, you are able to see exactly what is inside. No more opening each box to “see” what’s inside…you will already know just be looking.

All Ventures Are Not Successful

When asked if I have always been successful, I must be honest and say no.

I created several business ventures that were a flop. The idea was a good, but there was little or no interest shown during in my testing phase. My initial monetary outlay was only $20 for the purchase of the domain name and web site hosting. So after a few months with no interest, I moved on to another project.

My attitude has always been… nothing ventured, nothing gained.  I just said to myself it was time to move on to my “Next” venture.

Be Organized

Since I handle all aspects of my business by myself, I have found that you need to be organized. Your time is money and time spent looking for a finding, paper, note, orders, packaging is time wasted. You need to be on top of things and try to have a place for everything.

Ideally, you should have a set place to do your computer work along with an order book to write your orders. For your papers, you can use a stationary style A-Z folder like the one shown below available at office supply stores on the Internet.

A-Z File Folder

http://tinyurl.com/2qed57

Let me share some photos of my office area which is about 10’ x 10’, small but concise and functional.

My Photography Area

My photography setup shown with a light tent; additional props are close by, and I have two lights on each side of the photo cube. In addition you need a place to create your jewelry and another to take your photos. Keep your photo props readily available in this area.

My Mailing Area

Desk return is used as my mailing center station. Tape, bubble wrap and postage scale are all within my reach. I try to keep this area neat as it makes it so easy to package up my orders.

Postal Chart – If you need a postage chart use the one available on my web site.  

 http://tinyurl.com/2yuozo

 

Also a postal scale and a return address type stamp. Keep them all together so they can be within easy reach. I use Stamps.com for my postage needs. No trips to the post office for me.

http://tinyurl.com/25otqd

The Office Area

Anytime you have to stop and move items to make room to take a photo, or ship your item, then to move it again to package items, you are just wasting time. Try to carve out an area to do each of the steps in an organized way and you will be more productive and have a sense of accomplishment when the task is completed.  You need a smooth process so it does not seem like work and is done easily.

My Computer Desk

Important items from left to right, are my rolodex (contains my passwords), a black & white printer, my sales book, my thumb drive used for to backups, my computer, behind my computer is my credit card machine, next is my mouse, a calculator, a color printer scanner, my headphones on top of printer, and my digital camera device for uploading my pictures.

Six file drawers hold all necessary paper work; above the file drawers is my photo cube. Inside the cube is a piece of cloud design poster board which creates a perfect sweep behind my jewelry.

Notice the tripod on its side waiting for my camera to be attached. I have several busts one in cream color and one in black and a jewelry polishing cloth. I used a desk top without legs placed on top over the drawer cabinets.

http://tinyurl.com/ysl5sg

A desk return is used as my mailing center station. Tape, bubble wrap and Priority Mail flat rate envelopes are all within reach.  

A postage scale and return address stamp are available if needed. I try to keep this area neat as it makes it so easy to package up my orders.

 

Blue Sky & White Clouds Background Paper used inside Table Top Studio Cube

Below are 2 examples of how I take my photos. One is a professional setup and one not:

       

This photo light box is set up in my office area upstairs in my home bonus room, and the other is simply my dining room chair placed near the patio door. I used a tissue box cut apart for the background paper.  

 

The picture of my polymer clay rose ring taken on the dining room chair.

I found the best time taking photos in the mid morning to mid afternoon. This time of day gives my camera the perfect light needed. You should try taking test photos at different areas in your home by different windows and see what which location gives you the best contrast with little or no shadows.

Make a chart with times and location to refer to so you always take a great shot.

The Best Internet Product

If you have a product that is informational such as an eBook, or a tutorial, set it up so that can be downloaded after your customer has paid automatically.

An ideal product is an informational product can be totally hands free. Once the item is written, a sales page is made, and a buy now button created.  This type of business runs by itself and does not need any tending.

The secret to being hands free is right after payment is made; the payment web site brings the product/article from your site directly to them in a download format.

The benefits of being hands free are having the payments be deposited directly into Pay Pal’s  http://tinyurl.com/yv3zdy  account. Once set up it is effortless.

I feel that everyone needs to have at least 1 informational product. There are so many talented people who have a lot to share with others that they will pay to have that information. It is a win/win situation.

Ask yourself, what can you share with others? What are you an expert on that once put together as a saleable product can bring to you some additional part time income? What can you write about that will help others?

Think about it and then contact me. ( cherylcoccaro@comcast.net )  and we can work together and can your own eBook for you inexpensively.

Below is one of mine:

   

Multiple Sources of Income

Having multiple streams of income (http://tinyurl.com/288lxs ) is a fun approach to making money. An easy to set up affiliate site is Amazon’s site. I have set myself up as an affiliate and it was easy. This is just one way to have another source of income.

Having multiple sources of revenue is a surprise with a bonus!  It’s a lot like playing the Lottery, you never know which numbered ball will appear but you are both pleased and surprised.  When you log on to your computer and check your emails and will find that you have made a sale!  

Please know that not every idea turns out to be a winner, sometimes it’s a dud.

Just move on to the next good idea and try to make it work. Remember you have already failed it you don’t at least give it a try.

Your Own Web Site

Having your own web site http://tinyurl.com/28chbh doesn’t guarantee that you will be successful and make money.

Some web sites that offer great information are the winners, such as Rena’s Klingenberg’s site.  Sites that are informative and helpful are great and viewers return often, knowing that the information is useable, helpful and informative. Always give something away for Free or charge only penny.

Google Ad Words

If you have an informational site, sign up with Google Ad Words. After entering a few lines of coding onto your site the ads will appear. You make money when your visitors click on the links that appear on your site automatically.

Promote Your Web Site

Your jewelry site http://tinyurl.com/2aqp8s needs to be promoted everyday in some way. You just can’t create it and leave it alone. You must make updates and keep the content fresh by adding new products.

New content is what the search engines like and stale sites, no one appreciates.  Make sure you have used Meta tags and Meta keywords which assist the robots when they crawl your web site. Each page needs a different set of keywords which reflect the information on that particular page.  Don’t forget that good photos are another important feature.

Your Website & eBay Photos

Many web sites I visit, I find the photos are too small and very difficult to see. When your visitors arrive at your site, you only have a few seconds to catch their eye and make them want to stay.

If your site is easy to see and navigate your visitors will stay longer. If your photos are small and fuzzy, they might feel that it is not an easy site to view, lose interest and click on to the next site.  If you want them to stay you will need to dangle a bunch of carrots in front of them starting with great photos.

Turn Your Mistakes Around

Another source of income came as a result of a very poor decision I made back in 2002.

I wanted a web site for my jewelry and I didn’t know how to create it myself. So I signed up with a respected wire artist who also was into multiple streams of income and used his web designer. After I had paid for the site, I found out that the two business gentlemen were no longer in agreement and they had parted ways.

My failure was in taking too long in getting back to them with my content items and getting my site published. In all fairness, I failed to complete my part of the process, in the allotted time that was given to me. After being offered at no charge, an alternative, I found the monthly costs were out of my budget.

I promised myself that I would learn how to create web sites and offer my services to other jewelry makers.  I have developed the “Just Do It” mentality and it has paid off.

NewEasyWebsite.com http://tinyurl.com/nfvu9 is the direct result of that failure which I turned into another of my successful ventures.  I am pleased to say that I have created all my own web sites and quite a few for others, too.

You should consider what it will cost you monthly to host your site, and I recommend to others to select the one I use.

For all my hosting needs the most inexpensive yet reliable web hosting company site is http://tinyurl.com/dhp67 . It is only $15.00 a year, not per month!

I searched and searched and found this site to be the most affordable hosting site proving that it can be within almost everyone’s budget.

 Copy me, I don’t mind at all.

How Do You Spend Your Time?

When asked how much time I spend tending to my businesses, I must admit that whatever amount of time I do spend… all of it is totally enjoyable.

Typically, I spend an hour in the morning, and the evening tending to the huge amount of emails I receive. Then I browse the forums I visit daily, looking for questions that I might be able to answer. Or if there are inquiries for help, I jump in and offer whatever assistance I can.

If a tutorial is needed, I quickly create one, add it to my jewelry web site, upload the page, and then post that the information can be found to bring the viewers back to my site. I do that by giving the link where the information can be found that I am offering.

This gives my web site new content and also increases the traffic. I also change my signature on the forums to reflect the new content. Most times I do not charge for my tutorials as I believe in the saying, “In Giving and You Shall Receive”.

In the early afternoon, I create jewelry, or if an order for my travel case is received, I will sew; or mold an earring display.  I do not stock these two items as each item is made to order.

Each of these steps takes less than 1 hour each, so there is plenty of time to do other things like walk the beach and pick up shells for my upcoming jewelry site called

www.MyCapeCodJewelry.com. Look for it early spring 2008 when you will find beautiful and unique wire wrapped Wampum Shell Jewelry.

My jewelry sales are quickly handled as all items when completed are carded and boxed in the clear top jewelry box. I select the item by matching up the item number with the sold item number, print the receipt, pack and mail. I usually do not have to clean the jewelry piece as I include a small anti-tarnish 1 inch square of paper purchased from ArtBeads.com.

1” Square of Anti-Tarnish Paper

Having everything clean, carded and boxed up makes it super easy. Just print the receipt, insert in a bubble wrap padded style envelope, or I use Priority Mail Flat Rate envelopes which are free from the US Postal Site

No trips to the post office to mail my items as I print my postage directly from my computer.  I leave the packages in my mailbox for my letter carrier to pick up. It is so easy because I have everything ready to go.

How Busy Are You?

I do not have one time that is busier than another time. No “busier time” or a “dead/slow time” of the year as my sales are pretty well paced through out the year.  I do manage to list some items on eBay weekly to bring visitors to my about me page. eBay has rules that won’t allow you to have links within your auction to outside of the eBay site, but you are able to have links on your about me page. That is where I link to all my sites.  

Do you know that your about me page can be your best salesman! Check out mine.  http://tinyurl.com/ytagkn

Feel free to take a peek at my page and copy me if you would like. I don’t mind at all.

Prepare, Promote & Give Away a Lost Leader

The competition on eBay is one that is constantly changes and grows daily in numbers. It is very common for people to think that they can simply listing their item on eBay and have it sell. It is no wonder that they are disappointed when their item doesn’t. 

There is a definite method to selling on eBay, and certain steps tasks must be done. Some steps even need to be completed before you start to sell. You need to be prepared to wait for the results and you also need to promote your auctions. Why not list a “lost leader” item.  

A “lost leader” item is one you are prepared to sacrifice, knowing that you might not get the dollar value you want and that is acceptable to you. Be prepared to “give it away”. This item should be priced under $10.00 so you can benefit from the listing fee schedule and list it for as little as 75 cents. Below is an example of a “lost leader” item:
 
 Simple Glass Beads with Costume Findings

How To Sell Your Jewelry Creations on eBay

My eBook, Easy Internet Selling,  http://tinyurl.com/59lnl gives tips and techniques to help you sell; drive traffic to your site; and create some part-time income. I share all the tips and techniques with you I personally use to help sell on eBay consistently. I have 5 user ids on eBay and use the different id’s to sell particular items.

What To Do To Help Your Items Sell

Yes, there will be times that your item doesn’t sell and times they do. Are you worried that eBay fees are taking all your profits?

Do you know that you benefit whether or not your have a successful auction? Do you know how many visitors you gained from your auctions and the people viewing your about me page?  

When you list an inexpensive item, you receive a lot of lookers, and those lookers are unfamiliar with you, they will check out your about me page. Not only is your about me page helping others feel more comfortable doing business with you but it is your most valuable technique to making web site sales.

From your links on this page, you entice the viewer to see more and when they click on your link, they are leaving the eBay site. So what is happening is you are getting a lot of traffic directly from eBay. How great is that!

Without having a listing every week, buyers will have a difficult time finding you on eBay. You want to capture your Buyers email and notify them when you have new items listed.

Often repeat buyers will seek you out when their first transaction was perfect. They will bookmark your seller’s auctions and be notified every time you list an item.

Do you know how many visitors your auctions bring to your Etsy site? or How many people have “bookmarked” your site and plan to follow up with you later?

Without an about me page, you are losing potential buyers big time. Remember that each link you have on your about me page means more exposure for your site and the opportunity for more sales.

Back End Sales

Say if you list an earring auction and someone makes a bid and wins; do you send a “Congratulations You’ve Won” my auction email?

You should always ask a similar question to gain more sales. The golden arches of the fast food world always ask ”shall we Super Size your order for you?” Why not copy the big guys.

Counters

You should be putting counters on each link you set up to track your progress and by doing so, you will be able to know just how much traffic you are receiving from your about me page.

One tip is to TEST and KEEP TESTING and find out what will work for you.

If what you are currently doing is not working, change one thing, and TEST again and again.  Remember, only change one thing, otherwise you will not know what change is working.

Boutiques & Consignments

Presently I do not have any items selling in boutiques or in consignment shops. Living on Cape Cod makes our tourist season in the summertime. I will be approaching shops in late May for consignments and right now I am busy creating jewelry items in anticipation of the upcoming season.  To see a FREE sample consignment contract visit this page. http://tinyurl.com/29rdhv

Goals – You Did Make Some Didn’t You?

Time management is critical. Each year I set my GOALS right after Christmas day.  I might plan to write a new eBook, or start a new web site during the New Year. Typically the time is right as things are slow, funds have been spent over the holiday and setting new goals is an ideal way to “jump start” my New Year.

In 2008, my goal was to create a new self help eBook, so between Christmas and New Years Day, I sat down and wrote and published “Building a Better You” It was finished  on January 2^nd and you can read about it on my own newly created web site sharing my name.   http://tinyurl.com/2ddv8x.

I share about how your attitude and what you think about and how being positive and confident is the one important KEY to my success.   The New Year has just begun and I was successful as I had already achieved my first goal. Success is bound to follow as one success builds on the other.

Positive Thinking & Visualization 

In 1974, I attended a 3 day course on positive thinking and using the visualization techniques to achieve what you want out of life.  This course, called the Silva Method http://tinyurl.com/2drcjq was life altering to me.

The Silva Ultra Mind System is the latest of Jose Silva’s work. (His earlier work was known as Silva Method or Silva Mind Control Method). This technique is about discovering your purpose in life and using your creative energies to fulfill this purpose.

A life built around a greater purpose is a life that is truly fulfilling and exciting. You learn to reach deep levels of your mind using advanced audio exercises developed by Jose Silva. While at these levels of mind they will teach you various techniques you can use to empower yourself and move you toward your purpose and goals.

Not only will you know how to create a positive belief system and also how you can use visualization to accelerate what it is you desire.  Visualize what you want and write it down times and look at it often through out the day, until you obtain it. I use the some of techniques every single day without fail.

When in the classroom you learn a series of specific self management techniques to help you overcome any impediment to your happiness and help you achieve your life’s missions. You apply it each day and you will benefit tremendously. You discover what your mission in life is. Mine was to teach others and I totally enjoy my mission.

Visualization, mental rehearsal, stress management, and intuition are as much a part of a training regimen as diet, exercise, and practice of a sport. The Silva System allows instant access to these mental techniques and you can easily recreate the learned techniques by yourself.

In this course you learn to imagine having intuition that can always help you make the right decision and point you towards your mission in life.

Imagine having intuition that knows what lies ahead, and has the ability to lead you to success, happiness and fulfillment.

With The Jose Silva Ultra Mind ESP System, you can learn to use your mind in a more powerful way…to communicate with others better, to tap into your intuition easier, to enjoy success, happiness and health and to help others do the same! 

http://tinyurl.com/2drcjq

I can truly say that this method has changed my life over the last 34 years. Oh, I know, you are saying…are you always positive? Don’t you ever get down, feel negative and aren’t you unsure of what you future brings? All I can say is when those time do appear, I quickly try to find the positive in any situation and turn it quickly around.

Here a link to my Amazon Store where you can find self help books including those about The Silva Method.

http://tinyurl.com/2xv8k6

My Personal & My Business Life

Managing my business and my personal life is easy as I consider them as one. I am who I am, and what I do is what I do. I’m always handing out my business cards every chance I get; and I wear my jewelry always and when I receive a compliment say “Oh, thank you, it is available on my web site. Here is my card.”  I really don’t push but when the opportunity presents itself, I am not shy to say…”Google me”.

When you have multiple businesses you need to decide what action to take first and what item can wait. Every item should be given a letter of importance: A, B, or C. 

A’s are most important and must be done first, then B’s. If time permits then you can complete C’s. The next day, if the B item was not done, it is now becomes the A item and must be done. The C item now becomes the B item and so the method repeats it self daily and new lists are formed. Try to complete each item, each day in this manner and before you know it everything been completed on the list.

It is all about the “to do list” and more importantly crossing off the items when they are completed.

Ways of Promoting Your Business

Different ways of promoting your Internet business can vary from business type to business type.  For starters I suggest that you start a Blog. I use this site called Word Press and I must admit that this is new for me this year.

You guess it’s, another one of my goals. I’m not an expert on this technique, but I am willing to learn. I guess I will be applying what I learn in my upcoming postings. Why not “tag” along and watch me?  http://tinyurl.com/38tokf

This form of marketing is known as “social interacting” and is the “new and hot” way to converse with others. Faster than email, Blogging reaches out to others by using “tag words”. 

Make sure you post daily and make sure your posts are interesting and informative. Do show your jewelry creations, share what is special about them, perhaps a technique on how to recreate the piece.

Make your posting helpful and informative and others will be back again to see what’s new.

Forum Signatures

Do create a signature that contains all your web sites, Blog’s link, Etsy’s link and eBay auction links. You will receive a lot of traffic on your Blog.

Remember it is human nature to be curious about others and what they are doing. So be prepared to see an increase in your counters.   A plus is when another crafter’s Blog directly links to your web site or Blog and you gain a lot of hits. This traffic pulls your sites up in the search engines and you will be found easier.

Search Engine Optimization

Summiting your web site to search engines should be done on a regular basis. One method can be done for free, another you can pay to have it done.

I choose my web hosting site because they will do it for you. Just select the option and enter the keywords, just one click of a button and you’re submitted to the top 8 sites.

I have found this feature to be true timesaver and another good reason to use them for all your web hosting needs.

Mailing Lists

I have a form on my jewelry web site for others to join my mailing list. This form is simple to set up and in 2008 I plan on using an auto responder to boost my business.

Last year I started last year gathering subscribers and I will this year be implementing this marketing strategy.  I plan on using Aweber as my auto responder and I just joined in January.  http://tinyurl.com/yvfosx

This January 2008 nearly 10 years in the making, Aweber is celebrating the fact that they have over 30,000 active customers!  

I look forward to the success it will bring to my business and hopefully someday I will have that many members!

Affiliates

My eBooks are available on my web sites and also on CLICKBANK. I have some affiliates that help promote my eBooks.

http://tinyurl.com/2aeek7 .

In addition to the other sites I own, the ones that will most likely be the most profitable will be the ones that have affiliates associated with them.  Using affiliates to promote your informational product increases your sales tremendously.

You benefit by the affiliates using their mailing list to promote your product, and like a virus, your product is spread from mailing list to potential buyers – multiple times.  

Although you are giving up a percentage to the affiliate, you will find that it is worth it. I don’t see how you could reach all these potential customers by yourself.  Affiliates are a “good thing”!

CLICKBANK & CBMall

Join CLICKBANK http://tinyurl.com/2aeek7 as an affiliate and begin promoting all the informational products that are available on their site. The cost for an affiliate is free; 

In addition this other site, CB Mall http://tinyurl.com/25qnhq  gives you, for a small one time fee, your own web site link with your affiliate link embedded in each item.

You benefit from sales by others clicking and making a purchase through your site.  This is an easy way to make some additional money without a lot of work. My site has been quite profitable for me.  http://tinyurl.com/25qnhq

EBay & Etsy

Selling on eBay has it pluses and minuses. Every day new changes are made to the site, and they are changing guidelines, rules and regulations.

eBay is flooded with sellers and not all are the good kind. Always answer any questions eBay may have for you when you log on to their site. They will never contact you with an email asking you to log on from the email. This type of email is known as “Phishing” and it always means trouble with a capital “T”.    http://tinyurl.com/2yozwm

Do you know that eBay has twice as many buyers as sellers? For the price of one auction, 75 cents for a $9.99 and under item, you can’t beat that low price for inexpensive advertising.

The way you get the most from your auction listing is not with your auction, but what you do with your about me page. This page is your best sales feature offered for free from eBay and the one that most people do poorly with, or neglect totally.

To keep up with the changes it is important that you visit the boards in the community section and be sure to check the box in your profile to receive all updates and important messages.

Most messages will remain in your seller’s account in the Message folder. Remember, you do need to sign in frequently to see these messages. After 90 days they expire and can’t be seen.

Who Is the Competition?

Does eBay have any competition? Well, yes. eBay sellers who were not successful with their auction listings have migrated over to the Etsy.com site.

Now the Etsy site is flooded with sellers selling their handcrafted jewelry. I found the site difficult to look browse all the jewelry listings available. I would suggest that if you do sell on Etsy, choose an item that is unusual and not found on other stores listings.

Do make daily listings to constantly bring your store to the forefront view and make your items more visible.

What is nice about Etsy.com is the way they have set up its appearance to be like a web site. You are restricted from putting any HTML coding in your listing, and have restrictions how your site appears. Etsy want the appearance of all shops to be” universal and generic”. Check out mine:  http://tinyurl.com/28adfj

You need to be creative with your photos. One tip I can offer is for you to create a photo .jpg with your web site name and use that photo as one of the five that they allow in each listing. This way, you are promoting and selling at the same time.

Additional Reading

If you are interested in have a business with multiple streams of income, I would recommend this book available here.

http://tinyurl.com/2gxjyt/8

This book was extremely helpful to me in providing what is involved with having multiple sources of income avenues.

Conclusion

Multiple sources of income are nothing more than having to repeat the same steps done in one business, and repeat it for the others. As you can tell I am extremely confident about my businesses and their success.

Every day I look up and see my Goals card and I visualize myself succeeding. For reinforcement, each day I spend a few minutes looking at my Goals and visualize myself attaining these goals. I “see” myself completing the tasks and crossing a line through them. As they are achieved I see myself moving onto the next one.

Multiple sources of income businesses are like going to a horse race. I am rooting for a winner, and all my horses are winners. The question is which one horse comes in first through the gate. What I do know is I am the owner so I am automatically a winner.

My plans are for another eBook a little later on this year. It will be about helping others develop their own informational product and also a new jewelry web site selling wire wrapped wampum jewelry.

In the meantime, why not “see” yourself being successful in whatever you do. Ask yourself these questions:

What is your mission in life and are you on the right track to let success shine? What would you like to share with others?  What can you write about that is interesting and informative. Everyone has a story.  What is yours?

Remember to be successful you need to “see” yourself already making it. For many artists, often what is holding them back from selling their work and living their dream is themselves. They allow self doubt to enter their mind, and reinforce it by allowing it to remain instead of replacing the negative with a positive.

Your mind will achieve whatever you believe. So why not believe in yourself and your success, I do.

May your life give you exactly what you focus on…I “see” it happening already.

Cheryl Coccaro