Thursday, September 13, 2012

Power Interview with 1treeyoga

In the world of Etsy, I find it so fascinating that a website such as Etsy can bring so many people together. As Promo123Love has grown and have grown together during the busy summer of 2012 it has been so exciting to get to know such kind heart'd people in this community.

My focus of Promo123love this whole time has been to have the team grow small & with each other. I love what we have become in the 8 months time. This summer was a networking fiesta!!!! Thank you all for hard work in promoting one another.

This blog is the 1st of the Power shop interviews. For the 1st power interview the timing could not be more perfect. For our leader Pam from shop recreated1 has chosen Teresa from 1treeyoga to be our spotlight shop for 9-11 <-> 9-17.

Click on photo's to reach listings

Need a little zen in your life? Stop on by and relax with Teresa from 1treeyoga , where you can find bags to fit your yoga mats in, jewelry, and more.

What's your favorite part about the Etsy community?
1.Definitely teams are my favorite part of the etsy community. The people in my teams have helped me a great deal. Their support through promoting, answering business questions and just being a friend is priceless.

What would people most be surprised to learn about you?
2. I think people would be surprised to learn that I come from a Catholic family of eight children. My parents practiced yoga when I was young. We had the Bible and Gita on the same shelf. And so here I am loving all ways of life. Co-exist : )

If there was one craft in this world that you would love to learn what is it and why?
3. This is hard!!! I love so many crafts. The first thing that came to mind was wood working. I think it is so cool how people can make the wood into something else like a persons face or an animal. Also I love trees. Maybe it's the nature part of the wood.

If you could travel anywhere where would it be and whom would you bring?
4. I would love to travel to a beach any beach. Beaches are so relaxing. I could sit on a beach all day just listening to the ocean and feeling the suns rays. Funny of all the places in the world I still pick the beach. I go each summer to SC Myrtle beach and live five minutes from a small beach. (North beach MD) I would bring my wonderful husband and maybe my two children could tag along.

When did you start creating handmade items for sale?
5. I first started making crafts for sale over 20 years ago. I worked in a craft shop. We would make wreaths, wedding items and other flower arrangements.

Thank you Teresa for being apart of Promo123love it's been wonderful getting to know you over the past 8 months.

Monday, July 23, 2012

New Shops For July

We have some beautiful new shops that have joined Promo123love. Worth checking these great artisans and entrepreneurs out. Here's a peak of some of the items feel free to click on the photos to connect to their shop.

Sending you a warm welcome to our team. Wishing you a great rest of the summer and happy to have you with us! Looking forward to spending some time creating some great new treasuries.

Located at the bottom are a few newly created Treasuries from some of our new members. Thank you for joining and looking forward to more promoting with you as well as getting to know you!

You can follow our team by joining our blog. As well as find our Pinterest community board at http://pinterest.com/lorna146/promo123love/

StudioPMR Shop owner Phyllis Robertson

MyWoollyMammoth Shop owner Janita Court

BillsWoodenPleasures Shop owner Bill

AmedeosBakery Shop owner Robert Roberti

ArizonaMarmaladeShop shop owner Marianne

IzzyBrie Shop owner Kara Atchison

One of Bill's Newest treasuries.

One of Janita's newest Treasuries

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Pinterest What's that?

I have been asked from both on and off line friends about Pinterest. So I thought I would blog a little about my opinion on pinning and the importance of it to a business.

I read about 5 -10 articles on Social Media and Management per day. It has really brightened my opinion about Facebook and Pinterest. I mention Facebook only because I used it a lot last 2 years. This year with all the changes for fan pages on FB. It's just not the same as it was 1- 1/2 years ago . I have found that using Pinterest has increased my views in my shops and sales by the same amount as it did last year using Facebook. You can read more on my opinion on the following blog here; My personal Note, located on my Online with Lornajane Blog I talk a lot about the changes I have made during this spring and summer.

My Pinterest Profile. Creating a warm welcoming helps people feel welcome to follow.

Don’t get me wrong I still use Facebook. Just differently now, only posting my highlights of my weeks and projects. As well as promotion treasuries for the etsy community. I Keep updated photos, links and still answer any questions. But with the changes it's just not as successful. FOR me anyways and what I do and I know others do.

I want to talk about Pinterest and the Etsy combination. I recently just helped my mom sign up because she was sent an invite and loved all the "pretty pictures" I than explained to her about the site and what you can do with it.

Our promo123love's board with over 400 pins and 200 followers with 12 pinners as a community

So quickly she became over whelmed. So I can imagine some of you are overwhelmed too!!

So with some long sleepless nights and lots of late night reading, I have found some awesome blogs and sites that I keep in my Let’s be Social Pinterest Board. I encourage some of you to look at them if your wanting to make a branding image of yourself and your business.

Some maybe, encouraging facts about Pinterest, because of Facebook's Now charging for promotion Pinterest is coming up on its tail end and capturing its Etsy seller audience.

Some of my 90 something boards, full of DIY's, personal travels, my favorite sites, Social Media updates etc.

There are over 19,261,216 increase in users in just 1 year. WOW was what I 1st thought that is a huge jump for the 448,000 of last April of 2011.

There percent of users 80/20 80 percent being women. WE all know ladies have the shopping bug. These are your potential buyers. (as well as the 20 percent men).

With proper titles to your pin and pins that lead to direct links are most attractive to the buyer eye. Clean clear photos. People want clean crisp boards.

When I first started pinning I pinned almost anything I saw. But quickly learned that there is alot of pinning "rules" out there. Your followers when log in see what you have pinned with in the past 24 hours. If you have some one that follows you that only follows 20-100 people and your a power pinner. Just think do would you want to see the same thing over and over. Would you want to click on a link that doesn't lead anywhere?

I call this Taste full pinning. I try to pin at least 2-3 times a day, I mix up my pins. Do i actually read my pins YES!! I do I go and look at the blog or website before I pin something. Did I do that before NO I didn't I just liked it so I pinned it. I have cleaned up most my boards but still have some work to do.

Here are some of my pinner advice:

Select appropriate pins for your branding image on you and business is all about. If you sell "art" make your "own" creations board. As well as a few other art boards. Share your favorite artist, share what kind of mediums you use.
Etsy- there is so much on etsy, so many team boards going are out there too!! lots of pinning going on. My main focus has been our board as you can see it has the most pins. I also pin across my boards. I have a "vintage etsy finds board" I add Jewelry to my jewelry board. I also have a body products board, etc. - So I pin threw out the day and add mine, yours and than some.
Pinning with out price tags, to do so as you pin delete the price ( including the price tag )up to the shop name at the least. This will make the price disappear. I have found if you are repinning an etsy product from someone else, this doesn't always work if they have a price on it already. Most the time it will still have an amount on your re-pin.
Label you boards- If you have a board that is all DIY than make sure you select that section. When some one does a search you can pick either pins, people or boards. A lot of times people choose to go to boards and check out other pinners, and how they have things set up and what they have. So its important to use your words.
About Section -A warm greeting, just a little something that you feel describes you and your image. This should be engaging for followers to want to keep following you or gain new followers. You can connect your information such as your etsy shop, Facebook link etc. right under your profile greeting. I suggest doing so this leads them to your shop or website.
Social media linking- If you have a blog new buttons are out there you can apply to your blog so that your followers can find you on Pinterest. Even Twitter and Facebook as well.
Key words - Remember to use your words. If you are logging in threw Twitter you can use a hash tag to send to your desired twitter location as the same time you are pinning. Example: Pinning a abstract art piece- I would put #art #abstract #..... than pin in my Art Interest board.

There is so much to Pinterst it can be fun and very well worth your time to get on there and get out there!!

So grab some coffee, tea or wine and lets get to pinning. If you have questions please dont hesitate to ask me, or in the team boards there are some pinners on our team and I would like to create another pinning thread with the help of our leader Tina whom has some awesome Pinterest boards.

Happy Pinning & hope to see you there!

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Summer Spotlight 6 /24 - braidandstitch

Our spot light shop this week has been braidandstitch. I have really enjoyed my cruise around her shop. She has the cutest pincushions made out to be cupcakes. They are simply delicious looking!

Although her specialty is in African Inspired art. With stunning quilt patterns ready to be shipped.

One of this weeks favorite Tribute Treasuries is from one of our leader's Pam in this stunning Orange and Teal Treasury using one of Braidandstitch's ready to be shipped patterns. Feel free to click to go there and do a little window shopping.

Pam's Tribute Treasury

I have pinned the following to our board feel free to follow along with Promo123love's success's.

http://pinterest.com/pin/228557749809592321/

Friday, June 22, 2012

Summer of 2012

Online Get together's

Although School was a big time consumer. My summer's are focused on Social Media and Networking. For most that have been with the team from the beginning knows why I created this team.

For those that have just joined us I would love to give a brief over view. Located on this blog you can see where we started. We have grown in my eyes hugely. My goal for this team was to create a small close networking team.

To give a little back ground of myself, I am a full time double degree in Business. I own a Deli Located on the Peninsula of Washington. Where we successfully opened on a 1000 loan from a friend. We are fully up and running of the last 2 years and growing and learning day by day.

I have been in the Jewelry and Accessories business for over 5 years now. I have never done whole sale although it is in the future of prospect deals. I have sold in 3 states and in 5 different shops. Art fairs, and Markets. OF course family and friends have been a HUGE support.

I first hand seen Social Media work and as we have grown I have not been able to keep up with School. But it is Summer and I would like to pick up the pace and grow what we have stronger. But I can't do it alone.

So I going to be on alot during summer .... here is my plans... so I hope you all will follow along and grow with me.

As some of you know some main seller points include photos and Descriptions. I have been working so hard on changing those very things. Example I was using photo box during winter I am taking full advantage of the natural sun this summer.

Before & after examples of my descriptions and new photos. Big improvement I am still continuing on working on these. And will continue to do so as I grow.

Social Media plays a huge part. I have 5 bookings for weddings by using Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Please make sure you stop on in the threads in our discussions and link up with our fellow teammates.

Pinterest is becoming a huge hit so I highly suggest working on growing there if you were wanting to grow your followers.

Here are a few boards may be worth looking into. With Facebook now charging for extreme Promotion Pinning has taking a leap over the past month.

http://pinterest.com/lorna146/let-s-be-social-pinterest/ <~~ MY BOARD
http://pinterest.com/yoursocialmedia/everyone-s-social-media-resource/ <~~ a COMMUNITY i BELONG TOO

Our Board :
http://pinterest.com/lorna146/promo123love/

We may look into having our own page will look into this. ** future plans **

BLOGGING...

I will be doing blogs again. As well as my own .. How to with Lornajane you can find that here :

http://howtowithlornajane.blogspot.com/

This is my main focus though is this team. With little team effort we can grow this summer stronger. I am so looking forward to it.

I will be reviewing applications and updating the team a bit you may see numbers decrease and increase threw out the summer. We have little rules but need team efforts to make a team happen.

Cant wait to see you all this summer here and there. Let's have some fun and help each other out.

Last BUT not LEAST Very IMPORTANT!! here is a Directory Thread please use as a road map to our threads as new ones open I will maintain. EXCEPT our weekly challenges. The social media links and monthly threads will be updated.

http://www.etsy.com/teams/11461/promo123-love/discuss/10310989/

Much Luv,
Lornajane

Monday, May 7, 2012

Spring and Summer time!

Spring and Summer time is a great time to be stocked up in your shops!! Spring and Summer normally bring in more sales do to the weather being nicer and this feeds in to our economies.

Some tips on store presentation for spring and summer. Photos there is always improvement for photos if your item is a little on the dark side. Try to avoid distractions including props with lots of writing, large props than your item. Show details of your item. Close ups of details is important.

Describe your item in best detail as you can.

Research your shipping fees. Paypal is 1.64 for 3 ozs you can ship up to 13 ozs and still be first class mail 2 -5 days shipping. That 1.64 includes a conformation code. Beware of shipping costs. I have had to fix several times but think I am on the perfect track now. Thanks to Pam our leader I have learned alot from.

Pricing research your pricing, by researching similar items near you or online. Find your price point. Stick to it.

Offer coupon codes to returning customers. Have a summer sale. There alot of ways to get your items out there. Please feel free to use the threads! I wish all of you lots of spring success!

Much Luv,

Lornajane

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

New Happenings

We're comping up on 4 months old. I am so proud of everyone, There has been so much good feed back about the positive atmosphere of the group. About how much traffic everyone is seeing around them. I am hoping that this can remain this way as were are getting Larger.

We just Hit our 100 member shop. Congrats! over all things have been going great. Lots of new items have been listed. Threads are being used. I see alot of people promoting. I am hoping your store views have increased and keep increasing. AND SALES!! Our objective !!

Wanted to touch base on some of the new highlights of Promo123love. ~

Leaders~ Some may be aware that we have some new leaders. Tina and Chris have been around sense the Start of Promo123love. With each having selling experience. We thought they would be good for addition to add to leadership of Promo123love. You can find their shops
http://www.etsy.com/shop/allbuttonedupbytina
http://www.etsy.com/shop/DoorCountyBlues

Threads~ We have several new threads located in the Discussions. Some are getting buried and it may be hard to find them. If wanting to find a thread you think may be located among the pages. Click on Discussions and than go up to the top and type in key words. Example : "Social Sites" you will find this thread
http://www.etsy.com/teams/11461/promo123-love/discuss/9596500/

You will find the introduction thread here, Because its a private thread with information about our shops you cant find it with out looking for it. You may find it here if your a member.
http://www.etsy.com/teams/11461/promo123-love/discuss/9577628/

Promotional threads have been growing with a few new and fun creative ideas. Such as themed weeks. Where you will see Tina posting threw out the month. Past 2 themes have been, Your Favorite Childhood Memory , and Your Favorite Song. Here are a few of the Made Treasuries our team created

allbuttonedupbytina's Treasury for Favorite Childhood Memory

DiscoveryBay 's Treasury for favorite Song week.

Meet and Greet ( Long over due)
I had started Meet and Greets to help bring the new members to get to know their teammates. A chance to favor and circle some new shops. Feel free to take a peek at the past few weeks new members are.

Recent Meet and Greet March 24th 2012

Welcoming new Shops including:

NAFStudio

One thing I wanted to address about Pinterest for all those pinners out there. A few of us have been keeping up on the Pinterest gossip and hot blogs, where they are discussing the terms to have been to confusing to people that have Pinterest accounts. It seems that Pinterest is going to be changing their terms and condition's which you may have seen when you log into your Pinterest. If you have been worried about pinning I think its worth looking over. .
Pinterest board has over 230 followers, 200 pins. http://pinterest.com/lorna146/promo123-love/

Thank you everyone for everything this has been a great learning experience for me and many. Keep up the good work and happy sales to all.

Much luv,

Lornajane

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Two Blooms Designs Studio

I have always been fascinated by soap and candle making. A few weeks ago I did a coverage on Vedge Candle, well just so happens Vedge Candle invited a friend to join Promo123 Love, and that friend, or should I say friends (sisters of ) Two Blooms Designs Studio, they just so happen to make soap and other variety of items. So we're lucky to get the inside scoop on another one of my favorites.

This talented duo are located in British Columbia, Canada. Which personally I believe is a fabulous place to visit, if you haven't attach that to your bucket list. IF you do and are near some markets you might just happen to run into these ladies. You never know.

While learning about these sister’s I noticed these ladies have been in the business sense 2002. Congratulations for a full decade of doing what you love to do. That is a huge accomplishment to be recognized for. I spent a great deal looking at the social sites of Two Blooms Design Studios, well organized and worth the time to browse threw. Below is a list of sites you may find these ladies.

Etsy: www.etsy.com/2bloomsdesignstudio
Website: www.twoblooms.webs.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TwoBlooms
Blog: www.twobloomsdesignstudio.blogspot.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/twoblooms
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/twoblooms
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/97262223@N00
Wanelo: www.wanelo.com/twoblooms
WeHeartIt: www.weheartit.com/twoblooms

Lets take a closer look at their outstanding products.

You May click on any photo for a closer look at these delicious products.

Closer look behind the scenes of Two Blooms Design Studio

What are your favorite ingredients to work with?

We love working with fragrances, specifically essential oils. It’s fun to come up with new original one of a kind blends. We also enjoy working with colors and making soy wax candles.

How long have you been making soap? And how did this venture in life start?

This is our 10th year of making bath/beauty, knitwear and soy candles. We got started after receiving a gift certificate for a bar of soap that cost $10.00 and we thought to ourselves, ‘hey, we can make this better and less expensive’ and we did!

After taking a look at your shop I see you are sisters, what are your age differences and what is it like to work with each other?

There is enough of an age gap that we both feel like only children yet we really enjoy working together. Each of us has our strengths and weaknesses so it makes for a great partnership.

We know you sell on Etsy but where was your product before?

We’ve been selling our products at local farmers markets and craft shows. We also have a website, blog, twitter and are involved in several social media sites.

( Listed above)

Along with soap you make other products, care to share with us what is your favorite?

Soap is our favorite medium to work with as the possibilites are endless. You can’t always predict how your soap will turn out but it allows you to be so creative. Our knit-ware line is really starting to take off and again, with color and texture the possibilities are endless.

Example of other items besides soap and candles.

What is it that you would like us to know about your products, that we don’t and would like to share?

We eat, sleep and breathe our products and the creative process never stops. We go above and beyond regarding the quality of our products and source out the best possible ingredients we can find. We shop locally whenever possible and support other local artisans in our area. We listen to our customers and come up with products to suit their needs. A majority of our customers are vegan and we contact our suppliers to make sure the ingredients we use are vegan. We stay on top of trends and adapt our products accordingly. We have integrity and deliver a product that is superior.

I want to take a minute to thank Two Blooms Designs Studio for letting us take a closer look into their beautiful shop!! A personal thank you for joining Promo123 Love. Helping it grow and being such a supportive teammate! I really enjoyed learning more about your history of your products. AND a BIG Congrats on that 10 year anniversary!

~ Lornajane ~