| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| iamacountrygirl |
Posted - Feb 27 2012 : 8:13:18 PM
I'm still pretty new here (my sis has been here awhile), but I was wondering if there's anyone trying to start a business, of any kind, that would be willing to sort of start a little support group here.
A little about me...I'm working full time but my employer is struggling financially, and my workload has been reduced. A couple years ago I was working a part-time job from home to help out but he shut down the biz, and it's really hurt my finances. So... I need to get a side business going that could eventually support me as my job is very iffy right now. It would be nice if I had someone in the same situation to talk to about it, and get encouragement or ideas from. I'd be willing to offer support and encouragement in exchange, if anyone is interested.
I'm a country girl living on 5 acres with a dog and a horse, take care of my 81 year old mother, besides working full time. I'd like to sell vintage linens and other items on Etsy, and do bookkeeping over the internet (virtual accountant). I'm also toying with doing Wordpress blog setups. I guess I should figure out which to concentrate on.
Is anyone interested in maybe weekly posts here about our fledgling business ventures?
thanks
Kathy |
| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| MelodicRevival |
Posted - Mar 01 2012 : 9:47:30 PM
I have been self employed going on 5 years as an artist and the most important aspect of having an on-line business is advertisement. Here are some tips I can offer as you start on this journey, I hope they help!
*Make up some business cards(vistaprint.com is a good place to get inexpensive ones. Make sure to look for coupons, they are ALWAYS having a sale and you can get several hundred for under $10 if you do it right) and pass them around. Any time you mail anything, include one.
*If you don't have a blog, make one. Many blogs out there are frequently looking for people to feature and it just takes a quick message to get included.
*If you frequent a lot of forums(obviously here included), edit your signature to include the link to your shop. People like me are always clicking on new Etsy shops and blogs to see what they have.
*Make a facebook for your shop and invite everyone you know. Tumblr is also a good advertising tool if you use it right, same with Twitter. People love vintage and if you have that tag, people will find it.
The internet is so big that you have to do something to really stand out. Think outside the box and come up with new and creative ways to get what you have out there. It can take a little time, but if you keep at it you'll see results, just don't give up!
~*~Believing in love, fluff and cuddling stuff~*~
Shop: http://manifesteddreams.etsy.com
Farmgirl Sister #3888 |
| iamacountrygirl |
Posted - Feb 28 2012 : 8:31:26 PM
knitnpickinatune
Hi! How do I find out about Marsha's small biz circle?
And I'll email you about Bonanza.
Thanks! |
| knitnpickinatune |
Posted - Feb 28 2012 : 4:39:06 PM
Kathy-have you thought about advertising in magazines like Hobby Farm Home in the classified section for your Etsy store? Check around. I have an online traditional music store as well as a couple of Etsy stores-tho Etsy is really slow. My main store is now on Bonanza. If you're interested in checking them out,email me & I'll send an invite for you to join. Much more reasonable than eBay,which I'm slowly cutting back listing on as their fees are too high.
Also-Marsha has small biz circle that you may be interested in joining.
http://www.mandolinbabe.biz
http://www.fiddlebelle.com
http://www.banjobelle.biz
http://www.celticcowgirl.me
@MandolinChick on Twitter
mando pickin,uke strummin,Itish Tenor Banjo pickin, & fiddle sawin' Farmgirl #702 |
| goneriding |
Posted - Feb 28 2012 : 4:14:15 PM
The sugar bowl and salt/pepper shakers were in my storage room. They are part of a set my parents had back in the 60's or so. I don't know what happened to the rest of the set, such as dishes and cups. Must have lost them in some move, don't remember seeing them for years. So, I don't need them and I thought maybe someone needed them to finish out their set.
I just put up two knit hats and have more in the works. Since I don't have overhead (well, my house and electricity) I can price a bit lower than others, or bargain down. Hubby is working on his stuff and I have some things soon to be ready. We'll see how it goes!!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/wingriffin
http://lostadventuresintrucking.blogspot.com
http://lostadventuresincooking.blogspot.com
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| iamacountrygirl |
Posted - Feb 28 2012 : 08:36:28 AM
goneriding,
Thanks for your post! I like the idea of the Etsy shop too. I started a shop (MadeByaCountryGirl is the name) to sell things I've made but I've only sold a few purses, and I had to lower my price to do that. Making things to sell is tough - it's hard to earn any profit. I love going to fleamarkets in the summer and I know I can pick up things for a few bucks to resell.
I've put an ad on Craigslist for bookkeeping at a supposed prosperous city about an hour from me (Ann Arbor, MI), and I think I'll try that for other cities around and see what happens. I tried oDesk.com but most of the jobs go to folks who bid less than $5/hour. Crazy!
btw - I like what you've got on your Etsy shop, and the price seems very reasonable. Where do you find your items?
Thanks!
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| goneriding |
Posted - Feb 28 2012 : 07:53:52 AM
Kathy, glad you're here!
I don't know about a support group, per se, but this board is pretty supportive in every way possible. Since you have vintage things, start an Etsy store. Couldn't hurt.
It seems to me, working over the 'net is the wave of the future, especially for those of us who live in the sticks. So, like you, I'm trying all sorts of things to keep life going. I don't think you can put all your eggs in one basket. You have to have multistreams of income.
I do things to earn a $5 Amazon card here and there plus my Etsy shop (shameless plug here, please click on my sig line). Hubby and I are still working things out.
About the blogs, I know they are popular here, but, I've been reading they slowly may be on their way out. So many people have them, they are becoming passe. Still, I have mine but have really cut back to focus on other things. Wouldn't hurt to have one or two.
Keep checking back!!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/wingriffin
http://lostadventuresintrucking.blogspot.com
http://lostadventuresincooking.blogspot.com
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