Online Ignorance LOL

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Online Ignorance LOL

by Tracy
(Lone Rock, WI United States)

I love making jewelry and have made a lot of it! However, I'm ignorant, I don't know how to blog, or anything else, except to set up my Etsy shop. Which hasn't sold anything, maybe because it is new.

I don't even know this RSS thing. It is sad isn't it? At least I can laugh at myself.

Also I started a booth in town yesterday. I use flyers, cards and so forth to advertise.

Any one know how to help? Thanks.

And feel free to chuckle, I do.

Tracy
Jewelry Expressions

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Online Ignorance LOL

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You Can Do It
by: Sharon Fullen

It just takes time to get established. The most important thing is to sit down today and develop a business plan.

It doesn't need to be a formal document. Start by writing down a series of goals. Start with visualizing where you'd like to be in 5 years - this is your ultimate goal and your yardstick to measure the value of your actions.

Next develop where you'd like to be in 1 year. This is your foundation. Now set up a series of intermediate goals that you'd like to reach during the year.

In starting a new business there are so many things that you'll need to do, want to do and feel like you "should" do. The key is to isolate individual tasks, measure them (will they move me ahead towards my upcoming goal, will they help me meet my 1st year goal), then break down the tasks into small pieces of action.

Tackle the actions one at a time and reward yourself along the way. Take time to rejoice in each success.

When it comes to growing your business start by aiming at the areas that come to you naturally and then add one new area - like learning how to create your own blog - to your life one step at a time.

Blogging is a great way to get started online as it is easy to set-up and start almost immediately. I use WordPress on my own self-hosted site at http://www.roseofsharonjewelry.com/blog. However you can set up a WordPress hosted blog by going to www.wordpress.com. It costs nothing and there are tons online and even one of the popular "For Dummies..." books.

Hope this helps you a bit. Feel free to leave questions here and I'll see what I can do to answer your questions.

I'm a jewelry artist and freelance writer of business books and would be pleased to help.

Best of luck,

Sharon Fullen of
Rose of Sharon Jewelry
http://www.roseofsharonjewelry.com (store)
http://www.roseofsharonjewelry.com/blog (blog)
http://www.writesalot.com (writer portfolio)

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Submitted by: Sharon Fullen

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Comment
It just takes time to get established. The most important thing is to sit down today and develop a business plan. It doesn't need to be a formal document. Start by writing down a series of goals. Start with visualizing where you'd like to be in 5 years - this is your ultimate goal and your yardstick to measure the value of your actions. Next develop where you'd like to be in 1 year. This is your foundation. Now set up a series of intermediate goals that you'd like to reach during the year. In starting a new business there are so many things that you'll need to do, want to do and feel like you "should" do. The key is to isolate individual tasks, measure them (will they move me ahead towards my upcoming goal, will they help me meet my 1st year goal), then break down the tasks into small pieces of action. Tackle the actions one at a time and reward yourself along the way. Take time to rejoice in each success. When it comes to growing your business start by aiming at the areas that come to you naturally and then add one new area - like learning how to create your own blog - to your life one step at a time. Blogging is a great way to get started online as it is easy to set-up and start almost immediately. I use WordPress on my own self-hosted site at http://www.roseofsharonjewelry.com/blog. However you can set up a WordPress hosted blog by going to www.wordpress.com. It costs nothing and there are tons online and even one of the popular "For Dummies..." books. Hope this helps you a bit. Feel free to leave questions here and I'll see what I can do to answer your questions. I'm a jewelry artist and freelance writer of business books and would be pleased to help. Best of luck, Sharon Fullen of Rose of Sharon Jewelry http://www.roseofsharonjewelry.com (store) http://www.roseofsharonjewelry.com/blog (blog) http://www.writesalot.com (writer portfolio)

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Online Ignorance
by: Wakeeta

I'm rolling on the floor because I'm in the exact same boat. However, you definitely have a talent for writing, so I don't think it'll be long before your blog is being advertised all over the indie jewelry world!

Wakeeta
www.danglesdesigns.artspan.com
www.dangles2005.etsy.com

Online Ignorance
by: Wakeeta

Sharon,
Thank you for all of your information! That's what I love about jewelry artists, we're all about helping each other do better. I certainly appreciate the response you provided, it helped me as well.

Sincerely,
Wakeeta
www.danglesdesigns.artspan.com
www.dangles2005.etsy.com

Thank you!
by: Tracy/Jewelry Expressions

These comments have been so helpful. I have used them and have checked out some other information Sharon has. I really appreciate it. Also I am glad someone else is in my boat. Heheheheha LOL.
You should have seen me trying to chat online, now that was funny, but everyone was very patient.

I know how you feel
by: Lynn

I started making jewelry 3 years ago, I was in one craft show last year, hardly any came, and from the looks of it I will be in the same craft show this year. I often ask myself 'why did I even start this'. I have very little knowledge with computers and I feel totally lost. I understand how you feel.

Glad I Can Help and More Help
by: Sharon Fullen

I'm so glad people have found my comments useful. After reading other posts, I thought I'd toss in another two cents worth of advice.

Don't worry about your computer skills. Artisans for centuries have mastered their craft, found an audience for their work and even made a living all WITHOUT A COMPUTER.

Computers are merely a vehicle for connecting. If that isn't your thing - find another way to connect with people. The goal is to be seen by potential customers. This can be accomplished lots of ways without using the Web.

Your first step is to take an honest look at your jewelry designs (this can be hard to do but is necessary). The purpose is to develop a profile of your typical customer.

Are your designs funky and bold or delicate and feminine? Start by creating a description of who you would envision wearing your necklaces. Once you have a visual image of this customer - create a world for her (or him). Where does she shop? What clothes does she wear? What music does she like? Where does she live? work? play?

The last questions are your guide to finding the right venues to offer your jewelry. If your clients are 60+, you wouldn't have a booth at punk rock concert. But you might do very well at a jazz venue.

Don't be afraid to ask if you can display, promote or sell your jewelry anywhere your ideal customer can be found. All someone can do is say no!

If you don't feel comfortable doing that for yourself, find someone to help you. My lovely daughter-in-law Dawn is the one-to-one sales/promotional person for Rose of Sharon Jewelry as I dread that role.

One last thought - if a show or venue hasn't worked for you once - don't do it again. In this economy, the chance of doing better this time around is zero.

Marketing is always trial and error (even for the NY ad agencies) so learn from your errors. Sometimes it makes more sense to skip attending a fair, show or farmer's market until you visit it as a customer. And ask vendors how they are doing and their impressions of the show organizer.

Gals - don't forget to ask questions here and I'll try to drop by often and answer them.

Best of luck,

Sharon of Rose of Sharon Jewelry

http://www.roseofsharonjewelry.com (store)
http://www.roseofsharonjewelry.com/blog (blog)

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Submitted by: Sharon Fullen

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Comment
I'm so glad people have found my comments useful. After reading other posts, I thought I'd toss in another two cents worth of advice. Don't worry about your computer skills. Artisans for centuries have mastered their craft, found an audience for their work and even made a living all WITHOUT A COMPUTER. Computers are merely a vehicle for connecting. If that isn't your thing - find another way to connect with people. The goal is to be seen by potential customers. This can be accomplished lots of ways without using the Web. Your first step is to take an honest look at your jewelry designs (this can be hard to do but is necessary). The purpose is to develop a profile of your typical customer. Are your designs funky and bold or delicate and feminine? Start by creating a description of who you would envision wearing your necklaces. Once you have a visual image of this customer - create a world for her (or him). Where does she shop? What clothes does she wear? What music does she like? Where does she live? work? play? The last questions are your guide to finding the right venues to offer your jewelry. If your clients are 60+, you wouldn't have a booth at punk rock concert. But you might do very well at a jazz venue. Don't be afraid to ask if you can display, promote or sell your jewelry anywhere your ideal customer can be found. All someone can do is say no! If you don't feel comfortable doing that for yourself, find someone to help you. My lovely daughter-in-law Dawn is the one-to-one sales/promotional person for Rose of Sharon Jewelry as I dread that role. One last thought - if a show or venue hasn't worked for you once - don't do it again. In this economy, the chance of doing better this time around is zero. Marketing is always trial and error (even for the NY ad agencies) so learn from your errors. Sometimes it makes more sense to skip attending a fair, show or farmer's market until you visit it as a customer. And ask vendors how they are doing and their impressions of the show organizer. Gals - don't forget to ask questions here and I'll try to drop by often and answer them. Best of luck, Sharon of Rose of Sharon Jewelry http://www.roseofsharonjewelry.com (store) http://www.roseofsharonjewelry.com/blog (blog)

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Ignorance
by: Tracy Jewelry Express.

Thank you all so much, it makes me at least feel better I am not alone! And who said ignorance is bliss, well, maybe sometimes. Thank you for all your help too!

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