tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80235559881883944342024-03-13T15:09:14.588-04:00Selling Online for SmartiesTools and Tips for Selling Online; Smart Suggestions, Observations, and Debates for Online Sellers, by Cindy522.HorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-40877213346926648862011-11-12T12:13:00.000-05:002011-11-12T12:13:06.091-05:00Try Stamps.com -- If you ship Ebay AND Amazon orders or eCommerce Orders (Promo=3 months for 11$ Total out of pocket)<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One Stamps.com account can be used for Ebay+Amazon+eCommerce Websites (such as <a href="http://app.buyitsellit.com/?ref=Cindy522">Highwire.com</a>). You can bring ALL your "awaiting shipment" orders into Stamps.com to work on all of them at the same time. Enter package weights (as needed), then hit print and walk away while all 5, 17, or 28 come out of your printer).</div><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Benefits:</strong></span></div><ul style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><li>View all your orders on one screen. No "forgetting" about a stray Amazon or eBay order (when desired, you can view orders from a particular source only)</li>
</ul><ul style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><li>Yes, you can print First Class Mail International, no problem.</li>
<li>Yes, you get USPS "online rates" including free Priority Delivery Confirmation, etc.</li>
</ul><ul style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><li>All addresses are checked against USPS database. Discrepancies are displayed for your approval. </li>
<li>+4 digits are added to all US address zip codes (this can make your package move more quickly)</li>
<li>Easy to search for previously shipped packages if/when you need to track them.</li>
<li>Request to void/refund labels for up to 2 weeks (Paypal gives you either 24 or 48 hours)</li>
</ul><ul style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><li>You can create "Pre-sets" for similar kinds of packages. For example, create one to include "Your Amazon.com Marketplace Order" on the label of your Amazon orders. After setting it up, just tick the boxes for the applicable orders and choose the pre-set name from a drop-down list. </li>
<li>You can specify how you want your return address to display for each "profile" (each source of orders.. ebay, Amazon, etc)</li>
</ul><ul style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><li>Prints 2 labels per sheet.... no turning around the pages like with Paypal.</li>
<li>No ebay or Paypal ads or other ads (just very tiny and inconspicuous "stamps.com").</li>
<li>Manual entry screen --- where you can copy an address as a block, rather than field by field by field.</li>
<li>Print postage stamps for post cards, letters, etc.</li>
<li>Buy up to 250$ of postage at a time, rather than tons of small $ transactions for each label.</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Go to <a href="http://www.stamps.com/tell">www.stamps.com/tell</a></span> and use code <span style="font-size: large;"><span class="fbUnderline">C-96QP-PVG</span></span></strong>. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>You'll</b><strong><b> </b> get</strong>:</div><ul style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><li>4 weeks free, </li>
<li>5$ in free postage to use during the trial</li>
<li> 10$ free postage a month for the next 2 months. </li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After the 4 week trial, the account costs 17.99$ a month.... but with the free postage promotion, you would actually be out of pocket 11$ to use it for 3 months.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PS. Ill get 20$ in postage if you stay a member for at least 1 month after your trial period ends. And so will you, if you refer people to use your code. :)</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>How it works</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>For Ebay and Amazon</b></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><ul style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><li>After downloading their software, enter your ebay and amazon IDs once. </li>
<li>Then, each day, click Refresh and it will bring in un-shipped paid orders including item name(s). </li>
<li>For ebay listings with calculated shipping, it will bring in the weight and mail class, etc. </li>
<li>After you print, <strong>it writes back</strong> to Amazon/ Ebay to mark the item as shipped and populates the tracking number.</li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>For Websites</b></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><ul style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><li> Export your open orders from your eCommerce Provider (this is a function available in the Orders Menu for Highwire users) and save it as an Excel file. </li>
<li>ONE TIME in Stamps.com, create a profile for your site - which includes stating where the order export file is, and "mapping" that file to Stamps.com... which just means telling it which field means what, etc (most of it will be "auto-matched").</li>
<li>Each day thereafter, export your open orders and save with the original file name. </li>
<li>In Stamps.com, click Refresh and all your orders will populate.</li>
</ul>HorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-85543795853870943782011-06-19T12:17:00.001-04:002011-06-27T13:14:51.670-04:00Reducing the Phone Calls to Your Small Home Based Business<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjEeHvdfXjcgXnhm2VwVgz0FqttSJApWM_yMaHVnRigwp5U8k78DkzuJAQBTHcFuYRZH-wPrMwzB0MAhcMqcmGBHKimchyIhSF3iQ5Oeqzu0DAg8g4vF6L_I0oUEbHweSfSogYWdYRQ/s1600/MP900285149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjEeHvdfXjcgXnhm2VwVgz0FqttSJApWM_yMaHVnRigwp5U8k78DkzuJAQBTHcFuYRZH-wPrMwzB0MAhcMqcmGBHKimchyIhSF3iQ5Oeqzu0DAg8g4vF6L_I0oUEbHweSfSogYWdYRQ/s320/MP900285149.JPG" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>It is important for a small business to display a <a href="http://sellingonlineforsmarties.blogspot.com/2011/06/toll-free-number-for-your-small-online.html">phone number on their website</a>, but handling those phone calls to home based business can be disruptive, costly, and time consuming.<br />
<br />
A phone call into an online store, for example, typically means the customer will give her order info over the phone, making for a 5-7-10 minute phone call, and opening yourself up to mistakes in getting the details correct. <br />
<br />
<br />
My second Christmas with my online store, the number of orders was beyond my expectations. Along with the larger-than-expected number of orders to pull, pack, and ship, I was also getting a larger than expected number of phone calls to deal with.<br />
<br />
After the holiday, I realized the biggest reason people had been calling was wanting to inquire if they could get their order by a particular date. SO, I made changes to my website to make "when will I get my order" easier to find, and made detailed delivery time info available and very easy to find starting on Black Friday.<br />
<br />
This cut down the number of calls significantly. And, I suspect, increased the orders I received - since people knew they could order from my online store, and get what they needed.<br />
<br />
In addition to displaying the information on the website, I also included a brief version of it in my online store's toll free phone number greeting. This further reduce the time spend on phone calls, as some customers simply hung up after hearing the message and placed the order them self.<br />
<br />
So... be smart... think about WHY people place calls to your online store, and find a way to address as many of them as you can with changes to your website. ... Provide the information, AND make the information easy to find. <br />
<br />
Of course, there will always be calls from people with questions that cannot be addressed in this way. One way to mitigate the distraction from these calls is to have them picked up by voice mail. If you use <a href="http://sellingonlineforsmarties.blogspot.com/2011/06/toll-free-number-for-your-small-online.html">Kall8</a>, as I do, you can choose to not even have your phone ring.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlK5B5tJpoPAeSP8QFiDxT8hMG9uIFnhd75nzFm8mS92QOfBQpmjOjjeX6q7ez3ezfL7Rb-wfm-ecg3C7lIAPpKRBpjH2m58p4eq0HOIF-TKsBfK7JO3XZU_HSAg6stQctLUfxWZWOw/s1600/MP900285146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlK5B5tJpoPAeSP8QFiDxT8hMG9uIFnhd75nzFm8mS92QOfBQpmjOjjeX6q7ez3ezfL7Rb-wfm-ecg3C7lIAPpKRBpjH2m58p4eq0HOIF-TKsBfK7JO3XZU_HSAg6stQctLUfxWZWOw/s320/MP900285146.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>I do not recommend doing this all the time, but if you are against the clock to get orders packed before the UPS truck arrives, it may well be worth it. <br />
<br />
This can also save time in the end, and even provide better, more professional service to your customer, since you will be able to gather any needed information before making the return call. (And, perhaps, you'll get to leave the info on their voice mail.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Being open to customer interaction is ideal... We learn a lot about our market, and the perception of our products (and plenty more) by speaking with our customers. But, there are times when reducing the number of phone calls to an online store can be of more overall benefit --- to you, the business owner, AND to your customers. <br />
<br />
Best wishes, oh, and don't call me today, I'm too busy being smart (HA!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pe0n9K635pUwi1pTdqxRycU-z6poXN9yP9-8yIio6Sv8F69smJvjsVRn4Io4HLHPqgAUKFA0wCktKMkfYI8Aww891BAt1vDbRar0mj8XnoQYeHzyaIzPaUPRI9FQiPQRUJ65OnYWGg/s1600/Cindy-signature76x60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pe0n9K635pUwi1pTdqxRycU-z6poXN9yP9-8yIio6Sv8F69smJvjsVRn4Io4HLHPqgAUKFA0wCktKMkfYI8Aww891BAt1vDbRar0mj8XnoQYeHzyaIzPaUPRI9FQiPQRUJ65OnYWGg/s1600/Cindy-signature76x60.jpg" /></a></div>HorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-5274702032020281232011-06-17T12:09:00.000-04:002011-06-17T12:09:06.670-04:00More (not the best) Free Tools for Selling Online<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">More </span><span style="color: #990000;"><b>FREE</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Tools I Use For Selling Online</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>PDF Document Creation</b>: <span style="color: #990000;">FREE </span> <a href="http://www.cutepdf.com/products/cutepdf/writer.asp">Cute PDF</a> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Purchase Postage Paid Shipping Label</b>: <span style="color: #990000;">FREE </span>Paypal, at this link <a href="https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_ship-now">Ship Now</a> - Just pay for the actual postage. Log in to Paypal first. Choose UPS or USPS below the address area. Use your address as both return address and ship to address. Enter customer's address in "Origination ZIP Code"</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">FREE </span><b>Graphic Creation Program:</b> <a href="http://www.gimp.org/">GIMP</a> <span style="color: #990000;"> <span style="color: black;">This is the Open Source Software (in other words free) - very similar. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #990000;">FREE </span></span></span><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Email Marketing :</b> <a href="http://www.mailchimp.com/">Mail Chimp</a> Free for up to 1000 customer email addresses, and sending up to 6000 emails per month. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #990000;">FREE </span></span></span><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Facebook Page Customization Software:</b> <a href="https://billing.lujure.com/idev/idevaffiliate.php?id=507">Lujure</a> </span></span><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: black;"> Free to create one custom tab, used on one fan page. </span></span></div>HorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-85244822168624051322011-02-19T12:04:00.001-05:002011-06-19T12:14:58.153-04:00Toll Free Number For Your Small Online StoreDisplaying a toll free number is a quick, easy, and surprisingly CHEAP way to add credibility and professionalism to your online store. I pay only 2$ a month for a toll free 888 number, which is forwarded to my home line. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-YX3D2952rnHoqRKSM9vGS7VqDn_59eAmHbKImRHTFhSZicI76wcltqmkmXZBZdMMp976H2NmaPMykC1j-K86mzTNt47qF30Chr3XmaIqYtZ9yF2lmdQ2E1myRQv_7GjSd11TFrMOA/s1600/800number.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-YX3D2952rnHoqRKSM9vGS7VqDn_59eAmHbKImRHTFhSZicI76wcltqmkmXZBZdMMp976H2NmaPMykC1j-K86mzTNt47qF30Chr3XmaIqYtZ9yF2lmdQ2E1myRQv_7GjSd11TFrMOA/s200/800number.GIF" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://kall8.com/">Kall8.com</a> has a great referral program</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I pay an additional 2$ a month so that these calls are "announced". This means a quick recording is played after someone answers my home phone, indicating the call was made to the toll free number. And THAT means I know to answer (again) in my "business voice"... and that my husband and kids know to HANG UP! <span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(During the time of the announcement, the caller hears the line as though it has not been picked up yet, and then hears the voice mail greeting when we hang up on our end.)</span></span><br />
<br />
The basic 2$ a month includes voice mail, with the messages immediately emailed to me as audio files.<span style="font-size: x-small;">(You could choose to call in to listen to your voice mail -- great for on the go business owners)</span>. And, an email after every call made (hang ups, completed calls, and voice mails) with all the caller ID info available, typically including the phone number, first and last name of record, and city/state.<br />
<br />
I use <a href="http://kall8.com/">Kall8.com</a>. And have been VERY happy with them. <br />
<br />
You my have a smart phone --- but don't forget to use a smart phone number too.<br />
Happy calls! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pe0n9K635pUwi1pTdqxRycU-z6poXN9yP9-8yIio6Sv8F69smJvjsVRn4Io4HLHPqgAUKFA0wCktKMkfYI8Aww891BAt1vDbRar0mj8XnoQYeHzyaIzPaUPRI9FQiPQRUJ65OnYWGg/s1600/Cindy-signature76x60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pe0n9K635pUwi1pTdqxRycU-z6poXN9yP9-8yIio6Sv8F69smJvjsVRn4Io4HLHPqgAUKFA0wCktKMkfYI8Aww891BAt1vDbRar0mj8XnoQYeHzyaIzPaUPRI9FQiPQRUJ65OnYWGg/s1600/Cindy-signature76x60.jpg" /></a>HorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-27890154089843462642011-02-10T12:12:00.001-05:002011-06-19T12:18:51.915-04:00Customer Service - Airing Dirty LaundryI just learned something I think is pretty important. I did not seek out to learn it, nor take any time to learn it.... I just answered the phone. I'm hoping posting about this will re-enforce it in my mind, because I have definitely done the same thing that the sales rep who just called me did.<br />
<br />
I learned that "airing dirty laundry" between yourself and your supplier (or employer) with your customer may very well be off-putting. Dirty laundry such as that your supplier does not allow you to order small quantities, even to replace damaged product, or that your employer has changed the procedure several times, making tipple work for you, etc. <br />
<br />
I've often done it as a way to (I thought) make the customer feel like she and I were on the same side, both wishing the situation could be different. I've hoped to foster a shared experience, and a feeling that "Im not the one profiting", etc.<br />
<br />
Ive used it in hopes my customer would not place the blame on ME for my in-ability to provide her the item or service she wanted... and thus still have a positive impression of MY company and MY service.<br />
<br />
Well.... today I learned that the impression I create when airing dirty laundry may NOT be the one I'd expected.<br />
<br />
I just got off the phone with a sales representantive for a brand I'd contacted about purchasing items to carry in my online store. He identified and introduced himself (great!), then asked about my location --relating it to a specific experience he'd had very local to me (great!), then he asked a specific question about my business(fine). <br />
<br />
The answer told him that he was not the correct sales rep for me (no problem). As he told me, though, he used words like "awe, gees" and "uhg". He lamented that the brand should not be asking the question before sending him my info. (I agree, but from my point of view, he was essentially saying "uhg, I wish I had never even heard of you")<br />
<br />
He then went on a bit further regarding "they wont let me sell to you, I wish I could, but this is how they want it to be" etc etc. We were conversational. I went into "shared experience mode" and agreed they had wasted his time and mine with their policies. <br />
<br />
Upon hanging up, I had a total negative feeling. About him, about the company he is representing, and even about myself. Had *I*, perhaps, left something out when contacting this company leading to his time being wasted? Plus, I was now left in "stick it to the man" mode ..... that mode I had INTENDED to capture with MY customers. OOPS!<br />
<br />
Ive learned... when I air my dirty laundry with my customers.... even by means of explaining that I would love to help them but I cannot, I likely put them into just the same situation.<br />
<br />
They "go along with" the conversation... but that doesnt mean they actually relate and enjoy discussing such things. And, it certainly doesnt mean they hang up feeling GOOD. Perhaps they, too, are left feeling negative. Even that 1 minute later... the content doesnt matter any more. "Who" is to "blame" for the lack of product or lack of delivery, etc, likely fades almost instantly. The negative feeling, and the name of the person/businss who left them with that negative feeling, likely lasts much much longer.<br />
<br />
As I said, I was airing that dirty laundry on purpose... thinking I was being smart to foster a shared experience, and show I was on the customer's side. But now, having been on the other side of the conversation... I'm pretty sure that was not smart at all.<br />
<br />
Thoughts?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pe0n9K635pUwi1pTdqxRycU-z6poXN9yP9-8yIio6Sv8F69smJvjsVRn4Io4HLHPqgAUKFA0wCktKMkfYI8Aww891BAt1vDbRar0mj8XnoQYeHzyaIzPaUPRI9FQiPQRUJ65OnYWGg/s1600/Cindy-signature76x60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pe0n9K635pUwi1pTdqxRycU-z6poXN9yP9-8yIio6Sv8F69smJvjsVRn4Io4HLHPqgAUKFA0wCktKMkfYI8Aww891BAt1vDbRar0mj8XnoQYeHzyaIzPaUPRI9FQiPQRUJ65OnYWGg/s1600/Cindy-signature76x60.jpg" /></a></div>HorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-81447278530989550782011-01-08T19:47:00.003-05:002011-06-19T12:20:44.861-04:00(not the) Best Free Resources for Selling Online<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspDq2LpdBdZU3722Yo64Li0PQ4z6ON_NAOc7OtYJ8zUIR-7HGrizuPPvIdvi-rkM0tjjf9rxxnQvws2Cf_lEUFn7wuvaCrZ2CSW2QCd-86lBjk7U4O1AH3YOpdm7tvRIvTgWgP-9KYg/s1600/blue+ribbon.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspDq2LpdBdZU3722Yo64Li0PQ4z6ON_NAOc7OtYJ8zUIR-7HGrizuPPvIdvi-rkM0tjjf9rxxnQvws2Cf_lEUFn7wuvaCrZ2CSW2QCd-86lBjk7U4O1AH3YOpdm7tvRIvTgWgP-9KYg/s200/blue+ribbon.png" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I mentioned previously... I cannot tell you the BEST resources for selling online. I am not aware of all of the resources available, and certainly have not personally used even 5% of those available.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, this is just the....<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #134f5c;">List of Resources *I* Use for Selling Online</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bonus -- This list is FREE resources only!</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><ul style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><li><b>SEO Training Class: <a href="http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/class-registration.htm">Cricket Walker, GNC Web Creations</a></b> </li>
<li><b>Facebook Fan Page Resource: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/thefanpagefactory">The Fan Page Factory</a> </b></li>
<li><b>HTML Reference: <a href="http://w3schools.com/">W3Schools.com</a></b> (Search Feature)</li>
<li><b>css Reference: <a href="http://w3schools.com/">W3Schools.com</a> </b> (Search Feature)</li>
<li><b>Instilling Buyer Confidence: <a href="http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/website-credibility.htm">Website Credibility by Cricket Walker </a></b></li>
<li><b>Choosing a Digital Camera</b>, computer, etc: <b><a href="http://cnet.com/">CNet.com</a></b> </li>
<li><b>International Clothing Size Conversion: <a href="http://german.about.com/library/blmode_sizes.htm">Childrens Clothing Conversion Chart</a> </b><b><br />
</b></li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am sure there are more, but, for now... this my list of the FREE resources I use frequently while Selling Online. Remember --- its not always smart to seek out the BEST.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-bvwcmUi9vhq8G16-VE6c-bXwFLjszZVK6h4xjCNjSvC8op7WnjGzl5R5T9HBC8qO_993Nc_YJK-ZYO2kerEh-F8mwDiWyuA9jak3DN1qHP16afvR9dD7La3QpQLr79CZA-93Ngg7g/s1600/Rick+Astley.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-bvwcmUi9vhq8G16-VE6c-bXwFLjszZVK6h4xjCNjSvC8op7WnjGzl5R5T9HBC8qO_993Nc_YJK-ZYO2kerEh-F8mwDiWyuA9jak3DN1qHP16afvR9dD7La3QpQLr79CZA-93Ngg7g/s200/Rick+Astley.png" width="137" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i style="color: magenta;">Cindy </i></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
PS. In case you are not convinced not to seek the BEST tools and resources for Selling online.... While looking for an image for this post, I entered "Best" into a clip art search tool. My search returned this image of Rick Astley.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>H</b><b>mmmmm??????</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>HorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-68921685658617161312011-01-08T19:26:00.003-05:002011-06-19T12:21:00.866-04:00What are the Best Tools for Selling Online?<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPSYeyFrQkHoDP_szVoPB9mMCMWKKfTcRDWOu6BZKX2Q_LVswQV3WYT3JpJtyD92vmVaw6mcSpteiRWBbSTm7QepTFn61hAFnOIDbVHi8XZPmSnxvWeTsiF6CW_cLq3QGWDrvHYwSkA/s1600/first+place.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPSYeyFrQkHoDP_szVoPB9mMCMWKKfTcRDWOu6BZKX2Q_LVswQV3WYT3JpJtyD92vmVaw6mcSpteiRWBbSTm7QepTFn61hAFnOIDbVHi8XZPmSnxvWeTsiF6CW_cLq3QGWDrvHYwSkA/s200/first+place.png" width="144" /></a></div>No one can tell you what the best free tools for selling online are, just as no one could tell you the best name for your baby, or jeans that will fit you best. <br />
<br />
What is best depends on so many factors, it would be impossible to consider them all when choosing selling tools. And, choosing the best tool would require that someone study every option in existence - also not possible. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The "best" thing I can tell you is to stop looking for "the best". More tools will become available while you are doing your research, AND, while doing that research, you will learn about additional factors to consider. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, please, excuse yourself from seeking "the best", like I have.</div><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Please -- do not confuse the list below of "The Best Tools for Selling Online". I assure you, I am not aware of every tool out there and I have not tried out most of the tools I am aware of. </i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWy6078vu37nVCANknRQXT0A40xPB-8wjdOppHHGYXx0ofyR3N4ue1MxIgCiV1OqKOGIT_trFEixDkngwKK4aDiT8K7eKfWDHNb1_FyGdhbMhioBEd05RnO8uuthDI8Dnm9YooCMA9Q/s1600/egore_Thumb_Up_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWy6078vu37nVCANknRQXT0A40xPB-8wjdOppHHGYXx0ofyR3N4ue1MxIgCiV1OqKOGIT_trFEixDkngwKK4aDiT8K7eKfWDHNb1_FyGdhbMhioBEd05RnO8uuthDI8Dnm9YooCMA9Q/s1600/egore_Thumb_Up_.png" /></a><i>The tools I list below, however, are tools I have been happy with for at least a year - usually 2 or more years. I have not stumbled across a better tool, and have not become so frustrated with the tool that I've sought and found an alternative. </i> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></b></span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Free Online Selling Tools *I* Use </b></span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-small;"> (Bonus --- these are all free!)</span><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u> </u></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><li><b>Graphic Program to Create Website Headers, Banners, and Buttons</b>:<b><a href="http://www.xheader.com/">XHeader</a></b> </li>
<li><b>Photo Editing Program:</b> <b><a href="http://picasa.google.com/">Picasa</a></b> </li>
<li><b>Photo Organization Software:</b> <b><a href="http://picasa.google.com/">Picasa</a></b> </li>
<li>I<b>mage Hosting:</b> <b><a href="http://photobucket.com/">Photobucket</a></b> </li>
<li><b>Flavicon Creation and Hosting</b>: <b><a href="http://www.iconj.com/">Favicon Hosting at iconj.com</a></b> - (Free Favicon Hosting on right)</li>
<li><b>Image Re-sizing and Format Conversion Program:</b> <b><a href="http://pixresizer.en.softonic.com/">PixResizer</a></b> </li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Remember, the list above is not intended to indicate "The Best". Be smart when selling online, stop worrying about finding the best, and start doing your best.</div><div style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"></span></i></div><div style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Cindy</span></i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PS. If you have a suggestion for an additional tool for selling online, please let me know.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PPS. If you find a problem with any of the above tools, or use an alternate tool that is closer to the best than one of mine, please let me know. I' always interested in moving closer to the best, even though I am not interested in searching for the best. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Next... </b> (<a href="http://sellingonlineforsmarties.blogspot.com/2011/01/not-best-free-resources-for-selling.html">not the) Best Free Resources for Selling Online</a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Then... </b>(not the) Best Tools for Selling Online Which Do Cost Money</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>HorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-12756702913998436642011-01-06T23:22:00.005-05:002011-01-06T23:38:21.313-05:00Content For Your Online Store<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I've seen a lot of online store owners talking about the need to write content. Of course, I agree, your store must have content. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But, that content need not be separate from the products you are selling, nor be on additional pages. Your content can be (and should be) about your products. It can be (and should be) on the same page where you are offering those products for sale.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jpeterman.com/About" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAtSKvpr3lSY9iyP_sLljI1GvGPNf2DfR-uXXUBNKJ6ws4X68pyE56SsTkaMKRWt7bBt35DYm4vDO4lRl5Q4faL1eAE5rmXPUoVH1WfoKCBsMM0SbooKMTz-EBOdvCROpVacWTJFyrg/s400/Screen+Captures.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
As an online store owner, your site likely already has 50 to 100 or more pages. Each of those existing pages is a place to put some content.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What you need to do is "J Peterman" your product pages. At first, you may feel silly. J Peterman never felt silly though, did he? And he sure was successful! (Peterman, The Real Peterman, and, the actual REAL <a href="http://www.jpeterman.com/Mens-Outerwear/Knit-Collar-Coat">J Peterman</a> too).<br />
<br />
You may have to force yourself at first, but before you know it, you will be doing J. proud, AND, you will be doing yourself proud as you rise up in the search results.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<br />
Here's an example from my online store, <a href="http://www.girlshorseclothes.com/">GirlsHorseClothes.com</a>. I tell the shopper what they need to know, plus a bit more..</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vVJJBIuFHOP8nUZCA3camvxxqfZPY8rsYtUG-YxKgONS_ALoFTmqOhKnxxAro1Qvp5xAXNR4OCvhW82JcoqMr2YtbTyi7R2AaL6sw5vlmVMq8zrErBxV_od3uJ4A36ET33OsY5RC3w/s1600/Screen+Captures1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vVJJBIuFHOP8nUZCA3camvxxqfZPY8rsYtUG-YxKgONS_ALoFTmqOhKnxxAro1Qvp5xAXNR4OCvhW82JcoqMr2YtbTyi7R2AaL6sw5vlmVMq8zrErBxV_od3uJ4A36ET33OsY5RC3w/s640/Screen+Captures1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yes, there is more to it than "just talking about" your products. You can find more here about <a href="http://sellingonlineforsmarties.blogspot.com/search/label/SEO%20Techniques">Search Engine Optimization and Keywords</a>, but, content is always smart... <b>so get started "Petermanning" your product pages!</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="color: #741b47;"><b>Cindy</b></i></span></div>HorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-77585502199024730672011-01-04T09:21:00.002-05:002011-06-19T12:23:24.318-04:00Yes You Need a Facebook Account<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I found this photo of my niece slipped between my fridge and the cabinetry this morning. </span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Good thing it was actually her birth announcement, or I wouldn't have known who it was. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZl1iuYNRx5OBsSzh019Pdlsl8pm0mX011mkeL1PQqivHW-lzkL9a1R_VSulvf49D3plY8zS7tQsDqkMl-L_tlNTCpz_Bv-SL31LKDah08AcLoPU7o8OVcBmjVljuc-I1v9IdBtyzyfQ/s1600/IMG_4309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZl1iuYNRx5OBsSzh019Pdlsl8pm0mX011mkeL1PQqivHW-lzkL9a1R_VSulvf49D3plY8zS7tQsDqkMl-L_tlNTCpz_Bv-SL31LKDah08AcLoPU7o8OVcBmjVljuc-I1v9IdBtyzyfQ/s400/IMG_4309.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I right away thought</span>:<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">"I'll post this on Facebook, and tag it with Debbie's name, and comment how it could be "any female baby". She, and our parents and cousins and aunts will get a kick out of it. Plus, our old High School friends might like hearing the age of her kids, etc."</span><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Nope. I can't do that. My sister doesn't have a Facebook Account. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I could call her, but its 6:30am at her house. I could email her, but its really not all that interesting. She probably has the same photo hanging on her bedroom wall.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This situation really needs Facebook. Its not worthy of sending an email to every relative and family friend I have contact info for. Yet.... it would be cute, and those people likely would enjoy seeing the baby photo again. Some would see it, some wouldn't - no problem. Some would make a quick comment, some wouldn't - no problem. There is no NEED for anyone to see it.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But, if someone did see it, it might make them smile. It might lead them to post a much older baby photo of our great-great-great-grandsomeone... Nope, none of that NEEDS to happen. None of us NEED to talk to each other at all. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, right, none of us NEEDS a Facebook Account. For those of us who do have one, though, we are enjoying many personal benefits, such as:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Staying in touch with relatives</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Getting to know acquaintances</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Maintaining friendships</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Getting to know new family members </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sounding board of people who know us -- to vent, to ask for advice, to ask for help</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hearing about local events of interest </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Getting a quick chuckle</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Making someone else chuckle</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Doctor/Carpenter/Kennel reccomendations</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'll allay some of the common reasons to not use Facebook in my next message. I'll also share smart things to do with Facebook for your Online Sales businesses.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> For now, I'm going to savor the benefits. In fact... its before 9am, but I am going to go be amongst the first to wish my mother a happy birthday -- by posting it to her Facebook Account.</span><br />
<div style="color: magenta;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></i></div><div style="color: magenta;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cindy</span></b></i></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">PS -- WOW, I was the 1st American to post Happy Birthday to my mom today. A few of our relatives in Europe did get to it first. And, a good friend of my parents' - who they became friends with more than 40 years ago - had posted her wishes early, a couple days ago. I enjoyed flipping through her photos.</span>HorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-2126163838184931452011-01-03T09:13:00.003-05:002011-01-03T09:18:02.988-05:00Trying to Make Blogging a Habit - Day 5ish<div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">If Only I Were a Vulcan!</span></b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This morning, I wrote three or four blog entries, complete with pictures, while in my kitchen making breakfast. For me, the ideas are rarely the problem. The reason I don't post to my blogs is that I'm not a Vulcan. I cannot just meld my well-written sentences, my interesting title, and my chosen photographs into a posted blog entry. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">No, I am human, so I have to stumble through the word choices, try to remember the title that seemed so witty while stirring the peanut butter(and contained my targeted key words), and search through my computer for that picture that I just know is here somewhere.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hey --- look! I did it! It needs some editing for sure - and I don't have a picture. But... I got my thoughts to your screen. My mind to your mind? I think it was a smart way to start. (and, I get to keep my rounded ears!)</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What's stopping you from making blogging a habit? How can you push through it? Take a step and get started - I'm feeling really good that I did! </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cindy </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PS. Aren't the Vulcans drained after a mind meld? I'm feeling energized and ready to "meld" a few more thoughts to my screen.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div>HorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-53606842511748689652011-01-03T06:45:00.017-05:002011-01-03T09:16:00.274-05:00Making Blogging a Habit - Day 1About a week ago, I got notice that my <a href="http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/seo-optimization.htm">SEO guru</a>, <a href="http://www.cricketwalker.com/">J Cricket Walker</a>, was putting together a blogging challenge, and promptly deleted it. Later that day, I got another email from Cricket, with a few particulars about the challenge - V7N network, Facebook Group, starting January 3rd for 30 days... I didn't delete it.<br />
<br />
A little later, I followed the email to the <a href="http://www.v7n.com/forums/">V7N network</a>, and started actually considering it. I posted to the thread, joined the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/home.php?sk=group_180580495294883&ap=1">Facebook Group</a>, and added my blog url to the <a href="http://www.v7n.com/forums/blogging-forum/228150-v7n-blog-challenge-participants.html">list of participants</a>. I was still just thinking about it. I even indicated that I was not at all committed to posting a blog entry every day for 30 days.<br />
<br />
Then, I started getting email notifications from the FaceBook Group. I had not realized I was set up for that, but was too lazy to change my settings. Instead, I started reading the comments and getting more and more and more interested in blogging. Blogging to direct traffic to my store, blogging as a personal journal... blogging to help other people make blogging a habit.<br />
<br />
Today is January 3rd, 2011, Day 1 of the "Post a Blog Entry a Day for 30 Days". This is the first day I am posting a blog entry, BUT, I'm about 5 days into "Making Blogging a Habit". Mulling it over for the past 5 days, and reading about other people mulling it over -- most of whom Id never met before -- has been a very very important part. <br />
<br />
Blogging is a smart thing to do when selling online. I'll be exploring it in this blog (this month, this year, and next year!). Making blogging a habit is a smart way to get the most out of blogging. And, over the past 5 days, Ive found that talking with others who are trying to make blogging a habit is a smart way do it.<br />
<br />
Feel free to join me... whether you are reading this on Jan 3rd 2011... or Jan 23rd 2011, or October 5th, 2012... anytime is a good time to get started. <br />
<br />
I'd love to hear about it! Post here, or, join Cricket's Facebook Group (its open to everyone, and its fine to start late... no prizes, no rules!)<br />
<br />
Talk to you soon (and the next day, and the next day, and the next day....)<br />
<br />
CindyHorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-16672173721567953042010-08-21T20:37:00.003-04:002011-06-19T12:21:23.033-04:00Share and Learn with Other Online Sellers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdh0J1AKCHPu9wvOJkAkOc8vaBcdoBdZC9UnnAsYnrYCX9S2S9iM9ZoAyjZlY6otoWTASbIDrBH77fu-P2Cu7CFGtPZkh8cx5REDTXh7GX_879bsJTQrOX4Xh8cxIlSBAo7akQqaaRQ/s1600/MomPackWolfpack.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdh0J1AKCHPu9wvOJkAkOc8vaBcdoBdZC9UnnAsYnrYCX9S2S9iM9ZoAyjZlY6otoWTASbIDrBH77fu-P2Cu7CFGtPZkh8cx5REDTXh7GX_879bsJTQrOX4Xh8cxIlSBAo7akQqaaRQ/s320/MomPackWolfpack.gif" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Get in the pack... the MOM PACK! </span><br />
<br />
You don't need to be a werewolf, and you don't have to be a Mom... you just have to be willing to share and learn about selling online, or any other independant business you might own.<br />
Its free to join <a href="http://www.mompack.com/">Mom Pack</a>. And, with so so many members (over 9,000 last I checked) any topic you might imagine is probably covered. Your only obligation is to SHARE.... share Mom Pack with others by adding a link to it to your blog, online store, website, email signature - anywhere you can.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mompack.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-T3cTexDkci-Pqh12OLH-HzRJaXFl7p1icLumEYCNMlgx574ePhVT3aD-yB1tybSWTAtkdTIaZW3BtTJqIz7YwixBucNC6YLjkslnsd1CPOvT1BfEQrEvmQOy1K3lLTjdoj67IBkNQ/s320/MomPackBig.gif" /></a></div>To get started, click the "Click to Join" link. Once your membership (free!) is approved/set up, you will get a few welcome emails with the policies and such. (be SURE to read them, the RULES are really what make Mom Pack SO GREAT!)<br />
<br />
Start out by introducing yourself. Or, start out just by reading what others are asking and talking about. After your introduction, try responding to a few of the messages and questions that are posted to the group (reply directly to the recipient). <br />
<br />
Then, go ahead and ask your question. Responses will usually be emailed to you directly. Similarly, if YOU have an answer to any of the questions you see, you can email the person directly with your advice, or information. <br />
<br />
Be a smart business owner... share what you know, learn from what others are asking, and have a sounding board and vast pool of knowledge.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b> <span style="color: magenta;">Cindy </span></b></i></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mompack.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_c_USbQHMpiEjozQSK1tr_PmsWArGIa_vqUH4MQ1mn00C71QpEUt0xF_vr3QSfCfwkNAPUU5V6Gkd50yYM6VGxj5ioFwvQBTYz7pVbNnYDgYuJh_GY088jvyn2jBBbetQMCDu0GjCzw/s320/MomPackmini.jpg" /></a>PS.Remember, the more you SHARE, the more you LEARN.<br />
<br />
PPS. Mom Pack offers a LOT LOT more than their email list. Let me know what you've found on Mom Pack!<br />
<br />
PPPS. Now over 9,000 members!HorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-10544287646917285872010-07-16T12:47:00.010-04:002010-07-30T16:20:17.070-04:00Instill Buyer Confidence with These Website Clean Up TasksIf Ive convinced you of the need to keep your site tidy to instill buyer confidence, here are some example tasks. I hope they lead you to think of additional clean up tasks as well. <br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Check every link on your home page --- make sure each one takes you to the correct place. <span style="color: #45818e;">Note any page that needs to be fixed.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Check the links on every "kind" of page you have. Most websites are built using templates, so if all of your product pages are created from the same "Product Page Template", and all of your informational pages are created from the same "Info Page Template", then you'll just need to check the links on one of each kind of page. <span style="color: #45818e;">Note anything that needs to be fixed.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you have a "links" page, be sure all of those go somewhere too! <span style="color: #45818e;">Remove any that go to error pages, or that do not go to the site you expected them too.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Check the content on all of your informational pages... policies, shipping info, etc. This can be done from "your side" of your site, so you can edit the content as you go along. For this Clean Up task, focus specifically on finding typos and </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">inconsistencies in formatting and information. <span style="color: #45818e;">Note any policies you'd like to reconsider for later.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Find any and all items which are out of stock, and delete them (or hide them). </span></span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Take Down ALL Those Holiday Decorations </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another important thing to do while cleaning up your site is make sure all of your "holiday decorations" are down. When talking about our websites, "Holiday" refers to any specific time of year --- holidays, seasons, events (Back to School), etc. "Decorations" refers to any reference at all... not just graphics!</span></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Look for and remove any references to holiday shipping schedule and special return policies. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Check your product descriptions for "great stocking stuffer" or "perfect for her Easter Basket" or even "keep cool this summer in ....." when summer is winding down.</span></span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Be a smart seller... Do some of these tasks today. Set a date in your schedule for the others - and a date to repeat the tasks you did today. Regular clean up keeps the messes away, and the website buyer confidence up! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I would love to hear what you find while cleaning up! Id also love to hear additional clean up tasks beyond the examples Ive given here. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank you, and Best Wishes</span><br />
<br />
<div style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cindy </span></b></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>HorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-60946367057011150582010-07-11T16:51:00.004-04:002010-07-30T15:49:30.293-04:00Instill Buyer Confidence and Trust with Current Information<div style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Clean up, Clean up, Everybody, Everywhere....</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Have you browsed your own website recently looking for spills or items left out of place? If not, this is your reminder! </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cleaning up our websites is something smart online business owners need to do regularly. A great idea is to schedule this every 3 months or so on your calender. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When you don't clean up these small messes, they can easily accumulate into a large mess - from your customer's point of view. I suspect most online shoppers don't mind an occasional item in an incorrect catagory or an occasional image which overhangs the page layout. Imagine, though, a customer seeing the exact same same mistake - still there when they return a month later.... that buyer is likely losing confidence in your ability to fill their order promptly and correctly. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Example:</b></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Someone left their decorations up too long...</b><br />
Today is July 11th. I added some items to my cart on an online store's website I'd never heard of before. On the cart page is the following message (details changed)</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Note: PARCEL POST shipments will NOT arrive by December 24th. <br />
PRIORITY MAIL might not arrive by December 24th, especially to states east of the Mississippi, as we ship from the Los Angeles Area. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My guess is an old note the seller forgot to remove from the website. But, I can't help but wonder if the site is now defunct, and I don't much feel like taking the chance with my time or my money.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've clicked every link I can find, but cannot find any way to contact the site to ask them if they are still in business.... but THAT'S another subject for another day!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Even though I know its smart to shop with small, independant businesses, I just did not feel comfortable enough to proceed with giving my credit card information, and expecting the items to arrive. </span><br />
<div style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div><div style="color: #45818e;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Next time, </span></span></b></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ill suggest some specific clean up tasks, to help make your site appear as good as it really is.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thanks! (Don't wait... start your clean up now!) </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><i><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cindy </span></b></i><b> </b></div>HorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-27908125213407135992010-04-21T11:19:00.003-04:002011-01-03T09:35:02.370-05:00Branding for Businesses Selling OnlineHave you been Twittering, creating Facebook Business Pages, blogging, and commenting on related blogs? Have you thought about Branding?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTMtwfrhaxr99v0TmBj6W2A-97izwLKuxA1WDYRkFovKxHdknxCx32puoEpQGgMiuB9CmCWhJBVfFi8f64Ru7XDQh5McedUCi9Nk-V__g7VKlhe8hMecnMjkY7VWK4lO3cBPeUgl_fg/s1600/mcdonalds-logo+%28297+x+229%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTMtwfrhaxr99v0TmBj6W2A-97izwLKuxA1WDYRkFovKxHdknxCx32puoEpQGgMiuB9CmCWhJBVfFi8f64Ru7XDQh5McedUCi9Nk-V__g7VKlhe8hMecnMjkY7VWK4lO3cBPeUgl_fg/s200/mcdonalds-logo+%28297+x+229%29.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Branding has to do with the public recognizing your business. <br />
<br />
Its how even an 18 month old "knows" the billboard ahead is for McDonalds, even though he has never seen that particular billboard before. McDonalds uses their "Golden Arches" in all of their advertisements and communications - always.<br />
<br />
Icons like those golden arches are often called logos. They can be a graphic, a graphic with text, or text displayed as a graphic. <br />
<br />
I have a professionally made logo for my main business, <a href="http://www.girlshorseclothes.com/">www.GirlsHorseClothes.com</a>.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MgtVC_8UpClX3RNPQpKXL8lCNWJg1xdhIHVPLRTYsHO8j1KoIEsHFbnqUpTkT__urcwqwkIyia8TwiJO6tqPMmQALpRV_e1HEseSql6U7VXmgadqWsNzTXq25sH6EJIFIPjTzHZHLA/s1600/logo_finalpinkarns-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MgtVC_8UpClX3RNPQpKXL8lCNWJg1xdhIHVPLRTYsHO8j1KoIEsHFbnqUpTkT__urcwqwkIyia8TwiJO6tqPMmQALpRV_e1HEseSql6U7VXmgadqWsNzTXq25sH6EJIFIPjTzHZHLA/s200/logo_finalpinkarns-1.JPG" width="156" /></a><br />
<br />
I use the girl from the logo as my Twitter avatar, as my Profile Photo on its Facebook business page, and on my business related blog.<br />
<br />
I also use it as my avatar on any related forums or blogs I post to.<br />
<br />
One short cut to this is to add an image to your Google Account. Another is to set up a "gravitar" through <a href="http://en.gravatar.com/">http://en.gravatar.com/</a> .<br />
<br />
Many blogs use one of these services to "find" those making comments - just from their email address (rather than having to set up a profile individually). <br />
<br />
The idea here is name recognition leads to buyer confidence. <br />
<br />
The first time someone clicks into your site (from a search result, lets say), they will not recognize your site, nor your logo. The third time they come across your logo - perhaps as an avatar on a forum you posted to - they will likely recognize having seen the logo before. <br />
<br />
Soon enough, a person will feel like they "know" your business - even if, perhaps, they have never placed an order with the business.<br />
<br />
The next time they happen to click into your site, they may feel more comfortable.... familiarity leads to comfort, comfort leads to confidence, confidence leads to "going for it" (and making that purchase, or requesting more info on that service...). <br />
<br />
Its just human nature to feel more comfortable with things we have seen before, than with things that seem totally new. Nature designed us to be smart. So, do the smart thing and work with human nature! When you are twittering, facebooking, blogging, or chatting for business, include a memorable, consistent BRAND. <br />
<br />
Be Smart!<br />
<b><i style="color: magenta;">Cindy</i></b><br />
<br />
PS - YES! Selling Online for Smarties is in desperate need of some branding! If you have ideas for a graphic logo, please post your concept or email it to me (Cindy522@522Consulting.com). If something clicks, I will review your site and offer my suggestions for free. (so, if you comment, please be sure I can reach you!)<br />
Thank you! CindyHorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-74803047428073514912010-03-29T12:05:00.001-04:002010-03-29T12:06:54.880-04:00Choosing a Merchant Account to Accept Credit Cards for Your Online Sales Business.<div><span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Note... </b>this is a continuation from this article. <b> <a href="http://sellingonlineforsmarties.blogspot.com/2010/03/accepting-credit-card-payments-from.html">Accepting Credit Card Payments on Your Website</a></b></span></span><br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;">So, you know you want to offer credit card payments right on your website. Youve looked into Propay, but it isnt right for your situation. Now, you need to look for a merchant account. <b><br />
</b></span></span><br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Merchant Accounts</b></span></span></div><div><span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;">For more than 3K a month, a merchant account is likely the way to go. This is trickier, because one has to "shop around" to find a good deal. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Start out by finding out what "gateway" your shopping cart works with. </span></span><span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This is a service that goes between the website and the credit card processor - to communicate check-out information TO the credit card processor, and to collect information FROM the card processor .</span></span><span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Authorize.net is a popular "gateway", but there are others. </span></span><span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You will then need to look for merchant account providors who offer/work with the gateway you need to use.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;">To shop around, I'd just start the way I do with everything new I get into. I call a company I'm unlikely to go with, and fumble my way around, not knowing what to ask about, not knowing the lingo, etc. I allow myself to "play dumb" - and just start at the begining "Hello, I have an online store, and I want to process credit cards - how much will that cost?" </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> I always learn a lot doing that, and thus "know what to ask for" when Im ready to call actual potential vendors. Still... Id again go with a company Im less likely to go with, to brush up on "playing smart".</span></span><br />
</div><div><span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span></div><div><span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There are a lot of different fee types used in the credit card processing business. So you need to be sure the company you are speaking with is giving you ALL the associated costs. Do not be too quick to narrow down your list based on advertised pricing.... because you will likely NOT be comparing "apples to apples". Some will charge a fee for integration with Authorize.net... some include it. Some charge a "monthly statement fee" (and require you get a monthly statement). (and lots of other stuff). </span></span><br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The company that looks most expensive, may actually be right on par with the others... but is choosing to be upfront about the total costs (or, they may just BE more expensive!)</span></span><br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You should also ask the costs and fees in the case a customer disputes a charge (wether they win or lose, the credit card processor typically charges their customer a fee). And, of course, ask "what other fees are there?" AND "What other charges are there monthly? annually?. Ask what happens if you start to process more transactions than you are expecting? Less than expected?</span></span><br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Before committing to anything, have them send it to you in writing, and go over it with them to be sure you have ALL the information.</span></span><br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;">----Don't be afraid! Just be informed! This is just the way some industries are. Most likley, you will find a representative you feel comfortable with, and find a great match for your business</span></span><br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Whatever you do - be smart and do it! Accept credit cards on your site.... without sending your customer AWAY from your site to Paypal or Google checkout. (Can you imagine a cashier in a mall store telling you to walk down to the next store to swipe your credit card, and then come back to pick up your bag of goodies????? No matter how convinient they made this.... its still not great customer service. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Cindy </span></i></span></span><br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></span></div>HorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-86463970891122468982010-03-05T12:42:00.000-05:002010-03-05T12:42:25.195-05:00Accepting Credit Card Payments from your Online Store - Getting Started<div><span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You're on your way to bringing customers to your online store, you're helping them feel comfortable buying from you, so now.... you need a way for them to pay you!</span></span></div><div><span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You've been accepting Paypal and Google Check-out, but you want to add more professionalism and stop loosing sales from uncompleted check-outs. Accepting credit card payments directly on your website is a smart thing to do.</span></span></div><div><span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;">One smart option for accepting credit card payments directly on your website is <a href="http://www.propay.com/">Propay</a>. You will need to check with your Cart provider to see if Propay is an option. If not, read ahead anyway, as it may be something you want to suggest, or a reason to choose one Cart/eCommerce Provider over another. </span></span></div><div><span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://app.highwire.com/?ref=Cindy522">HighWire Commerce</a> (formally Buy It Sell It eCommerce Solution Provider) offers easy integration to Propay.</span></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Propay</span><span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> is VERY easy to set up and very easy to understand and use, making it a smart choice for those new to accepting credit cards directly on their website. While you may well out-grow it, its a smart way to get started. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Propay's website is very easy to use - to refund customers if necessary (full or partial amounts), to transfer funds to your checking account (or paper check if you prefer), and also allows you to very easily process payments manually - such as when taking an order by phone. </span></span><br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span> <br />
<div><span class="406570014-05032010"></span>Propay's fees are similiar to Paypal. You will pay more to use Propay, but the sales not lost during checkout will easily cover the additional costs.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Propay fees differ from Paypal fees in the following ways:</div><ul><li>Annual fee, approx 55$</li>
<li>Transaction fee charged on refunds, as well as purchases. (35 cents each) and, the transaction fee from the initial purchase is not refunded.</li>
<li>Transaction fee charged to transfer funds to your checking account (35 cents)</li>
</ul><br />
<div></div><div><span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Propay offers the best deal for small volume/ small dollar amount per transaction sellers. If you expect to process under 3000$ a month (for now!), they are the lowest price option, and an easy way to get what you need.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;">When you need the ability to regularly process more per month, a Merchant Account will be the way to go. Stay tuned for info on those.</span></span><br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="color: magenta;"><i><b><span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Cindy</span></span></b></i></div><span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="406570014-05032010"><span style="font-family: Arial;">NOTE: Propay does have more restrictions than most Merchant Accounts. These include restrictions on the type of items sold (such as ammunition), and deposit requirements for sellers of expensive and/or items they deem high risk, such as electronics and fine jewelry. If this applies to you, you may want to apply for an account with them, and see what they ask of you - which could be nothing, could be something you'd fine acceptable, or, might cause you to opt for a merchant account instead. </span></span></div>HorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-28981958593334441142010-02-10T13:21:00.002-05:002011-01-03T09:36:09.485-05:00Advertise Your Business - Yourself!YOU know your business the best, so you can advertise your business, yourself!<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<br />
If you are like me, and your business is related to your interests or your lifestyle, then chances are, YOU are going places your potential customers go too. <br />
<br />
Perhaps you sell <a href="http://www.mypreciouskid.com/products/baby-products.html">baby safety products</a>, like Kay of My Precious Kid. <b style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Her market is people with babies, and expectant parents. While Kay is out of the baby stage and not often in Babies R Us or at the obstetrician's office, her market is everywhere. Parents of infants and expectant parents go just about everywhere.</span></span></b><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
YOU can be a "walking billboard" for your business - without looking like an over-eager campaign worker.<br />
My favorite way to do this is with an accessory, rather than with an article of clothing. This way, you can add it and remove it as desired - and - you can wear it every day, without doing laundry each day.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/CindyGuziak/bag/IMG_4713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/CindyGuziak/bag/IMG_4713.jpg" width="196" /></a>For my business, I had nylon backpacks made with a niche-related graphic, and my url at the bottom. My daughter and I carry them while out and about - wherever we might go - and certainly to any horse related events we attend.<br />
<br />
The graphic + url does two things. The graphic is a conversation piece - strangers ask us about our love of horses, and tell us of their love of horses. Ive always been ready to strike up conversations with strangers while waiting in line, and I love talking about horses and my business, so it doesn't feel weird. Its natural conversation. We are just chatting with someone who commented on our bag - just as we would about our shoes.<br />
<br />
This also happens while using our products. I sell horse themed clothing, and my daughter and I have horse themed clothing in our wardrobes too. Again, sometimes resulting in comments from other festival goers and mall shoppers. <br />
<br />
With the url on the bag as well, people become aware of <a href="http://girlshorseclothes.com/">GirlsHorseClothes.com</a> when they walk by, or see my bag slung over my restaurant chair.<br />
<br />
I, myself, prefer to keep it subtle - and again, natural. I do not wear horse themed apparel every day, and don't usually carry a bag while doing so. I also tend to do so more often in very public places, rather than when invited to a neighbor's backyard Bar-B-Que. <br />
<br />
But - you are going places... your market goes places - places specific to your niche, as well as places everyone goes. Be smart and use your products while out and about, and, go a step farther and order a few bags to carry, or notebooks or whatever fits with your lifestyle.<br />
<br />
I'd love to hear how you advertise your business yourself, so please leave me a comment.<br />
Thank you,<br />
CindyHorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-6922920691014530172010-01-10T13:33:00.002-05:002010-07-30T16:18:53.063-04:00Be a Successful Online SellerPART of being a successful online seller is "what will sell". At LEAST as important is "those items being found", and "those who find (and want them) them being comfortable enough to place an order with you".<br />
<br />
To get your items FOUND, I very highly recommend the SEO Techniques eBook by J Cricket Walker - <a class="SmlLinks" href="http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/seo-techniques.htm" target="_"blank"">http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/seo-techniques.htm</a> . Its over 50 pages of solid content, explaining what needs to be done, AND, how it all works together.<br />
<br />
To make your visitors COMFORTABLE buying from you, I highly recommend her "Website Marketing" articles, found here: <a class="SmlLinks" href="http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/marketing-tutorials.htm" target="_"blank"">http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/marketing-tutorials.htm</a>.<br />
<br />
This is not Marketing as in "advertising", its Marketing as in "Be appealing to your customer".<br />
<br />
The articles address how to make your site appeal to shoppers, how to KEEP visitors on your site, and how to instill visitor trust/confidence. From making your site "user friendly" to allowing them to trust you to fulfill their order (and enter their payment info!)... she touches on so many common sense things that many of us just won't see when viewing our OWN online stores. <br />
<br />
Most is free and fast and easy to implement... but things you may not have thought of in terms of how online buyers react to sites. (The articles posted there are in alphabetical order, so please look through all the topics, rather than working in order)<br />
<br />
Take the smart path, and take advantage of this out information to help you succeed! Let me know how it goes!<br />
<br />
CindyHorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-48610578503745648862009-10-29T12:17:00.001-04:002011-01-03T09:37:05.042-05:00Take the Leap to Selling from Your Own Website<span style="font-family: verdana;">I'd been selling on eBay for several years, Amazon too. I'd considered creating my own site a few times, but it never seemed worth the work for the reduction in fees. In April or May of 2008, I took a fresh look, and finally, Went For It. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">These three key things finally got me to DO IT.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">#1. I Wanted my sales to be higher, and saw postings to the eBay stores board over and over that there was an ADDITIONAL market outside of eBay.... eBay store sellers stating their sales were up from their websites, while they were down on eBay</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">#2 Yet another announcement from eBay manipulating how *I* run *my* business.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">#3 Reading a woman on the eBay Stores board state she was selling 1000 a month through her website.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Still... I really did not believe these additional sales would come......</span><br />
<br />
My eBay listings were very very often shown in Google search results in those 3 Google Base results, and fairly often in the first page of regular goggle results. So, I assumed anyone who wanted my items, but did not start out on eBay would find them, and buy them. I assumed there was only ONE market.<br />
<br />
I ALSO firmly believed that no one would choose to buy from "Cindy's Website" when they could buy from eBay - a household name, with a feedback system, "seller protection", etc.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Turns out I was TOTALLY WRONG in my assumptions. There ARE people who have never purchased through eBay, and feel its too complicated to do so now. Thus, they simply ignore any Google search results that are from eBay. If they do happen to open a listing through Google base, they click right back out when they see its on eBay.<br />
<br />
As smart sellers, we know that customer perception is what matters. And customers who perceive our items as too complicated to purchase will not be purchasing any of our available items.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">For me, taking the leap was definitly the Smart thing to do. <br />
<br />
Perhaps its time for you to make that smart leap too. If so, I use <a href="http://app.buyitsellit.com/?ref=Cindy522">BuyItSellIt eCommerce Solution</a>. Don't worry, you can keep one foot planted on eBay or Amazon... but leap with that other foot.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cindy</span><br />
<br />
</span>Ill be posting again soon regarding how I transistioned from selling through online marketplaces (such as eBay and Amazon) to selling through my own Independent Online Website. If you cant wait to get startedHorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-62276090608575374182009-10-15T09:26:00.002-04:002011-06-19T12:22:11.793-04:00Expand your Keyword List<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">With a little help from the 2nd Grade Teacher!</span><br />
<br />
I got to visit my daughter's second grade classroom yesterday. The teacher designed some activites that parents could help groups of kids with. The topic was synonyms. You know, words that mean the same thing, like fast and quick, or cold and chilly.<br />
<br />
She gave each kid a drawing of a bowl, each with a different word on it. Then, they needed to come up with 2-3 words that meant the same thing, and write them on ice cream scoops. (yummmm, ice cream!).<br />
<br />
The words were harder than I expected... I was having a hard time helping the kids, as I thought they were supposed to think of words they knew. Until, the teacher gave each group a thesaurus, saying this was a chance for the kids to learn new words. I quickly (rapidly?) started flipping through to find each child's word.<br />
<br />
And then it hit me.... *I* could use a <a class="b sel hdr" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=8023555988188394434&postID=6227609060857537418&from=pencil" onmousedown="ask.dict.updateQuery(this,false);ct(this,51023);" style="cursor: default; float: left;"></a>thesaurus - not to learn new words, but to think of new <span style="font-weight: bold;">keywords</span>!<br />
<br />
Ive always used the keyword clothes, and later added clothing. The thesaurus mentioned attire, apparel, fashions, garb, wardrobe, and wear. None of those words are new to me.... but I certainly have not been using them. I think attire and apparel deserve some investigation - they just had not occurred to me before.<br />
<br />
There are thesaurus sites on the web, such as http://thesaurus.reference.com/. But, I think I'm going to <span style="font-style: italic;">petition for</span> a paperback <span style="font-style: italic;">edition</span> this <span style="font-style: italic;">forthcoming</span> Holiday <span style="font-style: italic;">Interval</span>.<br />
<br />
Perhaps you will too! Finding new ways to find new keywords is smart selling.<br />
<br />
Enjoy! <span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Cindy</span>HorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-63566447948750292702009-07-27T10:32:00.002-04:002011-01-03T09:37:48.115-05:00A quick, free, easy, low skill way to make-over your blog, online store, ebay store, or informational website.<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Give your site a mini-makeover </span> (No Money, No HTML, 15 minutes)</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">When I hear the word make-over, my first guess is making over <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">someone's</span> appearance, </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">specifically</span>, their face.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Let's consider the top of our websites as their face. Its the first thing a visitor sees, and usually <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">appears</span> on every page of our site. It needs a mini-makeover from time to time.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Your Site's Header</span><br />
This section is usually called the header, and includes the name of the site. It might also include other information, a graphical logo, and/or other graphics. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Your site's Header might be an image file, or a simple line of text. For an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">eBay</span> store, consider your store logo as your header.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Why its Smart to Makeover your website's Header</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Whether</span> your site's Header is looking stunning, or plain, or anywhere in between, its a smart idea to make some changes about once a month. Changes will show visitors that someone is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">actively</span> caring for and tending to your site. It will show those who've visited in the past that there is a reason to take another look.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Take a look at Amazon.com or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">OldNavy</span>.com... you'll likely notice a slight change from the last time you looked - often with no functional changes at all... just an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">aesthetic</span> change.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Let's do it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Yep, even if you paid top dollar to have a header made for you, its smart to give it a little makeover. If you have nothing but a line of text, don't worry, its easy to give that a quick make-over too.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Tools for job</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">I have been using <a href="http://xheader.com/Free_Header_Graphic_Software_Download_Page.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">XHeader</span></a> to create my website headers and banners, but you can use any graphics/photo editing tool you are comfortable with that provides high resolution <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">jpg</span> images.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://xheader.com/Free_Header_Graphic_Software_Download_Page.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">XHeader</span></a> is a free download. I like that it allows me to save a working file, to go back to later to move elements around, remove elements, etc.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">If your header is a line of text</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;"> Duplicate the text in your graphics program, using the same font, same color, same size, etc. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">If your header is an image</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Open that image in a graphics program. You may want to first crop various elements of the header and save them <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">separately</span>, so <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">you'll</span> be able to move them around in the new image. (Be smart - keep at least 2 back up copies!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Keep in mind...</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">The purpose of a mini-makeover is not to CHANGE a person's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">appearance</span> so much that they are unrecognizable, nor is it meant to change the way they function. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">So, be sure to retain aspects of your current header.<br />
<br />
When people open your site after this makeover, you want them to instantly know that they ARE on YOUR site. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Whether</span> they type in your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">url</span>, use a bookmark, or find one of your pages from a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">web search</span>, you want them to know instantly they have been here before. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">What to keep the same</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Perhaps retain the graphic logo, the color Scheme, and/or the way your site name is written. Perhaps leave everything just as it is, and only add to it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Give it a makeover!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Perhaps.... </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Add a stripe of color to the top, or bottom of your header (or maybe the middle)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tweak the color scheme just a bit.. go a shade darker or a shade lighter in every color used.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Add a background color - either to blend into your sites background, or to stand out from it.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Add additional graphics or product images. (or remove existing ones)</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Add quick text promoting a current or upcoming special</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">.Add information your viewers might be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">interested</span> to know... Payment methods accepted, shipping charges, date your blog started, whatever.</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Try getting inspiration from</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Upcoming holidays, upcoming change of seasons</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Look up some more obscure holidays, or events related to your site</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">New products or new information added to your site</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Want Examples?</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Back-to-school - <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">school bus</span>, backpacks, pencils, create a chalkboard look, use a school approved printing font...</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">End of Summer - </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">jewel tone colors, </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">sunset, empty beach chairs<br />
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Start of fall - earth tone colors, apples, colored leaves</span><br />
</li>
</ul>Some examples from my site:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v48/CindyGuziak/?action=view&current=GHCRegularHeader820450x94.jpg" title="GHCRegularHeader820450x94.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/CindyGuziak/GHCRegularHeader820450x94.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v48/CindyGuziak/?action=view&current=thinnerHeader450x66.jpg" title="thinnerHeader450x66.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/CindyGuziak/thinnerHeader450x66.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v48/CindyGuziak/?action=view&current=YellowHeartTHIN450x81.jpg" title="YellowHeartTHIN450x81.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/CindyGuziak/YellowHeartTHIN450x81.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Be sure to save a copy of your existing header.... perhaps 9 months from now, you'll </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">use it again, as a ready-made mini-makeover.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Remember, keep your header recognizable. Save copies as you go along... if you decide to make a lot of changes, perhaps use some of the intermediate saved copies for a few weeks each.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic;">Id love to see YOUR mini-makeovers! Please add a link to your site in the comment section. (and one to the before header too, if possible.</span><br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<span style="color: #ff6666; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Cindy</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">PS: Ill say it again... be smart and keep a back-up.<br />
<br />
PPS: See more make-over blog articles today. Start with </span></span><span style="color: #ff6666;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.hopelesslyflawed.com/?p=599">Hopelessly Flawed's Makeover Monday built-in Desk</a></span></span><span style="color: #ff6666; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span>HorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-86419700359928138122009-06-10T10:10:00.000-04:002009-06-10T10:45:17.168-04:00Auction or Fixed Price eBay Listings?<span style="font-weight: bold;">I think 30 Day Fixed Price (30dFP) is the way to go!</span><br /><br />FP is such a GREAT DEAL, in so many ways.<br /><br />For 35 cents, you have the whole month for it to sell... rather than just a week with an auction.<br /><br />Up until it sells, you can change the title, change the price, whatever.... with an auction, if someone bids, you cannot make any changes... and then it could sell for that opening bid.<br /><br />With 30 days, you can <span style="font-weight: bold;">try out a few stratedgies,</span> all for that same 35 cent listing fee.<br />You can start out with a fairly high price (maybe someone has a saved search looking for EXACTLY what you are selling)..... Then add the Best Offer option after a week, then lower the price a bit a week later, then lower some more, and take off the best offer option.... <br /><br />With 30 days... you can <span style="font-weight: bold;">use ALL of those smart keywords</span> you've thought of. Select some to get started... after 2 weeks or so, switch in some different ones. <br /><br />When you're down to <span style="font-weight: bold;">less than a week left</span>... go to your best price... the lowest price you are HAPPY to take... the lowest price the item is WORTH. <br /><br />If its still unsold with a day or two left, decide what YOU want to do. Do you want to lower the price to try to ensure the item sells? Or, do you want to take a chance and let the listing run out, to see if there will be a last day buyer? (Yes, even with Fixed Price, people DO buy at the end). <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">If the listing goes unsold</span>, you've "lost" 35 cents, and likely picked up a few watchers, and more experience with the item. You could now: Relist to 30dFP right away, relist to your eBay store, if you have one, or..... let the item stay unlisted for a month or two... and relist it then for another 30 days.. once again pricing on the high side to start.... working with your title, etc.HorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-46328933069552891952009-06-01T12:39:00.004-04:002011-01-03T09:42:30.901-05:00Need a Place to Talk With Other Smart Online Sellers?<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Check out </span><a href="http://www.herecomesthestork.com/amember/go.php?r=13622&i=b1" style="font-weight: bold;">Here Comes the Stork</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">!!!!!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.herecomesthestork.com/amember/go.php?r=13622&i=b7"><img alt="Here Comes The Stork-Your Guide to Selling Online!" border="0" height="72" src="http://www.herecomesthestork.com/AffIMG/banner392X72%20copy.jpg" width="392" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><a href="http://www.herecomesthestork.com/cgi-bin/affiliates/clickthru.cgi?id=cjg70"> </a><span style="font-size: 78%;"> </span>HCTS (Here Comes the Stork) is a forum /bulletin board site for online sellers. It started out as a group for women selling kids clothing on eBay -but it has expanded a great deal. HCTS is now an active group of online sellers - selling all kinds of things, through all kinds of venues.<br />
</span><span class="140593614-01062009"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 78%;"> </span><br />
The site includes some content articles, but its heart and soul is the forums. Forums include a general sellers chat, plus specific forums to talk about:</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.herecomesthestork.com/AffIMG/banner120x240B%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.herecomesthestork.com/AffIMG/banner120x240B%20.jpg" /></a></div><ul><li><span class="140593614-01062009"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Selling on eBay</span></span></li>
<li><span class="140593614-01062009"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Selling on Amazon.com Marketplace</span></span></li>
<li><span class="140593614-01062009"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Selling through Bonazzle, eCrater, and other newer/smaller venues.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="140593614-01062009"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Running your own website</span></span></li>
<li><span class="140593614-01062009"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Blogging for Business</span></span></li>
<li><span class="140593614-01062009"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Selling Toys</span></span></li>
<li><span class="140593614-01062009"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Selling Clothing </span></span></li>
<li><span class="140593614-01062009"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hot Auctions/Listings</span></span></li>
<li><span class="140593614-01062009"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Tips & Tricks/FAQ</span></span></li>
<li><span class="140593614-01062009"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Obtaining Inventory</span></span></li>
<li><span class="140593614-01062009"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Photo Editing/ HTML Design</span></span></li>
<li><span class="140593614-01062009"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Designing and Creating Clothing & other items for resale</span></span></li>
<li><span class="140593614-01062009"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Selling on Etsy<br />
</span></span></li>
</ul><span class="140593614-01062009"><span style="font-family: Arial;">...... and more. </span></span><span class="140593614-01062009"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Plus, an off topic section... for when its time for a coffee break!</span></span><span class="140593614-01062009"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
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I've been a member since November, 2006. I learned enough in just my first day to save hundreds of dollars on shipping supplies (while also presenting a nicer looking package, and spending less time packing). Also - in just that first day, I saw how I could increase my sales fairly quickly by making easy changes to the way I took my pictures and presented my items.<br />
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I've learned a whole lot more since then! It's smart to have people to bounce ideas off of. It's smart to hear the tricks and tips others have discovered, and it's smart to share what you've learned yourself with others. When I share what I've learned or figured out on my own.... that helps it really come together in my own mind too.<br />
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Wherever you are as an online seller.... </span></span><span class="140593614-01062009"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.herecomesthestork.com/amember/go.php?r=13622&i=b1">Here Comes the Stork</a> is right for you - from the well seasoned, to the brand new newbie.... every online seller has something to share - AND - every online seller has something to learn.<br />
</span></span><span class="140593614-01062009" style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="140593614-01062009"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Be smart - come learn from others!<br />
<span style="color: #ff6666; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Cindy</span><br />
(Cindy522 on HCTS!)<br />
</span></span>HorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023555988188394434.post-23529724149824407382009-06-01T09:39:00.002-04:002010-02-10T13:18:08.319-05:00Use Flock to Drag and Drop Photos into EBay Listings.<span style="font-family: arial;">Oops! Looks like I was mistaken about dragging and dropping from Photobucket, as I'm realizing this morning that I'm only able to drag in a thumbnail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial;">So, I am back to recommending Flock! Flock is actually a browser, designed for working with multiple social networking sites. I, myself, only use it's Media Stream applications, which is what I'm going to explain - and show you - here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial;">It will take some time to get the Flock Media Stream and Media bar installed and set up. But, once these one-time steps are complete, you will save time and frustration every time you want to include a photo in an ebay listing, or in a blog entry or forum post. Its smart to spend a bit of time to save MANY bits of time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;">To Get & Install Flock</span><br />
<ul style="font-family: arial;"><li><span style="font-size: 78%;">Note: You will need a photobucket account. Create one first if you do not already have one.</span><br />
</li>
<li>Go to http://photobucket.com/flock.</li>
<li>Click to Download Flock 2.0 (save file if asked)<br />
</li>
<li>Optional to enter email address</li>
<li>Open the saved/downloaded file.</li>
<li>Choose "Custom Installation". Uncheck the box next to "make Flock my browser"</li>
<li><span style="font-size: 78%;">Note: My Kapersky Security Software hollered about a few things during installation... I allowed it to proceed.</span></li>
<li>Allow the installation to add an Icon to your desktop, and/or your start menu, etc.</li>
</ul><span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;">To Set-Up Flock</span><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v48/CindyGuziak/FlockIcon.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v48/CindyGuziak/FlockIcon.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 265px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 380px;" /></a><br />
<ul style="font-family: arial;"><li>Open Flock (such as from the desktop icon).</li>
<li>Notice a tab is already open to Photobucket(center, about 1/3 the way down the screen). Click on that tab.</li>
<li>Log in to your Photobucket Account.</li>
<li>Find and click the Media Stream menu near the top right of the window.</li>
<li>Choose Settings.... Show Drag Icons</li>
<li>Resize the Flock window so that just the Media bar shows, and drag it to the bottom of your screen.</li>
</ul><span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;">Using Flock to Bring Photos into Your eBay Listings.</span><br />
<ul style="font-family: arial;"><li>Open an eBay listing in your normal browser window (FireFox, IE, whatever), and click to revise it.</li>
<li>Scroll down so you see the description box, including pictures within the description.</li>
<li>No need to click the HTML tab! Stay in the "Standard" tab.</li>
<li>Open Flock, sized so the media bar shows along the bottom of the screen.</li>
<li>If you do not see your photos, click the "Media Streams" menu... My Accounts... your account name.</li>
</ul><ul style="font-family: arial;"><li>Hover your mouse over the larger rectangle "drag button" on the photo you want to bring into your listing. </li>
<li>Click and hold and drag - into the eBay listing, and into the location where you want the photo - then let go (release the mouse button)</li>
<li>If the photo didn't go quite where you wanted it, click on it and drag it where you do want it.</li>
<li>If its larger than you'd like, hover your mouse at the corner, click when you see the arrowed line, then drag the corner until the image is the size you want.</li>
<li>Repeat as needed to add more photos.<br />
</li>
</ul><span style="font-family: arial;">Note: If you have photos you want to remove, just click on them, then hit the delete key on your keyboard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial;">Fast, and easy, and no fussing with code. Its smart to know how things work, and even smarter to use a short cut!</span><br />
<span style="color: #ff6666; font-style: italic;">Cindy</span>HorseLoversMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00950287694494222933noreply@blogger.com1