Are you on my mailing list?
If not, please send your address to gina.bubblycreations@gmail.com and I'll put you on the list! I try to do fun stuff throughout the year, and I am not at all junkish with my mailings (who can afford to send out USPS Junk mail? Not me!! I'd rather make soap and send you cool stuff!!!) I also don't sell my lists.
Towards the end of this month I will be sending out Bingo cards to everyone on the list so that we can start the Second Annual Soapy Bingo game! Last year I gave away 2 $10 gift certificates to the Bubbly Creations Store!
So fun!
Numbers are announced via Facebook (bubblycreationssoap) and twitter (@bubblycreations)
Showing posts with label Exposure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exposure. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Social Media and the business world
I know that I talk more about what it is like to be in business and less about how I make soap. Perhaps one day, I will start talking about making soap, but honestly, during the times when I am on the computer, it's the business end of things that I am focusing on. I can hardly stop stirring to go update my blog! (oh what a soapy mess that would make!)
Because my website is hosted though Artfire, I have a unique opportunity to work with other small, handmade businesses.We share stories and suggestions. We ask questions and get professional opinions. We see, share, and buy each others products. Most of us have never met face to face, but we meet in website forums and get to know each other.
Social media. It is an industry that is growing by leaps and bounds.
When I was a young lass, I had a boyfriend who was a stand up comic. He still is. It used to drive me NUTS how he would make sure that comedy would come up in every conversation. He would trade passes for dinners, movie tickets, anything he could. In hindsight, this was awesome because we got to go out a lot more than we would have if he hadn't because we were young and our income was low. He became a master at promoting himself. There was no Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Wanelo, or any of the other multitudes of social media that there are today. This was more than 10 years ago. Not everyone had email, and very few people had a website. (I think I had one before he did!). Younger me hated all that networking even though I understood why he did it.
That man is a professional comic now. I follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I used to help moderate the forums on his website. I see him promoting himself still, using these wonderful tools to maintain his fan base and to keep himself and his wonderful girlfriend traveling around doing what they love.
And I do the same. But differently. Because I get to sit in my little cottage and snuggle my dog in between posts.
I'm not as focused on Social Media as my friend, but I still use it. I cross promote with the other Artfire Artisans and they are likely to return the favor. I'm lucky. I don't have to talk up my soap to every Tom, Dick, and Harry that I meet (although I will mention it casually if the opportunity arises) because I can talk about myself on my blogs, Twitter, and Facebook. I can take pictures of what I am up to and post them to Instagram, using hash tags to attract new followers. I can choose where I will share them on Facebook, to keep my family from getting tired of looking at bars of soap that are welcomed by my Facebook followers. I can post my products on Wanelo and reach a worldwide audience. I can get to know what is trending on Pinterest (and keep track of all the awesome I find on the internet!) I use these tools (as well as the interactions I have with other Artisans both on Artfire and the other sites where I have become a community member) to allow the public to get to know me. They see my website and if they like me, want to go see what is going on. They follow me on Facebook and Twitter. They read my blog (HELLO!!) to see what I have to say.
Social media, I think, is stronger than the TV, and it's generally free. It allows the public to get to know business owners on a personal level. I'm talking to you, not some corporate spokesperson who is out of reach. In a way, it allows me to reach out and touch customers and potential customers in a way that I couldn't before. Not with the frequency with which I can do it now. My catalog came out once a year. It was fun mailing it off, but I reach far more people on Facebook than I ever did slowly trying to gather addresses to send to. And oh my goodness, I can do it from my phone.
If you are unfamiliar with any of the social media outlest I listed above, Please check them out. I have linked my accounts below and given a couple of examples on how I use the service. Follow me if you'd like.
Facebook (I update here most frequently because it's easy. Here is where I post successes and current projects.)
Twitter (Facebook updates directly to twitter so I don't use it directly as often)
Wanelo (Wanelo {WAnt NEed LOve} is a social media shopping place. You can go there and find things that people are buying or want to buy. I post my products there directly and other products that I love. Especially the handmade ones. It's hard for the little guys to get the attention that big guys get. Because we're little. and on tight budgets)
Pinterest (This one is a bit more of a personal filing system for me. I pin pretty soap, yarn, recipes, outfits, anything that catches my fancy on the web. I love Pinterest because I am constantly inspired by other people here and can get ideas that sprout new ones for me)
Instagram. This is a phone app. Now that I have a smart(er) phone, I can take pictures and upload them to various places. I love it. This allows me to capture pictures of my products, events, and other random things I find along the way. search for gracenmotion, which is my derby name. all my other monikers were taken. :(
I still use snail mail! If you would like to receive things in the mail from me, please email me your address at gina.bubblycreations@gmail.com I promise that I will not sell your information and that I am far more likely to send cookies than to fill your mailbox with junk. My mailing list is a fun place to be for those who like to get mail.
Because my website is hosted though Artfire, I have a unique opportunity to work with other small, handmade businesses.We share stories and suggestions. We ask questions and get professional opinions. We see, share, and buy each others products. Most of us have never met face to face, but we meet in website forums and get to know each other.
Social media. It is an industry that is growing by leaps and bounds.
When I was a young lass, I had a boyfriend who was a stand up comic. He still is. It used to drive me NUTS how he would make sure that comedy would come up in every conversation. He would trade passes for dinners, movie tickets, anything he could. In hindsight, this was awesome because we got to go out a lot more than we would have if he hadn't because we were young and our income was low. He became a master at promoting himself. There was no Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Wanelo, or any of the other multitudes of social media that there are today. This was more than 10 years ago. Not everyone had email, and very few people had a website. (I think I had one before he did!). Younger me hated all that networking even though I understood why he did it.
That man is a professional comic now. I follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I used to help moderate the forums on his website. I see him promoting himself still, using these wonderful tools to maintain his fan base and to keep himself and his wonderful girlfriend traveling around doing what they love.
And I do the same. But differently. Because I get to sit in my little cottage and snuggle my dog in between posts.
I'm not as focused on Social Media as my friend, but I still use it. I cross promote with the other Artfire Artisans and they are likely to return the favor. I'm lucky. I don't have to talk up my soap to every Tom, Dick, and Harry that I meet (although I will mention it casually if the opportunity arises) because I can talk about myself on my blogs, Twitter, and Facebook. I can take pictures of what I am up to and post them to Instagram, using hash tags to attract new followers. I can choose where I will share them on Facebook, to keep my family from getting tired of looking at bars of soap that are welcomed by my Facebook followers. I can post my products on Wanelo and reach a worldwide audience. I can get to know what is trending on Pinterest (and keep track of all the awesome I find on the internet!) I use these tools (as well as the interactions I have with other Artisans both on Artfire and the other sites where I have become a community member) to allow the public to get to know me. They see my website and if they like me, want to go see what is going on. They follow me on Facebook and Twitter. They read my blog (HELLO!!) to see what I have to say.
Social media, I think, is stronger than the TV, and it's generally free. It allows the public to get to know business owners on a personal level. I'm talking to you, not some corporate spokesperson who is out of reach. In a way, it allows me to reach out and touch customers and potential customers in a way that I couldn't before. Not with the frequency with which I can do it now. My catalog came out once a year. It was fun mailing it off, but I reach far more people on Facebook than I ever did slowly trying to gather addresses to send to. And oh my goodness, I can do it from my phone.
If you are unfamiliar with any of the social media outlest I listed above, Please check them out. I have linked my accounts below and given a couple of examples on how I use the service. Follow me if you'd like.
Facebook (I update here most frequently because it's easy. Here is where I post successes and current projects.)
Twitter (Facebook updates directly to twitter so I don't use it directly as often)
Wanelo (Wanelo {WAnt NEed LOve} is a social media shopping place. You can go there and find things that people are buying or want to buy. I post my products there directly and other products that I love. Especially the handmade ones. It's hard for the little guys to get the attention that big guys get. Because we're little. and on tight budgets)
Pinterest (This one is a bit more of a personal filing system for me. I pin pretty soap, yarn, recipes, outfits, anything that catches my fancy on the web. I love Pinterest because I am constantly inspired by other people here and can get ideas that sprout new ones for me)
Instagram. This is a phone app. Now that I have a smart(er) phone, I can take pictures and upload them to various places. I love it. This allows me to capture pictures of my products, events, and other random things I find along the way. search for gracenmotion, which is my derby name. all my other monikers were taken. :(
I still use snail mail! If you would like to receive things in the mail from me, please email me your address at gina.bubblycreations@gmail.com I promise that I will not sell your information and that I am far more likely to send cookies than to fill your mailbox with junk. My mailing list is a fun place to be for those who like to get mail.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Forehead Slap
I think, probably, my best soap conversation starter has got to be my license plate. I'm proud of myself for snagging "SoapGrl" when I had the chance, because, well, people ask about it. A lot. I have made a few sales from explaining that it means that I make and sell soap. (not that I like soap operas as is also occasionally assumed)
Yesterday, I was at the gas station when the fellow in the car in front of me asked, "So, do you make soap?"
To which I explained that I did and that I own a small business. He seemed interested in it, although he did follow up with the second most frequently asked question I get which was, "Like in Fight Club?"
No. Eew. Why in the world would I make soap out of human fat? I'd have to render that stuff. And pull out all the capillaries and other such detritus that feeds the fat in our bodies. (seriously. look it up.)
Nope. Vegetarian soap for me. Then all I have to deal with is a greasy ice cream scoop.
So, gas station dude. Interested in my soap. A lightbulb went off. I SHOULD GIVE HIM A BUSINESS CARD!!!!
I didn't have any. None. Not one. Not even a Reno Roller Girls one that he could use to find me somehow.
Fudge.
You know I mean a different 4 letter word that starts with "F", but this is a "G" rated blog and I try to keep it clean for business.
I know better. I know WAY WAY better.
another lost sale. I have GOT to get better at this...
Yesterday, I was at the gas station when the fellow in the car in front of me asked, "So, do you make soap?"
To which I explained that I did and that I own a small business. He seemed interested in it, although he did follow up with the second most frequently asked question I get which was, "Like in Fight Club?"
No. Eew. Why in the world would I make soap out of human fat? I'd have to render that stuff. And pull out all the capillaries and other such detritus that feeds the fat in our bodies. (seriously. look it up.)
Nope. Vegetarian soap for me. Then all I have to deal with is a greasy ice cream scoop.
So, gas station dude. Interested in my soap. A lightbulb went off. I SHOULD GIVE HIM A BUSINESS CARD!!!!
I didn't have any. None. Not one. Not even a Reno Roller Girls one that he could use to find me somehow.
Fudge.
You know I mean a different 4 letter word that starts with "F", but this is a "G" rated blog and I try to keep it clean for business.
I know better. I know WAY WAY better.
another lost sale. I have GOT to get better at this...
Monday, July 18, 2011
Review and a giveaway!
I have started sending off (if started counts that I have done it once) samples of my soap for review! Lemme tell you, it's kind of scary. My first review is in and it's a good one!
AND there is a giveaway going on. I highly recommend you go check it out for the opportunity to win a WHOLE BAR of Bubbly Creations soap. There's also a coupon code in there. Awesome.
G
http://davisdailydose.blogspot.com/2011/07/bubbly-creations-soap-review-giveaway.html
AND there is a giveaway going on. I highly recommend you go check it out for the opportunity to win a WHOLE BAR of Bubbly Creations soap. There's also a coupon code in there. Awesome.
G
http://davisdailydose.blogspot.com/2011/07/bubbly-creations-soap-review-giveaway.html
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Solving the Technical difficulties
If you have known me at all over the last several years since my website went down the second time, you know that finding a new option was very difficult. I tried Etsy, the only option I knew at that point, but was put off by the listing and relisting fees.
When a good sale day is $20, those fees can quickly eat away any profit I can make. I also found it very hard to be found there.
After many initial mishaps, losing my email address, and ending up with no web presence at all, my friend over at Polkadot Bandit suggested Artfire.
Artfire allows you to have a limited studio for free. Free. I love that word. But, they also offer the option of paying for the service. I did my calculations. At $10 a month, I would be coming in just slightly over the cost I would have paid to host my site through a private party. I have no idea what it was going to cost to have the site actually built. (It was to be a gift. Long story.) And I would have had to call the webmaster every time I wanted to list or change something. AND for the price he was offering, he wasn't sure if he would be able to build in the things that I wanted to be able to offer. And then he wasn't available to work on my stuff so he suggested I set up temporarily over at Etsy. (forehead slap) Don't get me wrong, he's a good guy. And a new baby is always a good excuse to be out of time in my book.
With Artfire, I get all those things I wanted.
Coupon Codes.
Easy updating.
Pictures
Access to my prior orders
Access to my customer Database
But wait there's more!
I also get access to the Forums, where I can communicate with other small handmade businesses. The information here is SO VALUABLE! And sometimes, I get to peek into the lives of other makers. And that is always awesome.
AND I just learned that you can add items from my shop to your Amazon Wishlist (Holy crap that's fantastic!!) just by clicking the button
I get listed on Search Engines with Search Engine Optimization
I can quickly see how people are linking in...
In other words, I am happy. My Webmaster directed my web address to my artfire account so if you go to http://www.bubblycreations.com/ you get a real live website that looks as decent as I know how to make it and maybe, just maybe, you buy a bar of soap or five.
One technical difficulty down, a couple left to go.
If you are a maker, I highly suggest you check it out. If you click on my link, we both get freebies. I love freebies. Someday soon, I'll be offering a few of my own...
Become an ArtFire Pro with this link and get your 3rd month free!
When a good sale day is $20, those fees can quickly eat away any profit I can make. I also found it very hard to be found there.
After many initial mishaps, losing my email address, and ending up with no web presence at all, my friend over at Polkadot Bandit suggested Artfire.
Artfire allows you to have a limited studio for free. Free. I love that word. But, they also offer the option of paying for the service. I did my calculations. At $10 a month, I would be coming in just slightly over the cost I would have paid to host my site through a private party. I have no idea what it was going to cost to have the site actually built. (It was to be a gift. Long story.) And I would have had to call the webmaster every time I wanted to list or change something. AND for the price he was offering, he wasn't sure if he would be able to build in the things that I wanted to be able to offer. And then he wasn't available to work on my stuff so he suggested I set up temporarily over at Etsy. (forehead slap) Don't get me wrong, he's a good guy. And a new baby is always a good excuse to be out of time in my book.
With Artfire, I get all those things I wanted.
Coupon Codes.
Easy updating.
Pictures
Access to my prior orders
Access to my customer Database
But wait there's more!
I also get access to the Forums, where I can communicate with other small handmade businesses. The information here is SO VALUABLE! And sometimes, I get to peek into the lives of other makers. And that is always awesome.
AND I just learned that you can add items from my shop to your Amazon Wishlist (Holy crap that's fantastic!!) just by clicking the button
I get listed on Search Engines with Search Engine Optimization
I can quickly see how people are linking in...
In other words, I am happy. My Webmaster directed my web address to my artfire account so if you go to http://www.bubblycreations.com/ you get a real live website that looks as decent as I know how to make it and maybe, just maybe, you buy a bar of soap or five.
One technical difficulty down, a couple left to go.
If you are a maker, I highly suggest you check it out. If you click on my link, we both get freebies. I love freebies. Someday soon, I'll be offering a few of my own...
Become an ArtFire Pro with this link and get your 3rd month free!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Technological Madness - Gremlin Edition
I think that it has been more than proven over the last several years that I have a bad case of the Gremlins.
Tech Gremlins.
They started by crashing the server where my website was originally hosted, causing mine, and Randy's various sites to go down. So Randy got himself his own server. Sadly, my site was never the same as I lack the know how to make it look like what was in my head and the money to buy a template. BUT, at least I had an @bubblycreations email address. Then this blog, then twitter. Then facebook. And now, a website that I can update easily which is hosted on Artfire. Phew!
But no sooner did I have that website up and running but my email went down. And I lost all the awesomeness that I had stored in there. Again. Right in the middle of negotioations with a potential custom paper company who porbably thinks I have flaked out compeltely. Not so. I just lost his number. After waiting awhile for the envyds site to start working again, I decided to go the ghetto route and use gmail. I can now be found at gina.bubblycreations@gmail.com.
The Gremlins have struck again. They went mobile and the sim card on the bubble phone went bad. It doesn't ring often but maybe it would if it worked. Sigh. That phone number is everywhere. I'm going to see if the AT&T store can fix it, and if not, I'm going to research pay as you go options so that I'm only paying for actual use of the phone, and so that I can have a text plan (I love to twitter by text!!). I'm already going to buy Captain Caveman out of the contract so he doesn't have to deal with it anymore.
I suppose I could have more complicated problems, so I am thankful that they are fairly minor. It's just difficult, in this tech savy mobile, internet driven society to maintain an active presence when the gremlins keep sneaking in.
Tech Gremlins.
They started by crashing the server where my website was originally hosted, causing mine, and Randy's various sites to go down. So Randy got himself his own server. Sadly, my site was never the same as I lack the know how to make it look like what was in my head and the money to buy a template. BUT, at least I had an @bubblycreations email address. Then this blog, then twitter. Then facebook. And now, a website that I can update easily which is hosted on Artfire. Phew!
But no sooner did I have that website up and running but my email went down. And I lost all the awesomeness that I had stored in there. Again. Right in the middle of negotioations with a potential custom paper company who porbably thinks I have flaked out compeltely. Not so. I just lost his number. After waiting awhile for the envyds site to start working again, I decided to go the ghetto route and use gmail. I can now be found at gina.bubblycreations@gmail.com.
The Gremlins have struck again. They went mobile and the sim card on the bubble phone went bad. It doesn't ring often but maybe it would if it worked. Sigh. That phone number is everywhere. I'm going to see if the AT&T store can fix it, and if not, I'm going to research pay as you go options so that I'm only paying for actual use of the phone, and so that I can have a text plan (I love to twitter by text!!). I'm already going to buy Captain Caveman out of the contract so he doesn't have to deal with it anymore.
I suppose I could have more complicated problems, so I am thankful that they are fairly minor. It's just difficult, in this tech savy mobile, internet driven society to maintain an active presence when the gremlins keep sneaking in.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Research into online soap sales
Whew!
I have been busy. Not just life busy, but when I am able, soap busy.
Sadly, this time I'm not busy creating, I am busy researching!
So much to learn, so little time. I thought that if I finally had a website I wasn't afraid to hand over to people (which I did once, but it died) then I would sell, sell, sell! No so. It turns out that I need to wiggle my butt into the online world of soaping as well as just have a site available.
And, I need to find my nitch. I know that I have a wonderful product. There are a few things holding me back and I know that only I have the key to changing them.
I have been busy. Not just life busy, but when I am able, soap busy.
Sadly, this time I'm not busy creating, I am busy researching!
So much to learn, so little time. I thought that if I finally had a website I wasn't afraid to hand over to people (which I did once, but it died) then I would sell, sell, sell! No so. It turns out that I need to wiggle my butt into the online world of soaping as well as just have a site available.
And, I need to find my nitch. I know that I have a wonderful product. There are a few things holding me back and I know that only I have the key to changing them.
- I don't like to give out my business cards. I know, it's silly. and really dumb.
- I still haven't put my stickers on my car. WTF? That, right there, is a 10 to 50 mile per day advertising opportunity and I don't even have to pay for it!
- I have samples promised, and never sent. Once again, a, I trying to undermine myself?
Monday, February 14, 2011
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