December Business Challenge Update

How easy it is to get side-tracked from work when my office is the dining room table; school, family (including the fur babies), errands, and now the holidays all are vying for attention and time.  So, how am I doing with the business challenge?  Actually, I'd like to think I'm doing pretty well.  I've done some online reading on SEO, marketing, pricing, and time-management; I've looked for possible venues where I could consign my wares; and I'm developing a business plan so that I can move ahead with clearly defined goals and a plan of how to get there.  Of course I'm still making and selling items and passing out business cards along the way...and always promoting and sharing.

Eureka Internet Guides on Etsy

So here are some helpful and informative tidbits I came across in my online travels that I thought I'd share with you.

First up...Stitchlabs  For a very reasonable fee ($12 a month for a sole proprietor) Stitchlabs gives you a place to keep track of all your inventory, sales, invoices and separates sales from Etsy, trunk shows, and consignments.  Very nice.

Second...Business Exchange Business Week's Business Exchange has a category for social media marketing filled with great information and advice.

Third...Designing an MBA Love this blog. Filled with so much for Etsy sellers; videos, tutorials, links, ebooks, workshops, personal consulting, AND when you subscribe to this blog you get a FREE ebook, "The Best of Crafting an MBA."

And. last on the list today...10 Real Tips For Successfully Selling On Etsy from one of my favorite blogs, Handmadeology.  This blog post is chock full of awesome links and advice for turning a love for crafting into a successful Etsy business venture. Definitely one to be bookmarked.

I hope you find these links as helpful to you as I did.  Please let me know hwat you think of this blog and the links I found. I'd love to hear from you.

Getting Back On Track

There's no denying it...I have neglected my blog.  I used to love writing when I was in high school, but now the words don't come as easily.  Perhaps now with the internet I know that anyone and everyone will be able to see what I write, and that makes me a tad bit self-conscious.  Who am I ? What do I have to share?  Will anyone even want to read this blog?

Well, if I keep thinking about my shortcomings and my lack of computer knowledge, I never will succeed at blogging or becoming a successful entrepreneur.  I am smart enough to know it is up to me to get my name and product out there, so today is as good as any day to get back in the ring, because, afterall, I don't want to admit I have failed if I in fact haven't given it my all.

So why blog today?  I have been inspired.  A high school friend of mine, Kim Adamof, created an event that really spoke to me; Take The December Challenge and Stay Focused on Your Business.  I'm up for the challenge.  Maybe this is just what I need to really think about TheGoodOleDays as a legitimate business venture.  The challenge is this: "Every single day of the month you must do some thing to promote your business or do something that will make you successful in 2012. Make your To-Do list based on your business’ lead generation."  There is plenty that I need to do and joining this group is a good way for me to hold myself accountable.

So, now I have something to blog about, at least for the month of December.  Baby steps.  This is just what I need to get myself going and motivated.  Thank you, Kim.

Day 1
I listed two new items in my shop and promoted them on my facebook fanpage and in my etsy teams, I updated my google+ account, and I wrote this blog.  Here are my two new shop listings:

You can find these and my other ornaments in my etsy shop.