Thank you Bloggers.....

Hello everyone, sorry I didn't post on Friday....however, I wanted to say thank you to all these terrific bloggers for featuring my MadeByGirl products/design on their blogs. (If you don't see your blog here, I'll add you to the next 'Thank You' posting). However, if you'd like to appear on my blog in one of these posts, just let me know you have featured my products/designs on your blog....& you'll be included. Enjoy your Sunday! (Click on each banner to visit their page)

Thanks to these Bloggers...

Thank you to these blogs for featuring MadeByGirl. You've made my day. If you feature any of my work, I will add your blog in my next Thank You post! Just email me & let me know. Click on photos to visit these lovely blogs!

"You can quote me on this"

I LOVE reading blogs, especially when the authors write about a variety of things. I love furniture and decor, but I get bored if its ONLY that or handmade birds and doll posts all the time! I find blogs with variety MUCH more interesting, they keep me reading and coming back. Since I don't ever know what they will post next, that element of surprise is intriguing to me. Here are 4 blogs I chose out of the many I read....that really stand out. Although two of these aren't even in English, the photos alone, keep me coming back. So, what type of blogs do you enjoy coming back to?? Enjoy your weekend! (All blog links below photo)

* Blog above: Kathy's Little World

* Blog above: Hope Dies Last

*Blog above: Liberty Post Editor



*Blog above: Sophie and the city

Is self-promotion a useful tool for you?

For me, the answer is absolutely! If you have a small business and your advertising budget is small, then marketing yourself is key! There are many ways to get your product seen if your budget is unlimited but for now, lets stick to small businesses, with smaller budgets. The majority of my traffic comes from other blogs, web links on other sites, Rss feeds, my own comments etc. I find that leaving my company url beneath every comment I make, helps my traffic as well as introduces others to me without being too pushy. Some people may disagree with me and think that my self-promoting attitude is way too much for them.

I don't think there is any harm in leaving your url and if allowed by the blog you're posting on, then go ahead and leave it. If someone gets curious and clicks on it, then you've just introduced one more person to you and your product. However, I'd stick to commenting and leaving your url on blogs that are related in some way to your industry. Anyhow, blogs are great self promoting tools for small businesses. Here are some ideas for self-promotion using your own blog:

• Since blogs are cost effective in comparison to advertising in the media, use them extensively. When you post about your business, make sure you place a direct link to your own site/shop.
• After you've created your blog, keep blogging every day. It generates traffic along with high search engine ranking. Meaning, people will find you!
• Make your blog stand out somehow, use it to speak to potential customers as well as your daily readers.; introduce them to your new products and ask them questions.
• Take time out to respond to the comments left on your blog and answer questions readers may have via email as well.
• Create interesting giveaways with your product or someone else's. (I'm still working on this one myself).

I believe blogs have helped many companies establish credibility and I would encourage every small business to place one on their company site. Of course, you have to tend to it as I said above, so don't forget that part. The search engines like content and it's your job (small businesses) to provide it to them via your blog. Always remember your blog is a valuable way to communicate with potential clients and let them know who you are. How do you SELF promote your site or business? What works for you?  

To start off the New Year.....

I just wanted to say THANKS to all the blogs who were generous enough to feature my new line of Greeting cards! It really means a lot when people help each other the way you've all helped me so far.

This new year I am hoping to bring more awareness to my products and designs. So, if any blogger out there is interested in featuring my work, just let me know & i'll link you too! Hope this NEW YEAR brings everyone lots of success and to those people out there that want to start your own business, I say go for it!! In my opinion, if you feel lost, write to smaller companies and ask them questions like :

• How did you get started?
• What keeps you motivated everyday?
• What should I do if I've started, but then run into a situation where I don't know which way to go next?
• How do I believe in myself enough to succeed?
• Is my product good enough?
• I have a great idea, how can I market it without spending a lot of money?

These are questions I get asked by many women who email me after viewing my site or blog, I try to answer as many as I can but I realize I may have to post a blog about this so I can help others that may not bother emailing to find out. I hope this new year YOU will have the courage to take a chance at YOUR dream. Everyday in my email I receive daily inspiration from a website called "Charity Focus'. I will leave you with the email from today's Daily good that was sent to me. ' You may be whatever you resolve to be. Determine to be something in the world, and you will be something. "I cannot," never accomplished anything; "I will try," has wrought wonders. -- J. Hawes