Marketing for the Holidays.... Oh, where to start!

Getting ready for the Holidays is stressful enough when you are just trying to take care of all the million and five tasks you have for your family and friends!  But, when you are trying to develop and market a home based biz, it can be even more of a challenge!  The last year I have been overwhelmed with my job, my family, and my classes- barely having enough time to work on the projects and art I love!  But, recently I decided to make some changes in my life- prioritize- and move forward towards a more fulfilling and happy existence!  In doing that, however, I had to step down from my previous job (to give me more time with my family and focus on my classes!), and with that comes a significant change in the family income!  So, I have developed a pretty good customer base, and have some awesome products (I think)- and I decided to really give the Mommy Tyme biz a serious go- that means organizing and treating it like a business (or job) instead of a “hobby” (which is where I have been with it!)  I decided that the Mommy Tyme Gifts shop, needs a complete overhaul- basically starting at ground zero again!

Any observant person has probably picked up on the fact that I am a little ADHD with focus on the HD; thus I have my hand in several cookie jars at any given moment!  Last year I did not focus too much on the holiday sales, the Black Friday mega money making day, or even Xmas specials- Wow!  What a mistake that was, right?  So, with my new found Mommy Tyme ambition, and the holidays approaching fast- I decided to check out a few business and marketing blogs, magazines, and tutorials.  I even checked out a few books and downloads available through my school to give me advice on where to start- so, now I have a direction and a goal, just not a lot of time to get it implemented!  But, as long as I am heading on this journey, I thought you all might want to tag along and maybe you can pick up on an idea or two; or you may have some sound advice you could share with us… so, off we go!

 The first thing any business owner would do when starting a new venture is to create a business plan, right?  So, that is what needed done first and foremost- I took a look at some various business plans and goals that are taught in basic business courses at college.  A business plan needs to have short term and long term goals.  Basically figure out what you want to create, what you want to sell, and where you want to sell-( ie what avenue or method of selling).  So, for me, I want to create items that make great gifts for women, and help them to feel special/spoiled/appreciated at the end of a busy, chaotic day!  I love to do the craft shows and flea markets, but with a five year old son it is often hard to get to all of them, so my approach is to choose a few select shows, and possibly find a consignment deal.    So, for the short term goal I decided the priority needs to be:

1.        Determine what products I will sell- and establish an accurate inventory.

2.       Establish a presence on two marketplaces

3.       Establish a higher ranking with my website and set it up to sell directly.

4.       Figure out appropriate pricing for the items by evaluating the cost and time to create each item

On to the long term plan:

1.        Establish a good customer base, and RETURN customers

2.       Sell a specific inventory out of brick and mortar shops locally

3.       Improve my skills and techniques by taking classes, attending workshops, etc. that focus on the product types I am selling.

4.       Establish a business presence that can ensure daily orders/daily processing and turn around.

5.       Create a specific workshop time/area  for me to “work/create” the projects and find a way to streamline it for producing multiples of each item at one time.

6.       Break even (as most business classes teach that it takes up to five years to gain profit- so I will remain hopeful to break even)

Finally, the online marketplace is an excellent arena for hosting my products- but which ones?  Right now I am scattered all over the place with free shops and not having a ton of views or hits!  So, I took some time and evaluated my options- and believe me, there are a ton!  Below you will find several marketplaces that host handmade- but which one to choose?  Well, over the next few days let’s explore these and figure out the pro’s and cons of each.  In the meantime, I welcome any ideas or advice on business plans and marketing your handmade!  Especially in the upcoming week or so as we approach Black Friday! 

I am curious to hear from the readers out there, how many shop on Etsy?  Shop handmade?  Artfire?  Zibbet?  Fuzz B?  etc etc?  (are there more?  If so, share these with us!) and how many sell at each of these?  Which do you prefer and why? 

May Pursuit of Handmade

"Of all my work, this has to be my favorite. It changes you when you put it on. I loved it so much, I made one for myself as well! The name "Gyonhehgoh" is a Cayuga Indian name meaning...you guessed it...What keeps us alive. I grew up around the Cayuga Indian lands and visited their longhouse when I was a little girl. I remember the old woman who showed me how she was beading a traditional Native American pouch. Maybe that's where my love of creating came from? Turquoise has always drawn me to it, and when I create a piece with it, I never know what I'll end up with. This particular turquoise was so exquisite that I had to keep it simple. The large flower is from the Karen Hill Tribes. They are truly masters of their art. The name given to the piece is my way of acknowledging that old woman who shared herself and her culture with me. The title "What keeps us alive" is how I feel about being able to create. Creating to me is like water for all of us....something we can't live without."

Here is our first entry for the May Pursuit of Handmade... And what a way to kick it all off! Gorgeous, unique, and wonderful craftsmanship.. So, without further introductions....



See this wonderful work and the inspiration behind it at:

http://www.artfire.com/users/chattycats


http://www.beadersshowcase.com/photo/photo/show?id=2049967%3APhoto%3A94816

Take a Minute and share the May Pursuit of Handmade with others! Use either the share button located below or the one at the upper left hand side of the blog! Simply Share with facebook, twitter, and other hot spots you belong to! When sharing on twitter- type in your message about this blog and the Pursuit of Handmade followed by #POH You can then begin to add your own items to twitter with the follow hashtag of #POH and other members and participants will retweet you and their items! Join the fun at http://mishapsofmommy.blogspot.com

Interested in Joining the Pursuit of Handmade? Hop over to http://mishapsofmommy.blogspot.com for all the instructions, details, and how to join the tweet along!

Mommy's Mini Marketplace- Join in For Free! Promote yourself!

You might notice that I have rearranged the format of Mommy's Reviews?  Or maybe not... But, I have.  I have so many different things I want to present each week, that if I post it all as individual entries, it becomes a jumbled mess and you may miss something!  So, I have broke the blog down into some sections for convenience and easier reading!  There are categories that are presented vertically, so the newest blog entries will be first, followed by the mini market, The Share the Love Series, etc. etc.  I have posted each section in CAPS AND BOLD!  Remember to check it all out!  Each section has some really cool stuff to offer!

As we have talked about previously, the Share the Love Series will be ongoing and updated weekly.  As will the pursuit of handmade series which is my weekly blog entry!  The Mommy's Mini Market contains all of my shops- but, my new FEATURE is Mommy's Mini Marketplace- which I hope to have up and running in the next week or so... Here is the deal for this:  If you are a handmade artisan and you want to promote your items/shops- you can do so here!  I would like to feature 3-4 mini shops (or widgets) each week (or month)!  All you have to do is- sign up!  Just leave me a comment with your shop URL, name, and email.  I will choose 3-4 shops for this first feature, then contact the shop owners.  The shop owners will send me the code for their mini shops  I will post the mini marketplace.  One catch, however, is that the online shops must have a mini/window, etc.  I know that etsy, winkelf, artfire, and fuzz b offer this free service- but, as for other marketplaces, I am not sure!  You will just have to ensure that your venue does offer this service.

My readers get a fantastic opportunity to browse a variety of shops with multiple modes of talent!   Readers can shop directly from the blog or they can link to your shop and see all of your great products!  This will give readers a chance to see all the fantastic items out there in the handmade marketplaces- not just the few items I may choose to feature!  And this provides you (the shop owner) with one more link back, one more promotional tool, one more place where your name and products is being shouted out!  You have to do absolutely nothing!  I will tweet your shop's presence here, post it on my website, let my facebook followers know, etc! 



I honestly believe in promoting and preserving the great talents out there!  One of my biggest fears is that by the time my child is an adult, there were only be cheap, mass marketed products for him to enjoy.  I want the future of handmade and artisan work to grow- I pray that individuals continue to express themselves and their creativity and that there continue to be a market that openly appreciates and receives these creations.  So, I feel an ultimate obligation to do my part and shout to the world - Hey check these artists out!  So, Mommys Mini Marketplace is just one more way I can do that!  Problem is .... I need participants (you, the shop owner!)

So, if you are interested, comment with the needed information- and I hope to have this feature section up and running sometime next week!

The next new section/feature- is the contest corner!  I think this will be a fun spot where Readers can check out all the latest contests and links to drawings, etc.  I am always entering everything.  I love to win!  I love to try new things, you never know when you are going to get something that just changes your whole outlook!  Recently on a blog, The Crafty Tortoise, I won some great gifts- a gorgeous gold bear bracelet and matching earrings, a wonderful lavender sachet, coupons and discounts to a variety of etsy shops, and more... It was so exciting to get this in the mail!  I couldn't wait to tear the package open and I was so excited about the contents!  It was really fun!  So, I wanted to offer that here, also!  Every contest I find and enter, I will post here so you can enter, too!  Then if any of us win, lets talk about the prize/host/contest!  Its all about helping one another out!  So as I find them, I will post them!  Check daily... it will change frequently!  This saves you the trouble of scouring all the blogs, sites, links to find a contest- You can just pop in here and see what's new!

If you have a contest, and would like to post the link and some info about it here- just comment with the information and contact email, I will be So Happy to Do This For You!

Also, if interested in showcasing your items in my "Sweets for your Sweety" Pursuit of Handmade, comment here with a link to your URL.  By doing so, you give me permission to present your pictures and link here on Mommy's Reviews! 

Gearing up for the Valentines Holiday?  Show your sweety how much you really care and give a gift they will love!  Dont forget your kids on the Hallmark Holiday, either!  They love to get a special treat from mom, dad, or the grandparents!

I have created a few gift sets and ideas from Mommy Tyme Gifts that I think will make a perfect token of love for someone special!  Check them out below....

Do you have a special tradition or any romantic/family plans for Valentines Day?  If so, share them with us.... I am always looking for ways to spice it up! 

Also, if you have a handmade shop and would like to have your items showcased here, just comment with your URL/shop address and state that I have permission to post your pictures!  In my grand pursuit of handmade I am looking for the perfect Valentines Day Gifts to showcase here at Mommy's Reviews!