When Online Sales Are Made and Completed.
Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Glad to have you stopping by.
Every Seller does things differently when it comes to the completion of a sale made. How do you handle things yourself as a seller? What kind of routine, or system do you have set up? I myself have a routine of once a sale is made I like to send a note to the customer thanking them for their purchase, and to please notify me if there are any changes with their mailing address so that I can note it. Sometimes a customer will already have paid right away once they have made their purchase too. That is always good too. If they do this, then I send a note thanking them for their purchase, and their quick payment they made. Once I have delivered the box to the post office I will then notify the Buyer that their box has been shipped, and I will also include the tracking information for them at that time. I ship everything Priority Mail including insurance, and the tracking number is always included with this method. Other methods of shipping are done upon request. Keep in mind not all sellers will use priority mail. It depends on the items bought, and if they offer other methods.
That is a smooth, and fun sale when things can go like that. Sometimes there is the issue of a purchase made, but it is unpaid. How do you then treat this? How long do you wait before you relist the item for sale again if this happens? I always allow up to 7 days for payments to be made. So, by this time if I have not received payment I am generally listing it for sale right away. Prior to that I have generally gotten a response from a Buyer, and correspondence has been shared. This is helpful with making a sale. Sometimes you have Buyers who do not respond, but still pay quickly, and things are good. Then, there are those who do not respond at all during this 7 day period that I myself allow for payments to be made. Keep in mind there might be explainable reasons for this too. Something might have come up, there has been an unforeseen emergency, and so on. Generally if I have not heard anything within 3 days from the Buyer I do send a small reminder asking if they received the invoice ok, asking if there is a problem, etc. More than likely I will hear from the Buyer. Then...there are those that do not respond at all. They have changed their minds, decided they do not want the item, and do not respond. This is not fun to work with, but a part of doing sales too.
The biggest thing that all parties can do is Communicate. Having Communication is one of the best things to have with the procedure of sales online. I know that sometimes the notes I email to customers might be a repeat from what the systems from some of the market places themselves are already sending out automatically. I don't mean to spam anyone, and it is not my intentions of doing of upsetting anyone with this procedure. But, sometimes the systems have glitches with things being sent in a timely fashion to the customers, and I have no way of knowing this. So, to be safe, and more secure I still send my minor notes to the customer just to make sure we are connecting.
Something I like to remind customers about is if you have any questions, or any problems to please contact me. I am friendly, and easy to work with:) Hope this helps some of you understand a little bit of my procedures I use for when the sale is made. There is more, but this is one of the steps of the process. I have never been taught a true correct way, or told if there is a right or wrong way that is a rule to follow. In my mind Communication is the biggest thing that should be shared, and this I am a firm believer with when doing Online Sales.
Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and see you again soon! You are Welcome to share, and comment with this subject. I always like hearing from everyone, and enjoy the things you share too. Make sure to say Hi when visiting so I can come visit you as well too. Take care everyone till the next time. Have a super weekend!:)
Use Search Engines in Searching For Products and Stores.
Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Glad to have you visiting here. I was thinking of something the other day, and thought maybe it might be helpful to share this thought with you as well. When you are searching for treasures you want online, how are you searching? You go to the computer, sit down, and what do you type into the keyboard to look first when searching for items to buy? I think many people assume they should just go straight to Ebay. There is much more out there to see. People, Buyers, and Shoppers should also learn to go to the search engines when you are shopping, or searching for things. Your common search engines to use are Google.com and Bing.com. Sometimes searches are done with Yahoo, and actually other small places too.
When you have a specific item that you are looking for use the search engines to shop with. By using the search engines you will get a nice variety of things to choose from, and you will see and realize the other market places that are available to shop with too. Sometimes prices can be better because a fee structure for a seller is so much better than what is offered to them with Ebay, and other places too. Also, you will find different payment platforms that can be offered for you to pay with. Not all places are Paypal only. For instance, with Artfire I offer Paypal, and Amazon Payments, and try to note that I can invoice you with Google Checkout at Artfire too. Some of the other sellers there also offer pro-pay with their stores too. At Ecrater I offer Paypal, and Google Checkout. Remember, I can also invoice with these places if you would like to contact me separately from the market places to purchase too. You know, like if you seen something of interest in my LilacsNDreams Shoppe page.
With search engines if you know the name of the shop, or store you wish to look for you can also connect with that name too. Once the pages with that name come up you will see all the places they are associated with, and sell with. Give it a try. Google, or Bing my name of LilacsNDreams. You will see my blogs, my stores, along with different places I am also associated with too.
Hope this little tid bit of information was found to be helpful to all you reading, visiting, and stopping by LilacsNDreams. You have any questions, don't hesitate to ask them. You are more than welcome to comment, and share here too. Don't forget to say Hi so that I know you visited, and I can hop over to see you as well.
Thanks for dropping by everyone, and see ya'll again real soon. Take care, and have a wonderful Day/Evening!:)
Buying Searching Junking and Preparing For Reselling.
Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! I was curious about something. Once treasures found are brought home with you, what do you do next? I am sure we all have different ways of doing things, and we all do what we feel to be best for our sales. Of course the wonderful decisions of are we keeping it, or will we sell it?...LOL:)
I love shopping Thrift Stores, Yard Sales, Auctions, Estate Sales, Flea Markets, and Yes! Junking too! Once I get items home I set all the pieces out, and I make my notes of the items bought, where bought from, dates bought, and prices I paid for things too. Then...comes the fun part. Gently washing, and cleaning all the items to the best of my abilities. I always worry about damaging things so I am careful with all pieces, do them one by one, and take my time with them. Since they are pieces that will be resold as is, or used in repurposing I still thoroughly look all the pieces over carefully. During this time I will note any faults, knicks, markings and stamps of brands, and so on. Once I have completed this I will then get out my notebook, and start my research on pieces to see how many others are also being offered. I like to get an idea of average sale prices that are offered, and what they have sold for as well. Some of these treasures may also be researched with different books to learn some of their history, and values for in today's market too.
Doesn't seem like much of a procedure with this step of preparations, but it can be time consuming. I enjoy it as I learn the pieces, and connect with them by better viewing them in a different way from their purchase.
Hey, if you have something to add with this, or would like to share something please know that you are welcome to do so. Just hit the old comment button below, and share with us all. Love hearing from all of you, and I even enjoy seeing ya'll say Hi to me too!:)
Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Take care, and see you all again soon!:)
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY from LilacsNDreams! Am wishing all of you a splendid day, and a great evening too.
So, anyone have any big plans for today, or tonight? Sorry, not me....hubby is out of state with work, so am on my own this year. Hmm....maybe I will treat myself tonight since I will be home alone...what should I eat, what should I buy....Hmmm.....LOL:)
Some might receive gifts today, and some will have gifts on their way yet too. If shopping for someone special, and it is hard to know what to get them. Remember, it does not always have to be red, does not always have to have hearts on it, but that it is something special they have been looking for, have wanted, and something to say....Just Because:)
Stop by to visit my stores to see if there would be something of interest whether it is big, small, vintage, collectibles, or repurposed treasures. Lil bit of something for everyone. Artfire ~ Ecrater ~ Etsy ~ I ship everything priority mail with insurance included with shipping for a more secure delivery.
Thanks for stopping by LilacsNDreams Everyone. I wish you all well, and have a beautiful day!!:)
Optimizing Blogger Blog and Achieving Traffic. Welcome back to LilacsNDreams, and glad to have you here! I started a post last week as a refresher of what I had done about Blogs, Blogging, Platforms to choose from, etc. Today will be about what to do with your blogs to better help you with traffic which can also help in making some money if that is what you are choosing to do.
1) Blog Title is an important part of applying proper SEO techniques. A reminder that SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. Choose a title that will use keywords other might use to search with, and make sure it reflects on what your top will be at that time too.
2) Blog Description is a significant part of a blog for Search Engine Optimization, or also known as SEO. You want your description to be appealing to visitors, and at the same time using keywords that you are targetting in search engines. Remember, the keywords will vary for everyone because it depends on what you topic is at hand. Some keywords that I try to use for things that pertain to my blogs, what I blog about, what I sell, and what I discuss would be like vintage, collectibles, handmade, homemade, hand altered, repurposed, upcycled, glassware, and things like that.
3) Comments is something that you would like to allow with all your blog posts. Allowing comments can help enhance value of your blog post, and it also helps to update your content as well too. Along with this it will assist in helping to improve your search engine rankings.
4) Quality Content is a must for your blog success. When you can, or able to post quality content that people like to read this in turn will help improve your traffic to your blog. What you have started your blog for in regards to topics, themes, business, etc...If you can stay within some kind of a rythmn of it that people will be interested in they will stop to visit you, read with you, and hopefully comment and share things too.
5) Submit Blog to Search Engines and Directories. Submitting your blog to these things will give you a better search engine rankings as well too. When I myself submit my blogs I submit my domains that are directed to them, but I also submit their blogspot url addresses they have too. It helps since people will use both url addresses to come visit with you.
6) Use Keywords in the Anchor Text of Links. Using keywords in the anchor text of links is of vital importance to get some of your best SEO results with. Use your primary, and secondary keywords in anchor texting of links. Again, words I generally use for me are vintage, collectibles, handmade, homemade, repurposed, upcycled, altered, and things like that. When clicking on these different keywords you will be directed to 1 of the 3 stores I have items listed with. Also, keep in mind not to over due it too. Google, or the search engines see it being over done, or an over kill of it they will ignore you. It then will become considered spam, and that is something all search engines try to avoid.
I hope this little bit has helped some of you with things you do with your blogs. It also works for your websites, and can work with where you list your items for sale too. I can honestly say by doing some of the things I have noted for you over time, it does help your views with your blogs, and when I check my Google Analytics I am seeing results there too. I honestly can get more views with my Blog than I do with my stores. My long term goals...I hope it keeps working this way for me too:)
Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and wishing you all a Happy Hump Day! You take care now, and see you again soon. Later . . . . .
Blog Blogger Blogging Social Media Networking of Today.
Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy to see you here, and everyone is always Welcomed to visit with LilacsNDreams too.
I came in here today with an idea in mind to discuss with all of you, but along the way changed my thinking and thoughts. Ever happen to you? Heck, I can even walk across a room sometimes, and either forget what I was going for, or also change my thought along the way there too...LOL:) I know I have talked a little bit before about Blogging, and Social Media or Social Networking. I have decided to cover this a little bit again for everyone, and touch base with it a bit. Why? Social Media, and Networking is growing fast, and is still predicted to be something good to use with all that you do with online sales, marketing, your brick and mortar stores, and etc.
So, the question is Why Blog? Many reasons for it. I'll try not to bore you all, and keep it simple. 1) Social Media or Networking is one reason for it. Blogging is another form of Social Media like Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and so on. 2) Another reason to Blog is it gets you published. How you ask? By working with certain things in mind in regards to your SEO you will get noticed in search engine rankings, and etc. 3) Another reason to Blog is that you get your message out that you would like to share with others. There is no right, or wrong message to put out there. It is up to you what you wish to share, and what the message is that you would like others to relate to. 4) Blogging is another way to share tips, tutorials, questions, and answers too. 5) This has become a great way for Teachers and Students to share work, class notes, pictures, and etc.
Blogging is not just for one form of profession, but for many and all forms. Online Sellers, Brick and Mortar Store Owners, Big Companies, Small Companies, Journalists, Photographers, Publishers, Writers, and many many people are turning to the forms of Blogging as the Social Media Networking area grows.
Choosing the right platform is a task that you yourself will have to cover, and determine. Your main, and popular platforms are with Blogger.com and also with Wordpress.com. Another growing platform is also with Tumblr.com. Choosing the platform that works for you depends on what you want to do with your blog.
1) Tumblr is a platform for Social Networking of simple, and quick posts. Some themes are free, some are paid for premium themes. No plugins are used to add additional features onto your blog. This is a nice place to use for the casual internet presence.
2) Word Press is a more serious professional blogging used. There are 2 forms with Word Press which is WordPress.org, and with WordPress.com. The .com of word press is the hosted service of software, and has your basic features for free. It displays ads on your blog unless you want to purchase ad-free upgrade. The .org is the home of software. You get complete control, and flexibility here. You can download the software that must be installed on a web hosting server to work like Blue Host, Go Daddy, and etc.
3) Blogger of course is another free service used by many. You do not have to have certain plugins to do different things. You are allowed up to 10 pages with them, and those are static pages. You can have as many blogs, or blog urls as you wish....up to 100 I believe is the limit there. Like Word Press it has pros and cons to using it as well.
Well, as you can see....I use Blogger, and love it here! I do have a blog at Word Press, but do not use it as often. I am use to blogger with the ease of use of things here, find it easier to navigate around here, and if I work things right I can make it show with the search engines as word press shows too. That will be the next discussion for you with optimizing your blogger blog.
Here we are going into the weekend everyone. I wish you well, have fun, enjoy, and please be safe too. Enjoy it, and see you all again soon LilacsNDreams. Remember, you are always welcome to leave a comment, share something you know to contribute with this, and of course most of all....Please say Hi so that I can come visit with you too. Take care, and see you again soon everyone.
LilacsNDreams Vintage Collectibles Repurposed Upcycled Altered Informational, and sharing Blog.
Welcome to LilacsNDreams, and as always glad to have you visiting with me! I apologize to everyone in blogland, this has been one of them off weeks for me. I have slowly been working on things to list in my stores, and to show with my page here too. But, by the time the day passes with other things I have been dealing with I seem to have lost a little of my spit, and fire that keeps me going at night. Hopefully this weekend I get things moving a little bit more again...that is a goal I am setting for me to do.
It is almost 3 a.m. my time, and I am going to finish my late night with this blog to start your weekend. I have a renewal that is due soon with one of my domains that I have. I honestly have never really liked the domain using that .co. Sorry, but to me it is too close to the .com, and I sometimes feel it is confusing. Don't you think? So, this week I have thought about things, made some notes, and finally decided it was time to do it. Gonna make a few minor changes, or adjustments if you will. Gonna see if maybe I can get things rolling a bit more for me with the changes, and have it work to my advantage.
You will notice at the top of this page the tabs I have for other pages that come from this blog. Of course my 2 main pages are first this main blog page of LilacsNDreams for ya'll to come to, and that you are now visiting. My other one is what I am now calling LilacsNDreams Shoppe page. From this main page it is your choice if you wish to read more by visiting those pages. Also, remember you can always leave comments, and say Hi to me when visiting any of my pages so that I can come visit you too:) Ok, the minor change I have made, (if you have visited the page before you will see the change made) is with my other LilacsNDreams page which is now called LilacsNDreams Shoppe. If you can remember it was LilacsNDreams Store. Sorry, besides the change of the domain with the .co I did, using that 'store' word was just not jiving with me. Just felt a little blah for me. So, the page is now called LilacsNDreams Shoppe. I also have a new blog address for that page which is LilacsNDreamsShoppe.blogspot.com AND the new domain which should now be working is LilacsNDreamsShoppe.com.
With this Shoppe/Store page I had the .net domain directed to it. But, again, a minor change I have made:) I will be dropping the .co for my website, and directing my .net to my website instead. Makes more sense to me, and hopefully not so confusing with a more well known domain used for the website.
Ok, I honestly hope this all makes sense with my babbling everyone....Please forgive me. It is getting late, and I know I love to talk, but I need to give it a rest for the night too. Thanks so much again for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Make sure to say Hi so that I can come visit with you too. Hey, comments are also welcome here too!:) Take care everyone, and see you again soon!:)
Vintage Collectibles Repurposed Upcycled Altered are things I enjoy, and am passionate about. I wanted to stop by, and leave you all a small note. A reminder that you all are Welcome to visit with my tabs I have above that would interest you as I try really hard to post with some of my others pages here too. When visiting make sure to say Hi so that I can come visit with you too. Also, make sure to visit my LilacsNDreams Store page tab above too. On that page is where I will share items of interest with the online world of selling. I will show pictures for items of mine, where they are offered, I sometimes will feature another seller with some of their items, and etc. Along with the pictures I show I will share the links to the items being offered. Remember, if you see something you like, have questions about, want to know more...visit the link provided. If you are interested in buying it, and do not want to visit the site contact me to invoice you separately myself.
I hope all of you are going into having a great weekend. Thanks again for stopping by. Take care, have fun, enjoy, and best of luck with all you do. See you again soon.
USPS Postal Increases Coming Soon!
Welcome to LilacsNDreams, and as always glad to have you visiting with Me. We have pretty much gotten through our 1st 2 weeks of the year, and time is just rolling don't you think? With this month speeding by us I wanted to give you a quick note here, and a reminder about our Postal Services shipping increases coming to us. Effective January 22, 2012 the postal rates will be increasing. A stamp that costs .44 now will then cost .45. Boxes for over night delivery will be to anywhere in the country for 1 price regardless of the weight. Of course that weight is up to 70 lbs. Express Mail Flat Rate box will be debuting on January 22 as well. Flat rates for Priority Mail will be as such: Small boxes $5.35, Medium Boxes $11.35, and Large Boxes will be $15.45. There is going to be a flat rate box that will ship over night, anywhere in the country, regardless of the weight...up to 70 lbs.
As for the regular postal rates for Priority Mail...since that is generally how my items are shipped I cannot seem to get in to find an updated chart, or the prices for this change. Will have to keep watching for it. If you would like to read a bit more about this, see more prices, and to better understand the changes visit the USPS Postal Site for this, or Google it for some answers too.
I will be going through my stores of vintage, collectibles, repurposed, upcycled, and making the corrected adjustments for the shipping I have quoted. I use priority mail which also includes the insurance. Till I can get some definite prices for these I will have to leave them as they are, but hopefully will soon have these changes made for the price changes that go into effect on January 22, 2012.
* * * Also....on Monday, January 16, 2012 the United States Post Office will be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. birthday. Make notes to yourself about this everyone. * * *
Hope everyone has had a great week. Tomorrow is Friday....the 13th....Hmm. I am not superstitious about this, but know that others might be. Just another reminder of what day it is. Well, time for me to call it a night. Get up tomorrow, and hopefully be more productive getting things done since I will be home, and no scheduled appointments.
Thanks for stopping by, and visiting with LilacsNDreams everyone! Make sure to say Hi so that I can come visit with you too! Take care, and see you again soon.
After Holidays, Organizing, Cleaning, and Inventory Control.
Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone, and happy to have you here. Well, here we are into our second week of the new 2012 year already! Holidays are over, cleaning has been done, things put back into their places for decorations, and now we are moving onto catching up on the computers, and with our online stores. I LOVE selling online, meeting other people, learning from others, sharing thoughts and ideas with others, and all of that wonderful stuff.
Over Christmas I was able to spend a few hours with a very good friend of mine. MaryLouLavender*s. If you visited my LilacsNDreams Store page here with my blog you would have seen some of the items she had listed with her ebay store recently. It was great seeing her, and as always never enough time to go over everything, share everything, and cover all we would like to do, see, and talk about.
During our conversations we were discussing blogs, things we sell, ideas, and just all that sharing that feels good to do. The idea of organized inventory was brought up. How do you organize everything? What works, what doesn't work, and where do you begin? I know this is something many many of us struggle with in our homes to organize for our online stores, and also for just around the home too. How do you organize this, how do you organize that, what is the best way, and so on.
You know, these are good questions and thoughts to be asking. As we grow with our online businesses our inventory becomes more, and there has to be a neutral way that is acceptable, and workable to keep organized, and to keep peace of mind with ourselves. Having it organized makes it so much easier to locate for when items sell, for when we list, doing inventory, and etc. I decided to look around a little, and see what others had to offer of what they do, and how they do things. Keep in mind, some of these ways do not always work for everyone as all of us have different kinds of inventory, and things that we sell.
One of the popular ways I am seeing is to use tubs, and some shelves for each category, and items. Some use this sort of system for each month as they list. Some of the shelving was done with wire racks that are bought from Costco. Some found things with their home to repurpose, and use. The tubs could be colored, or some will use see through ones which enables them to better see what is inside the tub too. Some mentioned that they used boxes as well.
On the top of the shelves some will use by putting their bubble wrap there, envelopes, USPS boxes, their supplies. It is best to keep enough in supplies for what is needed to help in organizing, and controling your system you have. On the tubs some will use removable address labels as stickers to notify what is in the tubs, or using a numbering system. Item tags are used on some with a bin number system. Along with the bin numbers some will also note the price paid for the item. Then, some will note the tubs with the item title along with the listing number too. Some will use print outs...like an inventory sheet for each tub notifying what is in it. Some sellers will choose to keep their items together by brand, and in alphabetical order. Then there are some who will mark their tubs, or their boxes with dates of when they listed items too.Yet another thing that was mentioned was to put a picture with each tub of what is in there also. Many many ways, and this is something for us all to find our way that works for us.
When placing the boxes, or the tubs on the shelves many noted to keep the spacing right between each one so that it was easier to slide the containers out like drawers when they had to be accessed. I did find that some who had large amounts of inventory would use storage units. They would use units that had set access times to them, video surveillance cameras on the property, tall chain link fences, and some have an access code you have to use to get through the gates to the units too. With the units they not only kept their inventory there, but would also have the tables set out with shipping supplies there for them to box, wrap, package too. Interesting, isn't it?
Many did mention having an inventory spreadsheet for their inventory too. Some would map their inventory from organizing, and labeling. Interesting, huh? When you bring more products home it is best to group items together, and then to organize them.
Organizing our inventory, and having control with it is an everyday task. Can give us a headache too. Hopefully some of the methods mentioned will help you with your thoughts of what will work for you, and organizing your inventory. It is always nice to get some ideas of what others do to help you in organizing what will work for you.
Good Luck with all your organizing everyone! Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and I hope your new year is treating you well so far. Take care, and see you again soon!
Happy New Year Bloggers, Blogland, Website Visitors!
Welcome to LilacsNDreams, and glad to have you here always. Well, did you all survive Christmas? I know some still celebrate after the day too. Families, Friends, Schedules, and trying to fit everyone in to have time with all. Festivities, and the rush of have everything done. Work so hard for that big day, and like that it goes too, doesn't it?
End of the year, and trying to get things in order here. Going through files to delete what is no longer needed. Taking products from one store, and adding to another store to be offered for those to buy. Removing maybe a few pieces of inventory, marking the books with all the changes, and prepping for the new year. I still have some products that have been completed that I have not listed yet for those to see, and buy. I still have a few things to complete that I would like to add small items with them, or show for decoration to help with some of those creative ideas too. Make sure to visit LilacsNDreams at Artfire, and to also visit LilacsNDreams at Ecrater. Between the 2 I will be offereing vintage, collectibles, repurposed, upcycled, altered, and so on. I do still have some things that are listed with LilacsNDreams at Etsy. In fact I made my first purchase of an item from Etsy couple of days ago too. At Etsy I have some vintage pieces listed along with a few of my repurposed items as well. Trying not to keep all the eggs in one basket, but yet not too far spread out that I cannot give the proper attention to the stores, and customers too.
So, now that Christmas is over I hope to try, and work on some of that the next few days, and nights. Hopefully I get something accomplished for this weekend to start offering in the stores. Make sure to visit LilacsNDreams to keep updated on what I am offering, and to make sure you check my LilacsNDreams Store tab at the top. In my store I show pictures, and links to visit to see items being offered. Not only do I show my own products, but I have started showing products of other sellers being offered, and will continue this too.
Hoping everyone had a sweet Christmas, and it was all you wanted it to be. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year with much success, sales, and everything wished for. Take care, and see you again soon everyone.
Please, Remember Our Veterans Today and Tell Them Thank You
Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy to see you here, and that you are visiting with me! Today is Veterans Day. It is a special day for many who can remember times, have lost family members to this, and for those who are still here to share with us too. If you will, just take a moment, please remember our Veterans today. And, if you see someone who is a Veteran, if you will, walk up to them and shake their hand and tell them.....Thank You!:) This would mean so much to them. Remember, it is a trying day for some of us, but even more so of a day for the Veterans amongst us.
Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams. When in roam on the internet don't forget to visit with my stores for vintage, collectibles, and repurposed at Artfire and Ecrater. Also, visit Ebay with LilacsNDreams for some of the items I am auctioning too. Thanks again, and hope to see you again.
With Google+
Google Plus Open For Business Pages
Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone! If you do not already know about it, or have not seen notices for it yet, Google Plus has opened their next phase for Business Pages. Like anything else when new, a bit confusing till you figure it out, but it really has not gone badly. When trying to work with something new you always seem to hit a slight bump in the road. It happens. I myself do like how these pages are compared to FB. I am having more success with navigating around much easier, and going from a personal to the business page seems to go much smoother than FB too.
One thing I like about a business page with Google+ is that it will be good for SEO, gets your name out there more, and I have seen some business pages comment on how they were being ranked and found with their pages too. Hey, every little bit we can do helps all of us Sellers out, right? Google has many different apps that people work with, they offer free websites, and until I went to process my Google+ Business page....I had forgotten that my business name is registered with Google showing business hours, map, location, and etc. So, the more with Google the merrier right?:) And, let's not forget that Google is also the biggest search engine for general, and for shopping too. So, having these business pages just gives it another kick too:)
When you can stop by to visit my page, see what it going on there, sign up with Google+, give me a holler, and add/invite me to your circles.
Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams. Remember to visit my stores for vintage, collectibles, repurposed, and reused treasures too. Most of the inventory is at Artfire, and I also have a few things with Ecrater. Some of the inventory has been listed with Ebay recently too. Hey, gotta get some of this inventory to move so that I can make more room for other things found, and mostly to make more room for me to work on repurposed and restyled pieces too.
Take care, and hope to see you again!
Day Light Savings Time Clocks Fall Back an Hour.
Hello everyone, and Welcome again to LilacsNDreams for vintage, collectibles, gently used, and repurposed. Wanted to stop by as a reminder to everyone AND to me too! Don't forget to set your clocks back an hour tonight before you go to bed. You could wake up to a reality check in the morning when you are rushing to get to church, go to the store, meeting with friends, and realize that you are ahead of schedule...LOL:) So, set them clocks back, and enjoy another hour of sleep, and relaxation. I know I will.
I realize with us setting the clocks back it is good, we are "gaining" an hour, and all of that. But, I also am reminding myself how it will get darker sooner, the nights will get a little bit longer with darkness, and that fall/winter is here. Hmmm.....
Well, off I go again. Taking a break, got a simple wood candle stick painted today, wanted to tea stain some music paper....I have to find them in the closet again. Need to measure, and make a paper template to follow before I start cutting into those music book pages. Will see what happens, and what this body feels like doing tonight.
Thinking of my friends as they are out shopping, digging, thrifting, and enjoying "girls weekend". Hope all is well with them, they are enjoying it all, and finding some good things too:)
Thanks for visiting LilacsNDreams, and hope to see you again. Take care till the next time everyone.....
Welcome to LilacsNDreams Where Vintage, Collectibles, Gently Used, Altered or Repurposed Treasures are offered.
Hi, and thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams tonight. I wanted to drop a small note here to let everyone know I am still around, and that I really have not been ignoring my blog. I have been by here often, and have done a little bit of work here and there. I do things as I am able to before I have spells of this darn cough I still get.
Anyway, if you check on some of my other pages with the tabs at the top, you will see that there has been a few things done with some of them. I have listed more items for sale at Ebay trying to move some of this inventory I have at home. I am still selling at Artfire, and also with Ecrater, and you are always Welcome to visit my stores too. This week I did have a sale with a Fenton piece from Artfire, and I have sold 2 other items with Ebay. I have another item sold at Ebay...still has time with the auction. So, slowly some sales have been coming to me...whew! Feels good to have some to work with, and making room for a few more things I would like to list at Artfire with some vintage, but also with some items I have repurposed too.
You will see some of the links clickable in this posting to go to the stores, or you can also find the links to the right side for the stores. Just give it a click, and you will be there. Hope everyone had a super duper week...better than me health wise. I would never wish this stuff on anyone. Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and hope to see you again. Have a super Weekend ya'll.
Hello everyone, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams Blog! Sorry, I guess this was my week to slack off just a bit. I do have a topic I am going to share, but will probably do it this next week. Got some pictures, and some blogs/sites I would like to add with the topic too. Also, don't forget the tabs at the top for other pages with this blog too. I try to share things a little different with each one:)
For our area, most of the schools have started. Kids seem to be doing good, and enjoying themselves. For me it was quite different this year not rushing around getting school supplies, looking for any school lists, registering kids for school, having a meet the teacher night, and so on. Both our kids our grown up now...last one graduated last year, and our daughter is a bit older, and is married with a 6 year old too. Oh, yeah, Grandma I am too....she decided she had to start young I guess:)
Hope everyone had a great week, was enjoyable, able to get some last minute plans in, final vacations, but hang on as we have Labor Day coming to us soon too!:) Thanks for visiting, and stopping by to check on things here. Ya'll take care, and see you again soon. Have a sweet Weekend!:)
Online Sales Summertime Sales Slow or None
Welcome to LilacsNDreams, and glad to have you visiting!:) For those who do sales whether online, or in a brick and mortar store have noticed sales being slow, or for some they have not really had any sales to speak of. When this happens, many of us will question ourselves about what are we doing wrong, do I need to change something, is there more I could do, and so on.
In all reality sales during the summer generally are slower for many. Depends on what you are selling, supply and demand, etc. Many people, and families during the summer spend time vacationing, traveling, spending more time with family and friends, and their focus is not with buying too much of anything. Sure, they will buy when they are traveling, visiting out of town, and vacationing for different little things. The majority of their time is not spending all their time online buying, but maybe emailing, researching with travel plans, some take the summer to prepare for winter months themselves, and things like that.
Me? Selling vintage has usually been slow for me during the summer time which I have adjusted to. I have adapted with the sales being very slow, or if any at all. This summer plans worked out for me being slower during this time. I have taken the opportunity to work more with my blog, spend some time with my website, researching some things I wanted to do with a few changes I wanted to make, and taking the time to repurpose different items. I have also been able to go through some of my inventory, review what has been selling and not selling, and making decisions of trying to keep selling what has not sold, or to let it go.
With some of the pieces I have tried to sell with more than one venue, and they have not sold. I do not desire to donate them, or give them away. So, some of them are being repurposed also. Not all of them, but some pieces. I have also been able to experiment a little bit with like the glue I choose to use, and if it will work for me. I have been working on painting just a few things, not all I had planned on, but some of them. Do I spray paint, or do I brush it? I have also been able to take a little time to go thrifting for different pieces knowing more of what will sell for me, and also as I walk around seeing if I reimagine any of the pieces in other ways. It has been an enjoyable summer doing a little bit here, and a little bit there. Learning, reading, and making them notes too!:)
Upon checking with some of my other pages in the tabs above you will see a little bit of what I have been doing. What I have found thrifting, what I have repurposed, before and after pictures, and just some chit chat too:) If you will view the Thrift Store Junkies page, and Second Time Treasures page you will be able to see a little bit of what I have been doing. Also, if you see my Artfire Store you will see more of the vintage there, a few pieces of repurposed, and the other inventory I have been working with I will soon be adding to that store.
So, if you are getting the summer time blues with your sales, are worried about having slow sales, or no sales, don't be too worried. Summer time is generally slower for many as they look back through things, and discover that is generally a slower time that has been dealt with. Now.....the season will soon change with vacations over with, traveling becoming minimal, and with school starting. School for the little ones, those in middle schools, high schools, and college too. Things calm a little after that, and people will be spending more time with the computers, and doing some of their favorite online shopping again too.
Hang in there everyone, things will soon get better!:) Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and hope you enjoyed your visit as always. Take care, and see you again!:)
Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! I hope everyone is having a super weekend, and that is continues for you!:)
WooHoo! I am happy to say that I have made 2 sales now! One was through Addoway, and due to a glitch with Payapl we had some issues to over come. I ended up invoicing the customer through paypal myself, and she has been very happy with my co-operation, and staying on top of things. This made me feel really good. That sale happened on Thursday the 4th for an Amethyst Scalloped Ruffled Fluted Glass Bowl. Then, this morning I received notice from my Google Checkout with Ecrater about my A&W Bear that has been purchased. Unfortunately, it is the weekend, postal service, and I will not be able to ship this treasure till Monday. I may be extremely tired past few days, but it has been very comforting having a couple of sales too.
ARTFIRE has an official group with LinkedIn now....WooHoo! I myself had started a really small group there for Artfire as I could not find anything that was being maintained, or a place for memebers to go too. I am so very happy to see this Official Group by Artfire now using the Official Artfire Logo too:)
Just stopping by to share some of my excitement with all of you. Visit my stores, and don't forget about my other blog pages tabbed at the top too. Happy to see you everywhere with me. Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams today. Wishing everyone a sweet weekend, have fun, and be safe!:)
Preparing For Shipping and Finalizing the Sale.
Well, you have done everything up to this point, and have done a listing for your products you wish to sell. Do not be discouraged after this if it takes a while to get a sale, maybe you will have a sale right away, and sometimes you will make more than one sale too. It varies for everyone, and consistency is not something that comes with selling online.
Ok, you made a sale, and with most market places an invoice has been sent to the customer. Everyone does everything differently, and again you will have to find the way that works for you, and feels comfortable for you too. Once a sale is made I send a personal note to the customer thanking them for their purchase, and asking them if there is any change to the mailing address to please notify me of it as well so that I may note it.
Once payment is made you will then have to prepare the item for shipping, or sometimes you can have most of the process done while waiting for payment too. Make sure you have supplies on hand for the method of shipping you have chosen. Boxes, mailing tape, bubble wrap for delicate items, peanuts, or whatever supplies you choose to use for your shipping. You want to do the best you can wrapping the item to ship as once it leaves your presence you will have no control of how it is handled from then until the customer receives the item they have purchased.
Another step to follow through with after receiving your payment is to prepare the shipping label, and also I recommend enclosing an invoice with each order you process. I myself enclose an invoice with the item for verification for the customer, and I make a copy of the invoice for my records as well. You will also want to consider enclosing a business card, maybe a thank you note, and some sellers include some small gift along with every purchase of maybe a pen, a magnet, or whatever is used to represent you, and your name. No rules for any of this, and it is your decision of what you will, and will not do.
Ok, you have securely wrapped the item, properly boxed it for shipment, and it has been delivered to the post office, or a pick up was done of the item for delivery. After this processing is completed it is always curteous for you to then notify the customer by thanking them again for their purchase, and that their shipment has been made. This will better help them to watch for the item, and kind of when to expect delivery according to the shipping service used.
Keep in mind, you do not have to do all of these extra steps, and there are plenty of sellers that have their own ways, do just a few things, or really do nothing at all except to package and ship. It all relies on the customer service that you wish to extend to the customers, and how you will be remembered for your services too.
I know there is much more that could have been covered, and it could have become very lengthy too. Yeah, more winded than I have been:) Most of what has all been covered with these topics for selling is the basics of doing things for Online Selling. I hope this has helped you with things you do, for those new to online selling, and maybe a bit of a reminder for some as well too. I wish you all well, and best of luck to you with all you do. Take care, have fun, and enjoy your new venture!:)
Listing Formats Basics for Different Market Places
Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone!:) Tonight I will be covering the listing formats, the basics of them for the different market places. Every market place provides you with a form for you to complete, and is the page you will see when shopping. Keep in the mind that the sequence of how the pages are done will be different with each place, but they all have different sections to complete. Don't be frustrated with them as they do the same thing, just different orders of things done, and the categories can vary too.
You will want to choose the category you will be listing with. Make sure you check for any site rules about listing in certain categories, and if you are allowed to list with more than one category too. You will want to research a bit to see the categories used by others selling similar items with the site you are listing with. Most of the sites do have a specific category, and then sub-categories with them.
Writing a Title as was mentioned before will now be used. Check with the site you are using for how many characters are allowed in the titles. It is generally from about 55 up to 70 characters. Avoid the adjectives such as Beautiful, Adorable, Pretty, New with your titles as they will not count, or help. They do not make you stand out more in searches, and only take away from characters you are allowed to use. Make sure to use keywords that will be used for searching for your items with the search engines.
Next will come the pictures you will be posting which we covered last week with the bit on photography. Each site is different on the amount of pictures they will allow. Some will allow up to 10 for free, or is included with your site fees. Other places maybe only allow 1-4, and any more you will have to pay a small fee for anything above that. Also, will you be able to use the pictures from your computer, or does the site have you upload them from an online hosting site. By now, you will know some of these things as you are doing your listings to better assist you.
Now you will work on your descriptions with your listings. Make sure to give as much information as possible here. It is ok to use your title here again in the first sentence which is better for search engines, and placements. Give information of the product, color, size, condition, vintage, collectible, handmade, supplies, and etc. Mention some of the purposes of having this item, why they should purchase it, and make this appealing to the customer. Remember, you are trying to sell your product to them who cannot see it in person, feel it, touch it, smell it, and etc.
Mention your payment types accepted, your shipping procedures and what they can expect, and your return policies also. If you charge any kind of handling fees it would be best to mention this too. Let them know that if they have any questions to please contact you with them. You are willing to help them the best that you can to make this an enjoyable, smooth, and pleasant transaction.
As you can see it is all kind of coming together now from this little bit of a series that has been offered to you each week. There is just another 1-2 topics to cover, and you are on your way to listing your products, and enjoying your sales that will soon come to you also. Remember, it can be frustrating at first. Especially if this is all new to you. Some people will make a sale right away, and then have to wait again for another one. I have seen another business who has been doing ok for themselves mention that it took them up to 9 months before they made their first sale. It varies, and no 2 incidents will ever be alike. All we can do is learn from others, apply some of what others have done, but most of all find the way that works best for ourselves to accomplish our goals.
Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and I hope this information has been helpful to you. Either you can follow what has been suggested, or at least apply some of it to fit in with your own way of doing things. I wish you all well, and Good Luck to you all!:) Happy Selling, and enjoy everyone!:)
