Life changed drastically when the kids and I moved down close to State College. For 4 years I had supplemented my business income with craft shows. When I moved down my income was cut in half. My business took a drastic income hit. Craft shows were not an option here for me. I had 3 little kids and was by myself at the time. I did not have family to leave the kids with and leaving the kids during this transition phase was not an option.
Flash forward – I have lived here 4 years now and within the past year have realized the importance of expanding Internet horizons. All my eggs were in one basket-my main website. I was doing myself an injustice by not researching and finding other avenues to bring traffic in. Actually concentrating only on my main website really limited my ability to reach other targeted traffic. You can only do so much from your main business website.
At this time I solely relied on Google search engines to list my site on the front page and “bring in the traffic”. We all know diversity is best. I wanted to go deeper with my business.
My small adventure in exploring other selling mediums led me to Etsy. Selling from Etsy is not easy, but I can say this once you figure out how to master Etsy then the rest is almost down hill. (I am still working on improving my status there)
My light bulb moment.
I got to thinking. You compete with umteen hundred other competitors on etsy, ebay or any other selling medium . It is a rat race to stay on top of your niche and sometimes we do not have all that time to devote to twittering our new or re-listed products. We still need to create, make, and fulfill our orders. If we had 40 hours in a day we might be able to get everything done that our business needs.
Why sell from your blog?
That is the question.
This is how I would answer that. When I receive a visitor on my blog they have decided to check me out solely for me and my business. I am not competing with any other business on my blog. At least you shouldn’t be. (that is another post)
If you post about an item of yours and the visitor wants to buy your item – sell it to them. You maybe thinking – Yes, my link is on my blog. The visitor can click on my link and buy it. The problem with that method is that you do not want your visitor to jump through hoops trying to buy the item. That way of selling discourages people from buying.
Your blog could be a great opportunity to open doors to another selling medium. Your website will only draw in a certain amount of traffic. Although Etsy and Ebay they are great traffic and income generators they will only draw in a certain amount of traffic.
Visitors that reach your blog love to read your posts. They keep up with your on goings. When visitors read your blog they are paying attention to you and what you have to say. A blog is not just a one sided relationship. It is a two fold relationship. Your visitors are an integral part of your business. Your blog is multi-faceted because of your personality showing through your posts while your business site is solely a product buying outlet.
What other avenues of selling are you using to bring more value to your business?
Many Blessings,
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Dawn! I grew up near Lewistown which is near State College if you are in PA. Love your pumpkin up there to the right! Looking forward to following your blog!
Teresa
Teresa´s last blog ..Appliqued Cell Phone Necklace Tan
Nice Meeting you Teresa. I still live close to State College. I love the area. Originally I am from Troy, PA. Do you still live in the area?
My church is in Lewistown.