eCommerce

There's a lot more to this than people realise. Yes you've got your site up and running but now you need to drive traffic there & make some sale. You could hire an expert to sort out your SEO - search engine optimisation but it's not an exact science and Goole change their formula ever few years.
In addition, if you're a start up that's seems a significant outlay form the start.

So you think, Facebook they've just started allowing advertising but the trick is to turn "likes" into sales! The general rule of thumb is to engage with those people who have "liked" your page. As open ended questions, try to start a "conversation".

But then you find yourself questioning, what question? .....

Exciting Times

Just ordered some new business cards......with the sandals designs on each
http://www.moo.com/share/ghtxnr

Hot days

Well I'm not sure about you, but I'm excited about our "Indian Summer", finally us girls get to show off a bit of leg....so no moaning please that "it's too hot"! Just enjoy ;)

www.

3 Easy Time Saving Tips
(when using the web)

1. Why
Ask yourself why you are looking for that information/product. So often people get side tracked on the net and end up wasting a great deal of their valuable time reading/surfing irrelevant information (I know I'm the first one to admit it).

2. What
Is there a particular purpose, "what do you want to achieve". What is your game plan?

3. Where
Think where to look first, it might be worth posting an open question on a social media site and get other peoples suggestions first, rather than just relying on what Google throws back.

There are many companies who I would have loved to do business with but for some reason they don't deliver to the Channel Islands.

Blogging about blogging for bloggers

Gone are the days where you could sell door to door and yes technology has moved us on but.... for business to survive in today's market you find yourself facing the following questions....and not only being and expert in your own field, but also becoming a master at "tech speak" and here's why...

Gone are the days of whether you had a service people wanted or needed, a cash till, shop front or even letterhead now it's

Do you have a website? Have you made the most of SEO, no not Senior Executive Office, Search Engine Optimization! (with a 'z' as it's a Google term)

You need a Facebook page, Pinterest, Instagram, Google plus, Twitter and two blogs, one on Wordpress and one on Blogger.com & god forbid you might actually find time so run your business after all this blogging, optimizing (with a 'z'), tweeting, liking etc etc.

So I'd better blogger off and actually generate some sales for planetzim.com

Jersey, Channel Islands

If you're stuck for something different to do over the summer, get in touch with Remi Couriard, a blue badge guide in Jersey, Channel Islands who's knowledge and enthusiasm is second to none!

http://www.walkinginjersey.com/

I am grateful for the opportunity to meet with Remi Couriard and learn more about him and more about the lovely island of Jersey.

Black & White trend 2012

The word on the street is that black & white is a key theme for "hot on trend" outfits.  Whatever "floats your boat" we have the perfect sandals to accompany any outfit and what is even better is that your feet will not have to suffer for fashion.  Practical and comfortable.......

Don't forget the competition either ;).....a chance to win a free pair of sandals!

Summer 2012

Are you looking for a pair of summer sandals......hot trend for 2012.

Beaded sandals are becoming increasingly popular from last spring and summer.  As a summer must have, they are available in different shapes and styles to pair with any of your summer clothes seriously consider

http://planetzim.com 

 

With different looks and colors, Planetzim sandals present a little of an earthy appearance. Hand beaded leather which are fun, affordable, colourful and versatile. 

Also consider.....

Flat beaded sandals look well with jeans, light summer trousers or long bohemian skirt.

If you are wearing light trousers, tribal styled beaded sandals will be a better fit.

http://www.next.co.uk/women/casual-sandals/6 

Competition - win yourself a FREE pair of sandals

With less than two weeks to go until the Jersey Boat Show, I have decided to extend the competition to those followers online. 

The competition is to get a better understanding of my potential customers, by entering, you confirm that you are over 18 years of age and entries must be sent to planetzim.sales@gmail.com with the heading "win" by the 8th May 2012. 

The winner will be decided on the 10th May 2012.

Good luck!!

planetzim.com

Ageing

I visited the library to return a few books on phsycometric testing, despite my best efforts to actually read the books and practice (twice), I found myself apologising to the librarian that unfortunately, "the books left me stone cold". On the plus side, our local library have a service that they will consider ordering a book, if they do not have it in their collection for a grand total of 75p. Needless to say, I was pleased as punch and promplty paid my 75p. This go me thinking about libraries in general, and what a valuable service they provide particularly our library which, every time I have visited has people of all ages using it. I must say, for many years I thought libraries were a bit "naf" or for those also in possession on a free bus pass but I am pleased to admit I was wrong. It's not about age it's about thirst for knowledge, long may libraries flourish even in this technology driven age. Wouldn't you agree? I also spoke to my Dad today who, well let's just say, was one of the original fans of the Rolling Stones, I caught him just as he was off to play a game of squash, I agreed to ring back later. When I rang again, he was just off to play snooker, but was beside himself with excitement as he had found a reasonably priced dentist and would be collecting his new set of false teeth on Monday! My sister his having a birthday "do" for herself and my nephew tomorrow and yes my parents will be attending although, my Dad will be without teeth!

style rookie

style rookie: i sometimes move

I've been doing some research on blogging and my biggest question was do you have to be an authority on one subject to blogg about it, as I have more questions than answers. I found this TedX talk by Tavi....it's amazing! I wish she had been around when I was a teenager.

Kindness

Great news, I've been looking for a display for the Jersey Boat Show next month, eventually thought I might have to make one, did some mental sums adding up the cost of the wood which was way more than I was prepared to pay so..... moment of madness, I popped to my local garden centre and they've been so kind as to lend me, not only one display, but two! I'm over the moon & go to pick them up today. What an amazing day, I met my step daughter for a coffee and we also popped into Bliss Jersey, Emma the owner is so friendly and she has the most amazing collection of lotions & potions for sale. One range in particular is so querky called "I hate perfume". Some of the names are a bit bizare like "Old Leather", but what is evening more miraculous is that someone has actually bottled it and it really smells like old leather. There are also not such off the wall scents like "at the beach 1966" and "picking apples" which again takes you on what I can best describe as a "memory trip".

Just a thought - by Helen Zille

"I bought a bird feeder. I hung it on my back porch and filled it with seed. What a beauty of a bird feeder it was, as I filled it lovingly with seed. Within a week we had hundreds of birds taking advantage of the continuous flow of free and easily accessible food. But then the birds started building nests in the boards of the patio, above the table, and next to the barbecue. Then came the poop. It was everywhere: on the patio tile, the chairs, the table ... everywhere! Then some of the birds turned mean. They would dive bomb me and try to peck me even though I had fed them out of my own pocket. And others birds were boisterous and loud. They sat on the feeder and squawked and screamed at all hours of the day and night and demanded that I fill it when it got low on food. After a while, I couldn't even sit on my own back porch anymore. So I took down the bird feeder and in three days the birds were gone. I cleaned up their mess and took down the many nests they had built all over the patio. Soon, the back yard was like it used to be ... quiet, serene ... and no one demanding their rights to a free meal. Now let's see.

Our government gives out free food, subsidized housing, free medical care and free education, and allows anyone born here to be an automatic citizen. Then the illegals came by the tens of thousands. Suddenly our taxes went up to pay for free services; small apartments are housing 5 families; you have to wait 6 hours to be seen by an emergency room doctor; your child's second grade class is behind other schools because over half the class doesn't speak English. Corn Flakes now come in a bilingual box; I have to 'press one' to hear my bank talk to me in English, and people waving flags other than our flag are squawking and screaming in the streets, demanding more rights and free liberties. Just my opinion, but maybe it's time for the government to take down the bird feeder. If you agree, pass it on - if not, continue cleaning up the poop."

Second thoughts

First, I'm having serious second thoughts about putting my thoughts out on the world wide web, not sure what I was so terrified about, no-one reads the page anyway! So my question is, why do all these people claim it's such a fantastic thing to do? Reading up on the subject you don't have to be famous but an authority on a particular subject. Then I start thinking, well I'm interested in a lot of things. Gardening, painting, sewing, reading, DIY, Excersise, collectibles & much much more. Do you have to choose just one subject? Further reading on blogging.....

Rocked to the core

I have so many ideas for the Jersey Boat Show 2012, it's making my head hurt.  Thankfully, I'm also putting these ideas into practice while reading all about how to create a successful trade show stand. 

It's really a mixed feeling process, I'm excited but the idea also gives me "butterflies", what if people don't like my business idea, I really believe in the product, hand beaded leather products.  Leather, with care, providing training and jobs for ladies within a Kenyan community, who unfortunately have fallen on hard times.

I have sent out direct mail shots however, to date, these have not transferred to sales.  Setting up a business is not for the faint hearted!  At your core, you believe in what you're doing and want to make it work as you've also got people relying on you however, on a different level you wonder "what if I've got it wrong?"  "Is it still early days?"

Jeanette Mash
http://www.planetzim.com

My new moto, "Feel the fear and do it anyway!"

Help! Trade Shows

I'm gearing up for the Jersey Boat Show 2012. Rather nerve racking as I've never "put myself out there" like this before so, any hints & tips? the stall is for my business venture planetzim.com