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MrsMessina
Thankful for our miracles!
Member since 2/07 7254 total posts
Name:
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Anyone here self employed?
DH and I have been trying to figure out the best way to promote my business more w/o spending a fortune. I was thinking of going either the wholesale direct to businesses route and DH was thinking pursue the internet sales more... we'll probably do both.
I've been being asked to do home parties a lot lately and am coming up w/ a party plan for that but don't know what else to do. Any thoughts?
FM me if you'd prefer. Thanks!!!!
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Posted 1/6/08 4:32 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
ml110
LIF Adult
Member since 1/06 5435 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
i think it depends on what kind of business it is.... my parents own a garden center and soooo much of their advertising now comes from word of mouth. they might put one or two newspaper ads in per season, but overall its mostly word of mouth ( people see how pretty their friends gardens look and ask " where did you get your flowers!?")
so newspaper ads and word of mouth has worked best for my parents... and i think once your business is established you'll find thats what happens. internet is also a really good way to go, too... so many people are online now and if you find the right sites, it can be a huge thing! good luck!!!
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| Posted 1/6/08 4:41 PM |
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Shorty
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Member since 5/05 30390 total posts
Name:
really
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
I have an idea....SEND ME SOME CARDS 
Craigslist - Pennysaver - craft fairs
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| Posted 1/6/08 4:51 PM |
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MommyofG
just the girls
Member since 5/05 9461 total posts
Name:
Janice
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
what kind of stuff do you sell? If I remember correctly craft stuff right? If you do do home parties keep me posted.
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| Posted 1/6/08 5:52 PM |
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MrsMessina
Thankful for our miracles!
Member since 2/07 7254 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
Posted by Shorty
I have an idea....SEND ME SOME CARDS
Craigslist - Pennysaver - craft fairs
Sorry Nic- I actually just ordered some new ones so I PROMISE as soon as they come I'll get them out. I really need to get myself to the post office.
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| Posted 1/6/08 5:55 PM |
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MrsMessina
Thankful for our miracles!
Member since 2/07 7254 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
Posted by ml110
i think it depends on what kind of business it is.... my parents own a garden center and soooo much of their advertising now comes from word of mouth. they might put one or two newspaper ads in per season, but overall its mostly word of mouth ( people see how pretty their friends gardens look and ask " where did you get your flowers!?")
so newspaper ads and word of mouth has worked best for my parents... and i think once your business is established you'll find thats what happens. internet is also a really good way to go, too... so many people are online now and if you find the right sites, it can be a huge thing! good luck!!!
A lot of my business does come from word of mouth... especially out here b/c I live in a small town. I've also done craft fairs for going on 5 years now but it's such a pain to lug the stuff to and from the fairs and set it up/break it down, etc... I have 90% glass so it's dangerous- though I've been lucky so far.
I have a website- far from great- my DH does it in his spare time. But it's a start and he's promising to update for me. I'm also a vendor on LIW but haven't gotten much business from there yet, though I know it's only my first year so I have to give it time.
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| Posted 1/6/08 5:58 PM |
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MrsMessina
Thankful for our miracles!
Member since 2/07 7254 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
Posted by MommyofG
what kind of stuff do you sell? If I remember correctly craft stuff right? If you do do home parties keep me posted.
I sell hand-painted items- wine glasses, mailboxes, cakeplates, votives, ... stuff like that.
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| Posted 1/6/08 6:00 PM |
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sunnyplus3
:)
Member since 11/05 8749 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
are you selling to all of the little shops in calverton/baiting hollow/riverhead?
I saw handpainted glass stuff yesterday at Agway in Riverhead.
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| Posted 1/6/08 6:09 PM |
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MrsMessina
Thankful for our miracles!
Member since 2/07 7254 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
Posted by KellyFG
are you selling to all of the little shops in calverton/baiting hollow/riverhead?
I saw handpainted glass stuff yesterday at Agway in Riverhead.
No, actually they ship their stuff up from Florida. I mentioned to the guy there that I do hand painting as well but he didn't seem interested.  You'd think he might've wanted to save on shipping since I'm local. I laughed when I saw their prices- he was charging $85 for a hand-painted mailbox- 
And the other store up front when my DH mentioned to the woman there that I have a business making hand-painted items she told me that she does her own stuff (different looking than mine) and when she saw my pics she told me I should give her lessons so she could do it herself. I used to give lessons but didn't really enjoy it so I stopped.
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| Posted 1/6/08 6:13 PM |
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cazhley
I ♥ cheesiness.
Member since 1/07 1429 total posts
Name:
Cassie
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
Maybe try getting your product mentioned in a magazine or tv show, or the local news if you have an angle (like for charity).
You know how magazines, such as Time Out, The Nest, New York, have gift ideas? They have online versions of these lists. Maybe send samples to the editor. If you get one mention, it could be very good.
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| Posted 1/6/08 6:21 PM |
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NewlyMrs
Laugh-Live-Love LIFE!
Member since 10/06 14432 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
It'll take some legwork....but network. Talk to area businesses, florists, wedding supply stores, etc. Anyone who might want to use your items. Maybe they will carry items on stock and sell for you.
Or creat flyer to post in stores
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| Posted 1/6/08 6:23 PM |
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
My SIL does the same thing. She hosted a party and showed samples of her work. She gave out cards at the party as well. People showed their friends and family something they bought, and it went from there. She had friends of a friend of a friend calling in no time. She was soooooo busy it was ridiculous!
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| Posted 1/6/08 6:29 PM |
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ChrisDee
My Girls
Member since 11/06 9543 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
The internet is the way to go. You need to "optimize" your website for keywords with all the major search engines.(ex. google,yahoo,monzilla, alta Vista etc.) So when people do an internet search, your website pops up based on the keywords.
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| Posted 1/6/08 9:29 PM |
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MrsMessina
Thankful for our miracles!
Member since 2/07 7254 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
Posted by ChrisDee
The internet is the way to go. You need to "optimize" your website for keywords with all the major search engines.(ex. google,yahoo,monzilla, alta Vista etc.) So when people do an internet search, your website pops up based on the keywords.
Thanks - DH was talking about this as well. Is this expensive to do? Do you know how I should go about doing this? TIA!!!
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| Posted 1/6/08 9:36 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
You need the internet and show pics of your products.
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| Posted 1/6/08 9:43 PM |
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starryeyes
Baby number 2 is on its way!
Member since 9/06 2020 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
Just curious, but do you have any pics of your work?
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| Posted 1/6/08 9:47 PM |
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MrsMessina
Thankful for our miracles!
Member since 2/07 7254 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
Posted by starryeyes
Just curious, but do you have any pics of your work?
of course! 
Shorty does too! 
I have tons of pictures... this is one that's a special order someone asked me to do.
Image Attachment(s):
Message edited 1/6/2008 10:24:35 PM.
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| Posted 1/6/08 10:09 PM |
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zaidam
*************
Member since 1/07 1519 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
Yes. My DH is self employed, but owns part of a corporation, so we advertise in national media.
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| Posted 1/7/08 12:04 AM |
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MrsMessina
Thankful for our miracles!
Member since 2/07 7254 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
Posted by MrsSupermarket
Yes. My DH is self employed, but owns part of a corporation, so we advertise in national media.
does he find this effective? Also, since it's national I'm guessing it's  , right?
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| Posted 1/7/08 12:16 AM |
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Tine73
Member since 3/06 22093 total posts
Name:
*********
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
Advertising on the Internet is the way to go as well as search engine optimization that someone mentioned. I would also look into to buying some banner advertising on websites, but only buy them if they are CPC, not CPM. CPC is cost per click and CPM is click by impression, and that is much harder to quantify. CPC is a l ot cheaper bc you would only pay for when people clicked on your banner. That is also how buying keywords work - you only pay when people click on your website in the sponsored ad results and depending on the search volume, cots be as little as 35 cents a click.
Do you sell your items on eBay?
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| Posted 1/7/08 7:16 AM |
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joenick
Us
Member since 6/06 9370 total posts
Name:
Valerie...aka...Do Me A Favor?
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
I advertise on here (LIF)- 
But I do get a LOT of business from word-of-mouth. Keeps me very busy!
Maybe make some color flyers and post them in your local supermarkets, craft shops, card stores. Mkae business cards as well and walk around during craft fairs and hand them out!
Good luck!
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| Posted 1/7/08 7:38 AM |
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kahlua716
3 Girls for Me!
Member since 8/07 12475 total posts
Name:
Keri
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
Posted by MrsMessina
Posted by MommyofG
what kind of stuff do you sell? If I remember correctly craft stuff right? If you do do home parties keep me posted.
I sell hand-painted items- wine glasses, mailboxes, cakeplates, votives, ... stuff like that.
Hey! Do you do the craft fair at Babylon Town Hall? I think I bought my toasting flutes from you
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| Posted 1/7/08 8:58 AM |
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Shelly
She's 7!!!
Member since 8/05 14624 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
DH is self employed and started his business on Craigslist- no joke. He is a carpenter who does custom made furniture.
Who is your target audience? Once you figure that you, you'll find the best way to reach them.
I have an idea, why don't you try sending a targeted e-mail to event planners on craigslist. I woudl imagine that event planner would be able to use your services.
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| Posted 1/7/08 10:36 AM |
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MrsMessina
Thankful for our miracles!
Member since 2/07 7254 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
Posted by kahlua716
Posted by MrsMessina
Posted by MommyofG
what kind of stuff do you sell? If I remember correctly craft stuff right? If you do do home parties keep me posted.
I sell hand-painted items- wine glasses, mailboxes, cakeplates, votives, ... stuff like that.
Hey! Do you do the craft fair at Babylon Town Hall? I think I bought my toasting flutes from you
I've done the babylon beautification society and west islip--- I don't think either of those are at town hall though. It would be neat if they were mine though-- I love hearing how people use them at their special events!!
Message edited 1/7/2008 11:08:48 AM.
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| Posted 1/7/08 11:04 AM |
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MrsMessina
Thankful for our miracles!
Member since 2/07 7254 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone here self employed?
Posted by Shelly
DH is self employed and started his business on Craigslist- no joke. He is a carpenter who does custom made furniture.
Who is your target audience? Once you figure that you, you'll find the best way to reach them.
I have an idea, why don't you try sending a targeted e-mail to event planners on craigslist. I woudl imagine that event planner would be able to use your services.
I was thinking about your target audience question--- I HAVE NO IDEA. It COULD be brides--- it COULD be wine drinkers--- it COULD be someone that just bought a house and needs a mailbox--- it COULD be someone who is going to a bridal or baby shower and wants something personalized like someone's pattern... that's what confuses me...i don't know who to target.
Message edited 1/7/2008 1:47:12 PM.
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| Posted 1/7/08 1:46 PM |
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