It is so easy to use what others are doing when it comes to your business especially when you see their success. In most cases there is absolutely nothing wrong with this. Follow their lead and add your own spin to this making it your own.
If everyone does the same thing there is nothing that stands out about you. That is where the problem with this method comes in. You sell candles out of a box as your gimmick and you are good at it, several will come along and do that same thing. And the reason why people do that? "Everyone else is doing it."
There are a few times you do not what to use the "Everyone else is doing it" line. This includes illegal activity. Now you think deceit, theft, fraud, or as I call it - lying, taking, faking, or anything else. Did you know there is more out there that some justify and is accepted as being ok?
Now I love my Disney items and I love crafting Disney inspired items for personal use. Now lets say you take Mickey Mouse and put his face on a t-shirt and sold these. If you did not get licensing from Disney to sell these Disney items you are infringing on copyright and trademarks owned by Disney. Now Disney items are not the only items in which this is occurring and only using it as an example of things I do see out there. In fact I seen a so-called reputable boutique selling outifts handmade using copyright and trademark images for resale without permission. They even complained their account on a website dedicated to crafters was closed because the lawyers of this company went to the owners of the crafting site and demanded all copyright infringed items be removed immediately. The comment came up that "everyone else is doing it" and that company is just greedy by going after the small people. Well as an artist if you create an image and hold the copyrights to it, you have to go after anyone, big and small, who is using the image unlawfully to hold any ground in court. And you know what? They are still selling these outfits even knowing these lawyers and putting a stop it it.
Now just because "everyone else is doing it" doesn't mean it is not illegal and cannot get you in hot water. Would you want someone to take your copyrighted image or trademark design and pass it off as theirs? How about that hair bow design you worked so hard to come up with and someone steals your idea?
Now the time you want to say "everyone else is doing it" is being successful. Do what you love and work it as a business. Don't just put a link out there because "everyone else is doing it." Make your mark and stand out.
Olivia Vidal
© 2009-2011
Welcome!
Find Articles for building a better business, Sales and Specials, from fellow WAHMs, Party tips, Fundraisers, Product Reviews, Advertising, WAHM Tips, Recipes, and so much, much more! Take a moment to visit some of our favorite links before you leave. Don't forget to leave your comments and interact with others. Enjoy!
"The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible"
~ Anonymous
Find Articles for building a better business, Sales and Specials, from fellow WAHMs, Party tips, Fundraisers, Product Reviews, Advertising, WAHM Tips, Recipes, and so much, much more! Take a moment to visit some of our favorite links before you leave. Don't forget to leave your comments and interact with others. Enjoy!
"The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible"
~ Anonymous
How to Prevent Cyberbullying | eHow.com
This is a serious issue especially our younger generation. This is not a typical topic for this blog but I feel it is important. Together we can combat and overcome such a hateful situation.
Even in the WAHM community I have seen this become an issue that has been ugly and devastating. You get some cliques that become relentless in their attacks trying to help "their" friend. In all actuality this is cyberbullying. No one should have to suffer or tolerate such actions.
Children are not the only victims. So are adults so don't allow this to happen to you or anyone you know.
How to Prevent Cyberbullying | eHow.com
Even in the WAHM community I have seen this become an issue that has been ugly and devastating. You get some cliques that become relentless in their attacks trying to help "their" friend. In all actuality this is cyberbullying. No one should have to suffer or tolerate such actions.
Children are not the only victims. So are adults so don't allow this to happen to you or anyone you know.
How to Prevent Cyberbullying | eHow.com
Get in the Habit
Getting those business cards can be difficult to get out there. You can never remember when is it ok to hand them out, who to hand them out to, when it is not appropriate.
Here are my tips:
Whenever someone asks for your phone number regardless of what it is, hand them a business card. I just hand them one and tell them its easy to to give you this and it has my email in case you ever need it.
When someone asks about my business I hand them one and tell them call me sometime and lets have a drink. It keeps it casual and keeps the gate open to a new customer.
I never leave them in areas that are iffy such as bathroom stalls. Some will tell you this is ok but I do not. Most times stores have policies against this and can just get you into hot water. Plus when the maintenence people come for a cleaning your cards go down the drain and possibly without one ever being seen.
I have a business card case which I have attached a magnetic version to the outside. When I am out having a drink with the girls or out to dinner I place this on the table. Most times the server will ask about it and I will give them a card. I don't leave a card because for me most times these just get throw away and never where I intended it to go.
When at the nail salon they have cards from others available. I will ask if I can leave some with them.
I trade business cards with my hair dresser. When someone needs a new stylist I had them a card. When he has a bride to be come in or hears of someone going to a bridal shower he passes on my card.
When I pass out cards I want to keep the ratio high when it comes to going into the hands of someone who will use it. I know not everyone will use them but I want this to be effective marketing.
What are your tips for passing out business cards effectively?
Olivia Vidal
© 2009-2011
Here are my tips:
Whenever someone asks for your phone number regardless of what it is, hand them a business card. I just hand them one and tell them its easy to to give you this and it has my email in case you ever need it.
When someone asks about my business I hand them one and tell them call me sometime and lets have a drink. It keeps it casual and keeps the gate open to a new customer.
I never leave them in areas that are iffy such as bathroom stalls. Some will tell you this is ok but I do not. Most times stores have policies against this and can just get you into hot water. Plus when the maintenence people come for a cleaning your cards go down the drain and possibly without one ever being seen.
I have a business card case which I have attached a magnetic version to the outside. When I am out having a drink with the girls or out to dinner I place this on the table. Most times the server will ask about it and I will give them a card. I don't leave a card because for me most times these just get throw away and never where I intended it to go.
When at the nail salon they have cards from others available. I will ask if I can leave some with them.
I trade business cards with my hair dresser. When someone needs a new stylist I had them a card. When he has a bride to be come in or hears of someone going to a bridal shower he passes on my card.
When I pass out cards I want to keep the ratio high when it comes to going into the hands of someone who will use it. I know not everyone will use them but I want this to be effective marketing.
What are your tips for passing out business cards effectively?
Olivia Vidal
© 2009-2011
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