online

print by ElizabethPawle – click image for more info

There are so many ways to plug in to connect and promote.

As a creative business owner, you may have a website, blog, Facebook page, Twitter stream, Skype account, Flickr profile, Etsy shop, and now, Google + circles.

Your laptop, your mobile phone, you’re totally accessible.

But are you?

The technology literally at our finger tips is incredibly powerful. It’s what allows you to work with clients in Australia, sell to gals in France, and start conversations with customers in Bolivia. No wonder so many women are succeeding with online business.

But the truth remains: nothing can replace the power of in-person.

When people see the texture of your painting, feel the softness of your t-shirts, hear the vulnerability in your voice, feel your presence in the room…they will talk. They might like you and your work online, but when they get the real deal live & in person, they have an experience worth sharing. It’s more tangible. I takes up time and space. And it gives them more authority to tell their friends.

What does this mean for your biz? Two things:

1. Get physical

Show up or showcase, but get your work into actual rooms where people can see it, hear it, touch it. This can be as simple as talking to people you meet about what you do. It can mean attending or hosting events & conferences, or finding ways for your work to get off a computer screen and into warm hands.

2. Make online more “real”

What can you tweak about your online home base to make it more like the experience of your work in person? Can you add close-up photos of your painting that show the texture? A testimonial that talks about the softness of your t-shirts? Could you mail a sample of the fabric? How about video or audio of you doing your thing?

You’re online to connect and profit, but don’t underestimate the opportunities of old-fashioned talking and sharing. What can you do in your business to harness the power of in-person face time? Let us know in the comments.

Gathering light,

are you making it hard for people to connect with you online?

image by MWoodham – click image for more info

I’ve been a bit startled lately.

I love the Scoutie Girl community, and every week I check out a few websites of people who comment on the articles here. I like to know about folk’s projects, and a learn a bit about who is who.

But I gotta tell you, some people are making it really hard to connect with them online.

It should be easy easy easy for browsers like me to find what they’re looking for on their first visit to your site. If your visitors’ most desired info is hard to find, they will likely leave before they can give you and your product a chance. A confused visitor means you lose traffic and sales.

Use this check-list to make sure you are making things clear and easy for your visitors. I’ll walk you through what I, and I guarantee other visitors, are hoping to find.

1. Your real name
It’s essential that people be able to find your real name quickly. They don’t just want to read all about “Sweet Pea Quilts;” they want to know the name of the person whose hands are sewing the quilts. I may like a quilt, but I can trust a person. I want to know that “Susan” is the person behind “Sweet Pea Quilts.”

2. A photo of you
Now that I’ve discovered Susan, I want to see what she looks like! On a good day. In a good mood. When I can see Susan’s quilts and her picture, I can envision her as a person, not just a seller. I start to like her. And I buy from people I like.

3. An easily found link to Twitter
I’d like to keep up with what Susan’s doing, and my favorite way to do that is Twitter. It’s best to have this link near the top of the page or sidebar; some people won’t scroll through a page of widgets and badges to find this one piece of info.

4. An easily found link to Facebook
Some people prefer to stay connected with Facebook. They might even just think you and your project are cool and want to support you by giving you a “Like.” Make it easy for them to do so.

5. Clearly labeled contact info
I might want to ask Susan about a product, to guest post on my blog, or to introduce her to someone via email. If her email address is hard to find…well, you get the trend. People don’t like to hunt around for stuff. They move on.

6. A way for me to give you money
If you sell a product or offer a service on your site, make sure I know about it. Having a link in your navigation menu that says “shop,” “store,” “products,” “resources,” “services,” or “work with me” lets me know where to click so I can invest in what you’re offering.

BONUS ROUND: What about your Etsy profile?

Same same same same!

Some of the info is built into Etsy, but you still want to make sure your name is easy to find. Links to your website, blog, Twitter, and Facebook can be great as well. If people are interested enough to hop over to your blog, that’s a good thing. You aren’t likely to lose a sale because someone wants to know more about you — just make sure your blog or website has a prominent link back to your Etsy shop.

So…will you make any changes so people can connect with you more easliy? Let us know in the comments what actions you’ll take.

Gathering light,