It's a New Year!

Happy New Year, all... I know, it has been much, much too long since I posted on Pami's Page. A bit going on, I have to admit - with the wesite, as well as in my personal life. Life does have a way of continuing on, as I do. To that end...
Even as I plug along promoting and updating SweetPea & Violets, I work at my other job - sales associate at Macy's. I have to admit, I do like my job. I like the department I work in, as well as the people I work with. Working through Christmas was an experience - very busy, stressful (in a productive way!) and exhausting! But, I did enjoy it very much. I like productivity and being busy. I like helping people and having my presence be a positive influence/experience to all involved. It has been a bit distressing, I will admit, to hear/read the news of store closures - and, no, where I am employed is not one of them! "My" store is actually in the midst of remodeling - due to be completed fall '09. It has also been distressing to read really negative blogs relating to bad customer service, etc, as related to Macy's employees (and company/store policy overall)... I cannot speak for the stores throughout the states, but, where I work, especially in my department, customer satisfaction is of utmost importance. We do our best to make customers happy. I know that I go out of my way to address my customers requests - and I like doing that! As for store policy - not a lot I can do or say about that. I have read blog comments from those that expect so much, demand so much (and I have assisted a few, myself) to the point of ridiculous-ness... However, I do believe that customer service is the backbone of any successful retail establishment and I think that if associates are not living up to our promise/commitment of service... well, a lot can be said for upbringing, in addition to on-the-job training implemented. It takes a bit of both. If I am rambling, apologies... Just know that I am commited to doing/giving/being my best - both at my department store job and in my website business.
As for the website: I have been caught up in making site/page revisions and in adding new product for 2009. As I continue to educate myself in all things aromatherapy, it only follows that it should carry over into what I do with SweetPea & Violets. I am working hard to create a "green" website presence - though I will be the first to acknowledge that not all of my offered gift products fall into that category. I am working on it, though! I have come across organizations and groups, other product sites that truly offer not only great products, but informative, educational information. Green America is one of several that I really value receiving newsletters from. Mountain Rose Herbs is another favorite company (I get my herbs from them!) that was voted Co-op America's (now, Green America) People's Choice Most Green Business for 2008... Congratulations to them!
In continuing along that line, though I do still love the Taronga candles line, I have pursued more organic candles and aromatherapy oils - I have included two new lines at SweetPea & Violets: Inbal Aromatherapy [I was familiar with them from The Blissful Soul store (visit Cheryl's updated Blissful Soul website btw)] and Crystal Journey Candles. At the SweetPea website you'll also find Inbal essential oils, as well as massage oils - great romantic Valentine's Day idea! I must say, I am looking forward to these changes, even as I implement them.
This past year was busy for me... family illness and loss... the move to Valencia (still love it here), a new place, a new job... Creating a new website and promoting that through various online communities. You'll find SweetPea & Violets at both MySpace and Facebook, in addition to StartUp Nation and Adlandpro. I work hard at promoting, but never seem to have enough time to do all I aim for! Hopefully this 2009 will be just a bit more successful at that, more productive. In speaking of that website promotion, though SweetPea & Violets did not make it in StartUp Nation's top 100 competition, we are trying again - this time in the first annual Leading Moms in Business 2009 competition. Check it out and vote for SweetPea & Violets! Thanks very much, in advance...
You know, some might believe that 2009 has had a rough start - what with our economic woes and all - but, I am one that believes in the adage that we receive what we give. I have so much hope and faith in our futures, despite the negatives that seem to make up all news media... we have all suffered losses, it is true - some more than most, both personal and financial. We need to hang in there. Have faith. Pray. Meditate. And work to make it all what we would have it be. That's what I believe. It's what I do. I hope you will, too.
Blessings.

More thoughts on Website & SEO...

To continue with those thoughts on website and search engine optimization: I have been doing a lot of "homework" (I suppose it could aptly be called that - I am reading, re-reading, and reading some more, as well as taking notes, after all!), researching those sites and sources that have been recommended to me. I have found a lot of good info, very good info and absolutely great info at some of these... My brother, who is also one that is a really talented researcher, sent to me some really good links - from which I have been able to gain the most usable tools and resources. So, with those "tools", I continue on with the "tweaking" and fiddling around with my SweetPea & Violets site, adding this, deleting that... It is so much work - but, I think I like where I am heading with it. I have added a bit of new product, new content and services, and I have begun affiliate marketing from the site - which I have been told is "the" way to make money with a website. We'll see. It is all a lot to assimilate, both into my brain as well as the website. I persevere.
Among those links that my brother passed on to me was one in particular that I was so greatful to have come across: Steve Pavlina's Personal Development for Smart People... My goodness, this is the best informational blog/website! He writes a lot, offers a lot of tips and advice, and just pretty much shares all he knows with the goal of helping people better themselves. I really, really was so glad to have come across his website and blog. You'll find links to all of his archived blogs, plus links to other self-help oriented sites and products.
Another good site is ProBlogger.net where Darren Rowse tells you everything you need or want to know on how to make money with your blog... Imagine that. Here I am struggling to make money from my (retail) website, and there are those that are making a living from their blogs! He also offers links to archived blogs and other tools and resources. In any case, they are both really helpful, resourceful sites; I mean it. I was quite taken-aback by the possibilities of all that can be accomplished with just a little bit of creativity.
To that creative end, as I mentioned above, I have added a few new items to SweetPea & Violets. To complement the addition of more (hopefully decent) content, I now offer a select variety of aromatherapy books! I'll be adding more on herbs and other facets of aromatherapy practice, but for now, I think it a good beginning. I am working on the addition of more variety of essential oils (as well as a page devoted solely to that product) and aromatherapy tools such as aroma lamps and diffusers.
As far as money-making - one of the affiliate ventures I am working on promoting is SFI. Some might say "Oh, not another one...", but, you know, I am actually seeing a bit of turn-around with this one. I'm seeing a response to my ads, and I actually received my first commission check! That was a thrilling moment, no kidding! It is taking a bit of time and work effort, I will be honest about that, but, I can see it beginning to grow (especially this month!) and the potential is making itself known. With no commitments or cost to look, it can't hurt to check it out.
I have continued with the other community sites, having a bit of fun and "meeting" new friends. At SweetPea & Violets' MySpace, I found two old "friends" - those I knew from The Blissful Soul - That Yarn Store (a real-live yarn shop located in Eagle Rock, CA) and Aurah - an awesome band that actually played live at The Blissful Soul. Visit me at MySpace and see for yourself. Another friend I have made is Beau Moreau. Another musician, really cool music. I've added a banner - a direct link to his music and site.
I'm still in the running over at StartUp Nation btw... I've no illusions of winning, mind you, but it's still nice to get your votes! So, vote for SweetPea & Violets, yes? Thanks...
'Til next time...

...thoughts on communities and networking and other website aggravation

I've only recently begun networking via communities such as AdlandPro and StartUp Nation - both of which are more business affiliated (you'll notice their banners on this blog site, actually - I am indeed a loyal promoter, I suppose). I've had my difficulties with these, as one needs to be a paying member in order to reap the major benefits. I've posted my ads as directed, issued friend invitations, and been invited. Started a forum or two. And been completely flummoxed when attempting to reach members for feedback on my site or any "offers" I myself may actually be promoting. (Yeah, I succumbed to that hype, too) Salespider is pretty cool - I seem to be able to get the feedback I am looking for over there. And, really, the few people I've "met" at each community are pretty nice and very helpful. At StartUp Nation, I've actually entered my business/website in a competiton: Homebased 100 2008... I've no idea how I will do, but any votes would be appreciated! StartUp Nation HomeBased 100

At the (really good!) suggestions of a couple of Adlanders, and after much consideration and back-and-forth debates with my own good sense, I finally relented and started this blog (after several attempts directly on my website - dismal failures, each). Blogging is interesting - though, I tend to get carried away with nonsensical writing rants. I am learning as I go; I like to check out other blogs and have even found a few of my community friends. It'd be very cool to actually end up with a blog that has grown as popular as, say, oh, I don't know... (the oft radically opinionated) maddox.com (a favorite of my son, I have to admit - and, though it isn't necessarily a favorite of mine, the guy is an interesting writer - if radically opinionated :-). Of course, I realize that would take years.

And, now I have again taken good advice (relented) and started pages with both Hover Spot and MySpace communities - to start (haha). I succumbed after noting a few of my own favorite businesses with pages of their own over there. I admired them (check out Mountain Rose Herbs MySpace page) and figured, okay, if it's working for them (and it seems to be, judging from both's number of "friends") it might work for me. Also family members are convinced that it will bring attention to SweetPea & Violets. Which is want I want! Have a look and maybe even join yourself! http://www.HoverSpot.com/parriaza and http://www.Myspace.com/sweetpeaandviolets

Sometimes I feel I have no idea what I am doing, while my entire goal is to promote my online business - SweetPea & Violets - which is a retail venture, not an "opportunity" such as those promoted on both AdlandPro, SaleSpider and even StartUp Nation - all of which I do belong to and from which I have made a few decent contacts. Not enough sales, as of yet. But the contacts are there. It's all about the "friendships" fostered and the contacts made, after all.

And, of course, the whole idea of promotion is to make sales (much needed sales!!!) that will indeed validate my staunch belief in a tangible brick-n-mortar store front. My goal, my dream, my ultimate achievement - a store of my own. Maybe two or three, even. Who knows? If I am gonna dream, might as well dream big - right?

In any case, I am working, it feels, around the clock on maintaining these pages, these sites, these blogs (one can blog on every one of these communities - there's even blog access at my Etsy site!). My hands hurt, my eyes burn, my head aches. And, I am never finished! There's always something new to add, some adjustment that needs to be made...

So, I have started the new pages on Hover Spot and MySpace. Added a few images of my work (myself and SweetPea & Violets logo, too) - but, no candles or aromatherapy images, although I do make mention of my services in the way of spiritual guidance, if one so needs... I have sent out a few invites (and had a few responded to favorably, yay!) So, now, what - I sit back and wait for results? For potentially thousands reading my/SweetPea's info and flocking to my website to buy a candle or two, maybe an essential oil, or (yikes!) maybe even one of my beloved hand crafted knitted/crocheted sets???? If only.

Unlike those articles (and I have read HUNDREDS) that promise the world and the moon in immediate financial success, I have found that all of this business promoting does indeed take work and more work, commitment, and time!!! The one thing I don't always have a ready supply of. You need to understand how to build a website (or have the money to pay someone else to do it for you), you need to understand a myriad number of techniques of selling - and there are all sorts of techniques of selling, believe me, most of which I do not get, personally - and then, there's ad/copy writing which is a major pain in the butt. I don't require convincing when I have made up my mind to purchase something, so it is hard for me to not only be motivated but to understand the necessity of creating a convincing reason for someone else to want to buy from me!

Though I rant, though I become mightily annoyed, disappointed, discouraged, I never lose sight of the goal - to promote my business and make it grow. I want people to look at my sites and think "wow, I like that..." I want them to look at what I offer and want to buy it for themselves or for a loved one, as the case may be. I work hard to make my sites user-friendly

-- though I do honestly wonder at my success at that, as feedback has not been what I would prefer. I receive several "Your site is so pretty..." but, that doesn't help, if all its prettiness doesn't sell the product I am offering. I ask for input, I'd rather have the sale - I'll be honest.

That said, I will keep up the work, the never-ending promotion, the commitment to create a successful business enterprise: SweetPea & Violets.



Onward. For any interested, I am working on a really late newsletter - had a few problems with my email provider and lost my entire email contact list... I won't go into that. I am working on it and all should be good-to-go shortly. I'll keep all interested posted, and with that -

'til next time...