Announcing the Indie Shopping Network

Wow! I clicked through from Twitter. It’s so cool to see the beginning of this, the power of collaboration. I smiled through the whole thing.

So I think perhaps next time I need a script! Thank you again for asking me to be part of the testing.

dM,
This is so amazing and innovative. This is a BRILLIANT idea to highlight and promote what Indies bring to the world.
My feedback:
-I think you should consider starting the show off with explaining what Indies are and how we are different from the rest of ‘the big companies’ The overview you gave int his video did a great job of that, I think it would be beneficial in the beginning of every show for new viewers who may not quite get what Indies are or what we have to offer.
-Will that chat be a part of the show? If so, if you could also tell viewers where they can participate; I was unsure where that was coming from.
-I agree that a white covering on your counter (which is a fabulous counter, I must say…lol) would allow the products to stand out.
-I loved the backdrop being your home and not looking staged. As you emphasized, many Indies are home based, often working right out of their kitchens and the backdrop gave the show a touch of that.
I’m so very excited after watching this and I can’t wait to see how this takes off!

Oh WOW, how cool is that? I will be checking back here to see this blossom! What a great idea, tweet on peeps!

@notrachel: I am so happy to be able to make you smile. Hope to see it in person someday.
@Regina: Thank you for being brave, letting me throw in surprise questions with no advance notice. You’re a good sport. I guess when it’s live and unrehearsed, that’s what happens. Regular show will not be that way, thanks in part to what we learned from you.
@Nora: Thanks for taking the time to stop by and have a peek. Will let you know when the site launches.
@Tyrika: I can’t tell you how valuable your critique is. Your suggestions are wonderful and we’ll take each on into account. I especially see the value in talking up “Indie” more, what it is, how it’s different. That just kind of came to me at the end. Will definitely make it more prominent when we launch.
Can’t wait to share more!

You may want to consider discussing prices along with varieties available at the time of the video. Focusing each video on one or two items would probably help with viral promotion as well.
If you’re able, I would recommend having a pop up box containing the name of the product, name of the company or maker, price, website, and phone number while you’re presenting. It’s great to say the information, but visual reinforcement is helpful.
I love your kitchen, though I liked the fireplace in the background at the beginning more than cabinets- it’s more neutral, but still homey.
Love, love, love the idea! And you make a great presenter.

This is such a cool idea! Cant wait to see more oh yeah and shop LOL

@wordvixen: I love your feedback and suggestions. Putting up a window with information is a top goal. I hope ustream has a way for us to do that. @djphotographer’s checking it out.
@margaret: Our point exactly! Combine the clicking, chatting and shopping one place. Too much fun!

Donna:
You should bill yourself as the idea maven. Who needs QVC and HSN and all of their rules, right?
Below are a couple of suggestions.
- Consider a couple of camera angles. Have Darryl pick up a cheap videonics video switcher off ebay to mix two cams and output to tape deck for pre-recorded stream or to a pc with fast web uplink for live ustream webcast.
- Leverage YouStream’s chat capability to draw your audience into a live conversation. If they are Twitterers, the audience will grow organically as the conversation gets engaging.
- Advertising: If you get enough eyeballs, sell ad banner spots on the web interface
- If you pre-record sell ad space in the stream. Just add graphic slates during post editing.
I have far more ideas than I have time right now. I will pass them along offline. Great idea again.
Best,
John Easton
http://www.customerflypaper.com/about

I just love this idea, and I too cannot wait to see how this all will develop! I have faith it will be a good thing! I love that the idea had its roots on Twitter, look at what it can lead to!!

This is just a fabulous idea! I hope it takes off and does very well!

Oh Donna, what a FANTASTIC idea! I sell on other 2 other shopping sites, but it would be soooo wonderful to sell my products on network that is full of quality products, from true bath and body buisness women and men. YAHHHHH 2U!!!

I read all the tweets following up to this and it is brilliant! One thing indies may want to do (I WILL) to boost sales is to say something like “If you buy online by xyz amount of time/date, it’s free shipping or the pre-ship total is at (fill in blank) discount by typing in xyz code in the shopping cart. Have it at the bottom of the screen in print as someone else suggested text boxes below the screen. Great job dM! This is why we all love you!

@Shelley: I love the mantra of “go. buy. now. discount. limited time.” We’ll be echoing that a lot. I like you ideas about putting information on the screen too. Indies are awesome and I’m having fun with you!

@Tammy: I am so glad you are pleased. I’m sure the other shopping sites are nice — can’t have too many places to sell your products. We will offer added use of the video content, which you can then post — well — everywhere! The value added service fills a huge void for very small businesses who need to be everywhere, but just need to have someone help them duplicate themselves. This service will do that, plus create community and fun. Hence the slogan — Click. Chat. Buy. Can’t wait to share more. Thanks for your feedback!!

Donna,
This is such a great idea whose time has come!
I believe many mom & pop entrepreneurs will
jump at the opportunity to gain greater
exposure for their products with ISN…
May I be one of your earliest fans, wishing
to the greatest success for your
organization and the people you serve.
Move over Home Shopping Network!
To greater online profits,
Anthony Whyms
Moving4ward Marketing

Hi Donna Maria -
Another fabulous idea! I have just a few suggestions to add to Tyrika, John Easton and a few others who have already mentioned some of the points I thought of. Here’s my additional input:
* Not white, but an ivory or neutral color for displaying the products. If a product is packaged in a white container it would get lost on a white background, and the burn from the lighting might create to much of a bounce. I actually like the counter top. You could certainly have two set ups – the neutral for close ups, the counter top for discussion and chat time. That will also create the appearance of more movement.
*The lighting seemed just a little off balance – but that could also be my computer.
* I agree with talking a little more about pricing. But the question is – how is the customer purchasing the products? Will there be some kind of “buy now” notice on the TV site, or will you encourage people to go to the Indie’s site? Setting up cross promotions from the featured Indie website to the TV site will be wonderful for both. (This from the Indie who’s STILL working on her website )
This has lots of promise – another great idea! I can even picture this going on the road as you do Indie in the City spot lights. Lots and lots of great potential.
PS – if you need a teleprompter service – let me know. That’s my hubby’s line of work.

Awesome and great idea, but I have a question what will it cost for indies to have the product on the network? Thanks again.

@Sheya: Thanks for visiting and leaving a key question about pricing. We have not finalized pricing, but there will be reqirements in terms of product quality, website look, price, etc. We plan to provide a host of services that make appearing on the show a win/win for the Indie, the Indie’s customer and the Indie Shopping Network. The website is in production so everything will be finalized within the next several days so please check back at Indie Shopping.tv to get all the details.

@Joanne: More great suggestions! I love the one about taking the show on the road. To answer your question, the show will send viewers straight to the Indie’s website and we will remind them to do that a whole lot during the show — much more than during this test pilot. Websites will not have to be fancy, but they will have to display clear product photos, be organized, inviting and user-friendly. Our goal is to use the show to help Indies create and nurture lasting relationships with their customers as they also sell products. That’s what selling Indie goodies is all about. Can’t wait to see your site!!

What a great idea!!! I would love you to sell my products!! Here are my comments.
The set looks too much like a home. I’d prefer something more like a photographer’s backdrop. Very simple so that you and the products stand out. I kept looking at the background saying “oh, there’s a hall, some pillows piled up etc.”
Again, great idea. You are helping me to understand how Twitter is beneficial. I was just discussing this last night. Keep up the good work.

Awesome idea Donna!! I think it was great, nice and homey feel to it! Thanks fo sharing, I see live “how to’s” for my members coming very soon:)
Barb

Girrrrl, you could make money too by getting a cut for every sales you make! This would be a WIN-WIN for everybody!
How would you keep track of the number of sales? Are you planning on having a counter (how many sold…) like HSN?
I know you don’t want to be responsible for storing and shipping.
I know you already thought of this. I would like to suggest that you charge a flat fee per show or a special annual membership with a set number of times to sell on the show, and if we want more then we should pay an additional fee to sell our products on the show!
Now, how would scheduling work. Would you post a calendar or set-up something where we could post a request for a time slot? This way it would be automated.
Would this be a daily show, morning, evening or weekends?
Write and send out a Press Release and send it to all of your media contacts. Let them know what’s cooking in the Indie Kitchen.
You know whatever you do I want to go on the show first! I am so excited right now. My brain is going 1000 miles an hour right now.

@Barb: Thanks for the encouraging feedback. Yes, I can’t wait to see your live how to’s. Video brings everything to life.

@Ederle: You have some awesome questions and you seem just as excited as me. Let me see if I can answer:
1. We are considering commissions, but I don’t think that’s how we will start out. There will be a fair flat fee structure of some kind. Still working out details. With a flat fee, we would not have to keep track of sales.
2. No, we will not store and ship. That’s what makes it special. Unlike the larger shopping channels, Indies don’t have to come up with thousands dollars worth of product as a condition of being on the show. We serve Indies and they don’t have tons of stuff stored up. This is tailor-made for Indies who are serious about business, but who don’t have huge amounts of product on hand at any given time.
3. Scheduling will be done throught the website. It will be automated and announced so people know when to tune in and for what. It will start out being weekly, but I expect to grow it to daily.
4. Will look forward to having you and your fabulous Sacred Glo lotion candles on the show!