Indie Business Blog

Time for a change

No, it's not a political slogan! It's an announcement that sometime tomorrow, my blog will change from what you see now to something that looks a bit like this.  Matt and Nate over at Unique Blog Designs are handling the switch. At some unknown time tomorrow, they will push a magic button and export all of the content at this Typepad blog into the new blog, hosted on a WordPress platform. They tell me that no content will be lost or broken, and that the transition will be smooth. I'm going to take them at their word, but just in case there are any glitches, please don't assume that I know about them because I may not. If you find any broken links or wonky looking things, please take a moment and send an email to me at donnamaria @ carolina dot rr dot com and let me know.

It is my hope and intention that the changes being made now will make for a more enjoyable experience for you. I hope you will provide me with your feedback, which I always appreciate. See you at WordPress.

Indie Beauty Blog Tag Party: Ten Things I Love About Being Indie

This post kicks off the January 2009 Indie Beauty Blog Tag Party. To find out how to participate, click here.

        

Ten Things I Love About Being Indie

1. I’m part of a global fraternity

Being Indie means being part of a fantastic global co-ed fraternity or sorority, where everyone is concerned about things that really matter in life. The beauty and quality of a handmade item. The fun of making something useful by hand from scratch. The rise in self esteem that always accompanies creating something from nothing, and then selling it for a fair profit. The thrill of meeting another Indie for the first time, feeling an instant bond that transcends all space and time. When I’m celebrating, I can always find another Indie to celebrate with me. When I’m down, I can always find one to help pull me back up again.

Announcing the Indie Beauty Blog Tag Party!

In yet another sparkling and fun-filled conversation the other day, Indie Beauty Network member Kayla Fioravanti of Essential Wholesale suggested that I figure out a creative way to celebrate IBN member blogs and the inspiring articles, pictures and videos that they contain. She pointed out that this post at Ron Hudson's blog was an example of what we could do. The Indie Beauty Blog Tag Party is the result of our conversation.

How To Join the Party

Participating IBN members with blogs (if you don’t have a blog, check out my Blogging for Business category for some reasons to change that) will join together to “tag” each other each month to write a post that covers a particular topic. I will write the first blog post, and "tag" 5 people to write posts on the same topic within a few days of my post. I will notify them by email that they've been tagged. Then they blog the topic and tag 5 more people, and so forth.

Find fun ways to link to each other's blog posts on the topic so the word gets out farther and wider!

We'll do this each month for fun and also to encourage and celebrate each other and spread the word about Indie Beauty Network member products and services. My next blog post will be the Blog Tag Party Topic for the rest of January.

Stay tuned!

Increase your Twitter followers in 3 easy steps

I continue to receive a lot of questions about how to increase Twitter followers. I am planning a webinar for my Indie Beauties on the topic. In the meantime, here are some tips everyone can use. These are short and sweet. And they work. I have 2,434 Twitter followers as of this moment. Following this method, I will have at least 10 more by the end of the workday. Here's how you can do it too.

1. Help

Who are you helping by posting a Tweet? If it's yourself, that's legitimate. Just don't help yourself all the time. Help others. Did someone post their good news? Reply to them with a congratulatory note. Did someone ask for help in an area of your expertise? Offer it. Is someone new to Twitter? Welcome them. Did someone ask for retweets? Retweet! Is your new blog post helpful to other Indie Business owners? Share it, with a request for comments. And remember to comment back if you get any blog visitors.

Every helpful Tweet results in new followers.

2. Share

What can you share? If it's your new product or service, that's great. Just don't be obnoxious about it, sharing, re-sharing and recycling your same ol' stuff over and over again. Is there a great post in Digg or StumbleUpon? Share it. Did you read a fantastic newspaper or magazine article? Share it. Did you discover a new blog plugin, online tutorial or helpful business or household hint? Share it. Just like in the sand box, don't keep the good toys to yourself. Share them with others. And when you share, remember to share the link to the post, picture, video or whatever. (Nothing is more annoying than a Tweet that says, "Hey, great video! Thanks for sharing!" and there's no link for people reading that Tweet to click on to see the great video.)

Every sharing Tweet results in new followers.

3. Entertain

That's right, entertain people. Share a laugh, make folks think, help them get their creative juices flowing. Did you hear a good joke (that's suitable for public dissemination)? Post it. Did you find an entertaining video on YouTube or at someone else's blog? Post that. Did you do something fun? Take a photo and post it using Twitpic. Are you live on UStream? Spread the word so others can join you. Make people smile as you also inform and enlighten them.

Every entertaining Tweet results in new followers.

Twitterer Beware!

Oh! And while I'm at it, remember the 08: second rule, which I learned here, as a result of James Andrews' (@keyinfluencer's) recent "Twitter Situation":

“Does this need to be said? Does it need to be said by me? Does it need to be said by me now?” When in doubt, ask yourself these questions before Tweeting. If the answer to any of them is "no," it's probably better left unTweeted. (And if you screw up and Tweet it anyway, if you catch yourself fast enough, you can always trash your post before too many people see it.)

Question: OK, try this today, slipping in and out of Twitter and posting about 15 to 20 times. Let me know what happens.

Roberta Perry of Scrubz Body Scrub On Indie Shopping TV

I had so much fun with Roberta as we featured her "scrubz" and "oilz" on Indie Shopping TV. Roberta's 20% discount offered on the show is extended through January 31 so if you want some deliciousness, get some at her website. This is the edited version of the show, from the LIVE 30-minute version. Enjoy the show!  

WBO American Dream Launches

When I was in Florida last year to speak at a women's conference, I had the pleasure of meeting a Twitter friend in person. When I Twittered that I'd be traveling to her neck of the woods for an event, Margie Zable Fisher took time out of her busy work day to meet me for lunch at my hotel. I love meeting people at any time, but there's something special about connecting with a person in the flesh after you've sort of gotten to know them online first.

            

As you can see from the picture, Margie and I had a nice lunch, and I have made a Twitter friend and business colleague for life. And like most of my Indie Twitter friends, Margie is busy putting her 2009 business plan into action by launching the WBO American Dream Program, a new program for women business owners that includes a terrific newsletter called the WBO Digest.

The end of handmade baby clothes?

Listen and Learn How You Can Save Handmade!

January 15, 2008
12:54pm EST
Interview with Indie Rachele Dressler-Sweetser, Monkey Baby Clothes

Four years ago, Rachele Dressler-Sweetser was a single mom with a special needs child. Unable to work at a traditional job, Rachele launched Monkey Baby Clothes, where she makes and sells children's clothing and accessories. Business growth has been great, and Rachele says she produces a safe product that other moms love. Rachele has enjoyed the freedom and flexibility she needs to care for her son as she also grows a business that supports her family.

           

Everything was fine, then on August 14, 2008, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), was signed into law. The new Act requires companies that make certain products for children under the age of 12 to spend thousands of dollars to test and certify that their products do not contain unsafe levels of lead and other toxic chemicals. Rachele says the testing would put her and thousands like her out of business, and would decimate the businesses of the retailers across the nation who like to carry Indie and handmade products. I caught up with Rachele to get the scoop on a new class action lawsuit she plans to file this month and what you can do to join the effort.

For more information on Rachele, visit Monkey Baby Clothes. Follow Rachele on Twitter on at @monkeybabyclths to stay abreast of her latest activities.

To show your support for Rachele and thousands of others who are joining forces to reform the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, click here. The law is scheduled to become effective in early February so time is of the essence. Save handmade now!

Question: How is the CPSIA affecting you? Are you going to join Rachele? Tell us about your business and what you're doing to save handmade!

Related Post

The Fire Burning In My Belly

Who's next?

Yesterday's announcement by Apple CEO Steve Jobs that he is taking a medical leave of absence has left a lot of people wondering whether more beans are going to spill. After all, it was just last week that he released a public letter disclosing a "hormone imbalance," but also saying it was just a "nutritional problem" with a relatively simple and straightforward treatment program. The New York Times reports that he informed Apple employees yesterday that his health problems were more complex than he first thought, and that he has temporarily turned over the reigns to the company's chief operating officer.

I am sorry to hear of Jobs' health problems, whatever they may be. His combination of an extraordinary vision, a dedicated work ethic and a great management team have made Apple one of the most successful brands in history. And that's actually the good news about the story.

Apple will be fine because no matter what happens to Jobs, the company is positioned for growth regardless of who is at the helm. This kind of planning and management is a cardinal rule of business, yet most Indie Business owners do not plan for a time when they can't run their business anymore. Perhaps Apple's experience will help change that by shedding some light on the importance of asking the question "who's next?" if there ever comes a time when you can no longer lead your Indie Business.

Let's all wish Jobs a speedy recovery and many more years of fun bites at the apple. (Pun intended!)

Here's a solid (but short) article from SCORE to help you establish or refine your succession plan.

Question: Have you considered succession planning for your business? Please share your tips and questions in the comments section below.

Lisa Stewart of EC Stewart on Indie Shopping!

I just realized that I forgot to share the edited version of Lisa Stewart's guest appearance on Indie Shopping.TV. To enjoy the show, click on the arrow in the player below.

You can watch the full, unedited 30 minute version of the show at this link. It's funny to see myself in the Santa hat that I started this show wearing. It was taped LIVE on December 19, just 6 days before Christmas. Funny, it seems like Christmas was just yesterday! Hope you enjoy the show!

Indie Roberta Perry of Scrubz on Indie Shopping.TV

Last week, the sweet sugar "scrubz" of Roberta Perry of Scrubz Body Scrub were showcased on Indie Shopping.TV. If you missed the show, you can watch the full 30-minute unedited recorded version of the LIVE show by clicking the player below.

The edited version of the show, approximately 10 minutes long, will be available in a few days and I'll post it here for you to enjoy.

Of her first Indie Shopping experience, Roberta said: "I had a blast doing the show and look forward to the next one. I loved the concept of Indie Shopping TV from the start, knowing that the larger shopping networks have margins I am not able to meet yet, and cost so much more. The "homey" quality of the camaraderie in the chat room, and connecting with other Indies created a wonderful environment for shopping and learning. I recommend the show and will continue to do so!"

Roberta has extended and expanded the discount offered on the show! From now until January 31, 2009, you can get 20% off your order! Just log onto the Scrubz website and at checkout, put INDIE in the promo code area and update your cart.

I invite you to enjoy all of the Indie Shopping TV shows at our Indie Shopping TV Show Archive and also see the upcoming show schedule and connect with other like-minded people who love to "click, chat and buy" their favorite Indie and handmade products!