Indie Cafe on IndieLive.TV: January 5, 2009
Ringing In the New Year, Indie Style!
Tonight's show was the first of 2009, and what fun we had! Nearly 30 Indies from around the nation joined for a time of uplift and encouragement as we started 2009 with a bang. We shared quite a bit about how we are using social media like blogs and Twitter to grow our businesses. Reference was made to my 2009 Indie Business Predictions where I forcasted why I think 2009 is the Year of the Indie! To enjoy the recording of tonight's Indie Cafe, click on the arrow in the player below.
I am excited about bringing you more Indie Cafe, where it's all about you! I am honored to be your host and friend on your Indie Business journey and wish you the best in 2009 and beyond. Please enjoy the Indie Chat stream below. Only about half of it is here because I forgot to copy the first half of the chat. To make up for this, I have included my recall of what was discussed before the chat stream was captured. Mea culpa, Indies! It won't happen again.
As always, if you have comments, feedback or questions you'd like to share, or if you were in the Indie Cafe and I left anything out of my summary before the chat stream, please let us know in the Comments section below. I would hate for anyone to miss out because I left something out! Happy New Year!!
One of the best things about UStream is that it makes the chat available to paste into your website after the show. I may be on camera, but let me tell you -- the real action at the Indie Cafe takes place in the chat room! Please enjoy some of the chat from the show below. (Mea culpa Indies -- I did not remember to paste the Chat Stream until about halfway through so only the last half or so is copied word for word. I pieced together the first paft of the chat form memory. If you were there and notice that I left anything out, please share it in the Comments section. I'd hate for anyone to miss out on my account!)
The feedback after Indie Cafe was phenomenal! Everyone had such a great time, and you can clearly see that in the Chat Stream. I feel like the lucky one, getting to invest so much time in each of you. Isn't it wonderful to be a part of a community of support and sharing? I am honored to be able to join you on your Indie Business journey, especially this year when I am persuaded that so many new opportunities will be ours for the picking! Best wishes for a Happy New Year and may your home, your health and your businesses prosper in 2009 and beyond!
Chat Stream
(Note that most people use their Twitter handle to chat. For example, to connect with WendyYBailey on Twiter, lot onto http://twitter.com/wendyybailey.)
The first part of the show featured Kelley Maddison of PRIIA Cosmetics. Kelley, a professionally trained esthetician, is planning the launch of her business in March. She joined Indie Café to share with us that, months before her business launch, is is an avid blogger and participates on Twitter. I asked Kelley what she attributed her success to, even before she has a single product to sell and she said: "Twitter and blogging." She shared that her products have already been endorsed by a professional makeup artist and several wholesale accounts have inquired. Kelley also shared some tips, including sharing her experience of being fearful of the process at first. She discussed how just jumping in and getting started was the way to go. She has certainly done that. Please visit Kelley’s blog and congratulate her on her success.
Then, a friend of mine from many years ago, Rachael Shapiro of A Woman of Uncommon Scents joined us. It was a treat to "see" my friend after being out of touch for nearly a decade. Check out the essential oils that Rachael sources from around the world at her website.
Then, the conversation turned to raising prices when drflower posed a question about the best way to do that. The chat stream picks up from there.
10:47 drflower : do you announce it?
10:47 Elizabeth-4499 : I just raised them
10:47 drflower : grandfather existing customers?
10:47 laquetia-1 : How do you deal with family always wanting everything for free
10:47 Elizabeth-4499 : i'll give my regulars a break if but let them know the new price from this point forward
10:47 WendyYBailey : Laquetia -- Family gotta pay too!
10:48 ustreamer-4798 : if you are the best you are worth it. Do they want you out of business?
10:48 ustreamer-44955 : torrian-no notice just raise the prices, your customers will still buy
10:48 WendyYBailey : Remember, you're in business and your products cost you to produce.
10:48 drflower : listening
10:48 Elizabeth-4499 : matter of fact, I'm in the middle of re-pricing everything now
10:48 PPureIndulgence-298 : Tecnical difficulties?? or is just me
10:48 ustreamer-4798 : painful when the USD$ vs EURO weak.....so raise price or be out of bizz.
10:48 laquetia-1 : thanks
10:49 WendyYBailey : laquetia, you're welcome.
10:49 drflower : international prices...another topic all together!
10:49 ustreamer-4798 : when you hold on until it is painful....then too painful for your client when they next purhase.
10:49 Luci-1450 : PPure...it is slow tonight
10:49 ustreamer-21483 : I do my increases for wholesale in August so they dont mind the increase for the holidays season
10:49 drflower : 4798...your comments resonate!
10:49 sindy-3746 : ok who ate my doggies treats~ were ya'll sneaking while I was playing
10:50 ustreamer-21483 : new products introduced in January but increases close to busy season
10:50 noellekatai : 21498 great timing idea for pricing.
10:50 ustreamer-62640 : Raising prices at the end of the summer instead of before the holidays is a really good idea...
10:50 drflower : laughin' at Sindy!
10:50 laquetia-1 : I like that
10:50 drflower : thanks
10:50 shermanlive : appreciate ya, Donna Maria!!
10:50 ustreamer-4798 : xoxo!
10:51 sindy-3746 : i've had a ball and met lots of new buds~ Thanks DM
10:51 Luci-1450 : Thanks all and wishing everyone a terrific 2009!
10:51 WendyYBailey : Big hugs to you too, DonnaMaria!! xx00
10:51 vintagebodyspa : This has been great, thank you!
10:51 Elizabeth-4499 : wow this was so much fun-putting this on my calendar so I never forget
10:51 laquetia-1 : thanks dM!
10:51 shermanlive : gr8 tips and advice on your show for Indie peeps!
10:51 WendyYBailey : Same to you luci.
10:51 noellekatai : Thank you everyone for your spirit of abundance and creativity!!
10:51 PPureIndulgence-2298 : It's been great, thanks dM and everyone, took away some great idea!
10:51 ustreamer-62640 : This was wonderful...hopefully by next time I'll have figured out how to put my name in!!!
10:51 sindy-3746 : Wendy~ for real lets all do lunch one day soon~ it was a pleasure to meet ya~
10:51 ustreamer-4798 : I'm on twitter :-) and Facebook :-) AWOUS xoxo till next time
10:51 Elizabeth-4499 : regina-your job will be to post how to change name ever time we start this
10:52 Elizabeth-4499 : nice to meet all of you and to visit with those I already know
10:52 WendyYBailey : let's do it sindy. tweet me and we'll set it up. tHANKS!
10:52 ustreamer-62640 : That would be great!
10:52 ustreamer-4798 : hugs to you DMCJ!
10:52 sindy-3746 : well problem is we have to keep putting it in there~ hmmm
10:52 noellekatai : XOXO see you on Twitter and FB!
10:52 ustreamer-50470 : SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!
10:52 sindy-3746 : maybe in the comments section?
10:52 shermanlive : Wishing all much health and prosperity for 2009 peeps!
10:52 WendyYBailey : See you later. Great to meet you. Big love, Sherman!
10:52 sindy-3746 : sounds good~
10:52 sindy-3746 : bye ya'll~
10:52 WendyYBailey : xx00 DonnaMaria!!!
10:52 sindy-3746 : PARTY TIME~~
10:52 sindy-3746 : ****~~~~*****
10:53 ustreamer-21483 : thanks sherman - I will be following you on twitter for some good tips and maybe you can check my site out !
10:53 shermanlive : cheers peeps!
10:53 sindy-3746 : bye~!
10:53 Elizabeth-4499 : bye dm
10:53 ustreamer-4798 : nte-nite!
10:53 shermanlive : great show, Donna!
10:53 laquetia-1 : This was great
10:53 ustreamer-62640 : Hi Donna Marai...this is Sharon from La Isha. I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to the next one!
10:53 ustreamer-57356 : Donna Maria u r in the Carolinas? Where?
10:53 sindy-3746 : omgoodness now I gotta go get all these links
10:53 Elizabeth-4499 : man we were getting a little rowdy there at the end lol
10:53 sindy-3746 : last time it cut me off
10:53 indielive : I am so excited! I so enjoyed this. I'm in Charlotte. You?
10:53 sindy-3746 : wahhhhhhhhhhhhh
10:53 ustreamer-57356 : Charlotte
10:54 ustreamer-57356 : UC area
10:54 indielive : Be rowdy! Let your hair down Indies! That's why we're here.
10:54 PPureIndulgence-2298 : dM looks great in my fav color - PINK!
10:54 ustreamer-74845 : so don't click that url!
10:54 Elizabeth-4499 : anyone else from Louisiana?
10:54 sindy-3746 : I told you us Southern Gals were a wild bunch~
10:54 sindy-3746 : wait till you see us at the gathering
10:54 noellekatai : Thanks again dM and everyone! Anyone else from San Diego?
10:54 sindy-3746 : btw~ you've got mail
10:54 ustreamer-62640 : Anyone here from Colorado?
10:54 PPureIndulgence-2298 : I'm in Woodland Hils CA
10:55 drflower-9471 : whoever posted that url...Needs to be banned I hope that you have the records dm
10:55 PPureIndulgence-2298 : Noelle, we're pretty close!
10:55 laquetia-1 : I am still looking for Indies in Columbia, SC
10:55 indielive : My husband doesn't like me to wear pink. Says it's too light for camera. Couldn't find my black shirt in the laundry pile! LOL
10:55 indielive : Noelle, did you meet Soapylove from San Diego?
10:55 Elizabeth-4499 : i think you look great in pink dm
10:55 noellekatai : PPureIndulgence - I'm in LA and north of the city a lot! Let's chat!
10:55 ustreamer-62640 : Pink looked great on you!
10:56 noellekatai : No, I haven't met SoapyLove...I need to hook up with here. I'll ping her.
10:56 PPureIndulgence-2298 : Noelle I'm thinking of doing a Twitter meet up.
10:56 indielive : Thx for pink comments. If you like pink, go to http://www.parisianspureindulgence.com
10:56 noellekatai : Great! Any ideas on timing and location?
10:56 indielive : Noelle, you do that. Prepare to be inspired by Soapylove. She rocks
10:56 PPureIndulgence-2298 : dM tell hubby pink photographed really well on you from our vantage point
10:56 indielive : Waahhh! Too far away to go to PPureIndulgence's Twitter meet up!
10:57 PPureIndulgence-2298 : probably early Feb, Mon or Tues
10:57 noellekatai : Thanks, dM! Can't wait. Hopefully, I can return the favor of inspriation...or Vim!! :D
10:58 indielive : Getting more Vim from you every day Noelle
10:58 Elizabeth-4499 : ok we turn the moden off on school so son doesn't stay up all night talking to gf
10:58 Elizabeth-4499 : modem
10:58 Elizabeth-4499 : so I'll see you guys later
10:58 PPureIndulgence-2298 : what's vim? do share
10:58 Elizabeth-4499 : this was really awesome
10:58 indielive : Looks like the chat only stays in the cue for short time. Sorry guys if I don't have whole thing. Will get it right next time.
10:59 indielive : Elizabeth, glad you enjoyed yourself. Thanks for coming. Your presence means a lot. Let's support each other!
10:59 noellekatai : Vim...like Vim and Vigor...when you Live with Vim, you are accessing what energizes you the most. It is ebullient and creative expression. You are evolving your senses!
11:00 indielive : Vim is also about these aromacar commuter kits. I love mine!
11:01 noellekatai : Thank you! Vim started as an aromatherapy business...but expanded from there. I focus on delivering essential oils to people for everyday situations! Like the commute!
11:01 indielive : I'm delighted that you were all here. Happy New Year! Can't wait until next Monday, January 12 at 10:15pm EST at Indie Cafe! Check you then!
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Donna Maria!
Awesome Indie Cafe Last night! I'm so glad that you saved part of the chat log! I missed some of it because I clicked a link that in the chat log from ustreamer-53507 You might want to consider pulling those url links from your post as they go to a spam type link that will mess up your browser. I'm not sure if it's phishing but it's definitely annoying!
It's a lesson on be careful where you click...
~Regina
Posted by: Regina | January 06, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Donna-Maria...I listened to the radio program yesterday. I have been working on business plans and I can safely say that your program was very encouraging. It helped me to solidy that I am on the right track. Thank you! God Bless!!
Posted by: Mary | January 06, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Happy New Year Donna! I hate that I missed this one but I'm going to try my best to catch the next one. I love to talk with other indies in chat. Cheers to the year of the indie!
Posted by: Lisa @ Serah's | January 06, 2009 at 11:59 AM
@Regina: Got rid of that pesky spammer's links. It's terrible when someone comes in just to make a wreck of things. Ah, well. With the Internet, we have to take the good with the bad. Thanks for being there on Indie Cafe! It's always tons of fun to chat it up with you!
@Lisa: Happy New Year to you! It is the Year of the Indie and I'm ecstatic about that and what it means for all of us and our families. Hope to see you at the Indie Cafe next Monday! 'Til then, have a fantastic week!
@Mary: I'm so glad you enjoyed the radio show. Not sure which one you meant, do you mean Indie Business Radio? Or are you speaking of the Indie Cafe, which was last night? Either way, I'm honored and pleased to know that my work has benefited you. We have to keep supporting each other! God bless you too!
Indie Love to All!
dM
Posted by: Donna Johnson | January 06, 2009 at 01:14 PM