It's Small Business Saturday!!

Yay!!! For us small biz owners, it's Small Business Saturday everyday, tee hee, but today is the Black Friday of small business owners.So, what-you-offerin' huh? I'm offering 30% off EVERYTHING in my shop now through Sunday. Use code SHOPSMALL.

Feel free to post your deal in the comments, and happy shopping!

Are You Ready???

Source

I personally don't feel the holiday "rush" until the day after Thanksgiving. That's when every retailer starts baiting and reeling us with their awesome deals, and I'm no different, heehee...

So, I'm telling myself that I'm going to be prepared this time because I always wait til the last minute (like the day before) to do stuff. I made a little list, and I welcome you to add to it because I know I'm bound to forget something..

• Order sufficient supplies: mailing envelopes and boxes, packing tape, ribbon, tissue, etc.
• Inventory! Inventory! Inventory! I cannot stress this enough. If you're hyping a soap then only discover you have 2 in stock, well,....
• Business cards: Some feel this isn't necessary, but 1 in 3 of my orders are from new customers, so I feel it is a crucial part of my repeat business and my branding (love those Moo cards by the way...)
• Labels, ink cartridges, label paper: This is one of those things that you can completely forget about til you print off a logo or shipping label and it's all faded because your ink cartridges are low or out!
• Bottles, jars, tops...: No explanation needed-except to say, do an inventory!
• Contacting your mailing list subscribers: Whet their appetites a few days to a week before your actual sale to get them thinking about it, then send them another one the day before to remind them!
• Make sure your shop announcements and policies are clear and precise and that all your sales and specials features are in place (free shipping, bogo, % off, etc..)

 Okay, what else did I forget? This list seems short, but I know there's more!

It's A Black Weekend Deal!

Happy Black Friday! Everyone's buzzing with sales-including moi!

Starting today thru Monday, aka Cyber Monday, I am offering FREE DOMESTIC SHIPPING and $5.00 INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING on everything in my Etsy and Art Fire shops. No special codes needed. No refunds to give. All you have to do is shop, and oh yeah, pay:)

International shipping deadline is Dec. 4th.
Domestic shipping deadline is Dec 19th.

Happy shopping everyone! Don't be surprised if you see me buying from your shops!

The Last Day!!!

(Here's a pic of my weekend profits)

I have never been so glad to see November 30th in my life! I made a personal challenge to myself that I'd blog every day for the month of November being that it's National Blog Month or something like that. Unless I'm getting paid to be a professional blogger, there's no way I could do it every single day!

In other sad news, my Black Friday sale has been a total bust! I guess the economy has taken a bigger toll than I imagined. I thought handmade would be the answer, but I guess I was wrong. Yeah, I'm more than a little disappointed, but you know what? I'm not going to let poor sales deter me. I'm still here, and I'm going to keep pushing on. I was reading an interesting thread on Etsy about crafters undervaluing their goods just to make a sale, and it has really given me some things to think about.

Well, I'm going to take a few days off to rest my fingers and to concoct some meaningful blog posts. Congratulations to all the sellers who've had a successful weekend. I'll blog to ya'll soon!

It's On!!!!

Get thee over to The Soap Seduction now!!! It's Friday. Black Friday. I've got all kinds of stuff for sale, and I'm shipping for free all weekend long!

Tomorrow's The Day!!!

Happy Thanksgiving To All!

I hope you had lots of turkey and stuffing and everything else in between. I think I had one too many cocktails because I am too relaxed right now! As you know, tomorrow is the sale of all sales everywhere. I was reading my e-mails today, and I've been flooded with rock bottom sales ads from everyone from Eve's Addiction to Reed's Jewelers. I love online shopping, and I hope you do to. I, along with many of my Twitter friends will be hosting mega sales starting tomorrow. I've seen ads for free shipping, BOGO, even 75% off! This economy has really affected the way folks spend money. That's why now more than ever, I think buying handmade is the way to go! Stop by The Soap Seduction and my Etsy shop beginning at 6am for some cool stuff. I'll be shopping too! Now get some rest!

I Just Sent My First Newsletter. I Hope Somebody Reads It!

You know I've been blogging about this Black Friday event for about two weeks now, but I decided to take it to the next level. I sent my first newsletter out to all the nice folks who bought something in the past from The Soap Seduction or my Etsy shop. This is such a major fete for me because I feel like I'm begging in a sense when I'm announcing, "Hey, I'm having a sale. Come check it out!" What is wrong with me? It's that shyness thing again. I know it. I really want this event to go well. When you work hard, you want to be recognized and rewarded, right? I'm brimming with nervous excitement. I can't wait to check out all the other shops as well as the shops of my crafting friends. I'm expecting to see some really unique offerings.

Are You Ready For Holiday Sales?

It's the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also be the most stressful time of the year (besides tax season). The Black Friday bonanza at The Little Black Box is coming a week from this Friday, and I realize I haven't done a darn thing!!!! Where did the time go? I am in serious shock! I've got major packaging to do! I've gotta take pics for the website and Etsy. I've got product to actually make! I have to check my shipping supplies! Arghhhhh!!!!

With all that being said, are YOU prepared????

Hold On....It's Coming.....

It's Black Friday at The Little Black Boxes, and I am a part of the action!!!!

This event is going to be major. All the participating shops will have phenomenal deals, as will I. Save your pennies. Hoard your dollars. Visit my website and make your wish list now. I've got some new things in the pipeline and some deals and steals you won't want to miss! More updates to follow....

Autumn Is Coming....

and I'm so overwhelmed!!!! When I officially started my business last summer, I didn't know you had to plan seasonally. Duh!! All the major retailers do it, but I never gave it much thought. I didn't change my product line to reflect that it was fall or winter or spring. I offered the same ol', same ol'. When Halloween came, I had no cute ghost soaps or pumpkin candles. When Thanksgiving came, there were no turkey soaps. When Christmas came, there were no trees or snowmen, and looking back on it, my sales really suffered. Speaking of sales, I had none. I just threw my stuff on a website, and basically said, "Here it is. Take it or leave it!" I wouldn't even consider starting a blog-more work!

Well it's a new year, and I've acquired a lot more business savvy, and I've grown as an artist. I've learned how to take better photos and offer more variety in my products. I'm going to really step up my game this holiday season. So, I put this out there: How do you prepare for the busy fall and holiday seasons?