Tomoka's Twists & You

Social Media Networking & Marketing Advice

2011-07-21T10:50:00.000-07:00

With more and more home-based businesses starting and using social networking to market their products, it's good to have a few tips on how to work these free advertising venues.

1. Follow the rules. If you join a group or website that has rules, then follow them. When you break rules, you are a trouble maker, not a revolutionary. Other group members will think, know, you're just there for marketing and don't care enough to learn about the group and support its members. Ultimately, you might even be banned from the group and your company becomes the one that was kicked out of the circle. You lose because groups have valuable information and even potential customers.

2. Don't steal friends. To sit there and go through another businesses friends' list is down right rude. Facebook and twitter have made it easy for you to find people who share similar interests, add them if you want more followers. If you're just starting out and all of sudden you have all the same friends as another shampoo maker, something just doesn't seem logical even with the friend suggestions. Plus, their customers will be quick to call you on it. Instead do the work to get friends, that way you're adding slower and actually get a little inkling of who the person is.

3. Don't abuse tagging. Don't just randomly tag people that you really don't know. Yes, the site is free and you can do what you like, but it costs you in long run. Would you want other businesses tagging you and filling your pages with their items? When you start tagging it becomes a two-way street. Will you be happy, jealous, or angry when your friends start liking and buying from those who tag you and link on your pages? You have your pages so link them from your blog or website, cross-feed twitter and facebook, and suggest your fan page to friends. Also, if you want to get an item noticed by others, then share a post/link from your business page and tag yourself. That way whoever is following you will see it in their feed. It's just that simple.

4. Give, interact, and be thankful! Try to interact with other companies and your customers while giving them something useful. If you have a little advice or a product you like, share it. Be sure to check your pages and tweets for comments to answer questions and give thanks for compliments and retweets. And when all else fails and you think you have nothing to give, give your services or your product. A give-away is a quick way to get everyone excited, including yourself!

What this all boils down to, is don't be lazy. If you really think about it, all it takes is time and a little effort to reply, say thank you, post a link, and network. That little effort really does pay off if you are consistent. When you take short-cuts you will come up short.

What advice do you have for promoting your business on social media outlets?

No Comments - It's Ok.

2011-07-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

A few times I've read blogs about people not getting comments and how they feel nobody supports them. Or that AfroMyNaturalHairIsHotFireAndI'veBeenBloggingForManyYears has a clique and they comment on everything she posts. When I first saw these 'comment on my blog posts' I felt pity for the blogger. Then it sort of looks desperate, demanding, and ungrateful. So, I offer a little advice on blogging.

1. Don't start the blog just to get comments, become popular, or make money. If your heart is not in it, you will be easily discouraged when things are moving slowly.

2. Give it time. It takes a while time to build a blog following.

3. Show yourself. If you have a make-up blog, don't just copy/paste the make-up all the time. Show yourself in it. Do a slideshow or video with you putting on the make-up. Sharing a recipe? Have somebody snap a photo of you or you take one of somebody eating it.

4. Ask questions or opinions! Folks love to talk, but sometimes need to be given the mic to speak up.

5. Bring people to your blog. If you have facebook & twitter and the rest of them, tell people that you have a new blog post.

6. Don't look pitiful, ungrateful, or desperate. Always, be welcoming, humble, and helpful.

This is a repost from my other blog carmennc.blogspot.com

Give-Away

2009-09-02T16:40:00.000-07:00

The great give-away! Smell Goods '98tm is hosting a give-away for Tomoka's Twists. Please stop by her blog and enter to win S. Luxurious or Goldie Locks.

smellgoodspa.blogspot.com

Handle Your Shipping

2009-02-24T23:51:00.000-08:00

In efforts to prevent fraud and scams to my customer and myself I have been using a few safe guards, but I'm finding that as business grows, so do problems.

PayPal has a buyer/seller protection program. The guidelines are rather simple and include ship to confirmed addresses and use tracking. I am currently using first class USPS with delivery confirmation and completely blocked orders from unconfirmed address. If a non-receipt of order dispute arises I can provide this information and be awarded as the winner. But, I don't really feel like a winner. I might have the money in my hand, but the poor customer has nothing. I'm an optimistic person and try not to think that customer is trying to get over and that the postal service does deliver packages to their destinations. But I know better than that. I received a neighbors retirement check and hand delivered it myself. Once one of my packages was delivered, but returned to the post office, then delivered again because the package had scribbles on it. Also, dishonest people will scam when they see the opportunity.

After receiving an order of $300+, I decided that delivery confirmation wasn't enough and had it insured. With insured packages of $200+ the recipient has to sign for it. The postage was roughly $5 extra which is well worth the peace of mind that I was protected and a full investigation would be launched if a problem did arise. Since then, I have been insuring orders of $30+ and not even charging extra for it.

I have thought about changing my s/h rates from by number of items to a scale based on the price of the order.

What precautions or measures do you use to safe guard your shipments and insure delivery? If you have any shipping advice please share!

Pulling Ideas from Odd Places

2009-01-24T17:00:00.000-08:00

Sometimes coming up with new designs and ideas can be a job in itself. The goal for selling is to have products to sell. For returning customers I try my best to offer something new and even more creative. It's also a chance to try out a new skill and step out of the box.

I went to a fabric/yarn store with my mother after Thanksgiving. She knits & crochets and needed fabric to line a few purses. I crochet and thought I'd try my hand at some stretchy socks. While going through the isles we both stopped and looked at some spools of curtain/lamp shade dangling things ~ I'm most certain these dangles have a proper name. Mom has decorated lamp shades with them and they do add fashion to the decor. One caught my eye.

From curtain dangle thingies to earring and hair accessories.

The BigCatTrucker Show -The Interview

2009-01-18T11:46:00.000-08:00

Comedian BigCatTrucker

I have had the pleasure of meeting some truly good people on Twitter. I work a 12 hour night shift and I've had some good conversations with several tweeple with insomina. That's how I met BigCatTrucker.

I immediately found BigCatTrucker intreging because he's an go-getter type of guy and in these times, it's easy to let your dreams and goals fall behind. And this young man finds his way through with determination and keeping a positive outlook on life. I found BCT to be funny over twitter and then he hit me with his youtube videos.

I followed his tweets and videos and within a few days BigCatTrucker announced he was coming out with a show too. Let's see what the BigCat comedian has to say in the interview.

Carmen: BigCat, I know where to find you, but tell everyone where we find you on the internet?

BCT: I have a few sites I work with: http://youtube.com/bigcattrucker http://myspace.com/bigcattruckershow I also have www.bigcattruckershow.com coming soon and I'm on www.qik.com and www.facebook.com as well.

Me: A lot of people are turning to the internet to launch business and shows, how did you get started?

BCT: I'm just a big internet junky, I do all of my business online.

Me: When we tune into the BigCatTrucker Show what should we expect? What does the show offer?

BCT: Just getting your laugh on and I offer some helpful info as well. Basically it's just all about The BigCat

Is this full-time for you or do you have another career?

BCT: Yes and no, I'm starting a new career as a truck driver but I want to take it to the next level and be a "world famous" trucker who is well known online. I am starting my own show on youtube called "The BigCatTrucker Show" I just wanted to do a show so everyone can see how a newbie trucker starts out and hopefully break down the stereotypes about truckers and the truck driving industry.

Carmen: People are still a little scared about launching their endevours online. I've done it and you're doing it too. Can anybody really do this?

BCT: Yes!! Everything nowsdays is on the internet and it is getting more and more advanced everyday. Also, while this medium advances there are new user friendly sites out there that can help you build a site custom made for you!

Carmen: Who inspired you to get started with your business?

BCT: I have a good friend of mine in Houston, TX who I have known for about 12 years now who is a trucker still today and he would always talk to me about getting my CDL and making some real money. So it took me this long to think about it and the way the economy is today made me want to doing more and more.

Carmen: Being successful on the internet is all about networking. Tell me how you get the word out about The BigCat.

BCT: Like I said before I use websites like myspace and facebook just because there are so many people on them and its fast and to the point. I also use twitter.com, youtube.com and qik.com I do a lot of videos and these sites are a bigtime help for me. I think they all provide results!

Carmen: What advice do you have for others who might want to do what you do?

BCT: Well since I'm just starting my career as a trucker, I can't really say much about that. However, I have learned in life if there is something you want to do just work hard towards it and don't stop just keep on going and going until you get there. A lot of people might try to tell you your dreams are too big or unattainable, but keep at it and it will come to pass. It might not happen overnight but hard work always equals success.

Carmen: Before I stop with the 20/20 is there anything else you would like us to know about you and your business?

BCT: That I'm the next big thing that’s about to blowup the internet, so look out for BigCatTrucker and my new show and much more to come.

And the Award Goes To...

2009-01-12T20:36:00.000-08:00

I am the newest recipient of the Lemonade Award. Stormee of The Sewing World. was so kind to present this award to my via the other blog. Since it is business related, I will accept my award here and then list those who will get the prestigious award next.
These are the guidelines that award winners must follow:

#1 You must link back to the person you received the award from.

#2 You have to nominate 10 bloggers who are deserving of this award!

* PK ~ This jewelry artist is a true inspirations. Her items beautiful, creative, bright, unique, and inspiring just like she is! I sincerely appreciate you PK. You're Pretty Kool. Stop by her blog and her store.

Jewels, Etc. ~ This young lady is inspiring because she practices many jewelry skills. I'm a copper fan and she makes items that are show her creativity and imagination beautifully. Please go through her blog to see them.

Itiel ~ Smell Good Spa ~ This bath & body product artists not only has a huge variety of products with even a bigger selection of scents, but she is a true giver. She has a Stay Sweet Collection which she donates part of the sales to help young women. Ain't that Sweet!

* Eddie ~ This lady is a true go getter. She overcomes any obstacle with a positive attitude and she'll even hustle your products as if they're her own. Eddie is the owner of the ning.com forum Fabulous Black Woman & the creator of Sweet Nature Hair Care Products. Please join her wonderful group. You know I did.

* Michelle ~ Crochet Passions ~ This lady has been with me from the beginning. She is the first person to buy my products in person. She is also the hostess of natural hair meet-ups in Charlotte. Recently she launched her own store featuring the crocheted wearable art she makes.

* Phyliss ~ Dea's Joy ~ Phyllis and I took the Sisterlock class together. She was so professional and cool as she talked about her jewelry. I was like a scared, wet cat hiding behind chairs trying to pulling out my stuff. Phyllis and I have talked on the phone so much that my bluetooth and phone batteries have gone dead. I plug it up and call back too.

* CozyAromas ~ Is my twitter friend. She has been very supportive of me and I give her a special shout out along with Gina. She offers candles, warmers, and bath/body products. She has her own group on iseecolor and website.

* LelephantRose ~ I like this lady! Not because she tweets with me, lol, but because she has such a great eye for party fun, colorful fashions. I'm sure there's a name for it. 2.0 80's or glamorous life fashions? She also makes jewelry to showcase the style!

* BlossomingTree ~ She's my Facebook/African Safari friend and Etsy Artist of Color Street Team friend. She set up the give-away for me on the EAOC blog and is the new street team leader. Blossoming makes scented facial lotions, balms, and soap.

* Lisa ~ Serah's Soap ~ I have always amired her hair. And now she gives me another reason to admire her, the soap. Lisa makes the cutest cupcake soaps and packages them so they look like parfaits. Everytime I see them I go, "Aww."

* Angelic Gems ~ I bought the cutest necklace from her and did a post and video about it, lol. That's how much I liked it. Then one day I made a bi-weekly trip to the mailbox, and she sent me a matching pair of earrings. SHUT UP!!!

* Cheleski ~ She's the DIY (do-it-yourself) guru of natural hair and locks. Just check out her locks! She is sharing her knowledge in her latest book The Knotty Truth. It will be available in February on Amazon. Mark you calendars and in the meantime stop by her blog for tips.

Wow, this got so good to me, that I didn't stop at 10.

Yarn Coture's Having a Give-Away

2009-01-12T20:29:00.000-08:00

Please stop by Yarncoture's Blog to enter a give-away of a items from her spa collection. The set includes pink and white towels, scrubie, soap pouch, and soap too.

Also posted on Carmen's Blog. In the comments, I'm given an award! How cool is that.

Marketplace Shop or Stand Alone Store

2009-01-11T08:38:00.001-08:00

I do have an Etsy shop. Right around the same time that www.tomokastwists.com was being created, I opened up an Esty merchant account. I get asked about it from time to time and here is my view on Etsy and other marketplaces.

A quick way to set up a shop is to use a marketplace, a hub for many stores. I have found these to be extremely user friend with low or no upfront costs. There are several to chose from and the choice is yours. Often owners will pick more than one to test the waters since listing costs are near nothing.

Which should you pick Ebay, Etsy, Artfire, or one of the others? Once again, it does not matter. It is up to you to bring the people to the site to buy. So even if it is just a blog with buttons, you have to bring them to that spot. If people want your products they will buy them from anywhere that looks decent with paypal buttons. Ebay charges a one time fee that will be billed to you monthly. Etsy charges a small upfront listing fee. Etsy also skims off a little off each purchase and bills at the end of the month. Ebay offers a store option in which you can list several items for a monthly flat fee. Artfire has no fees for the basic shop, that I know of as of the time I am writing. They also offer a complete store for $7.

Once you start seeing that your sells have picked up and remain steady, all these small fees will begin to add up equal to or more than a stand alone website. If this occurs, then it might be cost effective to create an inexpensive websites.

The advantage of having a stand alone is that you have room to grow. You can include pages for testimonies and pictures that customers send. Add a video, a little music, a whole page for useful links. A stand alone can be customized. You can even add a blog to it.

How to Find Friends on Twitter

2009-01-11T07:44:00.000-08:00

Twitter can be intimidating and a rather boring at first. So why do I keep talking about it? Because the initial standing at the wall at a party feeling doesn't last long before you are getting request to be followed. As with any party, it takes a little effort to get it started right.

Search for your friends. www.search.twitter.com Pick keywords that are associated with your business. If you crochet/knit/yarn items do a search for those key words. For me it was a bit easier to find friends. I looked for women with natural hair.

Bloggers or business owners are on twitter. See if your favorite bloggers and store owners have links to their twitter ids on there websites. Hopefully they will and you can follow them. But don't let the party end there, mix and mingle with the people they follow and followers by adding them too.

Invite your customers and online/offline friends. I pass the word along through emails that are sent to customers. I include the link in my signature. I have a big follow button on my blogs.

Ning.com groups and forums that are large may have a Twitter thread or sub-group. If it doesn't - start one. I really don't have much to add to this one other than, you can rack up followers in groups like these.

What are some of the ways that you find your Twitter friends?

Twitter for Marketing

2009-01-10T19:27:00.001-08:00

Hello Everyone,
I want to share a free and easy marketing tool called Twitter. (It is also a hangout for social butterflies.) Twitter is a social network in which you can add friends by following them. At first I did not think it would work, until I started adding friends of friends. After two weeks, I was teaching and telling others about Twitter.

I follow marketing guru, Jim Connolly, and read his blog to learn about how to make the most out of Twitter, blogs, and marketing as a whole. Even if you do not join Twitter, his blog is full of useful information.

I have made several sells and met many artists there. Customers like following me because they get to see that the company behind the products is actually a regular person wearing a lot of hats. I like follow other artists because they inspire me, feel my pain, and offer great tips.

How has Twitter helped your marketing?

Africreations & Obama Rock

2009-01-10T18:42:00.000-08:00

Handmade crochet Obama caps/hats/and more $20 no s/h!
I got a large size just in case.

Remember that video I did a while back? Someone watched it and bought a Juicybag. I don't know who you are but thank you so much. It really means a lot to me because sometimes I don't think I have fashion sense! Seriously, it does mean a lot, more than words can say

Post taken from carmennc.blogspot.com Since the post I was featured on Africreations!

How to Promote Your Business On Social Networking Websites

2009-01-10T18:36:00.000-08:00

If you are thinking of starting a business or have a business then please join www.sistapreneurs.ning.com. If you have advice or need advice you can find it on this site. You will be able to create your own page to showcase your business as well.

This is one of many business tips videos available from the network owner, LaShanda Henry. She has a channel so please subscribe.

Juicy Bags and Locks

2009-01-10T18:28:00.000-08:00

I haven't watched the video, so I hope it goes well. I don't like watching myself.

rmcandlelight asked "Can you do a video showing us your locks?" I did a quick post with a few pictures. I wanted to take some pictures for Angelicgems & Juicybags to show me actually wearing their items. So I thought - I'll just do a video!

I have been looking for a quirky, color laptop tote for a while now. I have a case for it, but for everyday use it's not practical, too bulky and it just screams - steal me. Or when I'm at work when I got my laptop back, I had the case and brought it inside and somebody said, "I see you brought your laptop." The business is mine. Stay out of it!

I just received the sweetest kufi. It's a crochet Obama hat. I'm getting bad at this picture thing. Africreations is your Obama hat store!

People I'm on Twitter hard and I just now noticed that this blog was written in Twitter style. Pitiful I know. I'm addicted to twitter. It's gotten so good to me that I want a large feed of my tweets on my blog. I have the little twitter one liner on my sidebar. I have joined a few groups and I've gotten a few direct messages from somebody famous. How cool is that? Very.

http://twitter.com/carmennc

Note: Taken from http://carmennc.blogspot.com Since the original post I was featured on Africreations grinning up a storm. Hey Obama won!!!

Ananse Ntontan by Angelicgems

2009-01-10T18:24:00.000-08:00

Ananse Ntontan by Angelicgems

Wearable art speaks to you. You'll see an item and it won't let you go. Then you ponder, if it's the only one and will somebody else buy before you do.

Ananse is a candy-coated superstar, wrapped in copper, with coils. It is absolutely original and adorable.

Please stop by angelicgems.etsy.com to view all of her lovely pieces.

Note: Taken from http://carmennc.blogspot.com

Do You Need to Advertise

2009-01-10T18:07:00.000-08:00

I had the chance to meet Denise Bethune of Showcase Magazine and I believe she has a great publication for reaching a vast audience. Denise offers affordable advertisements in her online publication. This is a great hub for businesses to network as well as for consumers to find your products.

Showcase Magazine & Directory is designed to keep you informed of services, information and resources available to you along with helping new entrepreneurs in reaching a wider audience. The goal is to showcase the best and the vigilant. This publication highlights each business or organization with a short bio, pictures, services offered.

The publication with your feature will appear for the first six months of 2009, the next publication will be featured in July of 2009, with new businesses, and maybe some previous ones as well...

Note: Their is still time to be featured in the January - June publication...Contact Denise with any questions..

If you are interested in having your business featured for six months for a one time fee of $52 please contact Denise and visit her publication. That's way less than monthly ads running $20. It's way less than pay per click ads. It's about $8.67 a month. If you find ads cheaper than that then please let me know.

I'm there!!!

Denise/Thomas Bethune
BSB, Brother, Sister, Brother LLC
www.showcasemagdir.com
www.bethune.bravehost.com