Today was a Working Day

When I got up this morning I started working on the Candle Burners for the bridal shower. I finished the 2 Burning Hearts mom. I am finished with 1 V-Lite Sampler for my friends grandmother. I have 2 more V-Lite Samplers to finish for tomorrow. I have been reading http://www.problogger.com/ and it has many tips on how to promote my blog and get it the publicity that I want it to have.

Also today, I met with another professional photographer and I have an appointment for Wednesday at 10:00 am to photograph the candles. He wants to take pictures of me too to put on the brochure. I understand that, but I didn't want to have my face out there, but I guess I have no choice. Will I do, but I know that will make the product more personal if my clientele puts a face with the procuct. I am ready for my photo opportunity. When he photographs the candles they will be in a setting that will make them look better than the do. The only thing that I am concerned with is making them look good for what they are worth.

Tomorrow, I am going out of town for a few days and need to complete all of the orders. In the morning I will hit the ground running.

I added more photos today too to this site and to http://www.bettysonly.etsy.com/. I still haven't had any more orders on Etsy, but 10 people have added me to their favorites. What I am going to do is purchase from shops on Etsy that haven't had any or few sales. I will support the beginning seller, if it wasn't for my uncle and friends I wouldn't have had a sell on Etsy at all. So, I understand beginners need a start too.

Work as Usual

There really are no differences today versus the other day. I have completed the 3 Shining Diamonds and 1 Colossal, total payment $21.00. I must complete moms 2 purple jasmine Burning Hearts. I have done the labels for the bridal shower, now I must put them on the favors. Like I stated previously, I will have a picture for you soon. The bridal shower favors will be done by Saturday. When they are complete I will give them to the bride to be. I am so greatful for the people that I have in my inner circle. They are my extended family. Ok, I will not get emotion.

I have been posting on several blogs daily, my goal is to post on 5 different blogs a day. I typed in Betty's Only on Google and it is now on the first page, but the last hit. That is better than nothing.

Yesterday, I met with a photographer to take some professional photos of my candles. Right now that photographer is a little too expensive for my company, but I will use that company later because he gave me some great tips for the company. I have a meeting tomorrow with another photographer and he is more in my price range. The professional pictures will allow me to upload better photos to Etsy and eventually create a catalog. The thing with my candles are that no 2 are alike. I have different styles that are unique. My next steps are to create skews for the different types and styles of candles. I will be back with photos of more candles. Until later. I know I haven't kept up with posting daily, but I am doing better. It is the summer and I know I can do more for my business.

Setting Weekly Goals

Today is another day as usual, but today I made a goal list only for this week. The goals that I have set pertaining to Betty's Only are to complete: the Candle Burners for Hervey's Bridal Shower, Colossal for one of my co-workers, 3 Shining Diamonds for another co-worker, 3 V-Lite Samplers for a friend, and the 2 Burning Hearts for my mother. I have been working on the Candle Burners for a while, I had to get the specific colors correct, now I have to put them in the tulle with the bow. The only other thing is I have to get with Hervey for her to choose the decoration for the labels. I will post the Candle Burners and the V-Lite Sampler once they are complete. Another goal is to post on at least 5 blogs a day. This should generate traffic to my blog (hopefully). I think this blog thing is cool. It allows me to release and write my true feelings about my business and anyone anywhere can read it and post comments. This technology thing is really neat. I never thought I would be into this, but I am now and I will see where it takes me. Not just for my readers, but it archives my posts. This will allow me to actually see the journey as it moves forward. I bought 10 gift bags and tissue paper the other day, when I sell, I purchase more products for the business. My next purchase will be 3 new molds, 2 more fragrances, and prefabricated cotton wicks for the votives. I will defiantly take it slow, but do all I can to get my candles out to the general public. I did post on 5 blogs today, there are so many blogs available, its crazy. I hope to find my niche in this industry, no I take that back I will find my niche in this industry. I will not beat up myself with negative tones. I will be a success and Betty's Only will be known for its fabulous candles. In the next few days, I will make a movie of me creating candles. I just might put them on you tube. That is scary, but I will upload them to my blog. So, that is the latest in my journey, still no sells and Etsy.

I would like to thank Rose DesRochers of http://www.todays-woman.net/ for letting Betty's Only be the gift for the winner of the Mother's Day writing contest. I am sending the winner a Vessel of Aroma for winning. On her site she has put that the candle is provided by Betty's Only A Candle Company. That is a step in the right direction. I have to step out on faith and get it done. I am capable of doing anything that I put my mind to.

Really Really Trying

Greetings All,

It has been a busy few days. I have learned more about blogs and web pages than I have ever known. I have been making candles for the bridal shower, custom made candles for clients, and 2 jasmine fragranced Burning Hearts for mom. So overall, I have been working on promoting my business and making candles all at the same time. I will do better and post new messages daily or at least every other day. I must keep it interesting.

First, I have added meta tags to my blog, added http://www.bettysonly.blogspot/ and http://www.bettysonly.etsy/ to search engines to be crawled in about 7 days. To be honest, I really don't know what all of this means. I take that back I do. When I search for Betty's Only on the net I get no search results, well I do get search results, but it is nothing relevant to my company. I have looked on other blogs and candle sites to see what they are offering and I feel like no, I know I can compete. It is a matter of getting it out to the people. I can't solely depend on my family and friends to make this thing successful. IAll though, I am thankful for the support and interest. It is going to take me putting my all into promoting my business and making it interesting so that they will want to read more of my journey. I must make it worth your while and mine.

I have added this blog to so many search engines that it is ridiculous and I am not done. At some point, I got tired of creating a new user name and password, but if this is what it takes to make it, I will continue. What I want for Betty's Only is to be a world reknowned candle company, that is unlike any other. Betty's Only candles are for all people and can be given at all occasions. The candles that I make are unique and no two are alike (unless that's how you want them). I make them with love and for each individual person. When the candle is made I don't know who will chose it, it is for that owner to decide which candle is right for them at that particular moment. My candles are memorable, colorful, and fun. I would love for people to ask for the candles by the names they are given. For instance Shining Diamond, Picasso, Orb. These candles have been given names to represent them so the client can remember and ask for them by name.

Friday, I contacted several photographers to take professional photos of my candles. I have appointments Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss my plans with the pictures. I am really looking forward to this meeting. Having professional photos will give me a chance to compete in the industry. I have been taking my own photos and they look alright, but I know having a professional will allow the candles to be in specific settings and my clients can see what my candles are capable of. Also, have professional photos will give me an opportunity to develop a catalog, that is still in the making, but it will be done. First, the photos give Betty's Only its own face on the web. Betty's Only own website. I must find out what domain names are available, but this should be up and running before August 2008.

I have just been feeling anxious, excited, and nervous all at the same time. It seems like there is not enough time in the day. I have learned a lot about this industry and about myself. I have discovered that I can not stay focused for more than 2 weeks on any given project, but that all is about to change. I started Betty's Only not for the love of money, but for the love of making candles. To show people my product, have them enjoy the designs, colors, and fragrances just is an overstatement of emotions for me. I am modest in even saying that I make these candles. The people that have purchased my candles tell me how much they enjoy them. Some don't even use them, they are just for decoration. Others have sent them all over the United States as gifts. I am so thankful for the support and love that I have received over the years. It is funny how I haven't seen someone in a long time, but they will ask are you still making candles. Of course the answer is yes, but I am not using it to its full potential. There is so much more that I plan to do with this business. The possibilities are endless.

My next steps are to finish the bridal shower candles and the other candles. Work on doing some advertising on various sites. Continue to socialized on a variety of sites. Create and distribute business cards and matchbooks. I will also have to partner with a company to create packaging.

So much to do and all the time in the world to get it done. I will do it trust it.

Thanks to all that have read my blog! Check back with it to witness the growth.

I am Doing my Part

I didn't post yesterday because I was up late trying to figure out how to insert Adsense codes into my blog, but as you see the only thing that did work was the Google Search Engine. The big space at the top is supposed to be an ad, that has not generated yet or is not going to appear at all. Who knows? I have been on forums inquiring about the length of time it takes for the ads to appear and I can not seem to get a definite answer. I have found a few minutes to 48 hours. I will wait and see. I know with this site if the code is inserted wrong it will not let it go through. So again, I don't know if it is me, the ads, or what. I will just have to wait and see.

On a lighter note, I have been socializing with others via http://www.stumbleupon.com/ and other sites trying to see how it is done. I have found a variety of interesting sites. The layouts are cool, the ads are in place, and the people are coming. So now, I have to find my niche in this industry. Honestly, it is coming along and I know that anything that is worth having takes some time to achieve. I am just glad that I have finally picked up the ball to get this thing rolling. That push has finally come from that invisible hand. Or maybe my mind was not ready to handle the success that I am about to achieve. Whatever it maybe I am ready to get it done!

Orders have been coming left and right, but not via http://www.bettysonly.etsy.com/. That is alright because I am able to have a shop in July on http://www.indiefixx.com/ and waiting to find out if I am able to advertise with them too. Thanks Jen! As for Etsy, I am going to upload some more candles and send the word out via email. Like I stated before I am ready for the world to know about Betty's Only and how great the candles are. With Etsy, I have to get some professional photos or have an image that may not be the candle, but something that represents the candle. I don't know. Eventually, I want to be a featured seller on there home page, I think that is so cool. I will happen and sooner then I may think. Believe in myself and the company and it will happen.

I took some candles to work to show someone and I got 4 orders for custom made candles. Today, we had a visitor in the building and he bought candles from me as well. Socializing is the key and sometimes it is not what you know, but who you know.

At first, I was nervous about the blog and getting traffic to it, but people are slowly finding it and leaving comments. I thought I was never going to get a comment, but I did :). I am so thankful! I have spent time reading up on how to promote blogs and I think that I am slowly grasping the concept.

There are so many things that need to be done for this company. I bought gift bags and tissue paper today, because I have been going to my mother's house getting her bags and tissue paper. Next, a must update brochures, create labels for all candles, and start working on my own website. Those are just a few things that need to be done for this company. All things will eventually fall in place. I must continue to believe in myself and my worth.

Thanks to everyone that has posted a message to me! Stick with me and I promise you will witness the fruits of my labor!

Today was a Good Day!

First of all, I will say that I have been getting sells, but not via http://www.bettysonly.etsy.com/. People have been making verbal requests for specific candles for a variety of occasions. I am excited about that. Currently, I am making bridal shower gifts for my friend. I was asked today about making some floaters and a gift bag for a graduation party. Also, someone called and asked for 2 gifts bags for $15 a piece so things are exactly looking up for my candle business. I am so motivated and determined to make this thing work. I mean it has been 14 years in the making really. I am not going to be my worst enemy in this situation. Yesterday, I contacted Indie Fixx.com about ad space and having a shop on the site. She responded, now I am waiting to see if I can have a shop on the site for the month of June. I forgot that I have to make V-Lites for a friend of mines grandmother and aunt. So things are looking up. O ya, I did make a sale of 3 candles on Etsy, even if it was from my mom. She also made a request for 2 Burning Hearts, jasmine fragrance in purple. Ya!!!!!! Betty's Only is on a roll.

My next steps are to design my brochure, get a professional photographer, and get some bags with my logo on the front. Another thing that I need for my business is packaging that represents Betty's Only. Eventually, when I get my own website I will move toward candle accessories. I am on the move and very thankful for the support and love that I have received from everyone in my inner circle. These people believed in me when I was just playing around. Now is the time to take the ball rolling and make Betty's Only the success that I know it can be. I will no longer be my worst enemy, but be a supporter of myself.

I make candles because I enjoy the way it makes me feel, it is very relaxing. When people smell them, see them, and ask me to create candles for them, I am overjoyed. Making Betty's Only candles is a way to express myself and to give people something that they can enjoy and give to others. It is funny that many people do purchase them and never use them. I don't understand that, well, I take that back I do understand. The candle that they have from me is something special and they don't want to damage something that is special to them. For me, it is a candle that is to be burned because that is what it is made for. Overall, I am elated that they would even consider purchasing a candle from me whether it is for their homes, a gift, or for relaxation.

Another Day

Today is the same thing, no sells. But what I did do was send an inquiry to Indie Fixx.com to see what I could do to advertise and/ get a shop on the site. I am really determined to get this thing moving. Last night I stayed up trying to figure out how to get http://www.bettysonly.etsy.com/ and http://bettysonly.blogspot.com/ to the front of the search engine. I don't know how to do it. What I can say is that when I type in Betty's Only I get the expired domain name and the date is expired. Whoa is me! You know this thing can really get a person down, but I refuse to get done. I have to see this through. I also uploaded an image of a Picasso candle to Google Base to see if that helps with sales. We will see. This make day 2 of my blog and no hits, comments, negative motivation nothing. Maybe this will be a thing for me to just type out my feelings and what steps I take to get my candle business off the ground. I went to find out about putting the candles at the place I mentioned yesterday and I have to be there. I really don't have time to do that. I also forgot that I had a Tradekey account too. I started that a few years ago. I am tired and doing just a little when it comes to my candle sales. I want to do so much more. Also, yesterday at the book store there was an article of this women that is selling over 6 million dollars in candles yearly. Ok, first I need some displays, do some shows here and there, and put the word out about my product. One thing is for sure I am proud of the people that have supported me when I asked them to purchase a candle here and there to give me some sells. Thank you for trusting in my product and given me the push that I need. I think that really, I am my worst enemy. That really needs to change. Like I did with my Etsy site I am going to do this with my blog add it to my favorites on http://www.stumbleupon.com/. Maybe someone will stumble upon it and send me a post. I just need one post something so that I don't feel like such a loser. Also, I went to the flea market to check it out. There was someone selling candles, but they were single colored and in glasses. Nothing like what I design. I am not hating, it is good that they were taking a step to promote their product. Maybe I could learn something. I will be here daily if I can to talk about all of my ends and outs of my journey to promote Betty's Only A Candle Company. If there are any suggestions, positive or negative please give them to me. They will gladly be appreciated and taken to better myself and my products.

How to promote my candle business

I have been a member of Etsy since December 2007, but did not start selling until April 2008. I am very motivated, but still do not know my way around. I have been looking at other candle sites on Etsy and do not know what I can do to sell more candles. My nitch is candles and what I see is that many sellers are selling other things then candles. I am very motivated and just want to get my candles out for the world to see. I have been doing this for a long time and realize that my personality is not as motivated and persistant as it should be. Today, I uploaded two more candles. A friend of mine said that I should put them in other settings so people can see them in another light. I did this now let's see the outcome. I have sold 9 items on the site, but know I have the potential to sell more. The thing about my candles is that they are unlike other candles. I make them to be creative and they do not follow specific guidelines. I enjoy making them because it is relaxing and people like them and enjoy the fragrances. Starting today, I will do something different to support my candle business. Everyday is a new day and it is up to me to make the best of it. To be honest, it disappointed me not to get sales and to be truthful the sales I did get were from people that knew me. I want to sell to people that like my candles, but also to people all over the world.

Another thing I have a friend that sells food and he suggested bringing some candles there to sell. I am ready, but I think that I am scared of success.

http://www.bettysonly.etsy.com/
bettsyonly@netbusiness.com