Out of the Box

POSHMARK

When I had my business a few years ago, it was so difficult to figure out shipping and getting a label system through Canada Post I gave up and only sold my products locally.

I did some research on how I could get this done for the least cost for me and my customers and this is when I came across a few different apps. The main one that I liked was Poshmark, the concept is quite simple. You make a profile and then you can start selling. Poshmark adds the shipping as well, so when someone is buying your products, they will see the total with the shipping costs added. All you have to do is print the premade label that the app generates for you, package your product and take it to the Post Office or schedule a time for them to pick it up at your house and you’re done.

LIST IT

SHARE IT

EARN CASH

To start you need to install the App on whatever device you are working from, then you are shown the section where you can add your products, this is called your “Closet”. The second step is to put in all the information about the product. For example, if it is new or lightly used, what are the product colors and then your price that you are selling the item for. One of the perks of this, is that all the information is there for you, you just fill in the blanks. When you are ready, you click share my closet and you are in business. Easy right?

When selling with Poshmark try and make the packaging really nice and add a special thank you note or stickers. Presentation is key. This brings back repeated customers. You want to do something that catches the buyers attention.

Now this is how Poshmark makes their money. I think it is reasonable considering you don’t have to have your own website and you don’t have to worry about shipping costs. Believe me it takes a lot of stress off the seller.

Here is the run down on how they take their percentage.

“What are the fees for selling on Poshmark? Our fees are very simple and straightforward. For all sales under C$20, Poshmark takes a flat commission of C$3.95. For sales of C$20 or more, you keep 80% of your sale and Poshmark’s commission is 20%.” This is right off of the site. (Referenced below). It is off the customer support page.

There are a few more apps that are close to the same, but I am just focusing on the one I really enjoy.

References

POSHMARK. Brand Spotlight. 2022. [Website]. https://bit.ly/3KvISwy

POSHMARK. Customer Support. What are the fees for selling on Poshmark. 2022. [Website] https://bit.ly/3KvONlg

Now that we are finished our course, I wish all of you the best of luck in the future.

Professional Networking Now and in the Future

What is your parent strategy for developing your professional network online and in person?

With my new strategy, I plan on using more of my social media platforms to get more exposure to my new business. I don’t feel that I did my best the first go around. There was a lot more I needed to learn, and I believe that taking this course helped me realize very important steps that I have been missing. There will be some new and more effective improvements as I go forth for the second time.

I am going to find a more productive way to spend my money on advertising. I didn’t find that Facebook was helping me very much, it almost felt like I was spending my money on faulty ads. (To be clear this is just my opinion.) Every time I spent money on the ads, it would tell me that I had only reached one person. That doesn’t make much scenes to me. My cousin was also doing the same thing with her business, which is a hair salon, and she was reaching no one. The only way we seemed to get new customers is if we directly invited them ourselves. We could have saved so much money if we figured this out earlier. I am sure if you were spending thousands of dollars, the outcome could possibly have been different.

Networking person to person was incredible, because we were such a small business, we delivered our products to our customers and for that they told their friends and family, and we produced more sales. I mean we weren’t living it up or anything, but we were still bringing in a small profit.

Here are a few pictures from my first store. We sold a lot of different products.

These pictures were done by me.

What activities and commitments are you making in the next 6-12 months to continue the development of your networks?

In the next 6 – 12 months I plan on reopening my on-line store, it will be a little bit different that my first one. My daughter will be joining me as my partner and we will be more into making our own products, such as:

• Candles
• Soaps
• Body wash
• Bath bombs
• Blankets
• Shadow box art and much more

It is basically anything we can make that can also be hypoallergenic and easy on the skin. Not everything will be made that way, but my daughter has a skin condition, and we would like to try and make body products for everyone.

We plan on using as many social platforms as possible, but also not to be overwhelmed. There is only two of us at the time being, so I do not want to burn us out as soon as we start.

Here are a few of the platforms we will be using:

• Shopify – For our website.
• Instagram – Advertising.
• TikTok – Show clips as we do our crafts.
• YouTube – To show how we make some of our products. To inspire others.
• Facebook – Just for family & friends. We will not be advertising through this platform as of now.
• LinkedIn – I haven’t had a chance to use this much, but I intend on doing more research.

Here is an example of what we are doing. https://etsy.me/3BQrqjB

Well, this is as far as I can go without giving away all of our products. I believe this will be another amazing adventure and having my daughter join me this time is so exciting.

The only problem we are having is coming up with a crafty name. We have a few, but anyone is welcome to give us your thoughts. Thought this might be a fun way to involve you in my blog 🙂

Does anyone have anything fun for a business name?

Remember it’s all things crafts and body hygiene.

Blog #2 Strong and Weak Organizations

Audible & Kindle Prime vs Galatea

Audible & Kindle Prime

I wanted to compare two separate reading and audible apps. I love to read and listen to books before I go to bed.

The apps that I have and enjoyed for many years is Audible and Kindle, both are linked to Amazon. So, we know that they are going to have a strong marketing strategy. They are on every platform that I have search, but not a very good social presence on tiktok. There are a few pages discussing Audible but nothing that is of any interest. I honestly just think they were made by individuals who listen to Audible. However, it’s on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and more. Audible also sponsors major YouTube channels, which I think is a great strategy because most channels I watch are sponsored by them. When YouTubers are sponsored, they then give subscribers amazing deals. Such as three months free and three credits to start you off. They are always given affiliate links.

To continue enjoying this app after your three-month trial is up, you have the option of four membership plans.

1. Audible Premium which is $14.95 a month. This will give you one free credit to use on whatever book you would like to purchase. If you buy annually, it will cost $162.95.
2. Audible Premium Plus at $25.95 monthly, will give you two credits. This will give you two books of your choice. Again, if you buy annually, it will cost $287.95

Perks

There are a few perks such as any audible originals you can listen to for free.

If you decide to end your membership you get to keep all the books you have purchased.

If there is a book that you have listened to and did not like you can return that book and receive your credit back to purchase another book you might like better.

Kindle is a bit different, you only pay a monthly fee of $9.99. with this app you are not buying the books you are only borrowing. You can take up to ten books out at a time. When you are done with those you will need to return them in order to read more books. It is more like a library lending program for a monthly fee. If you decide you do not want the subscription anymore, your library will be blank. They also give you a 30 free trial, which is enough time to determine whether you are interested or not.

Yes, I know a lot of info, but it is for a purpose. My next app is called Galatea.

Strong Organization

Galatea

Galatea is an app that gives you the option to read or listen to your books. There is no purchasing different books or trying to figure out which books are for reading or which are for listening. Every book in the library is for both, so you get to choose. Example I am reading a book right now that I have switched from reading to audible halfway through. My eyes were getting tired, so I decided to listen to it. Incredible right! That’s what I thought, so I switch from Kindle and Audible through Prime and I am saving so much money. The annual fee for this app is $79.99. Yes, my jaw dropped to lol.

Let’s do the math shall we. Kindle a year was $135.47, Audible was $202.72 yearly, together I was paying $338.19 for both of my subscriptions. Now I pay $89.28 for a full year and get the best of both worlds. I would have done this sooner, but their marketing strategy was a little less in your face. I noticed there was no trials. Their social media is just covers of new books and they have a following of 197,000 on Facebook. So, their marketing could use some work. There needs to be more initiatives for customers to become more interested, such as a seven-day free trial. More interaction with their consumers.

I think one of their biggest flaws are selling chapter by chapter. In this case you would purchase points from $6.99 – $25.99, that gives you anywhere from 100 points to 500 points. Each chapter cost 10 points and a book could cost upwards of 250 points or more. In no time all your points are gone and if you are a fast reader, you would already have to purchase more.  In my opinion points should have never been an option. If you really don’t want to pay anything you also have the choice to wait almost six hours to unlock another chapter.

To be honest there should only be two options. Purchase the annual package and/or offer a monthly fee for people who can’t pay the entire year at once.

With all that confusion of numbers, I am glad I somehow found this Galatea app because I am saving so much money a year to have everything in one app. They just need to get a marketing team that can up their game, because I think this app is wonderful and has the potential to be very popular.

Weaker Organization

What marketing tips would you suggest for Galatea?

Would you switch to an app that had readable books as well as audible books or do you prefer having two separate apps for that?

Not references, the links are attached to the pictures. I just added this as an extra link to the same thing, so you did not have to scroll back up. Thanks

Audible and Kindle Prime – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03UkT7I1M4g

Galatea – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03UkT7I1M4g

COM0014 Blog #6

Do People Know Your Story?

My story of how I started my business and the questions that applied.

business name

While reading through the blog, John Jantsch had a list of questions to help you find your story. I found this to be helpful and I think that these questions could help anyone start a business, a blog, or any platform that requires telling your audience who you are.

When we did our mission statement for the business. My sister and I had to explain who we were, what we were trying to accomplish and how we were committed to staying up to date on the newest fashion and beauty trends.

When I started my business a few years ago, my goal was to sell products, relate to my customers and to include my customers. The type of business I had was selling fashion and beauty products for less. I wanted my customers to be able to buy nice things at an affordable price. I was able to buy bulk and sell low. It was getting to be very successful, until life got in the way, and I had to close. It happened around the start of the pandemic.

Some of our accessories

To achieve my goals, I needed to know what the customers wanted. To accomplish this, I had to research what was in style and popular at the time. I also reached out on my Facebook group page I designed and created for my business. Lastly, I asked my potential customers a few questions. Such as,

• What kind of beauty products you like to try?
• Would you prefer skin care, makeup, or both?
• What brands would you like to see in the store?
• Should I also include accessories?

Asking these questions and having potential customers take part and have an opinion, really made a difference. I didn’t want to have an overload of products in my house that no one wanted to buy. It was easier to order thing approximately every two weeks, especially the way fashion and beauty changes so fast.

My business was unique because it was just for my local area. We delivered, we allowed pick-up and the odd time we would mail a few things.

So, this is my story on how my business got started. One day I would love to do it again. I still have lots of products in my basement. I won’t be selling it though; it is from two years ago. I am sure the trend has moved on lol

Would you like to have a say/opinion in what goes in a local fashion and beauty online store? Or would you prefer to just see what is there?

We are a small community, it was easy because most of us know each other. This may not work in a big city.

COM0014 Blog #7

Personal Reflection

One of the main things that I have learned on this two-month journey, is that I really enjoy writing blogs. I was a little nervous at first because I have always wanted to try blogging, but I didn’t know enough about it. For instance, how to start the blog and how to engage with my audience.

I had written a blog early in the course about “The Good the Bad and the Ugly of Social Media”. I had great feedback from the audience and I was able to connect with my readers through storytelling. Another one that I did was “What did I Do on My Vacation”, I really enjoyed working on that one as well. Learning how to do hyperlinks, adding pictures, and adding a question to give readers that nudge to interact with me. Brilliant!

I know that I am not a professional blogger, but maybe I can be one day. I would like to continue learning more after the course is over.

Storytelling is important for digital content because it gives your narrative structure. It helps to grab and captivate your audience. You need to set the scene, be creative, set the tone and end with a question, so readers will engage. I also learned less is more. You are writing a blog, not an autobiography. You can tell stories not only with words but with pictures, videos and audio recordings.

I am hoping to start a blog of my own, once I have more time for myself. What will I write about? I am thinking a life blog, where I tell my life stories and struggles. As someone who has had over thirty surgeries and born with a disability. I think I can help others through their journey. Now this is just a thought, it could be about something else entirely.

Do you think you will start a blog, after this course is over?

If Yes, what kind of blog?

If you are already a blogger, what do you write about?

COM0014

Personal Brand

I have always had a very fast paced life. I had my daughter when I was seventeen. I was a single mother, and I loved every moment of it. She is now twenty-three and has a daughter of her own. They both still live with me, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. My Granddaughter calls me Hanny because she can’t say granny. Most people don’t believe I have a twenty-three-year-old, let alone a granddaughter.

Savannah (Granddaughter)

I still managed to graduate from college twice and received two diplomas. One in Social Service Work and the other in Office Administration, as well as my certificate in Medical Terminology.

I would have to say that I am a very determined individual who will stop at nothing to achieve what I want and deserve in life.

I have had over thirty operations and counting. My daughter likes to call me super woman and still tells me she wants to be just like me. That is the biggest compliment I could ever ask for from her. It melts my heart every time.

My daughter and I at Christmas

As of right now I am not working due to medical issues, but I still need to do something in my spare time. Which is why I wanted to take this course; you can never have to much on your resume. I wanted to learn more about social media and how to use it for my business.

So, I would have to say I am determined, I like to try new things when I get the opportunity, I like to travel as much as I can, when my health permits. I like meeting new people and I enjoy making people laugh.

As for my colleagues, they would probably say that I am funny, kind, empathetic, a hard worker and I can pick up on anything very quickly. I am a visual learner so; you normally only have to show me once and I can continue from there. I would also think a few of my former colleagues would say I am stubborn. I would go to work in a wheelchair if I had to. I have walked to work double stitched and still made it on time. I try not to do that anymore and I do not suggest it to anyone. lol

I used to say “It could always be worse.” Then my sister told me to stop saying that because something else would happen to me. My family calls me Gods’ guinea pig lol. My entire family has great humor.

Me (left) sister (right)

Cut the Cord

Is It Time To Cut The Cord?

YouTube is my new cable, and I am sure it is for a lot of us. A few years ago, I started watching a few YouTube videos here and there to pass the time. As I started really diving deep into it. I found documentaries, murder mysteries, fun DIY content and free movies. My family and I were just watching YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime, so we decided to cut the cable. We were paying almost $200 a month for cable that we weren’t watching anymore. A family bundle for YouTube costs $17, and that is for five of us to use it. Our Netflix costs $17 and that is for four users. Amazon Prime only costs $100 per year. Plus, we do all of our streaming for movies and shows that we like and all we have to do is download an app to our Amazon Fire Stick.

As of 2020, there has been a huge cut back on cable TV. Its estimated to be between 5 and 7 million. Now that is a lot of lost business. According to comparitech, there has been a steady decline since 2012 at an estimated loss of 30 million cable and satellite subscribers.

You don’t need cable to watch TV

I took it upon myself to take a poll with a few of my family and friends, to see if they have cable or not. Out of twenty participants, only four still have cable. The four that still have cable were over the age sixty. So, I am wondering if this is more of a convenient thing. I only say this because I know for a fact that the four that still have cable, can barely work a cell phone. If they knew how to navigate through YouTube or change it up and get Netflix would this still be the case. It has nothing to do with age. I just think they can’t be bothered with it. My Uncle said if it isn’t broke don’t fix it. lol So I guess i did get my answer.

What do you think about cutting cable? Have you already unsubscribed to cable or satellite? What do you like or dislike about it?

COM0014 – B2C Case Study

Target

I would like to start with a quick background of the company I chose.

Targets official store was opened in 1962, in Roseville, Minnesota. It was founded by George Dayton. It is considered to be the second largest discount store in the United States.

Target has a social media following upward of 29 million and rising. The platforms they mainly use are Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. However, they are also on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.

Target

I went on the three more popular social platforms, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The Target team appeared to be very interactive with the followers. Any complaints that I have seen were addressed the same day. When they do address the audience its in a nice way. I did not pick up on any sort of rude or sarcastic tone. On the website they also provide different ways to contact customer service, including an option to chat now. I like the option to chat now, I use it quite often with online shopping and they are quick to respond.

I do believe that their approach is working. I went online to see what the customers were saying and while reading the reviews there was many positive than negative. Overall, Target has a review rating of 4.1/5, and 4.1/5 is a very good rating for such a large company.

How many of you shopped at target before? How was your experience?

Social Media Topic

Are You Annoying People With You’re Phone at Dinner?

I believe that setting social media boundaries is a great idea.

People are spending way too much time attached to their devices. You can’t go anywhere with anyone anymore without someone having a phone stuck in their face. You can’t go for a nice dinner without having that third party guest sitting on the table and having your friend, spouse, child, brother, or sister stare at it every few seconds to see if they have missed anything. Finally, you have that beautiful silence. Until you hear that infamous DING go off and then the focus has once again left the table. So, what does the other person do? That’s right they pick up their phone and why is that? Because you don’t want to just sit there and look at the back of their phone.

Death of Conversations

Now this is just an example. Has it happened to me before? Absolutely! That is why I’m using it. I get it, I use my phone a lot to but never at dinner, especially at a restaurant. It is my biggest pet peeve.

Now how do we disconnect? One easy way is to leave your phone in the car. All of your notifications will be there when you leave the restaurant. You can check them then. Put your phone on silent, including the vibration feature. If you don’t, this will still have you diving for your phone. Now, I understand there can be circumstances that prevents you from doing this but that is understandable.

Pew Research Centre stated that 88% of adult found it NOT ok to Use a phone at dinner time. If you would like to see more, click here.

What do you think? She we be disconnected at the dinner table?

References

Nicander Mohr, C (2015, September 15). Yes, You’re Annoying People when You’re Using your Phone. The Wonder of Tech. https://wonderoftech.com/cell-phone-manners/

COM0014 – Blog#3

Target Audience

Christmas boxes

I used to own a small online business with my sister, approximately two years ago. It was doing well, considering we had just been open for a little over a year. We sold purses, jewelry, makeup, scarves, beach apparel and many more products. Also, at Christmas time we would curate a box that customers could purchase for family, friends, or themselves. It included one item from each group. Each box would have a piece of jewelry, a purse or wallet, make up, a scarf, comfy socks and so on. The box would contain seven full sized items and we would add an extra free gift. We sold the boxes at $50 with a guaranteed value of $100 and we did the wrapping as well. I didn’t realize how much everyone would love them because they sold out in a week. We also got to interact with our customers face to face. We would deliver to your home, work and we also gave the option for pick up. Unfortunately, I had to shut it down for a few years due to medical reasons, but I do plan to reopen in the next year.

When we started this business, our target audience was for anyone who wanted to purchase our products within our area. In some cases that I have read for target audiences for a business like mine. Their demographic would be more specific, for example women from the ages of twenty to forty years of age. We discussed it and we didn’t want to put that on our mission post. We felt it should not be specific. Anyone at any age was our demographic audience. Sometimes there would be people from out of town who wanted to purchase our products, so we would mail it to them with a flat rate of $8. We turned no one away.

Here is a list of some incentives we used to capture our audience.

• Giveaways once a month and on holidays.
• Free gift with purchases over $50.
• If you wanted to join our emailing list for updates and special offers, we would offer 10% of first order.
• With makeup bundles, we would add an lipstick or gloss of their choosing.

Items that we sold

How we used social media for our business. We had our official business website, a Facebook business page and Instagram. We also handed out business cards and did face to face networking. We would also ask our customers if there were some other products they would like to see in our store. We wanted their input, which only seemed fair because they were the ones buying the product. Its getting to know your audience, everyone has different tastes.

Question, If you were a customer of mine, would you like the idea of having an opinion on what products we bring in? Keep in mind we were a small local business, and we could easily communicate with our customers and knew many of them.