Picture Products Photography For Selling Online

Picture Products Photography For Selling Online

Hello Everyone, and Welcome back to LilacsNDreams! Selling online is being continued with Picturing Products With Photography. I am not expert with this issue. I learn as I go, read advice that others share, and am able to share a little bit of what others have taught me along the way. Not to worry if you have been dealing with this as it is a revolving topic that is often discussed among many other sellers. 

Keep in mind that your pictures are the first thing that customers will see as they enter into your shops. You can teach yourself to take good photos, and the best part of this as that your eyes become the lens through which everyone gets to see your products. Your pictures will help you keep the customers in you shop to continue further looking, and clicking through your shop. 

For those who make, or sell items that will be worn will find that sometimes using models is a good thing. When using a model you can give the customers a better image of how the product will look as they would use it themselves. Some sellers feel that using a model will give the impression of the items made have then been used. Most sellers won't sell the items that have been worn. So, then maybe instead you might want to use manniquins, manniquin heads, or maybe even some manniquin hands too. Depends on the product that you are offering what your choice will be. 

You want to try to simplify your backgrounds, and your drops. When the customer enters, and sees your pictures you want their eyes to focus with the product that you are offering. If your backgrounds were to get to busy, or to creative the customer will be searching for what is the actual product being offered. Try to keep your pictures bright, clean, and clear for the customers to view. The more professional it looks, the better presentation all around it will be for the prospective customer to view. 

If you have a simple looking product try using mabye some kind of scrapbook paper, linens, doilies, and something light yet appealing to your product. 

Make sure that your backgrounds, and your backdrops have mainly a matching theme. Switching things with the backgrounds is fine, but try to make them blend in with the different pictures that you are showing. A little variety can be good for your listings with the attention that it brings to the eyes of your customers. 

Lighting is something that can be difficult to work with. Many suggest using as much natural light as possible is good for your pictures. This is where you will need to experiment with your pictures using different times of the days, using indoor and outdoor pictures, and finding where you can get your best shots at. I know one product that many work a little bit more with to picture is jewelry. It can be done, takes a little time to find what works for you, and looks so nice when you have found what works for you too. 

When you are working on your pictures one thing you will have to keep in mind is that this step does take patience to do. You might want to consider it being an all day event when doing this. Remember, this will be the first thing that will matter to future customers visiting with your shops. There is a lot to learn, and to experiment with in taking pictures; focus, backgrounds, backdrops, lighting, angles, etc. So, take a deep breath and allow yourself the time, the space, and remember the patience it will take to achieve this skill. 

When you can visit Market Your Creativity, and see what she is sharing over there with these business issues as well. 

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, and for those who watched the Super Bowl that you enjoyed it as well. Thanks for stopping by LilacsNDreams, and hope to see you all again soon. Have a Happy Day!

Its Friday, Have a Great Super Bowl Weekend

Its Friday, Have a Great Super Bowl Weekend!

Stopping by to leave a note for everyone visiting today. WooHoo! It's Friday, and weekend here we come. This weekend will be a big weekend for many across the country because it's Super Bowl Weekend too! So, if you are a fan of football which team are you rooting for? I really wish the 49ers would have won instead of the seahawks because I think it would have been a really good game to watch. 

Instead we will have the Broncos, and the Sea Hawks playing for the Super Bowl championship on Sunday. Any big plans for this particular day? I myself intend to go over to sister's place, gather with a few people, have some snacks, and we will see what ends up in my hand for drinks. Thought about some wine I found at the store I liked. See if I make it there this weekend with this crazy weather we have been experiencing. 

Hey, glad you stopped by to share some time with LilacsNDreams! Have a wonderful, safe, fun filled weekend everyone. Enjoy the game Sunday, and see you all again on Monday. See You!

Basics of Shipping Using the United States Postal Service USPS

Basics of Shipping Using the United States Postal Service

Today is being discussed the basics of shipping, and offering this service through the Unites States Postal Service (USPS). I will be discussing this service as this is the one that I use myself, and have dealt with over the years. Keep in mind this is not the only service available to use for shipping. This is something you will research a little more due to what you size, the size of items you sell, and also the weight of the items too. Some like to use Fed Ex, and there are some who like to use UPS as well. 

I am most experienced with using Priority Mail with the Postal Service. For those who sell lighter weight, and smaller items using First Class Mail is a good option for those. Remember, there are several ways for you to use in shipping, and it is nice to know a little bit about the services before hand too. 

Express Mail. Once in a while a customer might ask for this service because they want the item shipped to them over night, and want to use express mail. Generally when customers request this service they will also offer to pay for it. That is a good thing because this service is a bit more spendy, and would be costly for you to have to pay it. You can easily get a quote from the USPS.com site. Most customers will not realize how much more this faster service will cost them. So, it is best to give them a quote as you will see many will decide against using it then. Yes, it's nice that it ships over night, or next day service. Prices will be a bit cheaper online than at the post office, but it still starts generally over $10.00 for this service, and up. 

Priority Mail. This service is offered as a 2 day service, and generally will arrive in 2-3 days to the customer. There have been times that it has taken a bit longer than the 3 days, and you will find that the post office does not guarantee fully the arrival time. Your issues for any hold ups can be many things, but you will learn it happens during the distribution centers with the post office. 

With Priority Mail you will get free tracking, and they now offer the insurance included free for items up to $50 in value. Anything over that there is a small extra fee to be paid. You can also order online the priority boxes to use, they ship to you for free, and the boxes are free to get too. There is also the Flat Rate Priority Mail that many will use too. Please, before you use the Flat Rate check into it a little bit more. Many times you will find that is is cheaper to use the regular Priority Mail compared to the Flat Rate Service. Another Priority Service they have added is using Regional Flat Rate. The prices are suppose to be better with this, and when I asked at my post office I found out it was something that had to be done online to use this particular service. I have not used it yet, but will have to look into it further for me to use as I might be able to save more shipping cost for the customer with it. 

If you are going to ship packages that weigh more than 13 oz this might be the better service for you to use. 

First-Class. This service ships at the same speed, and service as a stamped letter will. Domestic shipping (within the Continental United States, except to Hawaii and Alaska) has a delivery of 3 days, or less. This would probably be your best option for the price to use if using envelopes, or packages to ship.   

Remember with First Class it will generally ship within 2 days, and can be 3 days at the most. 

Parcel Standard Post, and Media Mail is the cheapest ways to ship. They are also the slower shipping services to use too. The estimated shipping for this is generally 2-8 days. Standard post would be your cheaper way to ship with heavier, larger packages as they will allow up to 130 pounds. However, if you are shipping a reasonable weight in a box the faster shipping service is generally less than a dollar more to do so.    

Media Mail is generally for shipping like books, DVDs, and CDs. Most of these kind of items will weigh less than 13 oz. So, you might want to consider First Class mail then since it would be a better deal. Now, if you have a heavier book to ship Media Mail would be the option to consider. 

Your packages generally will arrive within a week with these 2 services, or up to about 8 days at the most. If your items are heavier, and bulkier than you could consider this service. I would also like to mention that if you are doing that kind of shipping you might want to check into Fed Ex, and UPS to compare prices. 

With shipping there is also some advanced options that you will need to know about using too. Tracking, Insurance, and Confirmation will be available for most of your packages. There is an additional expense for these too. Remember as mentioned that insurance is included for up to $50 free of charge with Priority Mail. It might not be necessary to use these extra services, but it is nice to have the documentation to offer to your customers too. 

I have been shipping packages since 2004, and I am fortunate that I have not had to replace any shipments, had any lost shipments, or any damaged shipments either. 

Tracking is done cheaper on line for cost compared to the purchase of it at the post office. Now, if you use Click-N-Ship online to buy, and print your postage with USPS it comes as a free option with Priority Mail, Standard, and First Class too. You would just check the box on the address forms, and then you and the customer will receive email tracking on the package. Supplying the tracking number to the customer also allows them to go in, and track the shipment as well too. 

There is Shipping Confirmation that I have not mentioned either. Using this service does cost, and the customer would have to be there upon it's arrival to sign for it. If they are not there at the time of delivery a card/notice will be left for them to pick the item up at the post office. In this notice it will also notify them of how long they have to pick the item up before it is sent back to the original shipper. 

International Shipping. Many sellers do not want to open up to this service for their products to ship. I have heard many sellers mention that when they started offering International Shipping that they seen an increase with their sales too. Within the United States if your items qualify to ship First Class, or with Priority Mail then you would be able to use International Shipping too. 

Generally Priority Mail can take about 6-10 business days. You can also ship up to 4 pounds for First Class Mail which would be the cheaper service to offer. Keep in mind it can also take longer with First Class to ship with about 10-14 business days. I have seen some sellers note that it can take up to 6 weeks for these shipments. There can be delays depending on what country it is going to. Also, customers who are using International Shipping need to be reminded that they are the ones responsible for the tariff fees, custom fees, and any taxes that their countries charge. There is no way for us to know these fees, and they are never included with the shipping cost. That is something they have to take care of in their own countries. 

Some International Customers will ask that packages be marked as a "gift" too. This is something you cannot do for them. They are trying to by-pass fees, it is illegal, and so you do not jeopardize your shipping privileges with International you cannot do this. It simply is not permissable. 

To get an idea of how much any kind of shipping would cost with USPS you can visit their site for their price sheet online.  

I forgot to mention that when you ship Internationally there are customs forms that need to be filled out as well. I believe with some of the postal changes that those forms can now be done online as well. In order to ship over seas all you will need for information is the sender and recipient's information, the package weight, and the package value too. 

As you get started with your shipping you will find that you will either under charge your customers which it becomes your cost, or you might over charge them which you need to know when you will reimburse the difference to them. Some sellers will reimburse if they charge $1.00 or more because of the fees if it is anything less than a dollar it is not worth reimbursing to them. Customers do not get over excited about that small of a fee under a $1.00. 

Make sure to get familiar with your shipping options, and explore all of the services that are offered. It helps to determine the best value that you can offer to your customers for the products that you will be offering with your online business.   

Don't forget to visit with Market Your Creativity to see her layout of what she is sharing with all these topics we have been covering so far.

Well that completes the basics of shipping with your online business for today. Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams. See you again soon with another topic that will be shared with having your online business. See you ~ ~ ~ 

Packaging Your Products You Sell to Feel Special

Packaging Your Products You Sell to Feel Special 

Welcome to LilacsNDreams with the topic today of Packaging Your Products You Sell. This is something that we all deal with at some point, we all started some where with this issue, some of us have found ways that work for us over time, and some of us are learning as we go with things, right?

Packaging your product is an important part of selling online. This is the first time that you will be making an impression with your customers. Packaging can actually help you turn one sale into many more with customers too. 

When we all ship we worry about getting our products to the customers in a timely fashion, that the package is intact, and that it was properly packaged to get to them. For those who do shop online consider your past experiences you have had with this. So, when your packages showed up to you were you Wowed, or impressed by it? Was this experience what you had imagined it to be? Or, did the arrival of your package, and seeing it disappoint you? Keeping this in mind you would like to impress your customers as they receive their packages, and have them be wowed by it too. 

Over time you will always look for ways to improve your packaging. Of course making it cost efficient, but making the customer happy as well too. This can mean a lot to your business. Keep an eye out for new, and improved ways that you can package. Search around to get some ideas of packaging, and what others do that seems to be successful. Another good source to search around with would be at Pinterest too. 

Try to keep the outer appearance of the package neat, clean, and presentable. Something to consider when doing this would be your shipping to, and return labels. Maybe on your return address labels you could consider having some made with your logos, use the fonts you generally use with the branding of your business, and etc. Some might do the ship to label by hand. For a faster, and more convenient way you can also print with your computers too. This is the way I use as you can print your labels with Paypal, from ebay, etsy lets you print labels, and you can also go to the USPS site to do this too. 

Now, depending on what you sell will also determine the supplies that you use to ship with as well. For smaller items using padded envelopes is good. For bigger, and bulkier items using boxes is generally used for a more safer, and secure delivery. Some will use ribbon, tissue paper, bubble wrap, peanuts, insert invoices with thank yous written on them, include a thank you card, include your business cards, and etc. 

Over time you will continually strive to improve, and to personalize the shipping experience for your customers. The next time you receive something in the mail, and it makes you feel good, excites you, and you are pleasantly pleased. Then, ask yourself how can I apply these same elements to my own packaging for my customers. 

Remember to visit with Market Your Creativity to read more detailed about some of these steps that are being shared. Follow with her, and see some of her visuals that she shares as well. 

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and see you next time. I wish you all the best. Have a Happy Day . . . . Happy Hump Day Everyone!!

Pricing Our Products We Sell Things to Consider

Pricing Our Products We Sell, Things to Consider

Welcome, and hope you all had a great weekend! It's Monday, and I am back to sharing things with building, and having your own business. Last time it was discussed about managing costs, and expenses with your business and supplies. Today we will cover pricing your products you wish to sell. This is always a hard formula to come right out, and tell everyone on what to do. There are things to consider when pricing your items you will be selling. Hopefully after today you might have some ideas to come to terms that are more comfortable for you in pricing your products being offered. 

Some things you will be reminded of, and repeated about is costs and that there are a lot of hidden costs with a creative business too. It's always work to keep your costs low, keep your retail prices down, and reminding yourself which of your supplies can be bought in bulk to save cost. 

With the "formula" of pricing, your cost will be your total amount of expenses that were done through the process of your creativity. Also, with your shopping of items to resale too. Remind yourself that costs are made up of much more than just the material used to create with. It is good to familiarize yourself with an average of costs that is beyond the material costs. 

Things to consider with cost is:

• Materials

• Any listing fees for platforms used

• Sales fees which could be anywhere from maybe 2% - 5% Again depends on the platform used

• Packaging of products

• Business Cards

• Shipping Supplies and Materials (boxes, envelopes, bubble wrap, peanuts, tissue paper, ribbon, etc)

• Marketing and Advertising Fees

• Paypal or Credit Card Fees (generally around 2-3.5%)

• Small percent of office equipment, and supplies

• Small percent of website and hosting fees

When you first start up things will cost more, expenses will be higher, and you have accumulated prices at that time. Once your business gets up, and running eventually it should be replacing some of these first investments. Once you have paid off that beginning charge your charges that you have per listings should slowly build into your expense account, or savings account for your business. 

Something else to consider is your labor. The time it took you to make things, or with your shopping of resale items too. 

• Time involved with product

• Time to picture the item

• Listing it

• Marketing

Generally you add all the time it took per listing, and multiply that by your hourly rate of pay. Your pay rate may be lower in the beginning. As your reputation builds, and you grow things will change. Make sure to pay yourself comfortably from the start. One of the fastest ways to burn out would be to not pay yourself. Repeating designs, and relisting them can keep your cost of labor lower. 

People are willing to pay for quality, and for creativity of items. So, don't degrade yourself by listing low prices, or using poor photos in your listings. Take the time to do it with quality, and with care for others to see. Keep in mind to also not try to underestimate your customers, and charge sky high prices right away. Things will change as you get further along, and build your name with reputation for online sales. 

Every business is different, and unique. I am not comfortable giving pricing formulas to others, and I don't like suggesting some of those I have seen either. Just remember to have the cost of your materials, add your labor, and then either times it by 2 or find a formula that you are comfortable with in your business. Make sure to have the cost of things along with your labor considered is a sure thing. Your total price will either be something of a wholesale price, or a retail price that you choose. 

I hope this bit of information with pricing your products was helpful to you. Remember that what I share is not the rule of how to do things, but is giving you ideas of things to consider with your business. Make sure to visit Market Your Creativity as she has shared things extensively with how she sells, what she has done, are things I have been sharing with you, and etc. Nice personable source to use.  

Thanks for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams everyone. Happy to have you, and hope to see you again soon! Have a Happy Day!

Postal Increases Go Into Effect January 26

                                       POSTAL INCREASES

Postal Increases Happening on January 26, 2014

Hello everyone, and thanks for stopping by LilacsNDreams!

This is just a friendly reminder to all of you to make note that Postal Increases will be going into effect on Sunday, January 26, 2014. For those who need to know more of the increases, and what raises are being made to some of the postal services, I would suggest visiting the USPS.com website to get some of your answers for this. I do know that first class mail is taking the increase, but it might be different what was approved from what I was first told at the Post Office myself. I am not sure of other increases, and what is all being effected for sure. 

I apologize I did not research this a little bit better for everyone. Been a little bit under the weather myself. I wish you all a splendid weekend! Be safe, and if you're in the cold areas....stay warm! Take care, and see you all again soon.

Managing Costs Expenses With Business Supplies

Managing Costs Expenses With Business Supplies

Welcome to LilacsNDreams for more business tips to be shared. Today I will cover a little bit with trying to avoid some costly mistakes, and cutting some of your business expenses. 

One of the things that gets done when first starting up, and is a natural reaction to do is buying some of your shipping supplies, or some of your other business needs locally. We should look at an online wholesale supplier. We always look for ways to cut cost, and to add more to our profits. 

Most of us are taking inventory of our supplies. Upon doing this we maybe we have identified which supplies are being used regularly. These are the ones that we could consider buying in bulk, or with wholesale too. Envelopes, boxes, labels, business cards, and etc.

You can do a quick google search for some wholesale suppliers that you may better see their prices, and availabilities they have as well. If you consider buying in bulk you will see that you can get some of the same supplies for maybe 1/2 the price per piece compared to local. At first it seems like it is just some odd cents that is being saved, but in reality those pennies can quickly add up too.  After so much time, and price comparising if you continued some of your supplies with local shopping you would see how it can be costly. Sometimes very costly. 

Sometimes you will be buying, or spending quite a bit of money up front. Scarey, and a very horrid feeling I know. However, after doing so many sales you will be asking yourself if this business is something worthwhile to invest in. Try to keep your supply cost at a minimum of like maybe $1.00, or close to it. This will consist of ordering quite a bit up front, but in the long run will be worth it as well. 

Sometimes you can make the mistake of buying an abundance of different supplies that won't be needed too. Keep in mind that once you have sold a certain amount of a product, maybe like 10, within a certain amount of time you can better evaluate. You can better see if you should then consider wholesale for some of your supplies that you use in your business. 

When doing this you are able to keep your product, and shipping costs at a competitive price. By doing this you will continue to profit. Every little bit helps, right? Remember to visit with Market Your Creativity where she shares a little more in depth of some of these things being shared with you.

I wanted to make a quick note for those who visit. I try to keep a regular schedule of postings to my site for all of you to visit. Once in a while you might see a post that is late, maybe was not done, I skipped a day, and etc. This is not done intentionally as I enjoy doing what I do. Once in a while something might come up that involves an appointment, or is generally with family. I grew up that family usually took place over everything else, and was first. To this day I still have those traits, and sometimes with my absence from here that is generally what has happened. Tending to one family member, or another. I want to Thank You for understanding this everyone. 

Thanks so much for visiting, and sharing your time with LilacsNDreams! I hope to see you again soon. Enjoy your online businesses, and of course the shopping too!