Blog Blogging Website Web Presence Venues For Free

Blog Blogging Website Web Presence Venues For Free 

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Quite a while back I had read about someone making the comment about their brick & mortar store. They had moved from 1 state to another. I'm not seeing the business name in my notes, but she was from California, and had moved to Ohio I believe. Anyway, she had made a comment about wanting to show that using free spaces on the internet...for instance your blog, website, facebook, etc...how it could be done, and that you would profit from it too. Her ideas she shared was that you could do this free with no/low cost, and that it could be done with results. 

So, I decided to implement some of the ideas of what she had suggested. I can say as of right now the one cost that I do have, and have kept is having my domains that I have for my Blog, another Blog, and Blog page that I have chosen. It makes the web addresses easier to remember, and of course shortens them for use too. I started with my .com which I have LilacsNDreams.com that lands you directly on this page to my Blog. I have LilacsNDreamsShoppe.com which lands you on a page with my Blog that I use mostly for showing things that I offer for sale. I note that you can contact Me for purchases and invoicing through Paypal, I share links for items if you wish to purchase through my Etsy Shop, and I will also share items of others who sell with links back to their items for purchase. Another place I haven't worked with for quite some time is another Blog I had started, and I do have my LilacsNDreams.net domain directed to that as well. 

Then, I decided to work more with Social Media too. That's something that is always mentioned to help all of us being seen, found, advertising our business, etc. Now I found if you can follow charts/analysis with these different places you are able to see what you benefit with, what is helping you, where your traffic is coming from, etc. I have played around with Google a little bit. I have a Google website that has been ignored for a long time. Recently I have doodled a little bit with business.google.com which gives you a minor free website. You can share a little bit about your business there, it helps with locating you in google maps and searches, and you can also share some posts there as well. Here is where I shared 2 items I have listed for sale, I can be contacted through email, or to visit my Etsy Shop to see more pictures and more descriptions of items, and to purchase there as well. Just the other day I looked closer at charts that Etsy shares for the sellers to view their traffic, where it comes from, their views, and etc. It was quite interesting, and helpful too. 

From some of the charts I seen with a few places where my traffic comes from. It's nice to see that my Blog helps with some of my traffic. I can also see that traffic comes from Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.  Once in a while I will see some things coming from LinkedIn as well. What's great is that all of these places mentioned are free for everyone to use. No, I do not sit with all of them all the time. I don't do it morning, day, and night. Facebook I will visit, make a comment with others, and I share things there I have been working on with some links. Pinterest has been known for being good in helping with your traffic too. Not just pinning items of yours, but also of others who have the same interests as they come around and pin on your boards too. Twitter I have set up where my postings on Facebook, and my Blog will go there. When you can do something like this it's a big help in completing tasks that you have for the day. 

With some of these free sites we use to help us we can also get notices sent to our phones, emailed to us, etc. I didn't like the idea, sometimes it still bothers me, but I have found it to be helpful when you do sales online. It's business,right?

I am no professional, and I enjoy sharing with you things I have learned along the way, things I have read by others, what maybe works for me can possibly work for you, etc. I hope this was understandable, and you were able to follow some of the ideas I have shared here today. If you have any questions contact Me. If you have anything to share Please feel free to do so with the comments/talk that you can do below my posts. 

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams! I enjoy the visits, the contacts made, and comments that are made too. Take care till the next time everyone. 

Pinterest the Addictive Virtual Pinboard

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Pinterest the Addictive Virtual Pinboard that has become quite popular over time.  

Pinterest, is just another place of social media to visit, and interact with. Is it worth being involved? I'll  give you a few ideas about this popular site, and then you can decide for yourselves. 

Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard that is done online, and allows you to organize and share things that you find on the web with everyone. You just add a Pin It button in your address bar, and when you see something you like or want to share, click the Pin It button, and take it from there. Many people will use the pin boards to find recipes...there are many good ones out there. They have pin boards for cars, trucks, boats, homes, remodeling, activities for kids, things about school, and just so many areas. You can find things you like with home decor, vintage collectibles, DIY, repurposed items, and just whatever your interests and hobbies are. Best of all, you can browse pinboards of other people to see what they are sharing, and to discover some new and intriguing ideas by many many people.   

So, what can you all do with Pinterest? You can redecorate your home with different pins that you collect, you can draw your own ideas from pins, and etc. Some people like to use Pinterest to help plan their weddings, or special occasions for family members and friends too. People like to use Pinterest so that they can share their style with others who might have some of the same likes, and interests as they do. That includes fashions with clothing, hair, nails, etc. It's a place to pass time, roam around, and get lost. There are so many things, and of course I could never list it all myself. This is a great way to save inspirations that you might find along the way. As mentioned earlier, excellent way to get some really yummy recipes too! Have I mentioned yet that it can be very addictive too? Beware...LOL!

Pinterest is a way for everyone in the world to connect with things that they find of interest. Many pins every week are added, shared, etc. 

When Pinterest first started you had to request an invite. I truly am not sure if that is still the rule to get started today since I've had my account for so long, seems like forever. Once you have access to setting things up you can start making boards for yourself. Name your boards whatever you want, be creative with your choices, and have fun with it too. The pins that you add to the boards are credited back to the people/place that you got the pictures from...which is good for many people. One important thing....Pinterest asks that you not use the sight as a self promoting tool. It's ok to pin things that you are proud of, that you might have, things you wish about, ideas for use later on, but not to overload in self promoting is requested of them.

Stop by to see my Pinterest Boards sometime. I will let you know that I need to work on this site, update things, change things, rename boards, etc. One of my goals after we are moved, and settled in. 

Pinterest is fun, it's addictive, and I get to see different things, meet different people, and get some wonderful ideas of things too! 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams everyone! I enjoy all the visits, and hope to see everyone again soon. Take care till the next time. Toodles......

NOTE:  To keep you all updated with how things are progressing with our move. This weekend July 29th I pick the truck up, and we are loading to move. So, this coming weekend we should be all moved. Hook ups for everything are scheduled. I hope to be online again pretty much right away. I apologize for no posting this past week. We were out of town all weekend working on house, and doing what needed to be done. Thanks again everyone!!   

Some of the Social Media Basics to Know

Some of the Social Media Basics to Know

Welcome to LilacsNDreams where I will discuss some of the social media basics that you should know to help you with your business. 

Facebook is one that we all know, and is by far one of the most popular ones for anyone to start out with. Most of your small, and creative businesses do have a Facebook fan page. It is simply a great way for you to connect with your customers. 

To create a Facebook fan page from your home tab (the news feed page) on the far right dial click on create page. The rest of your process is pretty much user friendly, and self explanatory for you to use. Decide on the type of business that you own, fill in the necessary information, and twala there you have it. 

For those of you with an Etsy shop you can connect your facebook fan page to it. On your Etsy account page click on Info & Appearance under the Shop Settings category. Under the heading of Links you will see the check box that is for a Facebook page, and for Twitter. Click on the Link a Facebook Page with your shop, and connect the two. This will then result in a Like button that is under your Etsy Banner. 

Twitter is misunderstood at times. It is not for advertising as many think. I would recommend strongly to not go through your shop, and try to tweet one product of yours after another. This kind of thing will result with a large amount of the unfollows. 

Twitter is for networking by reaching our to your peers. It helps to make connections with your customers, and other businesses alike. Like others it helps to contribute to your business.   

A few suggestions that will help you to benefit with Twitter is to consider tweeting bloggers with an interesting comment, or suggestion from their posting. Consider maybe tweeting an article that you found interest in. You could tweet about a story for some of the same interest as your industry. You could tweet about one of your favorite characters in a program while you are watching the show. 

You can also link your Twitter account to your Etsy shop by going to your Etsy Account Page. Click on the Info & Appearance under the Shop Settings category. Under that heading Links see the checkbox for a Facebook Page and a Twitter Account. Just click on the Connect with Twitter to connect the two. You will then get a Follow button under your shop banner also. 

Pinterest is something we have all heard about, and has grown and populated amongst many people. Inspiration boards are fun, and very inspiring for many who visit. Have a board for your shop with others shared from Etsy. Have a board with like interests, and products of not only your items, but of others that fit into your same industry too. Have a board that represents blogs which of course you will have yours pinned in there too. When you pin things you can also share them to Facebook, and Twitter too.  

Instagram has been another popluar form of social media that has become popular as well too. I haven't tried this quite yet, but am working on it. I have seen many great comments about it. Many start an account by their shops name. They then will post likable, and some trendy pictures of their products. As has been seen they will then #hashtag like crazy. You will then answer inquiries from others in the comments section of each photo. They will show prices, and they can link the pictures to their Etsy shops and other places of business. 

So, what other forms of social media have I missed? Believe me, there is plenty out there. Some of you have found success with using other places as well as what has been mentioned too. If you have a favorite not mentioned by Me I would love to have you share with us, and also share some of your experiences with those that have been mentioned too.   

As always don't forget to visit with Lisa at Market Your Creativity to see what more she is sharing of these business topics, and helping out with too.

Thanks so much for sharing time with LilacsNDreams. Until the next time I wish you all a Happy Day, and see you again soon. 

Social Media is Better Than Granny and Fun Too

Social Media is Better Than Granny, and sometimes a little bit more Fun Too.

Hi there! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! You know that now a days all you need is a computer, internet connection, and a browser for you to have the best of all worlds literally right at your finger tips. Knowing some of this we create Blogs, open up a Facebook page, set up Google+ to publish online, tweet with Twitter, pin on Pinterest, and so on. Then, you have the "global crowd" that will show up to read, maybe like your page, sometimes tell you well done, will comment back, converse with you, loved your photos, and appraise a good article or video. 

We take photos with smart phones, iPads, and post them to instagram. We pin images to Pinterest, we also do this with likes on Facebook, comments made on Blogs, and Twitter retweets. 

We are all human. We crave the attention, the encouragement, and the pat on the back sort of thing. Provide us with some positive feedback, give us a smile, and we will keep showing up having a go at it one more time. The Social Web provides a 2 way channel where we can publish, and receive the encouragement that drives us to maybe some potential greatness. We now have the tools for this, sometimes gaining more as days go by, and we now have the confirmation of the world wide web too.

All reasons for the online creativity, the expressions that are growing, and as we have noticed at a rapid pace too. This is why the Social Networks, or Social Medias have been touching with our souls, and minds.   

So, why would I mention that Social Networking would be better than Granny? Well, the global crowd that we have never seems to sleep. Think about how your friends on Facebook, your circles with Google+, the followers with Twitter, and your readers with your Blogs from the USA, Germany, South America, or wherever fill in the time gaps that Granny cannot match. Ummm, Grannies also need to nap (LOL), and the social crowd is always there 24/7. 

Blogging, Social Networking, Feedback, and encouragement will sometimes get me up early, and sometimes keep me up late reading, writing, researching, sharing, sometimes hearing a "wow" for what I shared, or even a "well done" gives me even more energy. I am often reminded why I like to Social Network with the few places that I do, and I have all of you to thank for that as well. With all of this I am growing, and keep learning. So, call me old fashioned if you like, but this is what I would consider to be the "Granny Effect".

Just some thoughts, and ideas that I thought I would share with all of you today. We often see people talking about Social Networking, and I thought maybe I would share kind of a light fun view into this idea. 

Hope you enjoyed, and happy to have you share your time with LilacsNDreams as always. Thanks again for visiting, and hope to see you again soon. Have a Happy Day everyone!

Social Media Facebook Google Plus Pinterest Twitter For Whom

Social Media, Facebook, Google Plus, Pinterest, Twitter, Blog, LinkedIn for business, pleasure, or both?

Social Media is a phrase often heard, seen, and dealt with today. You have Facebook, Google Plus, Pinterest, Twitter, LinkedIn, just to name a few. These days everyone seems to be posting to each other, tweeting, and pinning. Hey, even our grand parents are on Facebook now too.  Social Media has become a great way for us all to communicate.

For business Social Media is an excellent source that is a cost effective marketing tool to reach many people with. With just a click of a button you can feature deals, promote products, and just about any brand is using some form of Social Media for all of this. 

• FACEBOOK is a social network service that allows you to upload pictures, and share text.  

• GOOGLE PLUS is another social network that is a new service than Facebook. Here you can also upload pictures, text, and videos that you would like to share with others. You can share things publicly, or with different circles that have been organized by you. 

• PINTEREST is another form of social networking that you will find to be popular. With this site you use pin boards . . . like bookmarking . . . You share things you find of interest like vintage collectibles, handmade, repurposed, upcycled, recipes, blogs, websites, how to, and etc. 

• TWITTER is also considered social networking. Some see great benefits with using this site, and others are still confused by it. Here you do what others refer to as Tweeting things to everyone. These tweets are short, and only about 140 characters long. Read what people are saying, and you can join the conversation that is being shared. 

• BLOG is a platform provided by some places that people use to share thoughts, information, pictures, show links to different things, some use as journals, some use like a diary, and many use for their own personal interests and businesses. You have places like Blogger, Wordpress, Tumblr, and more that are popular by many according to your preference, and your goals. 

• LINKED IN is another social network site that is focused more for business relations. Like many other places on the internet is still growing, changing, and each time becomes better for those who prefer to use this place. 

Keep in mind that there is much more out there for Social Networks that were not mentioned here. The ones I have mentioned above are the ones that appear to be more popular at this time, that have had some great growth, and over time have improved. Like I always tell many people there are many great ones out there that everyone will talk about, and mention. Remember what one likes, or finds to work for them might not be the one for you. Something that you need to test yourself, spend some time with, depending on your goals, and see what is a good fit for you. 

How many of you use Social Networking? Do you use this for business, personal pleasure, or both? Would enjoy hearing your thoughts being shared with us all too. 

Hope you all had a great weekend, and thanks so much for sharing your time at LilacsNDreams. Take care, and see you all again soon. 

Chairs Repurposed Up Down and Upside Down

Chairs Repurposed Up, Down, and Upside Down. 

Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone! I was really excited when I found this roaming on Pinterest again. You know, that place is really neat to visit, get ideas from, see who else shares some of your same tastes, neat place to roam, and I will warn you it can be addictive too. 

Ok, back to this picture I am sharing, and what it is showing you. As you can see with the top picture these are white folding chairs that are being used. They display how the chairs are hung, and then opened. When they are opened it is amazing the ideas shown to use in organizing a closet, a wall, a room, and so on. Actually, this would be a neat way to take a small area, and make a "walk in" closet too. Hang the chairs, unfold them, use the seat as a shelf, and the bar or foot rest area of the chair you can use to hang clothes from. Now, this isn't saying this is the only way you could use these folding chairs, but it sure opens a door to some really neat ideas don't it? If you wish to see pictures just a little bit bigger visit YICONGLU where the pictures came from originally that I traced back to.

As you can see I have been in the mood to roam the internet, and find some neat ideas with repurposing, upcycling, recycling, and reusing things. I just love diy projects, and the things that everyone shares too.

Hey, I want to thank you all for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams! I really appreciate it, and I hope to see you all again soon. You are always welcome to drop me a line, or leave a comment too. I love sharing, and hearing from everyone!

Take care now, and see you all again soon. Have a sweet Thursday.

Recycled Crib Into a Storage Shelf Unit

http://www.pinterest.com/cue2go/upcycle-recycle-repurpose-ideas/

 

Recycled Crib Into a Storage Shelf Unit is fantastic looking, and how neat too!

Welcome back to LilacsNDreams everyone, glad to have you hopping on by. I have been catching up with things, listing things at Ebay to clean house a bit, and of course during this time I like to roam the internet as well. I will visit different blogs, shops everyone sells with, and Pinterest is also another place of interest to visit with too. 

I so enjoy seeing DIY projects done by many other talented people. I enjoy seeing all the pictures, the instructions that are shared with some projects, and I really like looking at all the pictures which also gives me ideas, and more ideas to note. By the way, my notes are growing, notebooks are filling up, and I have not done any projects yet. I think it's a winter thing. I feel more alive working on projects when it is nice out, I can be outside with fresh air, in the garage painting, and well....you know what I mean, right?

Above you will see a picture that was found at Pinterest, and the picture belongs to Shelterness.com too. I have seen other cribs that have been upcycled, but this one today caught my eye. I like the piece of glass that was set on top of it making that table top for it. I like how they organized the shelves underneath, and this is one piece I would not have first guessed it to be a crib at one point. Simple project that turned out looking natural as it is now, don't you think? 

So, have any of you completed any projects lately? Or, are you like me making your notes, accumulating your notes, and waiting for good weather too? I found some other good little projects to be sharing too. I will try to squeeze some of those in with other things I also share here too. 

Hope you enjoyed your visit toady everyone. I want to thank you for stopping, and sharing your time with LilacsNDreams. I always enjoy the visits, and I look forward to seeing you all again soon. Take care, and have a wonderful Wednesday. Happy Hump Day All!!

Pinterest and Tips For Creating Images People Will Share

Pinterest and Tips For Creating Images People Will Share.

Hello, and Welcome back to LilacsNDreams! Pinterest is another Social Network that has hit the internet, and has grown quite rapidly. It has also become quite popular with people too. People like it because it is another way to share some of the same interests, place to get some ideas from, and can be addictive just looking through everything that everyone is sharing there. You see something you like on the internet, want to hang onto some instructions, found an idea, and etc then all you have to do is "pin" it. Pinterest is like a really big bookmark for many people, and as of recently as become more to some as business now too. 

I have noticed when doing searches on the big old search engine of google that some things being offered are items that were pinned at Pinterest. So, depending what you do it can be helpful in traffic, being seen, and so on. 

From the Social Media Examiner the other day they had shared 5 tips for Creating Pinterest Images That People Love to Share. A few tips were shared in how to get your images ready for you adding them to boards there, and when people come along to pin them, and share them too.

1.)  Use Relevant Labels on Your Images

When someone pins images from your website, or blog post, the label that automatically appears in the description is the name you gave your image. Instead of image1, image2 you wuold like a label image with a relevant name that is specific to the image. Something like green glass anchor hocking vase, or whatever you image may be. 

2.)  Write a Text Message on Top of Your Image

Interesting idea, but I can see how it is helpful too. Add a text message onto your image so that your image will have a description with it at all times. There are many software programs out there to use for this, and many of them free too. Or, maybe you have a preference with one, and some also like to use what came with their computers too. 

3.)  Add Logo or Name to the Image

Add your business name, website, or a small logo can also make images more effective. So, if the image gets pinned everyone knows who created it. Others can find your site with doing this, and etc. I would like to mention that upon doing this make sure that your name does not over power the picture as well. People like to view things, and they don't like distractions in the way too. There are subtle ways of putting your business name on images without it being the center of attention too. 

4.)  Ask People to Pin Your Images

Make is easy for others to share your images by asking them to pin your images. Example would be to display a message such as "feel free to pin" or "feel free to share on Pinterest" Others are more likely to share your images. Kind of like when people ask you to Like them on Facebook, join my circle on Google+, Tweet me, and etc. 

5.)  Keep Your Descriptions Between 200 to 300 Characters

This is for that box that is below the pictures when you are pinning them. It's important to create fantastic images for your website, and blog. It's also important to pin your images with a description, and share it with followers on pinterest. 

A good description that tells a story behind images can capture followers, and makes your pins more shareable too. This is all interesting isn't it? Reminds me of doing SEO, and applying some of it to your images which is good for anything you do. It can help with relevancy, can help with your images also being found with engine searches, and so on. 

If you would like to read a bit more detail about this topic make sure to click Social Media Examiner at the beginning of this, or you can also click on the topic title right after the Social Media Examiner too. Either link will take you to the same place. 

Hope this helped some of you a bit with your pinning, and your images at Pinterest. I know, that place can be very addictive, and fun to see everything too. Thanks so much for sharing your time at LilacsNDreams today. Take care everyone, and see you again soon. 

Social Media Tools Used For Vintage Handmade Homemade and More

Social Media Tools Used For Handmade Homemade and More.

LilacsNDreams Welcomes you. Recent postings have been discussing a bit about Social Media, and Social Networking, and I would like to continue a bit more with this subject. 

Today I will be noting some of the more popular social networks that are being used, and make a little note about them too. Please remember that these places mentioned are not all of them out there as there are so many of them. Just depends on your interests, your business, your personal thoughts and feelings, what your goals are, and so on. So, good luck to you in your choices, and please read on.

Social Media Networks to Maybe Consider:

Facebook:  This social networking service allows the users to upload pictures, and allows text to be shared too. What use to be Facebook Pages, and is now the Facebook Timeline allows you to have followers, or rather people who Like you. With this they can better follow you for your business, and stay better up to date on specials, events, announcements, etc. A regular Facebook page is how many start off to socialize with. Some do not desire to have the extra page, and do quite well too. 

Google+: This is another social network service which happens to be newer than Facebook also. Here you can also upload photos, text, and videos that you would like to share with everyone. When sharing such things they are done publicly, or you can also choose to only share with certain circles of your choice. Having a circle has been organized by you which are different groups of people that you wish to share with. 

Google+ Pages:  This is something that is organized by groups, some organizations, and some businesses that set up profiles for posting which will post information to other groups that would be interested. 

LinkedIn: Another social network that focuses a bit more with business relations.

Ning:  This is a social network that would be designed by you the administrator with the needs that you have in mind. This social network generally includes having a forum, photo galleries, blogs, some have live chit chat, and is a place for others to collect to that share some of the same interests, and same businesses too. It is a way to be active, and interact with others which can be beneficial, fun, and a learning experience for many as well. If you click on my Lets Get Social Tab at the to you can get an idea of what some of them do with some I have listed. 

Pinterest:  Has become another form of social networking which is quite popular now, and has grown pretty fast too. This form is done by using pin boards. You use a photo technique of things that you find of interest which might include vintage, collectibles, repurposing, upcycling, handmade, homemade, blogs, websites, and so on. Another great way to bookmark things you find of interest, for further reference, and also great in organizing some of your thoughts and ideas too. 

Wanelo:  This is another form of social networking using the pin board idea too. Here again you will pin, or save photos into collections that you have organized yourself. With Wanelo the difference is that you are openly allowed to do self promoting here too. 

Please remember that these are the most used, or more popular social networks that have been mentioned. There is much more out there to see, and find. Some days I surprise myself when I come across yet another social network, and am reminded how the internet is such a big place. 

Remember now if you would happen to know of more, or wish to bring more to the attention of all of us here you are more than Welcome to do so. Love to hear ideas, and more input from others that are willing to share with us. Don't forget to say Hi also so that if possible I can also hop over to visit with you. Thanks for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams, and see you again soon.