3/6/08 roundtable

[2008.03.06 18:57:51] Welcome to the CafePress Chat Room
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[2008.03.06 18:58:52] Kippy has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.03.06 18:58:53] Art has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.03.06 18:58:54] The Extra Happy Shadow has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.03.06 18:59:00] coolestwear has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.03.06 18:59:04] BrittaCP has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
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[2008.03.06 18:59:30] BrittaCP: Welcome Everyone!
[2008.03.06 18:59:38] BrittaCP: We'll be ready to go in just a second or to
[2008.03.06 18:59:41] Russ: hello
[2008.03.06 18:59:43] TexasFiddler: howdy!
[2008.03.06 18:59:44] Russ: hello
[2008.03.06 18:59:45] The Extra Happy Shadow: hello fellow SK's and CafePress people!
[2008.03.06 18:59:47] coolestwear: thank you britta !
[2008.03.06 18:59:48] Sag: Howdy!
[2008.03.06 18:59:49] hazeleyes7: Evening everyone!
[2008.03.06 19:00:06] Cthulhu For President has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.03.06 19:00:39] peon: hi shannon ;)
[2008.03.06 19:00:41] Sag: Extra Happy Shadow - :-D:-D
[2008.03.06 19:00:43] Kippy: Hello to the lot of you
[2008.03.06 19:00:44] Serenity Moonstone: Hello!
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[2008.03.06 19:01:40] BrittaCP: ok... Ang will be joining us in a minute, she is another meeting
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[2008.03.06 19:02:04] BrittaCP: Today we'll be doing something a little different, for thoseof you that are new to our chats
[2008.03.06 19:02:18] BrittaCP: Today is what we call a Shoppkeeper Discussion/ Roundtable
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[2008.03.06 19:03:00] BrittaCP: Normally during our chats, we'll have an outline with all kinds of tips and facts
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[2008.03.06 19:03:38] BrittaCP: Today, we're inviting you to share your ideas, thoughts, tips, and experiences with each other
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[2008.03.06 19:03:52] BrittaCP: Like our other chats, this will be moderated
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[2008.03.06 19:04:34] BrittaCP: That means any question or comment that you send will go into a queue until a moderator reviews and pushes it out for all to see
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[2008.03.06 19:04:45] BrittaCP: So if you don't see your comment right away, that's why
[2008.03.06 19:04:58] BrittaCP: as with all chats, we'll have the transcript up in a few days
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[2008.03.06 19:06:00] BrittaCP: Ok... so today's topis is Customer Correspondence
[2008.03.06 19:06:30] BrittaCP: or communications... however you want to phrase it
[2008.03.06 19:07:00] BrittaCP: This means things like ways you as a Shopkeeper can reach out to your customers, to help better your business.
[2008.03.06 19:07:29] BrittaCP: there are a few ways that are already popular, such as sending out newsletters, or blogging
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[2008.03.06 19:08:12] BrittaCP: What I was hoping we could get out of today's discussion was how some of us here are utilizing those functions, and or other methods they are currently using
[2008.03.06 19:08:24] cyi has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.03.06 19:08:30] BrittaCP: I've been seeing some interesting methods pop up in shops over the past six months
[2008.03.06 19:08:44] BrittaCP: or so
[2008.03.06 19:08:56] Kippy: any plans to update the cp newsletter software to be, you know, a little attractive-ish? ;)
[2008.03.06 19:09:12] BrittaCP: I don't have any information on this one, sorry.
[2008.03.06 19:09:49] andrew has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.03.06 19:09:56] BrittaCP: So let's start this off... with simple one. Newsletters.
[2008.03.06 19:10:12] BrittaCP: who's currently using a newsletter system (either thorugh CP or a third party)
[2008.03.06 19:10:29] The Birthday Shadow: I do my own newsletter sign up script so I have moe control over the newsletter. I prefer more ontrol over it than CP allows
[2008.03.06 19:10:31] AngelaCP has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.03.06 19:10:53] BrittaCP: yes... many shopkeepers have thier own systems for newsletters... which is perfectly fine
[2008.03.06 19:11:16] tsharts: I just started
[2008.03.06 19:12:15] BrittaCP: I thnk one of the things that SK's find complicated when it comes to newsletters... is getting subscribers
[2008.03.06 19:12:42] The Birthday Shadow: last time I looked I am at about 1,000 subscribers overall
[2008.03.06 19:12:49] BrittaCP: Shadow... do you have any ideas you'd like to share on how to accomplish this?
[2008.03.06 19:12:53] coolestwear: the same for me, i have started
[2008.03.06 19:12:58] andrew: I'm new, I haven't explored the newsletter system yet. My premium shop is just 3 week old, but I did make a sale a week ago!
[2008.03.06 19:13:11] BrittaCP: congrats!
[2008.03.06 19:13:14] servopuff: Wow Shadow!
[2008.03.06 19:13:29] hazeleyes7: Tip: I created a newsletter signup page on my stores so when the customer is done ordering, CP automatically forwards them to the signup page ;)
[2008.03.06 19:13:32] The Birthday Shadow: well, I offer incentives to sign up
[2008.03.06 19:13:40] BrittaCP: Yes... incentives are always a great thing
[2008.03.06 19:14:15] BrittaCP: I'd like to know that there is a reason i should hand out my email address
[2008.03.06 19:14:29] andrew: Examples of incentives please?
[2008.03.06 19:14:31] mrservopuff: What sort of incentives?
[2008.03.06 19:14:33] Carl (absolute cotton): I use CP's... but i'll probably switch to a third-party mailing service soon. The system's newsletter is a bit... antiquated. :)
[2008.03.06 19:14:35] AngelaCP: Our newsletter system is probably for beginners to help get them started. If you're looking for an advance newsletter system, definitely look for the one that best fits your need. We're in the shop business... so that's our main focus ;)
[2008.03.06 19:15:06] peon: a lot of web hosts offer a newsletter system for free when you sign up.
[2008.03.06 19:15:27] The Birthday Shadow: incentives can be anything... free stuff, coupons, etc.
[2008.03.06 19:16:09] PeggyWvB has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.03.06 19:16:18] AngelaCP: Or even the fact customers are the first to know about new designs, products sales, etc
[2008.03.06 19:16:27] BrittaCP: One idea that i think is interesting as an incentive isspecial offers on merch... like limited edition, or last chance
[2008.03.06 19:16:38] peon: a subscription form can be tricky, but well worth it. Some people offer coupon codes or new designs (in hidden sections) that you can only get by subscribing.
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[2008.03.06 19:17:16] BrittaCP: By making shoppers feel like they arenow about to become a member of a special club... they may be more inclined to join and sign up for your newsletter
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[2008.03.06 19:17:29] Serenity Moonstone: Well, if I do end up selling to giving mms baggies with my shop card on it, maybe if they sign up, they get two for one
[2008.03.06 19:17:48] The Birthday Shadow: there is really no point to a newsletter unless it is going to benefot the customer somehow.... otherwise what's the point
[2008.03.06 19:17:54] Sag: free stuff, give-a ways, discounted products, a buyer's club, and some really cool come-on's
[2008.03.06 19:18:00] BrittaCP: a buyers club... exactly
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[2008.03.06 19:18:13] Kippy: I wish there was a way to access the subscribers to our CP newsletters... that's mainly the reason I don't want to switch, because I'd lose a lot
[2008.03.06 19:18:14] AngelaCP: Yes, under our privacy policy, we are unable to release that information. However, you can have duel newsletters. Or, encouarge customers interested in continuing to receive your newsletter to sign up for the new one. Qualified customers will take the time to subscribe again.
[2008.03.06 19:18:14] Sag: Yeah, like the SagArt Buyers club :-D
[2008.03.06 19:18:16] Suzzie has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.03.06 19:18:23] peon: If you want a really good (free) newsletter system, try letterman. It's a joomla module, but you should be able to get it to work on regular pages as well.
[2008.03.06 19:18:31] BrittaCP: thanks for the tip
[2008.03.06 19:18:49] The Birthday Shadow: One thing you can do Kippy is send out a CP newsletter asking them to subscribe to your new newsletter system
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[2008.03.06 19:20:24] BrittaCP: One thing to think about is... your newsletter doesn't have to be soley aboput products. if you have a niche shop, say maybe something on AIDS awareness... you can include information about new research, or support groups
[2008.03.06 19:20:54] BrittaCP: and in there, work in new products that you have to offer
[2008.03.06 19:21:16] BrittaCP: this creates a much more engaging experience for you reader
[2008.03.06 19:21:20] Kippy: oh, you clever people with your clever ideas.
[2008.03.06 19:21:33] andrew: suggestions for low cost newsletter system?
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[2008.03.06 19:22:11] The Birthday Shadow: if you have your own web host, there are several free scripts out there....
[2008.03.06 19:22:18] tsharts: If i were to give away free stuff. Do you think customers will give their Address?
[2008.03.06 19:22:51] coolestwear: can a basic shop have a third party newsletter ?
[2008.03.06 19:22:52] BrittaCP: no.. but if you have your own domain, that links to your basic shop, you can encourage people to sign up there
[2008.03.06 19:23:16] BrittaCP: Basic shops do, however, have a built in newsletter subscription sign up box
[2008.03.06 19:23:22] Serenity Moonstone: what's the link for letterman, I'm looking it up now
[2008.03.06 19:23:30] The Birthday Shadow: the one I use a php script that just sends me an email when they sign up
[2008.03.06 19:23:33] hazeleyes7: People search the web all the time on the words "free stuff" and similiar so they will definitely sign up
[2008.03.06 19:24:04] The Birthday Shadow: and be sure to make it clear you will now sell their email or spam them
[2008.03.06 19:24:18] BrittaCP: i think you mean *not
[2008.03.06 19:24:26] The Birthday Shadow: there's nothing better than free
[2008.03.06 19:24:29] BrittaCP: agreed!
[2008.03.06 19:24:37] Sag: :-D:-D Shadow!
[2008.03.06 19:24:40] tsharts: so you send people like a free magnet or something?
[2008.03.06 19:25:07] The Birthday Shadow: note to moderators... I had a 48oz margarita...so there may be typos :)
[2008.03.06 19:25:10] BrittaCP: yum
[2008.03.06 19:25:16] The Birthday Shadow: Yes I did mean not
[2008.03.06 19:25:17] peon: letterman = http://extensions.joomla.org/component/option,com_mtree/task,viewlink/link_id,174/Itemid,35/
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[2008.03.06 19:25:33] tsharts: I sent one out yesterday and got a response from a subsricber inquiring about buying in bulk. not sure what to tell them. Its good to know the newsletter works.
[2008.03.06 19:26:00] peon: it was designed for joomla (which is the most awesome way to run a website, ever) but with a little tweaking, you could get it to work on a regular website.
[2008.03.06 19:26:13] Karen: http://www.thejfactory.com/component/option,com_docman/task,cat_view/gid,30/Itemid,56/
[2008.03.06 19:26:17] peon: maybe I'll write up a tutorial on how to do it - if there's enough interest.
[2008.03.06 19:26:22] andrew: tsharts, were you using the CP newsletter system?
[2008.03.06 19:26:34] tsharts: yes
[2008.03.06 19:26:51] The Birthday Shadow: giveing away a t-shirt is pretty cheap especially if you get quite a few people to sign up.... you have to spend money to make it as the saying goes
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[2008.03.06 19:27:24] TexasFiddler: I'm interested, peon
[2008.03.06 19:27:30] coolestwear: if i give away free things i have to pay for them ?
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[2008.03.06 19:27:37] The Birthday Shadow: of course you also have to look at the cost and the risk
[2008.03.06 19:28:43] andrew: Is there a way to sell the tshirt at base price if they sign up?
[2008.03.06 19:28:44] BrittaCP: You can create a hidden section where you keep specially priced products. Only those you give the link to will have access to it, and will purchase.
[2008.03.06 19:29:25] BrittaCP: So it could be something where if you have a way to contact your subscribers, you give them the link. or, you create a "sale" and offer it to readers
[2008.03.06 19:29:29] The Birthday Shadow: yes coolest you do have to pay for them
[2008.03.06 19:29:31] Rhea: i'm also interested, peon
[2008.03.06 19:29:35] The Birthday Shadow: I would only recommend giving stuff away to shopkeepers that are seeing sales already... otehrwise I would recommend discounted items
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[2008.03.06 19:29:47] peon: I'd really love to hear about how people use their blogs to promote their products. I mean, I know how to write in a blog, but I wouldn't know how to write an entire page about a design.
[2008.03.06 19:29:53] BrittaCP: Good topic peon!
[2008.03.06 19:30:23] Sag: A year-long contest with a spectacular prize to be given away in December - just in time for Christmas. To qualify you have to place an order and sign up for the newsletter! Oh these brain farts hurt sometimes!:-D
[2008.03.06 19:30:25] PeggyWvB: Britta, don't forget to mention thatthe images shouldn't be tagged.
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[2008.03.06 19:30:55] BrittaCP: that's right... if you have on products that you have marked down... you don't want them to show in the marketplace
[2008.03.06 19:31:00] BrittaCP: so don't tag the images
[2008.03.06 19:31:02] peon: okay guys - I'll see what I can do. I'll make a post in the forums once I have it ready.
[2008.03.06 19:31:03] peon: thanx, britta. ;)
[2008.03.06 19:31:07] The Birthday Shadow: if you are already on a bonus tier.. you can have zeero markup and still make money... one of the advantages to it
[2008.03.06 19:31:32] Carl (absolute cotton): Actually, I started with CP to earn more ad money from my blog. If it's interesting, people will read it. If there's a cool tshirt in the sidebar, some will buy it. :)
[2008.03.06 19:31:36] TexasFiddler: thanx peon
[2008.03.06 19:31:50] Rhea: you don't write an entire page about the design; you write an entire page about the topic of the design (e.g. coffee beans, retirement, fart jokes)
[2008.03.06 19:32:39] BrittaCP: One thing that i recommend, and I'm sure most do already, is if you have a bolg... make sure that you promote in your shop as well
[2008.03.06 19:33:17] cyi has left the room (logged out)
[2008.03.06 19:33:33] BrittaCP: some folk may find your shop via google... and not know about your blog. So going back to the AIDS awareness shop... i see some cool stuff and oh... you have a place to talk about AIDS education and information
[2008.03.06 19:33:42] The Birthday Shadow: writing ... yuck :)
[2008.03.06 19:33:44] Sag: Yeah, what Rhea said!:bow:
[2008.03.06 19:33:46] peon: so basically, if I have a design that says "firefighters do it with a long hose", I should write an article about firefighters in general - not about the design itself.
[2008.03.06 19:33:50] coolestwear: this means to mention the blog in the shop ?
[2008.03.06 19:34:00] BrittaCP: yes... like a link or something
[2008.03.06 19:34:09] cyi has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.03.06 19:34:18] andrew: Dont hava a BOLG... have a couple of BLOGS though!
[2008.03.06 19:34:19] BrittaCP: bolgs are the new blogs
[2008.03.06 19:34:25] PeggyWvB: I have bolg guilt.I'm so busy that I never have time for it!
[2008.03.06 19:34:30] peon: are those services where you pay someone five bucks to write an article for you worth it? Has anyone here ever used one of those services before?
[2008.03.06 19:34:54] mrservopuff: Blogs are a great way to get original content on your site, which Google likes. And blog posts can be sent to websites like Technorati, which helps to spread your posts.
[2008.03.06 19:34:56] matisse has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.03.06 19:34:59] peon: a good way to get your blog into your shop is feedburner.com .
[2008.03.06 19:35:09] TexasFiddler: i have a bit of a bolg around the middle, but I'm trying to work it off
[2008.03.06 19:35:12] gary0a1 has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.03.06 19:35:12] BrittaCP: CRUNCH!
[2008.03.06 19:35:18] The Birthday Shadow: Making money can be so much work...lol
[2008.03.06 19:35:31] mrservopuff: We use blogs on our stores to feature new designs and make announcements, instead of doing this in newsletters.
[2008.03.06 19:35:36] Kippy: I don't think those services are worth it. Google has even de-indexed some sites offering such services, by the way
[2008.03.06 19:35:38] TexasFiddler: :-D
[2008.03.06 19:35:43] cyi: Can you put your blog in your CP store with feedburner or just on an offisite?
[2008.03.06 19:35:55] andrew: Article writers usually recycle content which may get you a duplilcate penalty.
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[2008.03.06 19:37:04] cyi has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.03.06 19:37:26] peon: you can use feedburner in your shop. It's really easy, even for beginners. The only part that can be tricky is changing the way the feed looks - colors, fonrts, etc. You have to use css for that, but Carl would be happy to help you with that.
[2008.03.06 19:38:35] BrittaCP: What I like about blogs also... is you can let people comment and create conversation
[2008.03.06 19:38:58] BrittaCP: and in that... get ideas for new content in your shop
[2008.03.06 19:39:07] The Birthday Shadow: the best way to avoid duplicate content is unique title and meta data.
[2008.03.06 19:39:11] peon: If I am allowed to link to an example of feedburner in action...http://www.cafepress.com/tornadorepublic
[2008.03.06 19:39:13] Sag: Carl's gonna get you for that!:-D
[2008.03.06 19:39:17] hazeleyes7: Peon - did you just volunteer Carl for something? lol
[2008.03.06 19:39:22] cyi: css still scares me, but I'm learning.
[2008.03.06 19:39:24] Carl (absolute cotton): heh :-o
[2008.03.06 19:39:28] The Birthday Shadow: The only thing I disliek about comments is comment spam
[2008.03.06 19:39:42] BrittaCP: true... so you do have to be prepared to be your own moderator
[2008.03.06 19:39:47] Carl (absolute cotton): you're right, britta - blogs are interactive in a way that newsletters can't be... plus, the traffic keeps on coming. Newsletters are one-time deals.
[2008.03.06 19:40:04] deb has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.03.06 19:40:21] BrittaCP: exactly... all in all you're creating a personal experience for your customer
[2008.03.06 19:40:26] The Birthday Shadow: I changed my site to CSS along time ago but I an still not an expert
[2008.03.06 19:40:34] hazeleyes7: my blog is mainly about my passion and I find ways to link products and my stores in the posts without my readers noticing - this way they are coming for the content with some icing (products)
[2008.03.06 19:40:46] The Birthday Shadow: what I try to do is repost a newsletter on my bog... so it goes out to those that signed up and is in google as well
[2008.03.06 19:42:09] BrittaCP: And speaking of being interactive... there are also social networking sites out there like FaceBook, and MySpace.... these are other places you can encourage custoers to join your club
[2008.03.06 19:42:25] hazeleyes7: Carl - newsletter are not always a one-time-deal if you remember to archive them to your store so that search engines and customers can find them ;) But... blog are definitely more interactive
[2008.03.06 19:42:25] Karen has left the room (logged out)
[2008.03.06 19:42:32] Carl (absolute cotton): great idea, micheal!
[2008.03.06 19:42:39] AngelaCP: is anyone doing anything on facebook and myspace?
[2008.03.06 19:42:40] peon: I guess the trick for me then, is going to be to find a way to write an article somehow related to "the mayonnaise cannon" or the "tuna tunnel". huh - should be interesting.
[2008.03.06 19:42:51] Sag: Shadow, you have a bog? Is it in your backyard? How do you keep the newletter from getting soggy?:-D:-D:-D
[2008.03.06 19:42:52] Karen has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.03.06 19:42:53] AngelaCP: i know some of you are ;)
[2008.03.06 19:42:58] Serenity Moonstone: are there more unusual ways of promoing the shop other then newsletters and blog, newsletters need subscrubers and i can't blog :(
[2008.03.06 19:42:59] peon: I actually would love to talk to anyone who promotes their shop on myspace. I have not been able to get cafepress links to work there ever since they installed their new filters.
[2008.03.06 19:43:22] The Birthday Shadow: oppsss blog :)
[2008.03.06 19:43:36] coolestwear: i have heard that myspace is going down in popularity, you think facebook that is going up is better ?
[2008.03.06 19:44:00] BrittaCP: does anyone here ave a prefrence?
[2008.03.06 19:44:01] AngelaCP: i think it's a perference. I prefer facebook.
[2008.03.06 19:44:04] peon: I know of a few people who have managed to do it through posting bullitens, but not on their actual profile.\
[2008.03.06 19:44:07] servopuff: Peon you should be able to link to your offsite. CP links are blocked.
[2008.03.06 19:44:11] Rhea: instead of sending myspace folks to CP directly, send them to a page on your web site with a link to your shop
[2008.03.06 19:44:17] Rhea: i hate myspace :curdling:
[2008.03.06 19:44:18] hazeleyes7: I use both facebook and myspace
[2008.03.06 19:44:21] cyi: Facebook has a CP app that you can use.
[2008.03.06 19:44:36] BrittaCP: Hey... can you tell us more about that CYI?
[2008.03.06 19:44:40] matisse has left the room (logged out)
[2008.03.06 19:44:40] AngelaCP: yes, cyi... i have tried that.
[2008.03.06 19:44:42] The Birthday Shadow: well I set up myspace before... I need to set up facebook
[2008.03.06 19:45:06] Carl (absolute cotton): I've never used a social networking site... I suppose I always assumed they were populated by kids. -and pervs, of course. :) Does anyone here get decent sales from those sources?
[2008.03.06 19:45:20] peon: ahhhhhhhhhhhh!
[2008.03.06 19:45:24] hazeleyes7: Facebook has an application you can add that lists your Cafepress products/stores
[2008.03.06 19:45:28] cyi: If you search applications for Cafepress you'll find it. It allows you to put items from your shop in your profile & links to your shop.
[2008.03.06 19:45:40] coolestwear: in order to be in facebook you need to have a facebook 'page' with the shop ?
[2008.03.06 19:45:43] NiftyGaloot: I have the CP app on my Facebook
[2008.03.06 19:45:46] servopuff: We get some good traffic to our niche shops from our MySpace profiles
[2008.03.06 19:45:48] tsharts: yes
[2008.03.06 19:45:53] Rhea: does facebook append their own affiliate ID to the link?
[2008.03.06 19:45:59] nanwrightart has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.03.06 19:46:03] hazeleyes7: the facebook application will also rotate your products and you can even add affiliate stores with your PID
[2008.03.06 19:46:07] AngelaCP: im not sure about that rhea
[2008.03.06 19:46:11] AngelaCP: anyone know?
[2008.03.06 19:46:22] The Birthday Shadow: I actually wrote a script that can generate a RSS feed of CP products...but it needs morie work
[2008.03.06 19:46:28] deb has left the room (logged out)
[2008.03.06 19:46:31] AngelaCP: Share when you get that shadow!
[2008.03.06 19:46:40] hazeleyes7: No, they dont apply their own PID - only yours
[2008.03.06 19:47:15] BrittaCP: I'm not sure how they work, I would assume similar to facebook and myspace... but there are also places like Catster, and Dogster for you pet people out there
[2008.03.06 19:47:26] The Birthday Shadow: more
[2008.03.06 19:47:30] Rhea: thanks shannon
[2008.03.06 19:47:33] The Birthday Shadow: I will Angela... part of the problem is my limited time to work on my ideas
[2008.03.06 19:47:36] hazeleyes7: it has a section for you to enter your PID next to the storename when setting it up in Facebook
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[2008.03.06 19:47:49] peon: so does anybody do any print advertising? catalogs, postcards, etc?
[2008.03.06 19:47:52] peon: and cafemom for family / baby shops
[2008.03.06 19:47:56] Rhea: i love dogster. both our dogs have profiles but it never occurred to me to put my shop link on their profiles
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[2008.03.06 19:48:26] BrittaCP: Go for it... there are other dog lovers on the site... and i'm sure they would be interested
[2008.03.06 19:48:32] peon: tell me about it, shadow. ;)
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[2008.03.06 19:48:44] BrittaCP: your dog can be a spokesperson for your shop!
[2008.03.06 19:48:49] hazeleyes7: I tried print advertising in a local pet magazine and only got a couple of sales - you would really have to advertise in a more wide-spread publication for a niche market in order to offset any costs of the ad
[2008.03.06 19:48:56] The Birthday Shadow: Peon... once I get rid of the day job ;)
[2008.03.06 19:49:00] servopuff: spokesDOG!
[2008.03.06 19:49:10] BrittaCP: create a whole personality for it
[2008.03.06 19:49:17] Rhea: britta, are you suggesting that i should pimp out my puppies? :')
[2008.03.06 19:49:29] BrittaCP: i'm sure they'll have fun with it!
[2008.03.06 19:49:33] hazeleyes7: Rhea - there is actually some Dog Business groups on Dogster - just search for them ;)
[2008.03.06 19:49:40] tsharts: yes
[2008.03.06 19:49:44] Rhea: put the whole famn damily to work, right?
[2008.03.06 19:49:55] AngelaCP: LOL ;)
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[2008.03.06 19:50:07] peon: I DID get rid of the day job. All I do is templates, shops, and take care of my two year old, but I still haven't gotten half the things done I've wanted to.
[2008.03.06 19:50:11] Rhea: thanks shannon i will check that out
[2008.03.06 19:50:14] Suzzie: i advertised in several popular dog and bird magazines... it wasn't worth the cost. you'd have to take out a pretty big ad
[2008.03.06 19:50:43] NiftyGaloot: If you're signed in... my facebook CP app: http://apps.facebook.com/cafepress/?id=558998119&ref=cp
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[2008.03.06 19:51:42] peon: I'm thinking about doing one of those virtual catalogs (with the turning pages) instead.
[2008.03.06 19:51:45] coolestwear: how does someone promote in facebook ?
[2008.03.06 19:52:27] AngelaCP: If you have a large group, it's just another way to get your merchandise out in front of people.
[2008.03.06 19:53:43] AngelaCP: You can keep your group aka "friends" small or expand it into a networking group. You can post on Super Walls to get your message out. I've seen a SK do this well. He's on my FB and I've seen him promoting his ST patrick day shirts.
[2008.03.06 19:53:55] hazeleyes7: Promote is facebook by using the CP application, adding your store URLs to your profile, and goinging groups for that niche market and posting on their walls (and being sly about putting your URL in the post). ;)
[2008.03.06 19:54:11] peon: Another way would be hang one of the new banners on the side of your house. ;)
[2008.03.06 19:54:17] AngelaCP: You can join specific groups. Say your shop is all about Obama. Join the Obama million man march and share your merchandise.
[2008.03.06 19:54:21] The Birthday Shadow: what is superwalls?
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[2008.03.06 19:54:49] Rhea: that would assume that your house isn't in the middle of the woods *and* in the middle of nowhere
[2008.03.06 19:54:56] AngelaCP: it's like a bullentin board. you post once and it goes on everyone one on your list with a "Super Wall"
[2008.03.06 19:54:58] hazeleyes7: Superwalls are just another application in Facebook that allows you to attach pictures, videos, and so forth - regular wall is just text
[2008.03.06 19:55:01] coolestwear: it is like comments pages
[2008.03.06 19:55:06] Rhea: otherwise i'd have my URL on it in neon
[2008.03.06 19:55:15] BrittaCP: So really quick... there's another neat little thng I've been seeing lately... that's Shoutboxes or sayboxs, tagboards, chatterboxes. Is anyone familiar with those?
[2008.03.06 19:55:25] peon: that's aresome, rhea. lol
[2008.03.06 19:55:51] peon: hey britta - do you want a link to a shop that uses one?
[2008.03.06 19:56:07] BrittaCP: is it yours?
[2008.03.06 19:56:18] Pfoinkle: I'm familiar with shoutboxes, but admit I've never gotten the point.
[2008.03.06 19:56:29] The Birthday Shadow: I have seen several people using the shoutboxes... I have it on the list to look at
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[2008.03.06 19:56:35] Rhea: britta, you mean like "addthis"?
[2008.03.06 19:56:36] BrittaCP: A shoutbox is a widget that you can plug into the HTML of your shop
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[2008.03.06 19:57:07] BrittaCP: it's a chat like feature which allows people to quickly leave messages without any form of registration. Can act like a comment or feedback box for your customers to drop you a line about something they think is super cool, or lame. Special requests.
[2008.03.06 19:57:15] coolestwear: like things in sites where someone leaves comments ?
[2008.03.06 19:57:26] hazeleyes7: I have seen them but I wasnt sure if they can be moderated
[2008.03.06 19:57:33] BrittaCP: yes they can
[2008.03.06 19:57:43] BrittaCP: You can control the incoming content like a forum moderator.
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[2008.03.06 19:58:10] Carl (absolute cotton): Like pfoink... I consider shoutboxes more like graffiti than customer communication:-c
[2008.03.06 19:58:18] BrittaCP: i think these are a great way to invite your customers to give you feedback
[2008.03.06 19:58:22] AngelaCP: You can certainly use it as a form of communications though.
[2008.03.06 19:58:37] PeggyWvB: Where do you get shoutboxes?
[2008.03.06 19:58:37] BrittaCP: just do a search in google... you'll find many that are paid, or free
[2008.03.06 19:58:40] AngelaCP: Like comments on blogs, some bloggers use this feature to interact on specific questions and comments.
[2008.03.06 19:58:49] hazeleyes7: Time for me to be off - 'night everyone and good luck with your customer communications! :) And a super huge thanks to Angela and Britta! :bow:
[2008.03.06 19:58:57] AngelaCP: thanks for coming Shannon!
[2008.03.06 19:58:58] Sag: gabbly.com is one
[2008.03.06 19:59:08] coolestwear: they could surely be used for communication
[2008.03.06 19:59:21] hazeleyes7 has left the room (logged out)
[2008.03.06 19:59:23] The Birthday Shadow: i want the customers to buy .. not comment...lol
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[2008.03.06 19:59:47] BrittaCP: right... so there's the compromise... you have to find a balance between buying and chatting
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[2008.03.06 20:00:31] AngelaCP: That's of course the goal, but building a rapport with your customers can help you get that sale in the end...
[2008.03.06 20:00:38] BrittaCP: We're not saying anyone needs to do all the suggestions we talked about... but there are options out there to create a funner, more engaging experince with your customer
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[2008.03.06 20:01:14] PeggyWvB: I've had a lot of people stealing images for avatars lately, from Google. Is there anyway I can turn this in to advertising?
[2008.03.06 20:01:19] AngelaCP: thoughts anyone?
[2008.03.06 20:01:24] Rhea: i gotta fly. thanks for the chat!
[2008.03.06 20:01:31] AngelaCP: by rhea! thanks for attending
[2008.03.06 20:01:40] The Birthday Shadow: and right now I don't think they are buying enough :) so no chat for you
[2008.03.06 20:01:58] BrittaCP: And we've got to fly too
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[2008.03.06 20:02:17] The Birthday Shadow: Thanks Britta... as always
[2008.03.06 20:02:21] BrittaCP: my pleasure
[2008.03.06 20:02:22] Carl (absolute cotton): Thoughts? hmmm... think we can get CP to provide a pong-widgit? I bet we could get lots of traffic...
[2008.03.06 20:02:31] servopuff: Peggy could you offer images as 'free avatars' and include your (C) on them?
[2008.03.06 20:02:33] coolestwear: thank you britta :)
[2008.03.06 20:02:42] AngelaCP: Happy Birthday to you Shadow!
[2008.03.06 20:02:50] cyi: Thanks Ang & Britta!
[2008.03.06 20:02:54] BrittaCP: Yes.. happy birthday!
[2008.03.06 20:02:58] The Birthday Shadow: aww thanks Angela :)
[2008.03.06 20:03:01] BrittaCP: have a virtual margarita on me!
[2008.03.06 20:03:02] coolestwear: angie you are so great and amazing
[2008.03.06 20:03:04] The Birthday Shadow: thank you Britta :)
[2008.03.06 20:03:05] chm: Thanks, all.
[2008.03.06 20:03:27] Carl (absolute cotton): Thanks Ang and Britty! Your (limited) time is always greatly appreciated!
[2008.03.06 20:03:28] cowpie has left the room (logged out)
[2008.03.06 20:03:31] Sag: Thanks ladies, and happy birthday day Shadow!
[2008.03.06 20:03:33] PeggyWvB: That's an idea, Amy.
[2008.03.06 20:03:33] AngelaCP: so thank you everyone for attending today's chat... this discussion was very interesting. I've heard a few new things from you guys.
[2008.03.06 20:03:33] chm has left the room (logged out)
[2008.03.06 20:03:34] AngelaCP: thank you!
[2008.03.06 20:03:35] peon: toodles
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[2008.03.06 20:03:44] The Birthday Shadow: thanks but the one I had was enough...dafna called but I asked her to call me back tomorrow
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[2008.03.06 20:03:48] TexasFiddler: g'night and thanx!
[2008.03.06 20:04:01] AngelaCP: britta is opening up the Lobby
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