The Business end of Bella Dawns Doggy Designs / asking for feed back.

[brezofleur]

And another thought......do you make your own tags? Purchase them? I would recommend a QR code on that. I can't tell you how many times I've had people ask me where I got something and they're always surprised when I tell them it was made by a friend. I don't carry a purse so I don't always have business cards on me, but I always have my phone and they always have theirs. "Who made that?" "My friend, Dawn! The QR code [to her site] is here on the tag." "Cool!" Bam. New like and potential sale.

Maybe it's a regional thing, but here, the vast majority have smartphones and know exactly how to use a QR reader. Saves from going into notes AND it will drive traffic/likes to your FB page.


Total side note...posted this exactly 12 hours after the previous! HA HA

[dawn27]

Originally Posted by brezofleur

And another thought......do you make your own tags? Purchase them? I would recommend a QR code on that. I can't tell you how many times I've had people ask me where I got something and they're always surprised when I tell them it was made by a friend. I don't carry a purse so I don't always have business cards on me, but I always have my phone and they always have theirs. "Who made that?" "My friend, Dawn! The QR code [to her site] is here on the tag." "Cool!" Bam. New like and potential sale.

Maybe it's a regional thing, but here, the vast majority have smartphones and know exactly how to use a QR reader. Saves from going into notes AND it will drive traffic/likes to your FB page.

Total side note...posted this exactly 12 hours after the previous! HA HA

Don't know what that is = / is it that little square thing that you find on everything that will link you to their site? Well , Sadly I do not have a smart phone. Way too expensive for our budget.

How would I even get one of those codes ?

[dawn27]

Originally Posted by brezofleur

I've read a few of the posts and totally agree. Social media. Social media. SOCIAL MEDIA. You CANNOT overdo social media. Plus, it's FREE!! Now that you've got something on FB, set up a twitter account. You can connect your FB to Twitter and it will automatically post on your behalf. But you will need to do the appropriate hashtags on separate posts too in order to gain followers. Follow dog lovers and have others follow you.

Instagram and Pinterest everything you do. Again, use appropriate hashtags on IG.

On ANYTHING and EVERYTHING (business cards, handouts, flyers, ads, etc) that you print out, you need to have a QR code leading back to your main business page (sounds like FB), along with your Twitter, IG, etc handles. I use qrstuff.com to generate them when I need it (free).

Most importantly though, scout threads and give people what they want. There are SO MANY similar designs out there so make sure that yours really are different. Get feedback and suggestions and don't take them personally if there is any criticism.

Go to local boutiques and groomers and show them clothes you have already made (shows quality). Keep a portfolio and show managers/owners other designs (shows variety).

If you have enough stock, go to shows (crafts, dog, pet, flea, etc). Always carry your business cards (hand them out to owners whose dogs are wearing clothes) and have an elevator speech ready.

Basically, pimp yourself out and have patience and persistence.

Originally Posted by brezofleur

On yeah, also post flyers at dog parks. Any place you think dog owners go should have your posters/flyers up (with approval). I've never seen any dog apparel adverts but if I liked what I saw, I would definitely order. Local would be a huge plus for me.

All really great advise, I will have to look into the site you mentioned. No smart phone to do any of that Pinterest or tweeting, hashtag stuff but I Like the photo book idea for sure.

[dawn27]

That QR code is Awesome and its totally FREE ?

[brezofleur]

Originally Posted by dawn27

That QR code is Awesome and its totally FREE ?

Yes ma'am!

[brezofleur]

Originally Posted by dawn27

All really great advise, I will have to look into the site you mentioned. No smart phone to do any of that Pinterest or tweeting, hashtag stuff but I Like the photo book idea for sure.

Oh, you don't need a phone to go to Pinterest. In fact, I prefer NOT to use it on my phone, lol. Instagram, however, you do need a smartphone in order to upload images. So skip that for now and focus on Pinterest.

And you'll love it once you surf around it...

[dawn27]

So I can add that code to my flyers that I made !!!! Now we're talking . . .

I see a re due on my flyer coming / or hope for room to add it. Can I downsize and it still work of does it need to remain the exact size ?

and if I make it Blue but run out of blue ink will it still work in b/w ?

Pinterest.

[brezofleur]

The code can be as big or small as you want. Just don't make it TOO small that people don't see it / reader can't read it.

[dawn27]

OMG I am loving you right now !!!

Now what about the color ?

I am moments away from downloading it

[brezofleur]

ha ha, just plain black is fine. The darker the color, the better and you want it to stand out.

So if you have a full color poster, keep it black. If you have a mostly dark poster, go with something slightly lighter. Do what you need to do to get the eye's attention.

[dawn27]

Ok 3rd time is a charm Oh or is this the 4th time !!

This is the design for the post cards / flyers that I will have printed as 5X7 photo print cards and post in local Pet style businesses around town.

Lets hope this is the last time I re due it . . .

Thanks so much Heather & Priscilla for all of your help, very much appreciated ! I think once I get these printed and posted I should see some orders coming in. I have an order in the process of being finalized so that I can get to work on it.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by dawn27

Ok 3rd time is a charm Oh or is this the 4th time !!

This is the design for the post cards / flyers that I will have printed as 5X7 photo print cards and post in local Pet style businesses around town.

Lets hope this is the last time I re due it . . .

Thanks so much Heather & Priscilla for all of your help, very much appreciated ! I think once I get these printed and posted I should see some orders coming in. I have an order in the process of being finalized so that I can get to work on it.

Ok two minor tiny things.
The QR code I would align it with the bottom of "Lima, Ohio", or align it with the bottom of the square with the cute baby in it. Right now it's halfway inbetween.

Also, there is a comma after Ohio. I would scrap that. Oh one more, so I guess that's three: You have two periods in "facebook.com"

[brezofleur]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

Ok two minor tiny things.
The QR code I would align it with the bottom of "Lima, Ohio", or align it with the bottom of the square with the cute baby in it. Right now it's halfway inbetween.

Also, there is a comma after Ohio. I would scrap that. Oh one more, so I guess that's three: You have two periods in "facebook.com"

Agreed.

I would also say go ahead and make the QR code a little bigger. Just a personal preference, but I would make the space between the QR and the image the same as the space between the QR and the end of the yellow.

Another personal preference, TOTALLY not a big deal, but I would get rid of the / and replace with | in between your phone and email. / in this day is typically reserved for web addresses.

What company are you using to print?

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by brezofleur

Agreed.

I would also say go ahead and make the QR code a little bigger. Just a personal preference, but I would make the space between the QR and the image the same as the space between the QR and the end of the yellow.

Another personal preference, TOTALLY not a big deal, but I would get rid of the / and replace with | in between your phone and email. / in this day is typically reserved for web addresses.

What company are you using to print?

Good catch. I didn't even notice that. I always say have at least three different people proof read and give their advice.

[dawn27]

Ok, thanks !

Here's a big question. I compared esty & ebay and I'm going to go with esty. but how on earth do people ship their items so low cost? I've tried to do it from home on USPS and I don't see anything with lower pricing other that the flat rates. Even when I add the weight its still the same.