It is now the end of January 2010, so I decided to take a look back at 2009. I set up my shop on 1000 Markets in February 2009, so my frst year is quickly coming to an end. I must say this has been a year of anxiety, frustration, exhilaration, mind failure, learning, adjusting, and coping. Plus probably many more emotions that I have chosen to forget!
As this is my FIRST online experience, I had no idea what to expect. I really thought all I had to do was make some jewelry, take pictures of it, upload it into my shop and start selling. Obviously I was completely "in the dark" when it came to online selling. I never thought about a learning curve or how sharp this curve would be or how long it would take to negotiate it.
I also thought I was computer literate as I have worked on computers for years and am known in our small area as "the woman in the know" regarding computer problems. Well, that bubble was quickly shattered when I went "live" with my shop. I had no idea what "blogging" meant, much less "twittering". I had heard of Facebook but had not delved into it. I had no idea what "threads" meant or what it meant to "link" something. I had no idea how to "market" my shop or 1000 Markets. I knew how to take pictures but had no clue how to take adequate pictures of my jewelry so it looked good online. That is a completely new talent that I need to acquire! I didn't know what "widgets" were, and once I found out, I had no idea how to make one or get one. Every day I would come to a door that I had not opened, and when I did, I wanted to run back through it and slam it shut behind me. Talk about clueless, that was me! I had no idea and no ideas!
I spent many, many hours of many, many days and nights reading through all the blogs on 1000 Markets and reading the Merchant Handbook. I spent even more hours trying to put that information to use. It took me days to make my banner look like something other than a child's first coloring project. That is after I finally figured out how to use GIMP and that in itself was so painful that I wanted to scream! I went to bed many nights with my mind hurting from so much intense concentration. My self esteem took a hit as I was no longer the "woman in the know" but the "woman who didn't know"!
But through it all, I continually found answers to my problems and questions through the help of 1000 Markets - the administration team is so helpful and so "merchant oriented". Also many 1000 Markets merchants offered their experiences in the form of blogs or other communication methods. No matter what the problem was, I found the answer one way or another. I was able to open and close doors with increased speed as the year progressed.
I have entered 2010 a different person (in regards to computer literacy and online selling) thanks to 1000 Markets and their many merchants. I now feel I can handle new horizons with some confidence and skill. My shop page has gone through several changes and I am sure it will continue to do so. I can now whip up a new banner within a few hours as compared to days. My pictures are getting better, but I can still improve them. I know what "widgets" are and can actually make one! I have had sales and found them easy to handle through shipment. I am not leery of "new" doors but approach them with a new found confidence. I still have much to learn about online selling but I know that 1000 Markets administration is behind me. They listen to our problems, concerns, suggestions, and complaints, and then respond appropriately. Their motto is "we are here to help you" and they mean it.
So here it is 2010 and I am already through 1/12 of it! I wonder what this year will bring. Whatever it is, I am ready to handle it (I think!). So bring it on!
The pictures show our home and yard after it snowed 6 inches. Here in Greers Ferry, AR, in the foothills of the Ozarks, we usually get just a dusting of snow maybe once each winter. Usually the snow melts by noon and we are on our way. But this time the snow kept falling for 24 hours. We are enjoying the beauty of it as we don't have to go anywhere, which is good as there is 1/2 inch of ice under this pretty white snow! And there is not any snow removal equipment in our small rural town. People just stay home when it snows; schools close and businesses lock their doors! Being from Ohio and Michigan, that was difficult to understand as we spent many winter months fighting the snow and ice to get to work. But this new found attitude tends to serve us well now! LET IT SNOW!
