Surviving Selling Online Through Better Communication

Business Sense

My Internet presence began back in 2007 when I became an eBay store owner specializing in vintage collectibles.  Since then I’ve changed venues and now sell on Bonanzle.  At that time, I was a moderator on an eBay Forum and participated in conversations where many members were becoming fledgling online sellers.

That trend continues today as many companies are now doing the majority or even all their business online and foregoing the “Brick and Mortar” storefront. It’s easy to see why that trend has happened. For example, the cost of setting up such a business is relatively inexpensive and easy. There’s no need to pay for the overhead of a physical building, while the cost of maintaining a web site is minimal. Moreover, the Internet provides a convenient and efficient way of marketing products. As more and more people are spending time on the Internet, the market of online customers continues to grow.

My late mother-in-law was a woman business owner of a gourmet emporium.  Over the years I had helped run her store and gained a business acumen of growing your business through establishing relationships with customers.  It’s important to get to know their likes, quirks and dislikes.

Yet when businesses shift from face-to-face customers to anonymous online customers, there’s a loss of that personal connection and trust. When running an online business,  how are you gaining and maintaining customer trust? What are you doing as an online vendor to communicate to your customers?

In an online world, business just doesn’t stop after hours and on weekends. What are you doing to answer your customer’s questions?

Here are a few things that you can do to improve communication with your customers:

1. Make certain that your Internet host is reputable and offers a fast and efficient business ethernet connection, as well as reliable cart support.

2. Offer a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page and online product support information.

3. Add a support email link on your website for issues that can’t be resolved by you or your website support administrator

4. Provide a message board or forum for customers to voice their opinions, add comments, and interact with each other.

In today’s global economy, spending time and effort on better communication with your customers will pay off.  Whether you sell on Etsy or have your own company, in order to grow, your success will depend not on the customers you gain, but on the customers that you don’t lose.

photo credit: hospi-table

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Break the Cycle of Failed New Year’s Resolutions with New Book, Achieve Anything in Just One Year

On January 1, more than 100 million Americans will make a New Year’s resolution, according to a University of Washington survey. By March, however, most resolution-makers will already have broken their newly minted promises.

In his new book, Achieve Anything in Just One Year: Be Inspired Daily to Live Your Dreams and Accomplish Your Goals (Amazing Life Press, $29.95, http://www.amazinglifepress.com/), Jason Harvey provides a blueprint for personal success that can make 2010 the year that resolutions become reality.

Most resolutions fail because people try to change too fast and accomplish too much all at once,” said Harvey, a Certified Life Coach. “My book is about learning how to make small daily changes and be your own personal life coach.”

The most common resolutions – to quit smoking, lose weight, exercise more, spend more quality time with family, etc. – are also the easiest to break. “The truth is, we set ourselves up to fail by making resolutions that are sweeping and unrealistic,” explained Harvey.

The resulting cycle of making and breaking promises is self-defeating – so how can individuals make resolutions stick? Achieve Anything in Just One Year equips readers with the tools to:

• Be truly committed.Don’t just go through the motions – act like you’re making a promise to your company, or to your best friend.
• Be specific. A resolution like “I want to lose weight” is easier to ignore than “I want to lose five pounds by March.”
• Set a deadline. A timeframe equals commitment and helps quantify success.
• Avoid overwhelming yourself. You may want to lose weight, quit smoking, achieve moderation with martinis and cut up your credit cards all at once, but let’s get real. Focus on a limited set of goals and plan on taking stock mid-year.
• Change one thing at a time. Recognize that change is hard. Wait to achieve one goal before starting on the next.
• Be realistic. Taking charge of a fitness regimen is a realistic goal, while exercising seven days a week may not be. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment with lofty goals.

The idea is to take daily action that creates a ripple effect in your life,” said Harvey. “By transforming your life with small steps, you can stay motivated, focused and balanced. Best of all, you’ll feel happier about pursuing your personal success.”

Achieve Anything in Just One Year is available to BUY NOW at Amazon.com.

This is a sponsored guest post written by Jason Harvey on behalf of Achieve Anything In Just One Year. Post powered by Sponzai.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Recent College Grad? Shop Marshalls for Career Styles

Career Wear

We’ve passed another milestone in my family.  Our youngest daughter graduated from college this year with a BS in Psychology and is now applying to grad school for Social Work.

This summer she spent time as a Nanny for some neighbors that’s she’s been babysitting for since they were infants – they’re now 10 & 11.  Our daughter has also been busy applying and interviewing for employment in the social work field.

Of course, applying for a professional position necessitated that she have the appropriate career style clothing to wear when going on interviews.

Fortunately, we have a Marshalls in town, located about 5 minutes down the road!

Marshalls is well known for their off-price shopping and offers incredible savings on women’s, children’s and men’s apparel.  We always manage to find whatever we’re looking for, be it shoes, accessories,  home goods or gifts for the grandkids.

Connecticut isn’t a very large state, and we actually have several Marshalls within a convenient driving distance of our home.

No two stores are alike as the vendors are ever-changing and they don’t have stringent guidelines as to how many items they purchase. It’s like visiting a whole new store every time!

As my daughter’s chosen field is social work, the position involves not only office work, but being out in the field.  She was able to put together several coordinating smart-looking casual, yet professional looking outfits.

Marshalls recently introduced their Shoe MegaShop which are being added to stores around the country. Customers are able to shop by style rather than size by finding their appropriate size in the boxes below the display shoe.

I scored a terrific pair of sandals by Aerosoles that I can wear for dress-down Fridays at my office!  Regularly $49.99, I got them for $24.99, a 50 percent savings!

Aren’t these just too cute?

Marshalls is one of the nation’s leading off-price family apparel and home fashion retailers with over 800 stores spanning 42 states and Puerto Rico.

For More Information: Marshalls

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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If I Could Turn Back Time: Part 4 – The Kids Arrive

Time Passes Quickly Into The Future

I’m having so much fun this week trudging down memory lane. (I think.)

Actually, I’m on MomDot’s forum, and TellingDad, the only male member there, made a statement that gave me the inspiration for this post.

If I Could Turn Back Time

Our firstborn came along nine years after we were married – born in 1983.  The 1980s found me knee deep in kids, diapers, and work.

I was eco-friendly, green and cloth-diapering before it even became fashionable.  You young gals today make me laugh – it’s as if you invented it.  We just DID IT.

Pampers and a few other brands were just coming out then, but my mom got me a diaper service for one month.  After that, I was on my own.  Diaper pails, Dreft and Borax.  And  big yellow safety pins.  I even think I kept some.

The big decision then, which stirred a lot of controversy was … do I go back to work.  There were two schools of thought – either you did, or you didn’t.  I went part time.

Which makes me laugh again, because foremost, my generation was fighting that glass-ceiling thing, which still hasn’t been settled.  We wanted to keep our careers on the fast-track, yet we wanted to stay home with the kiddos.

There was the playgroup, tennis/pool club set – and then there were those of us who had to work to pay the mortgage.

So really, this whole controversy is nothing new, and hasn’t changed in 20 years.

I worked three days per week in a law office, and made up the other two by working at home at night on a (gasp!) state-of-the-art Royal electric typewriter – which totaled 40 hours.

Fortunately, my daycare was split between my mom and my mother-in-law.

Days off found me down the Connecticut beaches

Or inviting myself over to my girlfriend’s house visiting my friends who happened to have pools.

Take note of the Farrah Fawcett – Princess Di hairdo….

That first Mother’s Day was super fun with all the holidays – I really enjoyed dressing up my daughter!  When DD became a mom and celebrated her first Mother’s Day, it certainly brought back memories!

I used to love the Rothschild coat, hat and leggings sets – and even managed to get one for ‘Lil Moomette when she was about the same age!  Little stinker threw up on it the first time she wore it though.  Guess who footed the dry cleaning bill?

Darling Daughter #2 came along in 1987, and then the fun really began!  I never had a sister, so I was kind of happy that both of my kids were girls.

Check out this “Sassy Seat”

If I could turn back time
If I could find a way

“If I Could Turn Back Time” …. Cher

Further Reading:

Woodstock: Talking About My Generation

Post Woodstock: Part 2 – The 1970s And Still Kid-Free

Life In Dysfunction Junction: Part 3 – Guest Post by The Cat

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Big Sky Country – Real Country Living – WAHM Guest Post

Meet My Friend

Real Country Living

Long before I became a blogger, I was a Power Seller on eBay.  Although I no longer have a store, I still continue to sell on the auction site. I was also a Moderator on an eBay forum, where I met many wonderful people. Most of the members of the forum had eBay stores, so we shared a commonality.

If you’ve ever spent any amount of time on forums, you’ll know that sometimes you just “click” and hit it off with certain members.

In the past, I’ve touched on topics about tapping into your interests and hidden talent, and parlaying them into a career where you turn your interests into  a business.  Many readers or their families have become  victims of the current recession, and are actively seeking gainful employment.  Some, like me, are considering either retiring, or trying to determine a move to another career that will spark our interest – whether it  be something entirely different from what we’ve been doing in the past, or entirely new venture.

Perhaps you are off-ramping from corporate life to take time out to raise your children.

I have been inviting bloggers and writers on my Meet My Friend meme to share their ideas and experiences with my readers who are interested in becoming a mompreneur.

If you have a WAHM or Momepreneur topic of interest that you’d like to share and be a Guest Blogger on Moomette’s Magnificents, please contact me (see Contact tab above).

I’d like you to Meet My Friend -  Deena, from Real Country Living,  a work-at-home mom of 5 – although I no longer have an Ebay store, we still keep in contact, and both have become avid bloggers!

What amazed me about Deena is that she spoke so candidly of living out yonder in Montana – Big Sky Country! I like to think that I’m the City Mouse, and Deena is the Country Mouse!

On the forum, we discussed how easily it was for us “city folks” to find inventory, and Deena would speak as to how she would have to drive for miles on end and make a whole day excursion to locate inventory for her store!

I’ve never been farther west than Chicago, and just marvel at the photos that Deena shares of her lifestyle and beautiful part of the country!  You just have to go visit and see for yourself!  Follow Deena on Twitter @RealCountryGal

Thanks Deena for sharing with my readers

Hello and thank you to Cindi for inviting me to do a guest post here on the fabulous Moomette’s Magnificents!

My name is Deena and I am happily married to Wade, my husband and partner of almost 27 years now. We are blessed with five children; three boys and two girls.

After growing up in a number of cities throughout most of my childhood, I met and married my cowboy husband here in the heart of Montana. Wade was raised on the cattle ranch that we now own and operate.

Morphing from city girl into a country gal has been such an interesting and exciting journey. Being a mother and homemaker has been the most important and fulfilling job I could have asked for. I am also the Financial Specialist for the ranch and of these titles come with a ‘room and board’ salary!

Over the years I have searched for ways to contribute financially to our family and the ranch, but living 60 miles from town makes employment outside the home impractical and surely not profitable.

In my effort to earn money I’ve sold hand-crafted knitted and sewn items, taught piano lessons for 16 years and recently opened an eBay store, Mudder’s Little Spudders.  My passion though, is my website, Real Country Living, where we share the reality of our way of life to the world. RCL is very much an infant and has not quite reached its first birthday. There is much to do and more content to add, so this project will keep me very busy and happy for a long time!

I stumbled onto the idea of becoming a webmaster quite by accident and had no idea that l’il old me could pull this off with no training whatsoever. I love to tell about how I built my website, so pop on over if you’d like to hear more. Not only do I get to share my love of country living to anyone who wants to take part, but this website has also become an additional income source for my family. Doing something I adore, from my own home…sometimes in my PJ’s…is a dream come true!

Our eBay store is soon to be a standalone shop which branches from  RCL, so because of the impending transition, Mudder’s isn’t very stocked at the moment. The new e-store is in the works and will specialize in western wear old and new~ natural decorating elements like real Montana pine cones and wheat~along with a plethora of other country goodies.

Our new store name is the Montana Mercantile. Maybe Cindi will post an update when it is functional so you all can visit!

I’d love to hear from you, so use the ‘contact us’ form on Real Country Living to ask me questions or just let me know where you call home and what you’re doing! May my website provide pieces of country living that can be arranged into your own version of bliss!

And again, thank you, Cindi! You are an inspiration to all of us who are working hard to fulfill our dreams!

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Meet My Friend: Candy of Lil’ Baby Cakes – Guest Post

Meet My Friend

Lil’ Baby Cakes

I’d like to have you Meet My Friend Candy, a very special mom that I met through the social networking site, Twitter.  Candy, a/k/a @lilbabycakes is a  mom and the Owner/Proprietor of Lil’ Baby Cakes.   I invited Candy to be a Guest Blogger and share with you how she started her business.

In the past, I’ve touched on topics about tapping into your interests and hidden talent, and parlaying them into a career where you turn your interests into  a business.  Many readers or their families have become  victims of the current recession, and are actively seeking gainful employment.  Some, like me, are considering either retiring, or trying to determine a move to another career that will spark our interest – whether it  be something entirely different from what we’ve been doing in the past, or entirely new venture.

Perhaps you are off-ramping from corporate life to take time out to raise your children.

I have been inviting bloggers and writers on my Meet My Friend meme to share their ideas and experiences with my readers who are interested in becoming a mompreneur.

If you have a WAHM topic of interest that you’d like to share and be a Guest Blogger on Moomette’s Magnificents, please contact me (see Contact tab above).

Here Candy shares her story about how she became the Proprietor of Lil’ Baby Cakes – Unique Baby Gifts that new moms adore – The Diaper Cake

Making the decision to leave corporate America after 21 years was one of the most difficult decisions in my life.  Along the way I had daily reminders that I was really not in control of my destiny.  Work pressures weighed on me heavily as I did conference calls late into the evening sitting in bed next to my husband.  I missed many of my kids activities at school as well.  Something had to change and after many weeks if not months of soul searching I started my search to find my next career.

I have always enjoyed making things as a little girl and have always had a knack for decorating and doing crafts.  My next steps were going to take me in that direction.  I made an offer on a business and began the transition after resigning from my corporate job in April 2007.  So far, so good.

Unfortunately, the deal fell through and low and behold I now had nothing!  Believe me I sat up at night questioning myself over and over again.  But with the support of my husband I hung in there and continued to search.  In September 2007 I found Lil’ Baby Cakes and knew I found my “baby“.  We closed in December 2007.

I felt relief and just a sense of calmness knowing I got off the corporate treadmill.  I had time to be with the kids, my husband, and friends.  I felt great about Lil’ Baby Cakes and my start as a small business owner began.  Being the creative type I truly love the opportunity to design new diaper cakes and work with my customers.  I operate the business with a small team of ladies out of a leased office space, as it’s not practical to run from a home.  I’ve spent a lot of time nurturing Lil’ Baby Cakes into a professional shopping experience for our customers including our website, blog, phone support, and naturally our diaper cakes.  I really strive to offer an upscale product that any new mom would be thrilled to receive.

I believe you can break the mold of working a corporate job that takes time away from family and the responsibilities of being a mom to follow one’s true passions. I can now participate in our kid’s activities, and can honestly say I am doing what I love.

My biggest lessons in my journey so far is that I wear many hats and my job is never done.  However, I have freedom to pick and choose how to spend my time.  It’s never a straight path to reach your goals.  I found that out very quickly!  I’m still reaching for the stars and encourage other moms reading this to pursue their dreams.  Don’t get discouraged by the setbacks as I believe they are inevitable.  Besides it makes the “wins” that much sweeter.

Courtesy of Lil’ Baby Cakes, Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest!

Planning a baby shower?  Or maybe you just had a baby yourself or has a friend that would enjoy winning a baby shower diaper cake from Lil’ Baby Cakes.

Lil Baby Cakes’ diaper cakes are not only adorable but make a great practical gift because one thing the new mom will definitely need is diapers.  Whether used for a baby shower centerpiece or given as a gift I can guarantee you this is a gift that will be used.

We are featuring the Monkey Giraffe Diaper Cake.  This adorable diaper cake features a zoo themed design and is a gender neutral design. Value $73

Here’s what’s included:

* Approximately 40 Pampers Swaddler Size 1     Diapers
* Plush Monkey
* Plush Giraffe
* Johnson & Johnson travel items (shampoo, lotion, wash, powder)
* Palm tree and monkey embellishments
* Luxury ribbon and Jungle Vines to set the stage

There will be one (1) Lucky Winner!

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Lil’ Baby Cakes and leave a comment about another fact that wasn’t mentioned in this post, what you like best about this design and WHY you’d like to win this adorable diaper cake.

Now for extra entries (each task will get you 1 extra entry):

~One Extra Entry: Add my banner button to your sidebar or add me to your blogroll, and come back here and leave the link (I will be checking)

~ One Extra Entry: Become a Fan of Moomettesgram on Facebook and let me know your name in a separate comment.

~ One Extra Entry: Follow Me on Google Friend Connect (right sidebar) and leave your name in a separate comment.

~ One Extra Entry: Follow Me on Networked Blogs (right sidebar) and leave your name in a separate comment.

~One Extra Entry: Comment on any non-giveaway article on my blog and leave your name a separate comment letting me know which post you commented on

~ One Extra Entry: Follow Me on Twitter and let me know your Twitter name in a separate comment.

~One Extra Entry: Tweet about this contest:

Just send the following tweet:

@Moomettes is offering a Monkey Giraffee Diaper Cake Giveaway sponsored by Lil’ Baby Cakes.   Contest ends July 30, 2009 http://bit.ly/wLOGt

and come back to this post and leave the URL link to the Tweet so I can check. You may Retweet once per day until the end of the contest, but please leave a separate comment for each Retweet, along with the permalink

~One Extra Entry: Blog about the contest on your blog linking to my blog and the site

~One Extra Entry: Favorite Moomette’s Magnificents in Technorati and leave your name (I will be checking) in a separate comment  (the link is on my right sidebar).

Make sure you comment separately for each task after the required entry task so you will get credit for each one ~ and leave your e-mail where you can be contacted.

This contest will run until July 30, 2009 at approximately 11:00 pm.

Winners are chosen by Random.Org, if you want all your chances counted, make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!

*Winner has 48 hours to contact me or another name will be chosen.

*Include your email if it’s not enabled.
*Anyone can enter, however, the diaper cake can only be shipped within the 48 contiguous states.
*Rules for each entry must be followed to be valid.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Network Solutions Has the Answers for Small Business Owners

As a small internet business owner, I’m always looking for ways to maximize my exposure on the web. Recently I came across Network Solutions. This is a company that specializes in helping small businesses start and market their businesses on the Web. In addition to domain name registration, they offer Web site design and hosting, e-commerce solutions, online security products, and search engine marketing and optimization.

Through Webinars and Seminars, Network Solutions explores issues such as pay-per-click and search engine optimization techniques, and provides practical knowledge about strategies, tactics, and solutions for marketing online. Network Solutions has designed all of these resources to lead, guide, and teach small business customers how to succeed online.

Network Solutions also offers ideas to small business owners for improving business practices in ways many may not have even thought or known possible. The events also provide opportunities for small business owners to network with one another and learn from each other.

If you’ve been downsized or outsourced, you might be interested in network solutions jobs. etwork Solutions is looking for bright, talented team players! They’re looking hard to locate talented, passionate, and dedicated people who want to build and grow their careers with a company like Network Solutions®. Perks include a comprehensive health and welfare benefits program, Matching 401K program as well as Flexible Spending Accounts.

Check them out ~ Network Solutions is there to help you any way they can!

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Avoid Childrens’ Identify Theft at Camp or Vacationing this Summer – Visit LifeLock

I belong to several social networking forums for WAHMs, and the topic being discussed was the hazard involved in personalized items for kids.

Now, all young children love to see their name in print – and since many will be traveling, vacationing with the family or going off to summer camp – they’ll be toting towels , pillows, backpacks and more with their names emblazoned on them.

I’d never given it a second thought when my daughters were younger – but did you know even children can become the victims of identity theft? Many times all it takes is for someone to know their first name ~ oftentimes from something as simple as a towel?

In its January 2008 Press Release, LifeLock announced that Ident-A-Kid selected them to provide identity theft protection to millions of its clients at a discounted rate.

Visit LifeLock as they’re also looking for good people to join their great team.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Law Enforcement Police Gear

Happy Tuesday, and I hope everyone had a fun, safe, Memorial Day weekend. Since I’m still working full-time at my office job, today’s the start of the work-week for me.

However, many were on-call all weekend. Several family members and friends are police officers and are always on duty.

For anyone in the law enforcement field, visit Police Gear to obtain clothing such as 511 Tactical Shorts. Free Shipping both ways & most items ship within 24 hours!

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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