Stats Tracking with Free Downloadable Spreadsheet!

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This past Monday the subject of the weekly Crafterminds chat was stats.  There are a lot of schools of thought on stats – follow them closely, don’t look at them at all, look at them occasionally… it seems like everyone has a different view on the subject.

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I will admit to checking my shop stats more often than really necessary (darn you, Craftopolis!).  Blogger also makes it entirely too easy to view blog stats, so maybe I swing on over to that Stats tab here and there.  But I promise, the serious number crunching only happens once a month!

I made an Excel spreadsheet a few months back to keep track of all of those numbers generated by running your own online business and blog, including blog stats, social networking numbers, and the fees and views associated with selling online and at fairs.  After that chat on Monday I thought maybe I should just share it with you guys!


 

There are 3 pages with a different set of numbers on each.  The first page is information on sales and fees.  I’ve set this page up with a section for two separate online shops (I have an abandoned Cargoh shop, which is another blog post) plus a general craft shows section.  The purpose of this page is to see what percentage of your sales is being spent on fees (there’s a formula already in the spreadsheet to calculate the percentage).





The second page tracks shop views, visits, and item information, again for two separate shops.  I get most of this info from Google Analytics.  I also have a formula in there to track the average views per item.





The last page is mostly social networking stats, plus a column for newsletter subscribers.  No formulas here, just a bunch of good ol’ numbers that I gather from a bunch of sources, including Google Analytics, my Facebook page, and Mail Chimp. 

I’ve filled in six months of stats with some made-up numbers so you can see how everything works.  Also, there’s space on each page to make notes on events that may have affected stats, like a giveaway or a bad craft fair. 

Want to try it out?  Download it here!



Make sure you come on back and let me know if you like it!

One Hundreds!

Tweet Yesterday was just a crazy day.  Evidently 100 was my lucky number, ‘cause it was all over the place!




I got my 100th (and then some!) sale in my Etsy shop!






I passed 100 rss feed and Google Friend Connect subscribers to the blog!





And I have 100 (actually, it’s now 102) bobaloo! facebook fans!

Whew, I’m tired just writing it!  I have been working hard the past week on promotion and it’s obviously paying off.  The Etsy sales are probably due to renewing twice a day last week, plus I listed a bunch of new stuff Sunday and Monday.  The jump in subscribers and Facebook fans probably came from the same two sources – the (very popular) post on making a Facebook landing page, plus the Crafterminds chat about Facebook yesterday.  Plus I shamelessly begged for Facebook fan #100 just so I could make it.

It’s really, really exciting, guys.  Seriously.  It feels like some serious validation - people like what I make and like reading about it.  I try really hard not to focus on numbers and just put out the best product I can, but it’s hard to not get excited about all those triple digits.



So it’s pretty fitting that I can send you all over to a giveaway!  Head on over to Another Day in Paradise where Larissa’s giving away a sweet bobaloo! goodie for either your little man or sweet princess!

THANK YOU, all of you, for being such great supporters and making starting my own little business worthwhile!

How to Make a Facebook Landing Page for the New Page Layout

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If you haven’t seen them yet, Facebook landing pages are typically seen by first-time visitors to your Facebook page.  You can create a large image that replaces the plain old Wall view on your page.  This image usually presents a call to action - such as liking the page or clicking on a link to your website – and (in my opinion) makes a stronger first impression than a list of comments on a white background.

I used this article by Thomas Sinfield on Standout Blogger to guide me in making the image for the landing page.  I spent a good hour putting it together in Photoshop, then uploaded it to my Facebook page and realized it was the WRONG SIZE.  I completely forgot about the new page layouts on Facebook.  Boo.  So I started over.

The article still has great tips but you’ll definitely need a differently sized image.  I started with a blank file in Photoshop sized at 510 pixels wide by 450 pixels tall (I’m pretty sure you don’t have to use Photoshop – that’s just what I’m comfortable with).  I added on some product pictures, my logo and tagline, and a little “shop now!” graphic.  Thomas points out that the whole image is going to be a link, but people need direction as to where to click so some direction helps.



You’ll need to save that image somewhere online.  If you haven’t already, you can open up a free Photobucket account and upload your image as a jpeg.  After uploading, click on your image – it should have a few links listed underneath it.  Keep this page open while we get your Facebook page ready – we’ll come back to it in a minute.

Next is the part that’s a little trickier.  I used this article by the same guy for guidance.  The article is on setting up a business Facebook page from start to finish, so you’ll need to scroll down a little to get to the instructions on how to get your landing page up and running. 



First, you’ll want to log in to Facebook and head to your business page so you can install the FBML app.  Click the “edit page” button on the top right, then click on “Apps” on the left side of the screen.  You’re looking for Static FBML – it showed up in the suggested apps section for me.  In the picture above, mine is titled “Welcome!” because I had already installed it when I took this screenshot.  Yours should be called “Static FBML”.  Click on “add”, then click “go to app”.



The title of this page is going to be what shows on the tab on your Facebook page, so type something short in the title field.  I just used “Welcome!”.  Next, you have to add some code in the FBML field.  Now I know virtually nothing about html, so I just copied Thomas’s code from his article.  It includes a link (so when someone clicks on the image it takes them to my Etsy shop) plus the image source link (from Photobucket, more on that next).  Here’s the code I used:

<center><a href="http://bobalookids.etsy.com%22/>
<img src="http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n605/bobalookids/FBLandingPageFeb20112copy.jpg%22 />
</a></center>

The first link to Etsy (in quotes) is where you’d swap in your own shop address, blog address, or whatever site you want to send people to when they click on your image.  The second link (also in quotes) is where you’ll want to put the image source, which you can copy and paste from the “direct link” field in Photobucket.  After you’re done pasting in links, click Save Changes.



We’re almost done!  Now you’ll have to change your settings in Facebook so the landing page shows up for new visitors.  Go back to your wall and click on “edit page” again.  Next, click “manage permissions” on the left side of the screen.  In the “Default Landing Tab” drop down menu, choose “Welcome!” (or whatever you named your landing page tab).



Go find someone who isn’t already liked your business on Facebook and beg them to help you test it out!  I sent out a Twitter distress call and Tonya from Love of Family and Home helped me out.  Then, I logged in as my husband, unliked bobaloo!, then checked it out for myself.  It works!

I’m by no means an expert, but if you have any questions ask away.  If you’re not a fan of bobaloo! on Facebook already, I’d be forever in your debt if you would head on over there and tell me if the landing page works for you.  If you’ve already liked bobaloo!, we’re totally best friends forever and you can take a peek by clicking on the Welcome tab.

Now go make one for your page, then let me know so I can check it out!  Good luck, and report back on your progress!

Advertising – I’m Lost.

Tweet I know I typically share with you guys how I did something for the business, like filing the LLC paperwork or running an Etsy shop during vacation.  Today, though, I’m going to chat about one of my goals that I’m really in the dark about accomplishing – advertising, both for my shop and on my blog.

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I’ve had advertising on the brain lately.  I’m ready to start advertising my shop, but I just have no idea where to start.  Also, I had decided a while back to start looking into adding ads to this blog once I reached 10,000 page views, which happened last month (completely arbitrary number – it just seemed like a whole lot of people).

I’m pretty sure I want to start advertising my shop on blogs, mostly because it seems reasonably targeted and definitely affordable.  My problem is the blogs I read are not necessarily geared toward my target market.  I love me some crafty blogs, that’s for sure, but I’m not convinced that’s the best place to reach my customers.



I’m also considering trying out Facebook ads.  These two articles have definitely encouraged me to try it out – Do Facebook Ads Really Work? and Stronger Evidence That Facebook Ads Work.  When setting up a Facebook ad, it’s posssible to define your targeted demographics so narrowly that I feel like I could really reach my market.  Also, you set your budget for the campaign, which makes overspending pretty much impossible.

As for advertising here on the blog, I’ve pretty much decided to add a small AdSense ad somewhere on the sidebar to try it out.  Since all I have to do is enable the ad though Blogger,  I figure this is a good way to try out the whole advertising thing without a huge time investment on my part.

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I see a lot of information on running ads on your own blog.  There is a really great interview with Jena Coray of Modish on CraftyPod about running your own ad program on a craft blog.  It’s tempting, that’s for sure, but is my time better spent running an ad program on my little blog or making new products?

I’d love your feedback on advertising ‘cause I’m sure struggling with it!  Have you guys done any kind of advertising, and was it successful or a waste?  How do you feel about blog ads – love ‘em, hate ‘em, hardly notice they’re there?  As a consumer, what kind of ads grab your attention?  Maybe together we can sort this whole advertising thing out!

Setting Goals for the New Year

Tweet This week has been a behind-the-scenes business kind of week.  I haven’t really done much on the product side – no sewing, no product photography, no listing and promoting.  Instead, I’ve been up to my eyeballs in paperwork and doing A LOT of planning.  I don’t really do the New Year’s Resolution thing, but I thought I’d share with you some of my plans so hopefully you’re inspired to put your goals in writing!



Etsy Shop Goals.  I set a goal of 50 sales for the first quarter of 2011.  I think this may be a little lofty, but I think it’s important to aim high.  I just stumbled across this great Etsy Goal Spreadsheet from Absolutely Small that I think I’ll start using for a little added motivation.



Blog Goals.  I’m planning on posting more often – look out for a new feature coming this Saturday!  Also, I tend to be a passive reader on other people’s blogs, so I’m going to try to come out of the woodwork a little more and make sure to interact with others by commenting on their blogs.  I love to hear from bobaloo! readers, so I know other bloggers feel the same way.

Along the same lines, I’ve installed DISQUS for comments (thanks to some advice from a Crafterminds tweet chat) so you guys will get an email when I respond to a comment here on bobaloo!  This is brand new to me, so if you have any trouble commenting let me know so I can look into it.  One thing I don’t like very much about Blogger is the inability to respond directly to readers’ comments, so hopefully this solves that problem.



Facebook and Twitter goals.  I know I’m not making the best use of either of these.  I don’t want to be one of those Twitter users that only tweets about products they’ve listed, but I know I can use Twitter to spread the word about my business.  I also feel like I underutilize Facebook – I post about new blog posts and occasionally product listings, but I know I can do more.  Anybody have any reading recommendations about Twitter or Facebook?



Local Sales Goals.  bobaloo! is carried in two local stores – the Irvington Iris Tea Room and the Little Green Bean Boutique.  I’d like to add one more store in the next three months.  Ideally I’d like to pick up a wholesale account, but I’m perfectly okay with consignment as well.  I’m going to ask all my mom buddies around my area if they know of any good kids’ shops and start calling buyers.

I have a few smaller goals, like finally setting up my Cargoh shop and reorganizing my sewing room yet again.  I’m planning on reviewing my goals every two weeks to keep myself on track.  This is my first time setting such specific goals, so it will be interesting to see how it turns out.

What about you guys?  Do you have any goals for your business or yourself?  Let’s have some inspiration!

Fans and a Photo Shoot

Tweet I don't know about you, but the heat here in the Midwest is making me so sloooooow.  I haven't been to the gym in a week (so much for that half-marathon training), I can't seem to do a lick of laundry, and there's no way I'm taking the kids outside.  The heat is supposed to get a little better today so I'm looking forward to eating far too much Fair food tonight with the family and not worrying that the kids are going to melt into little puddles of Cheerios and sunscreen the minute we step out the door.

So my Facebook page is up and running!  There's a button to Like my page on the left sidebar and you should definitely go check it out.  As of this morning I have 23 fans, which excites me to no end - there are even a couple non-friends and family fans!  I'm sure I need to do something to get some more Facebook love.  I'm thinking about offering a discount to Facebook fans once the shop opens, or maybe a special preview of the shop just for those people?  Hmmm...

Kenny persuaded me to shoot a bunch of product pictures yesterday while he wrangled the kids so I have a little Facebook product catalog started.  We have these long, low white storage benches in our pool room/sewing room/office that I used for the pictures.  I just draped a piece of cotton batting on the bench and set up my camera on a tripod in front of it.  I'm not 100% happy with it - it's a huge hassle to squat down in front of the camera (probably more of a pain since I haven't been to the gym in a week) and I feel like it may not be professional enough.

I do love that orange background even though it seems to get pretty muddy when I upload the pictures to Facebook.   I edited the pictures in Photoshop and used the "save for web" option to save them as a smaller jpeg so they wouldn't take too long to load, but I'm afraid it may have compromised picture quality too much.  I'm wondering if maybe Facebook compresses the pictures and that's the problem?  I'll have to wait and see how they look on Etsy.

Etsy allows you five pictures per item and I just have no clue what those five pictures will be for every item.  I think I need to take some "in action" shots, so I'll probably try to get my nieces and nephew to model a few things for me.  I'm also considering buying a child-size mannequin.  They're only about $30 on Ebay and I think one would come in handy for both product pictures and for a display at craft fairs.

Speaking of craft fairs, I'm starting to freak out about the one at the end of September.  I have about 50 items in my inventory and I'm 100% that is not nearly enough.  I need to arrange a sitter for a couple days here and there before then so I can have some uninterrupted work time.  Our gym does a Parent's Day Out a couple times a month where the kids can go and play for a couple hours - I'll definitely be taking advantage of that on Friday.  But for now, I have an important tea party waiting for me in the living room.  Happy Monday everyone!