Archive for May, 2009

No article this week, just something to think about…

This week I have been moved by the song “The Motions” by Matthew West. It really had me thinking about my own life and business and how I have been going through the motions. I have been struggling a lot lately knowing something needs to change, yet not really knowing what or how and so I just keep going, keep trying.

I started researching the song and found the story to be so inspiring. Although Matthew wrote the song prior to losing his voice for two months, facing uncertainty he discovered the true meaning of the words. Sometimes we have to go through “stuff” to fully understand. In case you are curious, here is the video montage and song.

The words he wrote on the wipe erase board “I don’t want to let people down, I’m always doing something. or should I say, chasing something…” really spoke to my heart. I don’t want to let people down. I have to always be doing something, it helps me think. I can’t just sit and think. I have to be moving, whether it is walking, running or even doing mundane chores.

When figuring out how to price your scrapbooks, DO NOT under value your work. Besides your time, cost of supplies, revisions, etc. don’t forget your talent. Remember, your creativity and what makes your service unique is valuable. Another thing to consider is if you price your work higher, clients will equate it with quality. Whether or not that is true, it is a common perception. On the flip side, cheap=cheap.

Theme Pricing
Theme pricing can be done in several ways. You can charge per album, per page, or per spread. Theme scrapbooks can be individualized for a specific person or event. You can charge per basic album and then charge additional for extra pages.

Charging Per Side
Charging per side is one way to increase your revenue. Set up some basic prices and then allow your clients to add additional pages for an additional price. The more artistic and professional the page, the more you can charge.

Charging Per Style
Offer different styles from a more basic page to a page that contains more embellishments and techniques. Adding more embellishments requires a higher cost, while technique requires more time. Some clients may prefer a simpler album or one that puts the focus on the photos. While another client may like the “artistic” approach with more added.

Overcoming a Setback

If you have suffered a setback in your business, it can be tough to get back on track and moving again. You may have lost confidence in yourself and your abilities. However, the longer you wait to start working once more, the harder it will be to get going again. The following are some tips to help you overcome a setback.

An old cliché states, “Anything worth doing is worth doing well.” This should be your motto. When you want to succeed, you cannot afford to take shortcuts. Taking shortcuts leads to imperfection and inadequacies. Always strive for the best, even if it requires a little more time and effort.

“Champions know there are no shortcuts to the top. They climb the mountain one step at a time. They have no use for helicopters!” ~Judi Adler

Don’t Wait, Go Get Em!
We are big fans of Craigslist. We are always finding great deals there. Have you ever thought about advertising your scrapbook business on Craigslist? It is free, why not?

We were very fortunate to find a great van for my mother-in-law at such a great price and so quickly. About a week later, I received a phone call from a lady. Apparently, her friend was also selling a van on Craigslist that we had inquired about. Since we didn’t buy the van from her, she gave our number to her friend who was now selling her van. I had to tell her we had already found a van.

After hanging up the phone, I started thinking about how smart the lady was at being proactive in selling her van. She could have just listed it on Craigslist, wait for a call and hope for the best. But she went one step further. She utilized the resources of her friend who was also selling their van. It only took a few minutes for her to give me a call. Of course in this situation, we already found the van, but what if we hadn’t? We could have become a potential customer.

Monday Motivator

A positive mind and happy, upbeat attitude will help you succeed. It has been proven in many studies that a person living in a happy state generally gets much further in just about everything they do.

If you find yourself in a down mood, what can you do to bring it up?

This relates to attitude. Just as bad attitude can pull you down, good attitude and a happy, healthy mind will help you meet your objectives. So, be happy!