Personally delivered to you by Steve Lindhorst, author of
"Selling on 'the River', "The Niche Book",
and "Amazon - The Quick & Dirty Guide."
When I was a kid, for some reason I've now forgotten I sold candy bars. Once I'd sold enough that I had a little profit, I bought one for myself and promptly ate it. That's where I learned the term "eating the profits." Now that I'm selling books on Amazon, I keep buying books to sell, only to start reading them when I get home. I'm reading two books simultaneously right now. Eating the profits again.
Maybe I'd be better off selling things I wouldn't use - like hair-care products, or exercise equipment.
On to the newsletter...
In This Issue
- Make More Money - Lose the Fuzzy Slippers
- Reader Spotlight: Meet Andrea, a Real-Life Etsy.com Seller!
- Just Added: Two New eBooks for Under $10
- Recently Found...
1. Lose the fuzzy slippers.
A lot of readers write to me and say how they dream of working from home. They want to get rid of their "real job" and work in their fuzzy slippers all day. The fuzzy slippers are almost a symbol of working from home. No boss. No office politics. No commute. Pure heaven right?
The fact is, even when working from home, if you fail to treat it seriously you will fail. You will be as successful as you picture yourself. If every day is "casual Friday," there is a good chance your business is casual through and through.
I have personally noticed that my attitude toward my work is affected by my dress and grooming. There were days when I would grab a cup of coffee and sit at my desk while still in my pajamas. Other days, I dressed in khakis and a dressy-casual shirt, plus shoes (and socks). Guess what? My attitude was totally different and I was much more productive on the days where I dressed for work. It matters. You must think your work is important.
If our attitude is too casual while working from home we will not be as productive and we won't make as much money. The way we think about what we do can move us forward, or keep us stuck in a rut. In the book The Magic of Thinking Big, David Schwartz tells this old story:
There's an old story often told about the job attitudes of three brick layers. When asked, "What are you doing?" the first bricklayer replied, "Laying brick." The second answered, "Making $20.50 an hour." And the third said, "Me? Why, I'm building the world's greatest cathedral."
What do you think happened to those bricklayers? The first two lacked vision. They also lacked job respect. They likely remained bricklayers. The third bricklayer though, probably moved upward and onward. He may have become a foreman, or even begun his own company. The way he thought about his work and his job mattered.
I think it's interesting to watch my Facebook friends' comments as the week draws to a close. Comments declaring "TGIF!!!" and "Only one more day till the weekend!!" are common. - But that's how I feel about Mondays! If you are counting the days till each weekend - you're probably miserable. Either change what you're doing or change how you think about what you're doing. The bricklayers all had the same job, but one worked with purpose and moved on.
Recently my doctor asked me, "Do you feel depressed in the mornings, having to face another day?"
I told her I absolutely did not, "I wake up feeling like each day is a blank slate, full of possibilities." (Of course the attention deficit disorder helped me forget about a lot of the things that would have otherwise made me depressed - but that's beside the point.)
Even when I've had jobs I hated, I found ways to be like that third bricklayer in the example above. That's how I eventually felt like I could work from home. Am I wealthy beyond my wildest dreams? Of course not. But am I moving forward with a purpose - improving my business?
Absolutely.
The way you think about your job matters, especially if you work for yourself. Just buying and selling things will not make you successful. That's just a job. How you think about your work will move you forward. Have job respect for your work-at-home job. The right attitude will change the way you work, the way you feel about your work, and the quality of your work...and the profits will follow.
Then you can break out the fuzzy slippers (and I will nominate you for "What Not to Wear.")
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2. Reader Spotlight: Meet a Real-Life Etsy.com Seller!
You've read a lot about selling on Amazon on this site, and we've also covered selling on eBay and places such as Bonanzle. Each has it's strong points, but if you want to sell handmade products, you may want to try Etsy.com. I recently spoke with Andrea Harrington, a very creative young lady who sells her artwork on Etsy.
Could you tell my readers a little about yourself and your artwork?
Andrea: "I'm 18 years old. I'm a web designer, graphic artist, and all-around dabbler in 
various arts and crafts. I've always loved drawing, and about two and a half years ago I drew a picture I really liked and I called it Drunken Ballerina. She really stuck with me, so I kept drawing tall, slender girls in stark black and white, usually in mysterious or compromising situations. I definitely have an affection for the maudlin. But I also like to think there's some grace and dignity that shows through in my art."
Where do you get inspiration for your art?
Andrea: "I get my inspiration from old school fairy tale illustrations, especially those of Kay Nielsen. I'm also inspired by flapper girls, Tim Burton, Edgar Allen Poe, art nouveau girls, and even pin-ups. A lot of my art comes from my own childhood and life experiences, but I think the only one who could see the symbolism in my art is me."
Do you sell your own creations exclusively?
Andrea: "I started my Etsy shop to sell things my little sisters and I created. At the time we were making little felt toys. After some encouragement from friends and family I decided to put prints of my artwork up. I mostly sell my art now, but I still have some items up that my sisters made and I also post "guest artist" items from people I know."
How did you choose Etsy? Did you try any of the other marketplaces?
Andrea: "I found Etsy through a woman I babysat for. I had looked into selling on Ebay, but found the process a bit overwhelming. When I looked at Etsy, I really was drawn to the simple setup and straightforward fees, which were extremely reasonable. I also liked that it was a site specifically for handmade and vintage items."
Have you found pros and cons with Etsy?
Andrea: "Etsy has been a great experience. The best part is how easy it is to use. I had no experience selling art or using online marketplaces and lacked the confidence to put up an item for auction. Etsy continues to be the easiest way to make money I've every experienced. It's affordable and flexible. I set my own prices, I can create custom orders, communicate with my customers through Etsy conversations, and create shipping profiles. There are very few rules or regulations to limit you on Etsy. I honestly can't think of any cons. It's a great place to dive into online selling."
Do you have any advice for others who are in a position to create their own products?
Andrea: "I've had a lot of success selling my art on Etsy. I've sold to people as far as Australia and Denmark. I had no idea I'd have this many fans of my art, and it's so encouraging. The extra money I bring in is a great little bonus as well. If anyone has a skill they think they can profit from, don't be intimidated. There's no age or experience requirement. It's quick and easy to sell online, especially through Etsy, and the benefits are almost immediate. What do you have to lose?"
Visit Andrea's Etsy Shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/godigo
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3. Just Added: Two New eBooks for Under $10
There are a few sites available to online sellers that cost nothing to use, and can make a big difference in your bottom line.
If you've wanted to try selling products as an affiliate, there are some proven strategies using Squidoo and Craigslist. Take a look at The Craigslist Cash Cow and Squidoo Basics and learn how to turn them into revenue streams for yourself.
(For members of the Multichannel Surf Club - both of these titles will be available to you for free later this week!)
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4. Recently Found
While scouting this week I found a few good books and CDs - but as usual, some stand out more than others. My favorites this week were picked up within 50 miles from my home, one at a library for $5 and the other at a thrift store for $2.
You can find the same kinds of books (and more) right in your local stores. I explain exactly how I do it in Amazon - The Quick & Dirty Guide. Click here to get your copy.
Thanks again for reading!
Steve Share
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