Going Viral through Social Media

Marketing Monday– 

Dr. Ralph F. Wilson clearly explains Viral Marketing in The Six Simple Principles of Viral Marketing:

Viral marketing describes any strategy that encourages individuals to pass on a marketing message to others, creating the potential for exponential growth in the message's exposure and influence.

The pass on method ~ word of mouth ~ through social media sites is this Marketing Monday’s focus. I believe most would agree that word of mouth advertising is the most creditable form of advertising around.



Photo by Juli Crockett



Viral marketing over the Internet is instrumental in the success of a small online shop. With that said, make sharing a simple click away for your circle of friends to share within places like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and other social media sites!



On Lanetta’s Creations studio page, for example, there are several buttons underneath “Share This Shop” that ArtFire automatically provides. It’s a simple click for folks visiting my shop to share something they find absolutely amazing! Maybe someone isn’t particularly interested in say, Doll Clothes, but they have friends who are collectors of dolls! This sharing can go viral quickly!

Another example is found right here on this blog! In the upper left you’ll see several little icons, places/ways to share! Again, make it easy for your blog's visitors to pass on the information! I used AddThis to grab the buttons! It's easy as pie!



Photo by Dave Duarte



As a producer of Handmade in Texas items, Lanetta’s Creations encourages the pass on of products and articles, to share with others, anytime! It's amazing the technology we have at our fingertips! So, how can/will information on a new product listing or a great blog article spread to millions of consumers? Via an amazing circle of friends over the Internet!

Photo by Eric Chan

Have you shared something today with your circle of friends?

Seventh Day of Christmas – Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone! It’s hard to believe 2012’s already here! On this Seventh Day of Christmas I wish everyone a joyous and prosperous New Year! God willing, Lanetta’s Creations will have a fabulously Happy New Year, too!

Rather than making any resolutions this year, I’m taking the advice a friend posted on her Facebook wall, her invitation to make a “Proclamation” instead! She advocates not resolving to do anything but to proclaim it! Love this! It’s like a dynamite filled shot of positive attitude.

Each of the Day of Christmas articles I’ve written so far, I’ve shared a little about me and why I’ve created the items offered at Lanetta’s Creations. Most articles have an exclusive coupon code (only found within the article) for savings during the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Following what I started, the next area I should share is about the Handbags and Totes by Lanetta’s Creations. However, I have none left to offer a special coupon code! I’ll simply say I love making them!

This is the one-of-a-kind (OOAK) ~ never again will be made J ~ handbag I designed, created, and entered in the 2011 State Fair of Texas Creative Arts Competition!

Primarily constructed using the same brand of blue jeans Big Tex wears; I was thrilled when I learned I'd won

Second Place

in the competition! This is my new spring 2012 handbag I'll be using!

I proclaim a new line of “Handmade in Texas” at Lanetta’s Creations handbags and totes in 2012! Yes! I’m excited about the designs I’m working on and the fabrics I’ll use to create the unique OOAK awesome items!

NOTE: Life is too short to use store-bought handbags and totes!

If you’re looking for something in a specific color and/or style, just send me an email and we can talk about it! I would love to create a made-to-order handbag or tote especially for you, or one for you to give.

My lovely Facebook Fans are told first when a new product is listed in my studio! Be sure to “like” my page to get the Breaking News and exclusive coupon codes offered only for fans!

Again, Happy New Year!

Fifth Day of Christmas - Beaded Bookmarks

Several years ago, my step-daughter gave me a lovely beaded bookmark. Since then I’ve kept it in my favorite Bible, the New Living Translation that Mother and Daddy gave me for Christmas 2007. Once I saw the idea, I, too, have created numerous beaded bookmarks with waxed linen thread and varying pendants with either beads of gemstone, semi-precious stones, and/or glass. Touches of gold or silver are usually added for an extra touch. I love the simple elegance of beaded bookmarks and will always create them at Lanetta's Creations.

Over time, the pendants I’ve used have had far ranging themes. To name a few, I’ve used crosses, crucifixes, angels, fairies, rainbows, inspirational words, arrow heads, sunflowers, tree of life, hearts, and either pink or gold ribbons! There are so many lovely pendants available! Here are a few I've used:

I think everyone knows the pink ribbon represents Breast Cancer Awareness. I’ve made several, inspired by family and friends who are Breast Cancer Survivors, and in honor of those who were called home while courageously fighting the battle.

I did not know, until a dear friend shared with me, the gold ribbon is for Childhood Cancer Awareness. She asked if I would consider making some beaded bookmarks using the gold ribbon. Well, certainly!

The gold ribbons aren’t something offered at my primary pendant resource and that’s A-Okay because I’m pleased to find them at a place where 100% of the proceeds are used to help fund their programs and services. Formerly Candlelighter’s Childhood Cancer Foundation, the American Childhood Cancer Organization, was there when my friend, and her son, and family, needed help and support.

A couple of years ago, a client asked me to create individualized beaded bookmarks for her Bible Study group. She wanted to give them as Christmas gifts that year and gave me plenty of time to handcraft each one. The only thing the 15 beaded bookmarks had in common – each had a cross pendant. I used at least five different cross designs like the ones pictured below. Details with the use and arrangement of different beads, spacers, and added silver or gold attributes made each a unique, one-of-a-kind handmade gift for her to give!

I love making custom orders! They are always welcome utilizing any theme!

Until January 6^th, use coupon code 5thday at checkout and receive 20% off a Handmade in Texas Beaded Bookmark by Lanetta’s Creations! (one coupon per customer) Free Shipping & Handling, too!

Fourth Day of Christmas - Doll Clothes

Oh, my, goodness…the love for creating handmade doll clothes must be a genetic thing! Between my mother and paternal grandmother, they made all the doll clothes my Chatty Cathy ever wore. If I recall correctly, a great-aunt also made some doll clothes for her! When Barbie came on the scene, they made those itty bitty clothes, too. I’m very fortunate that both dolls, and their handmade wardrobes, are still in my life!

My two nieces played with my dolls whenever they visited. I don’t remember them having much interest with Chatty Cathy, but they thoroughly enjoyed playing with Barbie and her two best friends. As I did while growing up, both nieces took excellent care of the dolls and their doll clothes. This tender loving care is why my treasures are basically in the same condition as when I first received them as Christmas gifts.

Although I will admit, Chatty Cathy’s hair is a bit unruly and I’ve tried rolling, but it remains the same!

After a long absence from the machine, in 2007 I started sewing again. I decided to make Chatty Cathy some new doll clothes. The simple act of sewing, of creating handmade clothes for my first doll, became a passion I’d not ever before experienced! Many times I wonder if the generations before had the same passion. I know they had the same love, as it showed in their faces when they presented me with their handmade gift.

This is one of the first dresses I made for Chatty Cathy when I began sewing again. Made with seer-sucker, cotton, and a bit of trim, I just love this dress!

Sometime in 2008, I realized the American Girl doll wore the same size clothes as Chatty Cathy. I became so excited and shared the news with my sister ~ not that I could afford to buy an AG doll! One day, during chat time over the Internet, my sister & I both looked at the AG site and she asked me which one was my favorite. I couldn’t decide between Mia (2008 Girl of the Year) or Nellie (Historical Character Samantha’s best friend).

Low and behold, a week later, both dolls arrived! I was so SHOCKED and pleasantly surprised at the GENEROUS gift my sister gave me! Trust me, I know how blessed I am to have such a supportive, loving big sister!

See how cute Chatty Cathy's dress looks on Mia:

(I like the red ribbon belt better than the white that Chatty had on in her picture.)

It wasn’t until 2010 that I decided to open Lanetta’s Creations and take a stab at selling my Handmade in Texas doll clothes for 18 inch dolls. I've created special studio section "Doll Clothes - American Girl inspired" but it's Chatty Cathy inspired, too!

Just recently, and thanks to my lovely, generous mother, I now have an American Girl Bitty Baby! I named her Wendy, after a character in one of my favorite childhood stories, Peter Pan. She wears 15 inch clothes that I'm slowly adding outfits to the studio section, Doll Clothes - Bitty Baby Inspired.

This was her first outfit I made:

Then the next one...

 

More are coming!!!

I’m so thankful that between my online store, Arts and Crafts Shows, Trunk Shows, and custom orders, doll clothes handcrafted at Lanetta’s Creations have become a huge success. It warms my heart knowing girls (of all ages!) are dressing their dolls with the Handmade in Texas doll clothes I’ve created, and playing with dolls like the ones I love.

Use coupon code 4thday at checkout and receive 15% off American Girl inspired doll clothes for the 18 inch dolls until 1/6/2012 (one coupon per customer)!!!