New to blogging

Sandra Moses - Thursday, January 24, 2008 - 3:05pm

I am new to blogging and very interested in learning more as I really don't know what I'm doing. This is my first attempt and I'm learning as I go. I have done this section a number of times as I look into another area and then when I go back everything I've entered has disappeared. Hopefully this time it will work correctly. I am looking for some helpful hints that will assist me with this (don't get technical). I am also fairly new in the metal art business, I design the art and run the business, my husband cuts and finishes our art. I am looking for a serious mentor to assist me in learning how to market, etc, a new business and hopefully miss some common pitfalls that I may not know about as yet.

Look forward to getting advice on both blogging and business information.

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Welcome to ArtMetal, Sandra.

Rich Waugh - Thursday, January 24, 2008 - 6:45pm

Welcome to ArtMetal, Sandra. The mechanics of the site and blogging will come to you with practice and experimentation, I'm sure. There are people here who can undoubtedly offer good advice on that as well; this is a very helpful and communicative group of folks here.

On the business of metal art, the best advice I can give you from my experience is to take some courses form your local community college or other institutuion in Business, Accounting and Marketing. Then, armed with that knowledge, go out and hire an accountant. You need the unbiased input form a professional to know where you stand financially, or youwillbe unable to make informed decisions about which directions you want to take with your business. The cost is well worth it, believe me.

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Re the Business

Sandra Moses - Tuesday, February 5, 2008 - 6:32pm

Sandra Moses Owner, Designer Ablaze MetalArt & Design 250-338-2339 www.AblazeMetalArt.com info@AblazeMetalArt.com

Thanks ever so much, Rich, I really appreciate the input. I actually have just signed up for a morning workshop on building relationships with customers and referral sources. I think I will have to look at some other courses as well regarding marketing, and business. I am getting an Accountant in the near future so hopefully they will be able to help me out in this area. It's been awhile since I've had some time to actually get back to the site, but I know with help for people like you and the others that replied to my comments, that this will become a lot easier (at least I hope so!)

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Hi Sandra and welcome to

eligius1427 - Thursday, January 24, 2008 - 8:08pm

Hi Sandra and welcome to Artmetal. I just looked at your website and it looks like you have a pretty good grasp on marketing already. Your website and the shear number of products available is pretty impressive. Rich has a good point about a new business. Knowing how much money there is and more importantly how much you need to make every month to pay your bills AND make a profit is a must. I used a book called "Mark Up and Profit: A Contractor's Guide" by Stone. You have to apply it to your particular business and may still need the help from an accountant, but it does give a great overview of all of the expenses you need to keep in mind. It also points out all of the different tasks that you need to get paid for as a business owner. It was quite an eye opener for me. I look forward to seeing more of your work.

Jake

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Marketing

Sandra Moses - Tuesday, February 5, 2008 - 6:24pm

Sandra Moses Owner, Designer Ablaze MetalArt & Design 250-338-2339 www.AblazeMetalArt.com info@AblazeMetalArt.com

Thanks Jake. I was told when getting a website to make sure we got someone who would do a good job and not just a do it yourself quick webpage. So we hired a webmaster (which cost us a fair amount, but when we google.ca metal art we come up number one {and that's after just 1 year}, so we're quite pleased with the outcome. As far as the amount of product, me and my husband have been working like crazy to be able to show people the diversity of what we can do - now we'll hopefully be able to refine our signature pieces more}. We're still working at making the website better by adding in colour choices on-line, etc; but I guess this will be an ongoing process (at least it's been that so far) I always feel like I'm scrambling. (with everything to do with the business).

Thanks also for the input regarding the Mark Up & Profit, it sounds like it might be something we could use. I'll try to get some time in the near future to look into it more.I've been so swamped with trying to get into art, trade and other types of shows, I have hardly had time to breath, hence why it's been awhile since I've been back to this site.

I look forward to keeping in touch and eventually getting to know about your work as well.

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Working that hard is a good

eligius1427 - Tuesday, February 5, 2008 - 9:19pm

Working that hard is a good way to start your business. The toughest part is in the first few years, until you get into a rhythm and finally understand your business and clients. After that you might get a free hour every week or so. Ha Ha. I'm sure all of your hard work will pay off.

Jake

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Working Hard

Sandra Moses - Wednesday, February 6, 2008 - 12:21pm

Well I'm glad that we seem to be doing some things right. I was a little sad to hear that I may only get a free hour every week or so, I was hopeful for at least 2 free hours . Well we have the first year done, just one more to go for that free time.

Sandra Moses Owner, Designer Ablaze MetalArt & Design 250-338-2339 www.AblazeMetalArt.com info@AblazeMetalArt.com

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Welcome to ArtMetal Sandra.

webminster - Friday, January 25, 2008 - 3:23pm

Welcome to ArtMetal Sandra. If you will take some time and view the video tutorials we have in the help/faq section, you will learn much about what you can do with your membership in ArtMetal. I hope you will learn much and also help teach others about your metal art skills you have acquired.

Thanks for sharing!

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Thanks for the input

Sandra Moses - Tuesday, February 5, 2008 - 6:07pm

Thank you for the input, I'm always one who seems to just jump in and read instructions after. I of course never even thought about using the help section, but I will now. I've been so busy doing so much and feeling like I'm not getting anywhere I haven't even had time to get back to the site til today.

Thanks again.

Sandra Moses Owner, Designer Ablaze MetalArt & Design 250-338-2339 www.AblazeMetalArt.com info@AblazeMetalArt.com

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