EC Free Ads...Is It Worth It?

Okay, with all the talk going on about EntreCard with the high click rates and the forced paid ads, I finally took a look at my EC stats with Google Analytics. Here is the data. Maybe you can help me decide where to go next. I also hope this prompts you to take a look at yours, too.

There is no surprise I am seeing a high bounce rate. In fact, for my EC referral hits and EC ad hits, I am showing an above average bounce rate. However, my direct, Google searched and blogger hits show a below average bounce rate. This shows me that people getting to my blog through following, Google searches and blogger surfing actually spend time on my blog reading it. Thank you to those that make the time I take to write posts worth my while :)
However, those hits coming from EC referral and EC ads are (I am postulating) staying long enough to drop a card and move on. Most of them stay on my site for between zero seconds and 30 seconds. Some of you do read my blog, and I thank you for that, too. But the one's who just drop and go shows. If you dig deeper, it will tell you how much time and how many hits each EC member has. Some of them are consistently zero time. These must be the click farmers. Right? Is this what you are evaluating, Oriental Lodge? Smart guy!

Now, as for total page hits per day, I am getting anywhere between 150-250 page hits a day. 48% of those come from EC referrals, 15% come from ad clicks and the rest are direct, Google, Blogger and other various ways. This tells me that a little over half my visitors are EC visitors which is good. However, as you may recall, EC hit bounce rates are higher than average whereas the rest are under average, so this is bad. Hmmm.

Now, lets figure if it is worth it monetarily for me to have my "free EC ads". Say I think that my time is worth $10/hour (gee, my step-kids get a better pay rate without a college education, making between $12 and $14 an hour at HSBC and $11 an hour at UPS). It takes me about 2 hours a day on average to drop my 300 cards to gain points for advertising. I know this because I start my drops at 7:30am after dropping the kids off at school and get done to start my real work about 9:30 - 10:00 am. This works out to about $100 a week. Therefore, I am spending $100 a week to have ads on a small amount of blogs that only drive my bounce rate up. I do gain some sales from my blog, however, but this doesn't happen very often.

In contrast, I also periodically advertise with Project Wonderful. However, I don't do it often as the money in my account tends to run out pretty quickly (faster than I get money from advertisers). This makes me wonder if the people who host my ad through Project Wonderful create false clicks to drive their payout up. I don't know if you can do this, I have never tried it before to the PW ads on my blog. I haven't had an ad campaign on PW in quite some time, so I don't have the statistics to see those bounce rates. I could dig them up, but that would be time consuming.

So, I guess the question I am asking is "Is it really worth it to get free advertising from EC when time is money?" Consider the high bounce rate where people are not even reading the blog. What is your opinion? What do you think when you look at your own stats? Anyone have experience with CMF (or whatever it is) or any other avenue?

In defense of periodic quick-clickers...I admit that sometimes I do engage in click and run. When I drop, I use the EC toolbar to open up 10 pages at a time. I always read the blog in the first tab while it is loading. After I drop, comment (if I feel necessary) and close the tab, I look at the next blog. Did I already read the post yesterday? I drop and go. Did I get terribly bored after the first 4-5 sentences? I drop and go. If neither of the two apply, I read the post, comment if necessary, drop and go until all tabs are done. Rinse, repeat. If your blog is in my favorites with EC, you can bet I spend time on it. Why else would you be my favorite? Whether you drop on me or not. If I like your blog, I will remain faithful. I figure I spend on average about 2.5 minutes on each blog. However, this is not very accurate. Some blogs that I already read, I drop and go. The rest of them may take me more than 2 minutes to read and comment and then there are the times I go back into our archives, especially if you just became my favorite and I want to check out what I missed. And I also admit that if I have a doctor appointment or some other thing that is going to cut my day short, I drop and go on all of them. I hate doing this because then I have to spend twice as much time the next day to catch up on my reading, especially if a post was written since the last one I read. And there are some days I just simply don't have time to drop. There are so many variables to this.

Okay. I am sorry this post is so long, but if you made it this far, please share your thoughts, experience and advice. I really hate to leave EC. I really want to try to stick it out for the long haul. But we need to ask ourselves if we are getting the most bang for the buck with the free ads we do get, because the bottom line is, nothing is for free.

Celebrate Family Day Today!

What does this mean for you? If you still have children at home, eat dinner together at the dinner table. Unfortunately, with busy schedules of working moms and active kids, the family dinner is becoming a thing of the past. Family Day is designed to show the importance of frequent family dinners. Read more about Family Day at the Family Day Website. You can get your Family Dinner Kit here also, which consists of conversation starters, recipes, puzzles you can do together.

Every year, we celebrate Family Day. Kinda hard not to when the kid's school stresses the importance of it to the point where the kids look forward to it when they get home! We eat about 90% of our dinners together at the table as a family, but we still observe the day. Usually, we take it one step further and play a board game after dinner.

No matter how you do it, make a point to observe Family Day this year. It will be something your kids look forward to every year.

Foto Friday...

All courtesy of my brother....



So my brother, the lucky duck, had to take a business trip to Germany. Oh, poor baby! He travels the US and abroad training companies to use equipment the company he works for manufactures. Not a bad gig for him, as after the training is done for the day, he leaves his hotel with camera in hand. The cool part for me when he goes on overseas business trips is the pictures he comes back with! He has been in Heidelberg for the last several weeks and is lamenting that he has to hop a plane back home Saturday night Germany time. What luck for him as this is close to the region that our family came from, however, it was closer to the Rhine. Here is a sampling of some of the pictures he has emailed me that he shot after his training sessions.

Now, when he gets back home, he is going to burn them all on a DVD to mail to me...then I can get in the studio and paint, paint, paint!!!

Tag, You're It!

My dear friend, Jewelled Trellis, tagged me! When you get tagged, you tell the world 10 things about yourself. This is such a great way to get to know outstanding artisans. Some of my favorites are at the bottom. If you appear there, you have been tagged! Either way, give them a visit to see why they are my favorites!

1) I own my business, work from my home studios (yup, got more than one...what can I say? I need space!), I'm a mother to two teenagers and one young adult, step-mother to three young adults and "Granny" to three little ones who are my step-daughter's kids.

2) I was born and raised in upstate New York and have hated it all my life. The warmth and the ocean calls me every year. I get cold in temps less than 75 degrees!

3) I, too, suffer multiple artisan disorder. I began selling my oil paintings at craft shows right after I graduated high school in 1985. At the same time, I was messing around with beading and began showing them several years later. I have been known to make and sell everything from stuffed animals to hand quilted quilts to papier mache items in addition to artwork and jewelry.

4) I have focal hand dystonia that affects my hands and forearms. Basically what happens is that my brain sends signals to my hands and forearms to painfully spasm while I am doing certain tasks (holding the phone, writing, driving, holding a book while reading, stringing beads, crocheting, knitting and hand sewing mainly). I have learned to create using techniques that do not aggravate the dystonia because I REFUSE to let it get in the way of my business.

5) I fell in love with buttons at 8 years old. We would visit my Grandma Meyerhoefer every weekend, who was very poor raising 9 children alone as Grandpa died early from stomach cancer. She didn't have toys for me to play with, so she would pull out her button tin for me to go through. I loved running my fingers through them, sorting them, etc. Now, buttons take me back to Grandma's. The buttons I use in my jewelry cannot be found in button tins, however. I get them from antique button auctions! Yes, they really do exist!

6) I have a degree in NeuroPsychology, minored in biology and Fine Arts. Why am I not a neuropsychologist? I couldn't afford to finish the Doctorate :( Maybe someday.

7) My family room is slowly becoming my library. I adore books and reading. I get most of my books free from BookMooch. Check them out if you love to read!

8) I have been an entrepreneur since a child. I had regular yard sales (with my stuff) and lemon aid/ice tea stands. When I was 10, I made candy and took them around the neighborhood to sell to the neighbors. Several years later, I would sell my crafts at my yard sales, not that the crafts sold very well, but I loved doing it.

9) I have a deep interest in World War II and have been studying it for probably 15 years. I read everything I can get my hands on!

10) I am an avid gardener and my dream is to have 50% of my property consisting of gardens. So far, I am probably at 20%. Every year, I put a new garden in. Presently, I have a huge memory garden, a frog pond garden, my vegetable garden, the back patio garden, the Japanese garden, rose garden and a small walkway garden in the front. Oh, and another kidney garden by the road. Next year, I will be putting in a native garden.

Now, I am tagging (in no particular order):

1) The Ad Master - great online marketing info.
2) The Queen Speaks - Katherine keeps me in stitches!
3) WillOaks Studio - beautiful gardens and such...
4) KitchenRetro - crazy ads from the past...
5) EntrePod - Mama ASID has spoken...
6) Lovely Purses - Duni's great creations among other things...
7) KreatedByKelly - fellow button lover...her stuff looks like candy!
8) Les Bijoux Crea-Lune - she has an art with stones I simply do not have!
9) Pink Pooch Designs - amazing bracelets!
10) Originals By Terri - yummy jewelry...and she has a giveaway going on right now!

Wow...that was so hard to narrow that down to 10!

Wordless Wednesday

Keeping Your Schedule Organized

Probably one of the most excruciating tasks of owning a business is keeping it organized: finances, orders, show schedules, etc. I am a pretty organized person in general. It was always one of my strong points when I was in the working world with a boss breathing down my neck. I have for the most part carried that trait into my business and can seem to maintain a decent amount of organization for the most part. Key word here, for the most part.

In the working world, I was a financial counselor. I saw eight clients every day with most appointments lasting one hour and many times more. Needless to say, I worked lots of overtime. What helped me stay on schedule? My secretary. Okay, fast-forward to today. I don't have a secretary anymore. I got so spoiled on other people handling and filling in my schedule that I forgot how to do it myself. I'm so used to looking in my book and having it all filled out for me.

Today, I use a calendar and a home-made day timer (what can I say? I am cheap), but sometimes seem to find myself behind the 8-ball with my schedule. Deadlines, shows, show applications, etc.

Here is where you come in. What live-saving technique do you use to keep your time organized? Please, do tell all! If I don't get anything out of it, maybe a fellow reader will. So...spill the beans......

Oh, and don't forget to thank your secretary and treat her very well if you have one!

Cube Trilogy Movie Marathon

Have you ever seen the Cube trilogy? If it doesn't sound familiar, probably not. Well, you need to. If you like horror movies, that is. The sequence is pretty screwy, so you never really know which order to watch them in.

It all began with Cube. Random people placed in a cubic structure containing over 17,000 14 x 14 cubic rooms. Some rooms are okay, some rooms are trapped which ends in gruesome disaster. Only one way out...if you can figure it out. Pretty good movie. Then came Cube 2: Hypercube. Same scenario but more sophisticated traps and it explains Cube a little more. Better than the first one. Then they came out with Cube Zero. This one explains the whole thing with very primitive cubes compared to Cube 2: Hypercube. Still pretty good, though. Now the problem. Do you start with Cube or Cube Zero?

We ended up starting with Cube rented on Movies on Demand as my video store didn't have it. Then we watched the rented copy of Cube Zero and we had to cut Cube 2: Hypercube as the video store didn't have that one, either. What a bummer as Cube 2 is by far my favorite.

So, what are you waiting for? Go get the movies and watch them! I'm surprised this trilogy isn't very popular...I thought it was way better than the Saw's! Maybe I will finally get the trilogy for my birthday this year...been asking for it for so long and still don't have it yet :(

Lest We not Forget....

Because History does have a funny way of repeating itself....

1000 Markets Button Market is LIVE!

Why am I so excited? My vision became a reality! Now, all of you know how much I love my buttons. When I first became a member of 1000Markets, I dreamed of starting a button market. A place where others like me (button-lovers) can go to look at and purchase hand crafted artisan products featuring antique and vintage clothing buttons. After some hard work, research and a little help from some button friends, the dream is now a reality! The market offers products from fashion to home decor and there are forums visible to the public to get involved in the conversations! We have a blog and members will be engaging in monthly challenges intended to help artisans break out of their creative boxes.

For those of you who are not familiar with 1000Markets, we are an online shopping community who offers quality artisan items. The thing I like best about this venue is the professional look and feel as well as the fact that artisans have to be juried to become a member. This way, you know you are connecting with talented artisans offering quality pieces. Drop by and take a peek!

If buttons are what you crave, stop by and check us out. Now is your opportunity to see and purchase quality, unique pieces featuring miniature works of art!

Doin' the happy-button-dance!

After taking a little time off, I am featuring an artisan on Etsy, Amanda from Crafty Dragon a.k.a. Dragon's Den. Dragon's Den offers natural soaps, lotions and candles. Dragon's Den started with Amanda's longing to become more self sufficient as well as offering natural bath products for her family. As fate would have it, Amanda met a friend who taught her how to achieve just this and she took off from there! Amanda has observed her products evolving over time. She finds that she began with very simple ideas, and well, one thing leads to another. Before she knew it, the floodgates opened and the creativity took off. One thing that Amanda would love to learn is Chainmaille. She would love to add this skill to her repertoire at one point.

Yin-Yang Candle Set
(Vanilla)
$16.50

On the business aspect, Amanda keeps her recipes in Word documents on her computer and when she finds new ideas for recipes online, she bookmarks them until she can research them further. When she hits a creative road block, she allows her mind to work through it by not setting expectations for herself. She just allows herself to play around to see what happens. While she is working, she listens to all kinds of music and pod casts. Amanda finds that when she hears music in the background, it prevents her from being distracted by other things around the house and studio. It helps her to focus on the task at hand.

Custom 1 oz. Soaps for Promo or Party Favors
20 Piece
$22.50

Amanda's favorite selling venue is online on Etsy. She loves the fact that she can connect to customers all over the world. Her most memorable moment in her business was when a customer contacted her to let her know how much Amanda's product helped her. The feeling of satisfaction knowing you can deliver a product that the general product cannot get in stores. Amanda feels that her biggest obstacle is driving traffic to her site. She engages in inexpensive advertising and is seeing traffic slowly come to her site. Amanda also feels that blogging is her most productive marketing technique. It allows her to connect with the public while the public learns what goes on behind the scenes.

Cotton Bath Mit
$7.50

I asked Amanda if she could offer any advice to fellow business owners. Here's what she had to say:
"Be patient. It takes time to build traffic and clientele. Success does not come instantly. Stay confident and wait for your hard work to pay off."

Sampler of Tea Lights, Soap and Lip Balm
$5.00

Be sure to stop by to see Amanda...and tell her Alterity sent you!

Happy Labor Day!

Hope you all enjoy your day of reprieve from work today. I will still be taking the day off.

The sting is better. Finger is still swollen but pain finally left yesterday, however, it was replaced with this incredible drive-you-up-the-wall itch!!!! I can't stand to take anymore benadryl as it makes me so tired, so I switched to Lyderm (which isn't doing that great). I ended up with a prescription for Lyderm as I have a habit of getting stung by some of my corals in my marine aquarium while doing maintenance. What is it with me and stinging? So anyway, I am free to type! Yipee! Thank you so much for your well-wishing and concern! I'm really fond of my blogging friends!

So, what did I do for the last two days to keep myself occupied? Watched war movies. I love World War II movies, but I wanted a change of pace yesterday so I rented We Were Soldiers. Vietnam is not very high on the interest scale for me, perhaps it is the unpopularity of the topic? Who knows. Needless to say, what a great movie! The poor men...it was like Omaha Beach every time they arrived on the helicopters, over and over and over in one day. Whew!

Anyway, no matter what you do end up doing today, be safe and have fun!

Owwch! Bee stings!

So, I am a hour into my craft show this morning and WHAM! A yellow jacket stung me. Not so good when you are allergic to bees. I called the hubby to have him run my meds over. I'm still trying to talk to potential customers in my booth while hubby passed me all my meds....one by one....along side a water bottle to swallow the pills. The look of horror on my potential customer's face seeing me pop pills mid-sentence. Don't worry, I explained my predicament. I only lasted two more hours and had to leave as the swelling and pain was too much for me. Now, don't think me a sissy. I bore three children natural with no drugs or meds and was always quite annoyed by the other women in labor carrying on! "You knew it was gonna hurt!" For anyone with bee allergies, you can quite understand the pain of the sting that will last for days. Most people get stung and the pain subsides after a while. Not with bee allergies. The pain and welting can last for a long time. The last time I was stung on my leg, I had a red welt the size of a dinner plate on my thigh for at least 9 months after the sting!

I don't know what it is this year with the bees. I get my house and yard exterminated and preventative treated for yellow jackets and wasps three times a year to help cut down the chances of my being stung. The company came out last week to spray their last treatment of the year and he stated that this year the bees are the most aggressive he has ever seen them in previous years. In fact, I didn't provoke this bee. I was sitting there waiting for people to come to my booth and the sucka stung me before I even knew there was a bee near me.

It may be a few days before I post again as I was stung on my middle finger of my left hand and presently cannot use the hand. I hate this slow typing! My right hand is fine and so is my clicking finger, so I will continue to drop cards, I just cannot comment :(

Have a great Labor Day weekend, everyone! I guess I will be enjoying mine as I cannot work even if I wanted to! Maybe it's God's way of telling me that I am going to take a day off!

EC Top Droppers for August 2009

Yea, yea, I know. A day late in exposing my top droppers for August. I'm lucky I am even posting this at all. It's been a pretty busy week here. My kids start school tomorrow, so I have been finishing up with school shopping and my last craft show engagement is this weekend. Whew!

So...without further adieu, my Top Droppers for August:

Sharing Information (31) - great computer tips and tricks

My Gypsy Goods (29) - blog of a fellow artisan

WillOaks Studio (29) - fellow artisan and her gardens, dear friend of mine

Funky Town Disco Music (28) - need I say more?

Split Rock Ranch (28) - Fiber Artist and llamas, llamas, llamas

Theresa's Treasures (27) - fellow artisan blog

Anything Goes With Phan (26) - diary blog

Buy-Tees.net T-shirts (26) - ummmm, T-shirts? Fashion blog.

Beaded Tail (25) - fellow artisan blog who creates for animal charities

Photography by KML (24) - Beautiful photograpy...every post is eye candy!

Thank you again, to all my top droppers!

Inglourious Basterds....

So, I finally had a chance to see the movie. My son (Jay) and I were waiting for months for it to come out. You see, we are lovers of all things World War II , and since there isn't too many World War II movies that come out, when one finally does, we have to go! Especially if it offers any humor to it. World War II movies and humor is not a very likely pair.

Anyway, we were supposed to go see it with my father when he was in town...he was here on opening day. The problem? My father strongly dislikes Brad Pitt. So, we didn't go. "I refuse to spend money to see an actor I can't stand." Jay and I were devastated! After all that time we waited! Well, that's okay, because we went yesterday after school shopping. Now, I'm not too fond of Brad Pitt myself, but I didn't let my lack of fondness of Tom Cruise keep me from seeing Valkyrie either!

The consensus? We loved it! It was a little long, but it was hilarious, full of action with tons of giggle-factor and the ending was worth the wait. Brad Pitt was surprisingly funny with his southern-drawl sarcastic way of talking - had me busting in giggles every time he was on screen. I have to say that I'm glad we didn't drag my father to see it as he would have hated it. Despite the bad reviews, I still enjoyed it. If it wasn't for my son, I probably would have waited for it to come out on DVD. However, the money spent for the theater was worth the wonderful day that my son and I spent together. He's 13 you know, and my time with him is slipping fast. Before you know it, he will be packing his things and dumping a whopping case of empty-nest-syndrome in my lap.

One word of caution: if you are not really into World War II, you may not like this movie. Oh, one more word of caution - my son begged me to stop at the hobby shop to pick up yet another German tank model, so be prepared for it to cost a little more if your kids are into World War II! Where will I be today? Working in the studio next to Jay working on his model!