The Sewing Mom

As my readers know, I’m now working part time and I’m in my second week of training for what will soon be a work-from-home position. I’m beginning to get more accustomed to getting ready and out the door in the morning, but I’m thankful that I don’t have to be in class until 9:30. I’m able to get up at my usual time, get my daughter off to school, and then I have just under an hour to check email, do laundry, or whatever else I feel I need to do before leaving the house.

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a job I needed to commute to, it’s another adjustment for me. I’m finding that if I leave the house 5-10 minutes later, the traffic is slightly better and I can actually get to the office at almost the same time, with time to spare. Also, because there is less traffic, it’s more relaxing of a drive, particularly once I get onto the toll road. At that time of morning, I’ve noticed that a lot of the traffic is vehicles used for business. What’s surprised me is how many of these vehicles utilize Magnetic signs to advertise their business. I’ve noticed every businesses like plumbing to party clowns and everything in between with magnetic signs.

I like to read their signs to find out what they do, some are more obvious than others, and some are definitely more creative than others. I have to say, some could use some improvement. I’d love to tell them that they can use coupon code “CarDoor25″ to receive a 25% discount on a shiny new magnetic sign at www.vistaprint.com and they should really take advantage of the opportunity to get a new sign! I feel that shiny new legible signs are the sign of a successful business. Faded and worn out signs don’t attract me as a consumer. My advice? Get a shiny new magnetic sign!

Do you ever find yourself reading the magnetic signs people have on their vehicles? I do, it sorts of provides my entertainment as I’m driving down the road, especially on longer trips. When we drove out to Tennessee last month I was wishing I had placed Magnetic signs on my van for everyone to see and maybe drum up some traffic to my site and some purchases.

Have you ever called a business after reading their magnetic sign? I’ve done it a few times, most recently to order pizza while we were in the car. My daughter just picked up my cell phone and plugged in the number so that I could order the pizza on our way and then we didn’t have to wait to long. I’ve also contacted carpet cleaners and landscape services after seeing them in the neighborhood and reading their magnetic signs. What about visiting the website that you’ve read from a magnetic sign, I’ve done that a lot.

I know that many of us crafting bloggers are trying hard to make a niche for not only our blogs, but our businesses as well. What better way to let people around where you live know about your business then with a car magnet? Right now you can even receive 25% off Car Door Magnets by using coupon code CarDoor25 at vistaprint.com and there are 2 sizes to choose from and over 100 designs to choose from.  If you like, you can even create your own design.  Personally, I’m looking for any way to increase my sales and make my craft work for me.

I spent most of last week with my sister in Kentucky. We’ve both been sewing like mad, along with our other sister, to prepare for our coming out sale scheduled for July. As the dates get closer, we find ourselves thinking of things we need to do to be prepared besides the actual sewing and creating our goods.

We have to bring our attention around to marketing ourselves, both at the sale and afterwards. I’m hoping we do well at the sale itself and then have follow up sales. I’ve had business cards made that I will pass out and have inserted into every item I do sell so buyers will know how to get in touch with me. My sister and I also have fabric labels that we sew into our crafted items to identify where they come from.

As for our booth itself, we’ve been talking about signage for it. We’d like to have a banner to hang as well as maybe some table placards. Since I’m going to be driving out in our big van, I’ve even been considering magnetic signs to place on the outside of the van. Everything we do can be customized and so can our advertising campaigns, especially if we use VistaPrint.  I ordered my business cards from them and also my return address labels.  I’m looking at what other printing needs they can do for me.

I’m getting excited and nervous at the same time. I want everything to go well and I want it to be a great start to our sales.