Friends are your best customers!

My friend Jessica came over today and sampled my eyeshadow. I had over 8 colors that are intended for darker skin tones. She loved them all! I gave her a one application sample of each color and sent her home with an mineral eyeshadow brush. I really appreciated her input and seeing her apply the eyeshadow and really like the way it smoothed out and stayed on. I gave her some business cards and we talked about other ways I can market my products. I am going to start hitting up organizations on our college campus.

I had another burst of inspiration and made another eyeshadow color tonight. This one took some work! I started with brown/red and violet. It turned out awful! I mixed in some browns and pinks and ended up with a shimmery and sultry brown. I call it brazilian bronze. I had tons of product and quickly got it posted on my website. I still haven't had any shoppers. I am sad about that. I've had two friends buy and that is great. I hope they enjoy their eyeshadow and foundation and refer friends, family, co-workers and others to my site.

I am flabbergasted at how expensive my competitors are when mineral makeup is so inexpensive to make. Jessica and I were talking about this tonight. Why is natural makeup so much more expensive if it costs less to make? It's all a marketing ploy. I can charge $5.99 for an eyeshadow and $9.99 for a foundation and still make a decent profit. As long as people start buying my products! I have a marketing book I bought this weekend and I plan on reading up. I just want to book 5 house parties and start out that way, along with the consignment stores, and my website. I did list on Craigslist tonight. Maybe that will bring in local business.

It's getting late and I want to snuggle with my boyfriend. My son Harlan had a great weekend so far. I need to really get my business organized! I have so much to do. I do have plenty of time to do it though. Just gotta plan. Lots of planning to do. I want to be successful and have fun at the same time. We are thinking about signing up for the Salem Saturday Market. I need to research that possibility.

The whole Search Engine Optimization thingy is killing me. It costs so much money to get noticed online. I know there are back doors to the process but I haven't figured them out yet. I need a web developer and someone who knows about online marketing. I just cannot afford that service right now. Focus on local markets. That's why I need to keep reminding myself. There is plenty of time for the big internet. If anyone is actually reading this blog I would appreciate comments. I haven't had any. I need to know why people aren't buying my makeup. 800 visitors to my website and only 2 purchases! That is truly sad. I added a few pages and more text to my site. I know I have a ways to go. I thought the pictures were pretty good and I have decent info about my product. The price is spot on and way competitive. I just don't think I am reputable yet.

Give it time. That's what I keep telling myself. I need to share some storefront space with someone locally. That would help. Just who?

Love,

Jennifer
ps. Here is my new eyeshadow: Brazilian Bronze: Only $5.99