Blogging Tips from my EBSQart Blogger of the Week Interview

Copyright 2010 by Maria Soto Robbins "Royal Poinciana"
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I have received a lot of positive feedback about my blogging tips from my friends over at my online group, unique women in business.  Since I didn't previously post my complete interview from the ebsqart Blogger of the Week, I'd like to share that part of it below:

First Tip:
Blog as frequently as you can. For me it's at least three times a week, usually more. I do see the benefits of blogging frequently (via google analytics) but sometimes I don't have time to craft a complete post and instead will just post a description of one of my paintings from one of my venues (Etsy or ebay), along with a picture. This is still good for the seo however it is lazy approach and I don't recommend you over do it. The point is to get something out there rather than go for days and days without posting anything on your blog!

Second Tip:
I'd like to share, a simple list I glance at each time I blog. It consists of these basic, but important reminders (adapted from http://www.dailyblogtips.com/):

1. Did I read the post after writing it? (You'd be amazed how many times, I'm in a hurry and forget to do this-lol.)
2. Is the post as complete as it could be?
3. Did I research any related keywords?
4. Did I think carefully about the title?
5. Did I link to one or more of my older posts?
6. Did I link to external resources when appropriate?
7. Did I check to make sure my links are working?
8. Did I include an interesting image?
9. Is this a good day for traffic?
10. Did I proofread and check my spelling?

Third and Most Important Tip:
Besides these things though, the most important thing is to have a certain degree of passion about that which you blog about and have those feelings shine through to the reader. It's a lot about your reader (not you necessarily) and what he hopes to find in your blog. Remember, they're reading because you inspire them somehow!

Thomas graduation

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from katskloset's posterous

July Christmas Shopping

Sitting on my deck strolling the isles of Depression Glass Warehouse
http://stores.ebay.com/Depression-Glass-WarehouseNow this is how to shop for Christmas, not freezing waiting in lines for early bird specials. There is a 10% off Sale going on right now. I'm grabbing deals so I can relax and enjoy Christmas in December. Ahhhhh Life is Good!

I'm starting in the Book Isle for the history Buff in my family-
1958 Blay Civil War Slipcased 2nd ed VG US History http://cgi.ebay.com/1958-Blay-Civil-War-Slipcased-2nd-ed-VG-US-History-/360273574188?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Nonfiction_Book&hash=item53e1fa792c">

Off to the Depression Glass Isle for Mom of course
5 pc Pink Pebble Rim Depression Glass Dinnerware
http://cgi.ebay.com/5-pc-Pink-Pebble-Rim-Depression-Glass-Dinnerware-/230460058664?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35a87d6c28

In the Collectible Isle I found something for Dad to remember his childhood
Sm tin windup Motorcycle Racer w/ Sidecar Vehicle Toy
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sm-tin-windup-Motorcycle-Racer-w-Sidecar-Vehicle-Toy-/360195903561?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53dd595049 Vintage Photographs Isle I found a perfect one for my son
Vtg 1948 Baseball B&W Game Photo Cleveland Detroit
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vtg-1948-Baseball-B-W-Game-Photo-Cleveland-Detroit-/360246788501?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Art_Photo_Images&hash=item53e061c195

I also found some wonderful Christmas Decoration for my house.
Small Cut Hand-Blown Art Glass Friendship Witch Ball
http://cgi.ebay.com/Small-Cut-Hand-Blown-Art-Glass-Friendship-Witch-Ball-/230484172134?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35a9ed5d66and

4 Vtg Handpainted Glass Oriental style light bulbs 120v
http://cgi.ebay.com/4-Vtg-Handpainted-Glass-Oriental-style-light-bulbs-120v-/230355789590?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35a2466716 That's it for today, I'll go back and shop tomorrow. This sale is going on all month, much better than a few hours of early bird deals in December!

Christmas in July at My Moms Books

Online Business Success is a wonderful, supportive group of eBay sellers.  This month, July 2010, a number of us have gotten together to organize Christmas in July sales.  These sales last the entire month of July -- and end at midnight July 31.

I would love to highly recommend a great store and wonderful seller to you today.  Suzanne has an online bookstore called My Moms Books.  She has stellar customer service, and a wonderful variety of books.  Her children's books, like this vintage Cozy Corner picture book edition of Cinderella, are especially nice.  I also love this lot of five Doctor Dolittle books.   (What a great price on that lot too!) 

She also has some great sewing patterns.  I was particularly taken with this NO SEW pattern for poncho for owner and dog.  So cute!

I also like many of Suzanne's craft books, like this great Lot of 5 Art of Sewing Time Life 1960's Shortcuts Decor books.

When you visit Suzanne's store, please take a moment to sign up for one (or more!) of her newsletters -- see top right of store page:  My Moms Books - newsletters in top right corner.

I hope you'll enjoy visiting all the Online Business Success sellers' stores for many great Christmas in July bargains!  The links below are clickable:

Birdhouse Books (15% storewide sale through July; 25% - 50% sales on vintage sewing patterns and music CDs)

KD More Crafts and More (10% sale)

Kats Kloset (5% sale)

Depression Glass Warehouse (10% sale)

This-N-That-Freeland-Enterprises (5% sale)

Treasures from Trish (25% sale)

Book Corner Cafe (15% sale)

FamilyNiteMovies (15% sale)

Udderly Good Stuff (5% sale)

My Moms Books (20% after July 10)

Bob's Neat Store (10%)

More of CHRISTMAS IN JULY SALE!!

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Christmas in July @ Depression Glass Warehouse

Our group Online Business Succehttp://stores.ebay.com/Depression-Glass-Warehousess is having a Christmas in July Sale. This was the idea of Trish from  Birdhouse Books and what a great idea. She decided to have a store wide Christmas in July sale in her Ebay Store and asked if we would like to join her. We decided to join in and we are all working hard to promote ourselves and each other with this sale. The list of our members that are doing this sale was posted in an earlier blog post. We are all doing a sale with some variations in the discount amount so stop by and check us all out for some great deals.

As our list mom, Beth Cherkowsky was the first to jump in and sign up her amazing eBay Store - Depression Glass Warehouse.

Now don't let the name of Beth's store fool you. Although she is the expert in all things depression glass, this woman entrepreneur is also becoming an expert at antique books, first editions, and sci-fi toys, just to mention a few areas!


You will find both auctions and Fixed Price items with Best Offer and Beth is happy to accept reasonable offers on all her items. She offers A+ customer service and quick shipping to all her customers so stop by today and check out her Christmas in July sale.

What makes a Blog good?

Yesterday I had the opportunity to submit some sample Blog articles to a company with the hopes that they would like my work well enough to consider giving me a Daily Blog on their website. Sounds simple enough, but I didn't have any samples pertaining to the subject matter that they wanted and...most of my Blog posts aren't really worthy of being considered as sample material for a query.

For me, the problem has been that I have always lacked a direction for my Blog and because of this I think my "voice" has suffered. This led me to the question - "What makes a Blog good?".

We already know that there are three "E"s that a Blog needs for it to succeed.

It must:

• Educate
• Entertain
• Engage

There is more to that though. Good Blogs make us feel like we know the person. We want to know what happens to them next. Some people prefer to keep it "all business-all the time", but how many of those Blogs do YOU personally read on a daily basis? That is one thing that I like about this Blog that you are reading now. It has a mix of information, as well as a mix of writers. You may learn something one day (Educate), and be amused (Entertain) by something you read on here the next. If you like what you see and come back to read what's new (Engage), then it would appear that we have accomplished the objective of what makes a Blog good.

And...for today...at least....I hope...I have achieved this task!

Ebay on location - Chicago-style

Something I Re-Learned Today - A Picture Speaks a 1000 Words

I have always been one to preach about taking good pictures in an auction (and now fixed price) listing. That being said I was reminded today just how important it can be.
We all know how critical not getting low DSRs are to our well being on EBay. I had sold some expensive pottery pieces recently, packed well, shipped and then never heard anything... until 2 weeks later.
I awoke to an email from the customer stating the lid on one piece had a discoloration on it and he wasn't happy. After my adrenaline rush subsided I went to look at my description and photos. It was then I realized first off my auction software had removed the photos from the listing already yikes! I went and reloaded them and looked and sure enough I had put in a closeup of the discoloration.
I wrote back to the customer first stating I was sorry they were not happy but that I had clearly pictured the lid in my listing and what would he like me to do to make this transaction satisfactory for him. I was surprised to get a response that yes it was their mistake for not noticing the picture and that I had done nothing wrong in my description.
I'm still always disappointed when a customer is unhappy with a transaction, and I was prepared to make this right however that may have turned out to be for this customer, but relieved they took responsibility and held no bad feelings to me as the seller since I had carefully photoed the item.
So the lessons here:
1. Make sure your photos are clear, thorough showing front, back, sides, top and bottom and especially ANY damage, discoloration or quirks of the item.
2. Make sure your photos remain on the listing until the item has been received and all is well (customer leaves feedback etc) or 90 days... after that they really can't come back on us if they then decided not to like the item.

Christmas In July Sale Featuring Birdhouse Books

Our group Online Business Success is having a Christmas in July Sale. This was the idea of Trish from  Birdhouse Books and what a great idea. She decided to have a store wide Christmas in July sale in her Ebay Store and asked if we would like to join her. We decided to join in and we are all working hard to promote ourselves and each other with this sale. The list of our members that are doing this sale was posted in an earlier blog post. We are all doing a sale with some variations in the discount amount so stop by and check us all out for some great deals.

Trish has a wonderful store filled with over 2000 items and what a great selection. You can find many vintage items such as children's books, cards, sewing patterns and all types of ephemera. She has many unique and one of a kind items that would make for some great Christmas gifts and when you think about it Christmas will be here before you know it.

You will find both auctions and Fixed Price items with Best Offer and she is happy to accept reasonable offers on all her items. She offers A+ customer service and quick shipping to all her customers so stop by today and check out her Christmas in July sale.