momentsinchocolate

Almost a month, in fact, since I last posted here. I will admit I have been shamelessy hooked on Facebook. It has been wonderful finding old schoolfriends. I am so excited to be back in touch with so many that I lost contact with. he novelty is starting to wear off as I’ve found most of the people I want to find.

I’ve also created a Moments In Chocolate facebook page if anyone is interested in swapping ‘fan’ status with me.

So whats new?
I have started my own little competitions. I got myself an account with Mail Magic and while I haven’t exactly mastered html newsletters at least paying for it each month ensures I actually do send it each month.
November saw my first competition for everyone who has signed up for thenewsletter via the homepage. (The chocolate coloured signup box) and I gave away 10 Choc Delight Bars. The winner chose a Christmas wrapper, good choice, and his prize will be sent on Monday.
Next draw date is the 1st December.

I paid for a website review. I am not sure if I mentioned it in my last entry or even if I’d had it done by my last entry. But it’s never a bad thing to plug a good business. Kathie from www.fixmybusiness.com.au great work she does, gave my website a review and she did a fantastic job, gave me lots of useful advice and I am currently waiting on my web designer to turn my website into some lovely shades of chocolate colours. Of course, it only makes sense once someone tells you to do it but why wouldn’t a chocolate business have a website in chocolate colours. Will be happy to show off that once it comes to fruition.

I am STILL trying to do articles. I am nearly finished 2 Christmas related ones but a slight lack of confidence seems to be getting in the way. You know, surely I don’t have anything worthwhile to say. I’ll get over it but it’s probably a bit late to try and promote Christmas now.

I’ve fiddled with a few things on my website. Some quantities and prices and descriptions and things. I’ve done a few weddings, egagements and anniversary chocolates lately. Must be the season for it. A 50th AND a 60th wedding anniversary. Good for them.

I also started listing my DIY baby hand and feet casting kits on eBay. I have listed 3 by auction and sold all 3. I now have 5 up as Buy It Now there for another 8 days. I was quite surprised to see the first 3 go so quickly especially considering I am not the only casting kit supplier selling one eBay. I took a lot of care while writing the description, aimed it at the customer rather than selling the product if that makes sense, so I like to think it was my excellent writing that sold the product
But I am happy. I am almost positive I will not be going ahead with the whole baby keepsake business now and just continue to list on eBay. The cost of logo, website, promotion, hosting, URL etc versus $1.83 to list on eBay just doesn’t sit on level ground to me.

I am excited to be going into 2008. I feel like this year has been my first year in business. The actual first year I bought the franchise I feel pregnant. I’ve had 3 pregnancies (and 3 babies) plus an operation and a handful of hospitalisations during teh course of teh business so I did actually feel like it was a hobby as I didn’t have a lot of time and energy to devote to it…and the bank balance showed. So 2007 has been a turning point for me. And I bet 2008 will be even better.

I’m also sticking to no paid advertising. Apart from the fact that I don’t like parting with that much money (it scares me what print advertising costs) I think promoting myself through newsletters, articles, samples, competitions and press releases is definitely the way to go. Word of mouth works much better for me as does customers being able to taste my chocolate for themselves. And the chocolate is yummy Belgian chocolate. I should know, I’ve been buying extra from my supplier so I can eat the bars without eating into profit….literally.

And to put an end to the rambling. I have a competition ending 30th November over at The National Premmie Foundation found at www.prembaby.org.au I’m sure we all agree they do such wonderful work. So go and visit them…and enter to win some of my yummy personalised chocolate bars