Promoting your website or blog.

I know it's hard to get new blogs and websites going and keeping them going. The name of the game is driving traffic to your site. You won't have readers or customers if you don't have traffic and plenty of it! It's not enough to just build a website or blog and expect anyone to find it. You have to promote, promote, promote to get a following. There are several ways to go about this. You can spend tons of money on pay per click advertising. Most of us do not have the advertising budget for this kind of marketing, so here are some other options.

First of all, it takes time, so don't get discouraged. It also takes effort on your part. Eventually you get out of it what you put into it. There are all sorts of free and inexpensive ways to get the word out about your website.

If you have a website, you should blog about it. Blogging has become a very effective way to get the word out about what you do and where your customers can find you. You should also find several blogs that are popular and relevant to what you do. Read them and comment often. Make sure that your comments are intelligent and relevant to the blog. Each comment creates a link back to your blog or site.

Join forums. Again make sure the types of topics discussed run along the same line as your business or blog. Intelligent comments not only create interest, but a link back to your site.

Join Top Sites. Their are tons of Top Site Lists out there. Find some good ones and join them. Top Sites are lists of websites usually in a specific category or categories such as Crafter's Top Sites or Sassy 100 Boutiques. You must follow through and vote for your site daily to get and stay on top, but it's a good way to get free targeted traffic to your site.

Add your site to free plug boards. There are many, many free plug boards out there. Find popular websites that are similar to yours and ask them to trade links with you. You add a link to their site to your site and they add you to theirs.

Traffic and Banner exchanges such as Free Banner Exchange and TCH Traffic Exchange.

There are also many sites out there that offer inexpensive banner ad space. For about $2.00 to $10.00 a month your banner can be on their homepage for all their customers to see and link back to. Make sure that you pick and choose your ad space wisely. Be sure you choose site that get a good flow of traffic and attracts the kind of people that could be your customers. It just wouldn't make sense to pay to advertise on a crafter's marketplace website if you are selling industrial janitorial supplies, so use common sense there.

The trick to all of this is persistance. It takes work and it takes time, but you can draw the right kind of traffic to your website without having a huge budget.

Primitive Promotions is a crafter's free marketing website with tons of top site lists directories, plug board directories and resource materials to help you get your site noticed. I encourage you to go to Primitive Promotions there. website and take advantage of all of the information available

Until next time...God Bless,

Celene

Blog and Crafters Website Marketing and Promotion

Hi Y'all.  I ran across a new website that I hope makes it big.  It's called On The Craft Table.  It's a crafters auction site.  It boasts free listing and free stores and the final value fees are much lower than eBay.  I wish them lots of success.

Speaking of success,  whether you are just starting a blog or your are an old pro,  Blogging Basics 101  is an excellent site to help you build, improve and promote you blog.  It's a very informative and helpful site.  

If you need help getting your crafters website off the ground, visit me at Primitive Promotions

where you'll find tons of free information and DIY resources to market your website.  We also offer budget friendly plans to do the work for you.   Either way, come on by and take advantage of the website marketing information you'll find there.

Til next time....God Bless,

Celene

Free Primitive Hang Tags

These wonderful Tags were donated from Huckleberry Arts please be sure to visit their site. I got this great freebie from the August issue of Primitive Times Magazine. Hope you enjoy them!

If you have a good how-to craft you would like to share or a freebie please let me know. If I use it I will link back to you in the post and give you a FREE ad on all of my sites and blogs!

Til next time...God Bless,

Celene

Free Stitchery Craft Pattern

Hey y'all I found this really cute stitchery pattern on the web and thought I'd share it with ewe! (OK that was corny, but I couldn't help myself =) LOL) I just love prim sheep, don't ewe? (sorry) If ewe (sorry again) have a free primitive craft you would like to share and I use it, I will give you a FREE Banner ad on all my sites as well as link back to ewe (I just can't help it!)

Til next time...God Bless,

Celene

FreeCraftz.com presents:
God Bless Ewe Contributed by PRIMITIVE BLESSINGS by TWIGS N SPRIGS http://www.twigsnsprigs.com/





God Bless Ewe Stitchery Pattern Directions:





Here's the link to the full size Pattern: http://www.freecraftz.com/FreeCraftz.data/twigsnsprigs/gotblessewe.gif



CUTTIN'
Muslin: Cut 1 layer of muslin & one layer of Warm & Natural. You may wish to use 2 layers of muslin, or flannel or a layer of felt, to give it that extra layer to where you don't have your stitchin showing through.


TRACIN'
Trace pattern onto top layer of muslin, using a mark b gone pen.
STITCHIN'
I use 2 strands of Dmc floss for all my stitchin'.
*NOTE: if you are going to be dry bushing your stitchery to be colored in, stitch detailed items such as eyes, noses, plaids on dresses, stars on flags, & words on dresses after you have painted that specific area.
Stripes on Flag: Back stitch with Dmc floss #902 Very Dark Garnet
Sheep: Back stitch with Dmc floss #613 Very Light Drab Brown
Blue section of Flag: Back stitch with Dmc floss #823 Dark Navy Blue
Sheep Nose, Ear, Legs & God Bless Ewe: Back stitch with Dmc floss #310 Black
Stars on Flag, Star Flowers: Back stitch with Dmc floss #729 Medium Old Gold
Grass & Flower Stems & Leaves: Back stitch with Dmc floss #319 Very Dark Pistachio Green
Button Eye: Stitch button for eye with matching thread.
FABRIC DYIN'
Spray stitchery with tea or coffee & let dry.
PAINTIN'
I only use Deco-Art Paints .
I use Royal Golden Taklon Brushes:
Deer foot series 650 Size 1/4" 1/2" (use to dry brush)
If you choose to color in your stitchery do the following.
Using a dry-brush method as listed in Twig-Niques,
paint the following.
Stars: Dry brush with Antique Gold DA9
Blue part of Flag: Dry brush with Deep Midnight Blue DA166
Leaves & Grass: Dry brush with Hauser Dark Green DA133
Sheep: Dry brush with Buttermilk DA3
Stripes on Flag: Dry brush with Rockwood Red DA97
Nose & Ear: Dry brush with Lamp Black DA67
Now you are ready to either sew your stitchery into a pillow, wall hanging or frame in a picture frame.
OTHER IDEAS
You may wish to cut out of wool-felt and appliqué sheep onto a pillow.
God Bless Ewe
Stitchery Directions
by Tiffany Twigs Carnal ©2001 http://www.twigsnsprigs.com

How To Make Grungy Primitive Hang Tags

Hi y'all! I am switching gears on my Wood n' Whimsy Blog. I'm going to add more DIY prim craft ideas for you to use! Sound good? I will be showing you step by step how-to's from our Wood N' Whimsy crafts as well as those really good ones I find on the web, so bookmark my blog because I intend to make it THE great go-to crafting blog of all times! If you have any good crafting ideas of your own that you want me to share, please let me know and I'll post it here with links back to your site or blog and give you credit for the idea. If I choose your idea I will also give you a free ad on all my sites. Here's my first contribution. Please leave a comment and let know if you liked it.

Microwave Hang Tags:
A recipe for grubby hang tabs. It works great, and you don't need to turn oven on.

2 cups of hot water
1/4 cup instant coffee (dry)
2-3 tea bags (let seep for a bit)
3 Tablespoons imitation vanilla scented oil is optional and amount depends on strengthdesired.

Mix together. Soak tags in coffee mixture for 5-10 mins. Lay on paper plate lined with paper towels. Microwave in intervals of 40 sec, checking to make sure they don't burn. Sprinkled lightly with real cinnamon before microwaving. You can stamp on them or write on them. A really great look is old time pictures applied with decoupage. Add pic of your kids to the hang tags and use as gift tags.

Kids tip:
Let the kids personalize them and they can give for Valentines, Mother'sDay, Father's Day, Grandparents Day or for any special event.
This recipe can be used to stain muslin also, apply with sponge brush. Sprinkle the wet muslin with cinnamon and rub for a great grubby look. Air dry the fabric.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let's get grungy!! Tea bag trick!
I want to share this quick tip with you. Do you have lampshades that need that fast prim touch? Take a few tea bags (may need more ready depending on the size of the shade) Throw a cup of water in the microwave on high to get nice and hot, let your tea bags steep and gently wring out a little to get excess water off. Simply dab or blot your tea bags directly onto your shade! Yes, it's that simple. You can do as many layers as you'd like depending on how dark you want your stain.

Written by Angie Wenke
Primitive Times Magazine

Til next time...God Bless,

Celene

Hey Ya'll! Check out my new plugboard in the sidebar on the left. All you primitive crafters and prim bloggers are welcome to add your plug for free! It's so easy to do. It's a great way to advertise your website or blog. If you don't have a plug, Laura over at Penney Layne Graphics can hook you up with one for only $1.50! Add a plug to the plugboards at my other sites as well.

My country store Celene's Treasure Chest
My other blog Wood n' Whimsy

Let me know in a comment if you have a plugboard and I'll come on over and and add my plug yours!

Til next time...God Bless,
Celene