Research Puzzles Made Easier With Evernote

In the antiquing business, I seem to have a knack for being drawn to things that I have no prior experience with. What can I say; I live the antiquer's creed: "Never leave an estate sale or auction empty-handed". Besides... I just love learning new things about old stuff!

But what do you do when you just know, in your gut, that you have something really cool, but you technically don't know what it is or how to market it to those who do, and sometimes don't even know where to start? Ahhhh, yes.... That makes things a little trickier.

After the buying phase, selling online involves a few basic steps, which mostly consist of photographing, researching, writing a description, and establishing a fair price. With each step, you need to have access to the right tools and information, as well as enough time and focus. Me... I rarely have them all, at least at the same time.

Frequently I've gathered all of the right information, but good photos were still needed in the right setting or light. Other times, the photos were a snap, but the daunting task of research forced me to turn my focus elsewhere, leaving that day's mystery to be solved another day. Occasionally, when I was least expecting it (and often weeks or months later), I would miraculously stumble upon a cornerstone nugget of information, only to also discover that my original notes were nowhere to be found.

And then one day I discovered Evernote...

I'm still exploring all of the many ways of putting Evernote to use. But as for my researching dilemmas, no longer am I adding to an unwieldy folder of Word documents containing snip-its of research information or price comps. The folder of expired links to items sold long ago has been transformed into an obsolete depository of information.

Now, with Evernote, I simply select the information I want to save, click my Evernote Web Clipper toolbar button, make any appropriate changes to the clipped title, add a tag word or two for later search refinement, and clip and save my Note selection to the designated "Research" Evernote Notebook.  Through the source data saved with each web clip, I know when something was discovered and where it was found, even if that original source site is no longer accessible (as with old listings of sold items).  Later retrieval is a snap using tag filter options or searching for a particular word. And with portability of Evernote, you can save and retrieve your information nuggets virtually anywhere!

Now, I'm no longer grumbling about information I once had but have since lost. Instead, I'm quickly learning that I myself would be lost without Evernote!

Through Helping Others, You Really Can Help Yourself

Recently a dear friend of mine (who's also in the antiquing and collectibles business) asked me to take a look at an upcoming auction's online photos, knowing that my buying interests differ somewhat from hers. I said "Sure!", she sent me a link, and then I returned to the task at hand. Some days it's just too easy to get distracted.

Days and dozens of projects later, she gently prodded by asking if I had any thoughts on the auction coming up the following day. "Tomorrow?!? That's tomorrow? Oh no!  You'll need to send me the link again."

With so many things going on and needing to be done, I wasn't sure I was up to yet another distraction.  But over the years, she's added to my knowledge base and been such a good friend that I knew I would only be selfish if I didn't at least take a quick peek at the jewelry, glass, and pottery being auctioned off.

Scrolling down the gallery of photos, I saw a variety of things I'd had selling experience with or previously researched for myself, so I relayed to her my thoughts on this and that.  Suddenly I stopped and, like a giddy girl, pointed her to a photo that (to me) was immediately recognizable but most wouldn't give a second look.

You see, somewhere along the line (and I can't now even remember when or how), I started collecting a line of pottery that was made in Japan decades ago by a company that was and remains virtually unknown.  The pottery is nothing fancy or of high quality or class, but what I find most appealing is its colorful charm.  The problem is that it's not very common or easy to find, and many times the pieces -- due to their age and mid-range quality -- are chipped, heavily crazed, and not worth the expense of shipping.

"Please, please," I begged, "Since you're going to this auction, will you bid on this lot for me?"  I gave her my bid limit and crossed my fingers, mentally reworking my growing collection display.

She, being a dear friend, happily returned the favor, and the next day, we both came out big winners.  She managed to pick up a variety of things, including some figurines I had suggested, all five for the price of one.  And me...  Yes, I'm now anxiously awaiting my collection additions, which she managed to nab up for a third of what I was willing to pay.

So often I've found that in helping others, I also help myself. Sometimes it's in gaining a deeper connection to the person I'm helping or a better understanding of the topic at hand. And through this particular experience, I was able to help myself to a few more pieces of pottery I otherwise would have altogether missed. Yes, I'm quite glad that she asked for my help and even more glad that she asked again.

Oh, and as for my charming and colorful pottery ... Stop back in in a couple of weeks; I'll be sure to snap a group photo to show it off!

Tap, tap .... Is anyone in there?

Yes, yes, I know. Here we are at the end of January and it would appear I've taken few, if any, steps to advance into the new year. But if you could see the flurry of activity that's been going on inside my head and behind the scenes, you'd likely tell me to slow down!  

The end of December brought closure to not just another year, but also one of my online shops. Between the economy and everything else going on in my world, the additional cost -- both time and money -- just wasn't making economic sense, at least not for the moment.

Instead, I've temporarily turned my focus to a bit of Spring cleaning, both at home and in my shops. With all that I've accumulated over the last few years, it may just take me until Spring before things are all spruced up.

In the meantime, if you ever stop in at Flashback Alley, you'll still find a slow but steady stream of new listings, with a mix of vintage jewelry, vanity items, and some lovely art glass and pottery listings in the works.

Burn out in 2012? Oh no.... I have every hope of burning bright!

2012: Ready, Set, Wait ... Not So Fast!

January 1, 2012... The year is fresh and so is my resolve. However, this time around I'm going to take baby steps. Who knows, maybe I'll actually get there! (Historically I start out the year all fired up with good intentions, but burn out the engines before I even make it past Spring.)

So, here's hoping this year's journey is packed with all the right things -- good intentions, focus, dedication, and follow-through, with just the right amount of enjoyment to provide a smooth, steady trip.

Cheers!

Social Marketing - My Current Day Pac-Man Game?

Okay, I'm probably going to be dating myself a bit here, but back in the day, I spent many an hour playing Pac-Man — you know, those multi-colored arcade video game creatures you navigate through a maze, eating up all the little dots along the way, with the hope of moving on to the next stage.   Well, these days, I'm once again trying to navigate my way through a maze, except this time, it's not a game, it's serious business, and the little dots that are being eaten ... well, those are minutes and hours that have been disappearing from my day as I work to increase sales through social marketing.

Thankfully, with time and effort comes reward.  Sales have been good and actually even seem to be picking up.  So, imagine my surprise when I discovered that it may not be my new game plan after all that was advancing me to the next stage, but instead just good old dedication to the cause.

Wait....  What did she say???

Yes, checking the analytic reports for my online shops, I found that only 10% of my traffic was being referred through various links and other outside sources, social marketing included.  Those familiar with and coming directly to my site made up 9% of the traffic, while the majority of traffic (81%) was still coming from pure organic searches.  Hmmm... 

Checking the ecommerce overview on my own website (a Google analytics feature that tells me the source of each sale), I again found that organic searches were providing the bulk of sales, with one entry reflecting that the buyer came directly to my site.

Now ever curious, I decided to extend my social reach and just get downright nosy with a couple of Internet neighbors, both of whom sell comparable items in competitive fashion (quality content and in-line pricing).  I found that not only is Facebook falling flat on its face for the friend taking the social marketing route, the other — who is more old school, with no interest in Facebook or any of the vintage hangouts — has been having even greater success with her sales.  Again, I thought Hmmm...

The more I've thought, the more I've come to speculate that maybe, just maybe, at least in the world of antiques and collectibles, none of this should be a great surprise.  Not sure you agree?  Let's experiment. 

For those of you on Facebook, pick your most favorite thing to treat yourself with — maybe it's jewelry, maybe it's art glass, vintage clothing, or coins.  Now pick a particular brand name, item, maybe even color, and then search for it... on Facebook.  Are you at a loss for which one to choose from or are you simply at a loss in your search? If your buying habits are anything like mine, I imagine it's the latter.

Yes, we've all come to know, love, and appreciate the fact that the Internet can provide instant gratification — a good thing, since most days disappear like the dots in the maze.  If there's something we want, we go to the most likely source — the bigger, the better — and then we look.  Most times, it's mission accomplished.

Now don't get me wrong.  I'm not being a social marketing naysayer. I do believe there is definite value in creating awareness of a site, or sale, or special promotion.  But I tend to think that instead of link after link and "Like" after "Like," it might just make more sense to try to increase traffic through inviting, engaging means that have more of a personal and personable feel.

Maybe there are a few aspects I'm overlooking, and then again, maybe I've given some of my readers some food for thought.  I'd certainly love to hear some of your thoughts on the social marketing maze, as well as buyers' search and shopping practices.

Being a Steward of the Past

As an online seller of antiques and collectibles, I frequently find myself needing to hunt down information on my newest old treasure.  Take, for instance, this boxed set of pastel-colored glass snack sets.

Thankfully the set was still in its original box marked "It's A Dilly," and clearly identified the maker as the Gailstyn Company, based in New York --  just enough information for me to search further and get a sense of age.  But what would I have done if I didn't have the box?  Few, if any, of my friends are familiar with this pattern or company, and none of the books in my library have a section devoted to the Gailstyn Company.  Having and preserving this type of information can sometimes be invaluable.

Of course, preserving information solves only part of the dilemma; knowing what you're looking for and actually being able to find it is an altogether different story.

Now that I know the name of both the set and the maker, I find myself wondering how to best preserve and share that information with the next individual who is not so fortunate to have the box. 

Have you discovered any information cubbyholes on the internet that proved to be priceless?  I'd love to hear any thoughts or suggestions you might have on being a better steward of information from the past.

Well, What Do You Know…

Ahhh, finally, we were getting out of town for a long weekend to visit family.  Even better was the fact that this time I was going to be a passenger, which meant I could gather up a stack of books to flip through and learn from along the way.  With so many to choose from, I decided to include my book on British Glass from the 1800s, a perfect one to share with my aunt who still, after all these years, could inspire a smile with just her British accent. 

A Profile on Memories

I must admit, it caught me totally off guard. While checking for upcoming events, there it was, the Facebook notice reminder that Jacqie’s birthday was just around the corner. Except this year, Jacqie wouldn’t be celebrating her birthday; the cancer finally made sure of that. But as I looked at her profile photo, I couldn’t help but smile and send her a hug through the air waves. Although she was now gone, she certainly was not forgotten.

The Art Of Minding My Own Business

I’ve managed to do it again. A day that started with good intentions of getting a number of things accomplished is fast transitioning to an evening of scratching my head, wondering just where the time actually went. I did get a few things photographed and a bit of research started, but as for shop listings… well, I don’t yet have anything to show for my efforts. Thankfully, there is still time left in the day and coffee left in the pot. Now, if I could just find my focus.

Yes, somewhere along the way today, I (again) became slightly distracted, checking out the flood of friends’ Facebook posts of their own and others’ shop additions, with a peek at the upcoming local auctions to make sure I don’t miss any treasures.

One of these days, I’ll get it right, start to finish, and actually perfect the art of minding my own business…

The Magic of the Green Velvet Case

A cigar-shaped green velvet case, worn with years and thread bare at the edges, sat closed amidst a group of old dusty bottles, a lusterless arrangement from days gone by. My initial response was a quizzical frown, fearing that the morning’s trip may have been a wasted one. But, conditioned by the antique trader’s creed of leaving no box unopened, I reached for the case and gently pressed the front lever as I carefully lifted the lid.

And the Facebook Oscar for Best Performance goes to…

"You like me, you really like me!"

Social media marketing, just like our ability to accurately remember things, can sometimes be a bit unreliable. If you’re like me, you may have thought the opening “you like me” phrase was what Sally Field said to the viewers and fans back in 1985. It wasn’t. Instead, she exclaimed, “You like me, right now, you like me!" which, you will note, subtly hints at the fickle nature of fans – a near-universal truth, regardless of the platform from which it is proclaimed.

New USPS Priority Shipping Rates -- Thinking Outside the Box

For those who ship primarily through the U.S. postal service, we now all know that the postal rates have (unfortunately) gone up once again, with this increase affecting only those items shipped priority mail.   One thing the thrifty shipper (or shopper) may not know is that parcel post may not always be the most cost effective way to go.