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Kevcon
Member
Joined: 18 Feb 2006
Posts: 9
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# Posted: 5 Mar 2006 13:16
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Hello to all.
Does anybody else feel overloaded with information ?
I'm a Carpentry by trade and have my own business, but slow during the winter .
I bought a computer thinking that the things that I build( in my spare time like children toyboxes, clocks, shoe racks , etc) I could sell on ebay and maybe have a business of just doing that.
But instead I spent alot of money setting up my own website of selling truck accessories,( not doing well) Now thinking of paid to surf programs plus some other programs. And I haven't done anything with ebay. So I'm feeling very overloaded .
I guess that I'm just woundering if I'm alone in feeling this way.
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mcbsconsulting
Preferred Member
Joined: 15 Oct 2005
Posts: 136
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# Posted: 5 Mar 2006 15:08
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Hey Kevcon,
Sounds like you got a little distracted. If you like building things, stick with it. You don't really have to sell them on E-Bay, you could always try advertising in some of the trade mags in your area.
I feel it is better to do what you do best. E-Bay, is only one option. Continue with you main trade, and if something presents itself, THEN take advantage.
Just my 2 cents,
Joe
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A8ch
Preferred Member
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 276
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# Posted: 5 Mar 2006 16:21 · Edited by: A8ch
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Quoting: Kevcon Does anybody else feel overloaded with information?
The feeling of information overload is a natural consequence of today's technology. However, it is most likely a misleading illusion.
Having convenient fingertip access to vast databases of digital information can seem overwhelming, but the quantity of this online information probably does not come close to what's already available in our public and college libraries.
It's the easy availability from the comfort of our homes that makes us feel inundated. The challenge we are faced with now, is sorting through this digital maze to separate fact from fiction.
Quoting: Kevcon I bought a computer thinking that the things that I build( in my spare time like children toyboxes, clocks, shoe racks , etc) I could sell on ebay and maybe have a business of just doing that.
There is probably a market for your custom, hand-crafted wood products. A little research along with some marketing tests should provide enough data to determine the viability.
Quoting: Kevcon But instead I spent alot of money setting up my own website of selling truck accessories,( not doing well) Now thinking of paid to surf programs plus some other programs. And I haven't done anything with ebay. So I'm feeling very overloaded .
You seem like the kid in the candy store, eager to stuff every available sweet into his pocket and his mouth, but can't decide which to take because he's so in awe of the variety.
The truth is, there is opportunity in all of those things you mentioned, but you'll never make a dime in any of them until you first figure out how to make money in ONE of them.
Like Joe observed: It is better to do what you do best.
Relax. Be patient. Start where you are with your truck accessories site. Visit similar sites to see how yours compares. Do your homework on Web site design, marketing strategies, advertising and everything that relates to doing business online. Prepare yourself. Sharpen your axe! Then carefully apply what you learn and take note of what works.
Eventually you'll expand your knowledgebase. You'll begin to SEE the big picture and where your piece of the puzzle fits. Your confidence will grow and your plans will become more ambitious... and so will your results.
Once you begin to generate a steady income from your truck accessories site, you'll realize that many of the same basic marketing principles can now be applied to any other product or market that excites you... eBay, paid to surf programs and so on.
By now you would have learned how to fish and can cast your net into any body of water you may want to explore and catch fish to your heart's content, simply because you know how!
Rome wasn't built in a day!
(I may have gotten a bit carried away there, but I'm sincere!)
Hermas
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Vishal P. Rao
Administrator
Joined: 23 Jun 2005
Posts: 859
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# Posted: 5 Mar 2006 23:35
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Quoting: mcbsconsulting Sounds like you got a little distracted.
Quoting: A8ch You seem like the kid in the candy store, eager to stuff every available sweet into his pocket and his mouth, but can't decide which to take because he's so in awe of the variety.
Right on target!
Diversification is very important, but at the same time, one must restrain oneself from getting distracted and never ignore their main source of income. Always remember that you have spent considerable amount of time and energy to learn and master the profession you are in right now. To start something new means again going through what you have already been through. And there is no guarantee that you'll succeed.
Before you jump into something new, always ask yourself honestly whether you really love it. If yes, then go ahead. Even though you may not accomplish what you envisioned, the journey will be more satisfying and peaceful.
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Kevcon
Member
Joined: 18 Feb 2006
Posts: 9
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# Posted: 6 Mar 2006 15:15
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Thank you all , You know you are all right .
Quoting: Vishal P. Rao one must restrain oneself from getting distracted and never ignore their main source of income. Always remember that you have spent considerable amount of time and energy to learn and master the profession you are in right now.
I do enjoy doing Carpentry and construction, ( enjoy building wood products more ) . But a few years ago I hurt my back and it's never been the same since, ( hard to do the heavy construction work) this is also some of the reason I thought that haveing my own website selling products would help , I Just let myself be talked into selling truck accessories. Which is fine but I would much rather be selling products that I make. ( not knowing if there would be a market for it or not) . I'm now constantly thinking of giveing up on truck accessories , ( Do I really want to keep spending money on something that I really don't know ). ( I hate giving up).
Sometimes you just need the opions of others.
Thank you All
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Vishal P. Rao
Administrator
Joined: 23 Jun 2005
Posts: 859
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# Posted: 7 Mar 2006 00:08 · Edited by: Vishal P. Rao
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Quoting: Kevcon But a few years ago I hurt my back and it's never been the same since...
...I'm now constantly thinking of giveing up on truck accessories , ( Do I really want to keep spending money on something that I really don't know ). ( I hate giving up).
Sorry to hear about that Kevin. Many times we find ourselves in difficult situations and the best way to come out of them is to listen to our inner voice.
Although persistence is a crucial factor in the success of a business, persisting with a business, that is deemed to fail, can be detrimental. If the frustrations of running the business is greater than the pleasure of owning it, then it is probably time to quit and start looking for other avenues.
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WhitePhoenix
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Joined: 3 Jan 2006
Posts: 227
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# Posted: 7 Mar 2006 09:49
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Kevcon, I believe that one of the keys to successful home business earnings is doing something you enjoy. If you're not really into truck accessories, then do something you like. Take a few months to build/create some of your own products while you keep at the truck accessories. Then, when you're ready, test the waters.
That's something I have learned here in this forum... to take the chance and stop sitting on the fence. (I'm good at that.) It's hard enough going to a day job that you don't really like. I couldn't imagine doing that with my own home business.
By the way, what kind of products do you make?
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Kevcon
Member
Joined: 18 Feb 2006
Posts: 9
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# Posted: 7 Mar 2006 18:56
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Quoting: Vishal P. Rao If the frustrations of running the business is greater than the pleasure of owning it, then it is probably time to quit and start looking for other avenues.
I think you'r right, I have been so frustrated ever since I started with the Truck accessories ( website ) . Trying to understand how to make the website better , trying to find better products and supplier that will dropship for me.( been frustrating)
I think that it's to hard to run two business, and right now the one that make money is my General Carpentry business.
With spring right aroung the corner , My construction / carpentry business will ( hopefully) starting to pick up again.( been slow for awhile)
I believe that for now I'll continue with my construction and try to hire one or two guy's to do the heavy parts.( my back won't stand it ) and at the same time work at building my wood products.
So Thank you for your input.
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Kevcon
Member
Joined: 18 Feb 2006
Posts: 9
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# Posted: 7 Mar 2006 19:13
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Hello whitephoenix
I would like to THANK YOU also for your opion, as well as the other members.
The products that I build and have built in the past ( wasn't smart enough to take pictures) are children toy boxes, grangfather clocks, flowers boxes, hope chests, etc, ( not blowing my own horn but I believe that I can make/ build almost anything) . If only I could get a market for these products .
My Dream would be--- to go out in my workshop and build products that I would have orders for and make a good living at doing what I enjoy. That would be a dream come true.
But instead I ended up with a website selling truck accessories, ( kind of got lost on the path towards my dream)
Anyway THANK YOU for your opion.
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A8ch
Preferred Member
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 276
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# Posted: 7 Mar 2006 21:19
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Quoting: Kevcon My Dream would be--- to go out in my workshop and build products that I would have orders for and make a good living at doing what I enjoy. That would be a dream come true.
Then, just do it! You possess the necessary tools to start bringing your dream to life, (you just may not be aware of it), and the ones you lack will be provided for you once you get started.
Sometimes you can stand in the way of your own progress by not putting your thoughts into action. You'll never be happy with yourself if you never attempt to live your dream.
Quoting: Kevcon But instead I ended up with a website selling truck accessories, ( kind of got lost on the path towards my dream)
You are NOT lost, you're simply on a detour and detours inevitably lead you back to the main path. Don't lose sight of your dream. Use it as a beacon to help you find your way to it.
Ironically, your truck accessories site may actually be a blessing. Its sole purpose may be to let you get your feet wet and help you to understand the rudiments of online marketing, in preparation for success with your wood products when the time comes.
Life has a way of cleverly disguising opportunity. It's our job to look past the costume and recognize it, then take action.
Hermas
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Vishal P. Rao
Administrator
Joined: 23 Jun 2005
Posts: 859
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# Posted: 8 Mar 2006 00:01
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Quoting: Kevcon I believe that for now I'll continue with my construction and try to hire one or two guy's to do the heavy parts.( my back won't stand it ) and at the same time work at building my wood products.
That's very smart thinking (In fact, I was about to suggest this before I read your post). One of the major reason of getting stressed and unhappy is trying to do all the things by yourself. It's ok as long as you have the energy and strength. But once you realise that you can no longer handle the workload, it's time to hire and share the burden. There is no point in a pursuing a passion if it doesn't allow you to enjoy your earnings.
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agoodsaid
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Joined: 13 Aug 2005
Posts: 53
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2006 09:34
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Okay, just found this thread ... scratch the idea of fixing the truck site ... that's dead in the water if it's not interesting to you and you aren't already getting traffic.
BUT don't think of it as an unnecessary detour!
Part of figuring out what you DO want is figuring out what you DON'T want. This may feel like an expensive education, but it's not really ... just part of the clarifying process, 'ya know?
What I WILL be happy to help with is getting a basic site online with your handcrafted stuff. Whether you ultimately build your business online or not remains to be decided.
I was a full time glass jeweler for about 15 years ... I've made a switch to a different sort of craft production line that is not *me* oriented.
Your first challenge will be not the production so much as the marketing of your second business. Then the tables will turn and you'll need production solutions to keep up with your marketing success.
There's a happy solution to this which involves creating information products and sharing your 'how to' information ... all those things you don't even know that you know which people who want to do what you want to do will find VERY valuable.
The first thing you can do is leverage this 'truck parts' experience. Share what you know, how you did it, what you'd do differently, any short-cuts or special knowledge you now have because of it.
If it's basic enough information, it will get passed around and become viral. What if that also had links to your new *thing* whatever that may turn out to be??
Just one direction to go in ...
Let's brainstorm for more 
Andrea
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Kevcon
Member
Joined: 18 Feb 2006
Posts: 9
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2006 18:51
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Hello All.
I just like to say THANK YOU! for your replys and opions.
You know it's very helpful to talk to others.
I believe that i'm starting to get back on track, I spent the last two days in my shop building. ( A wooden shoe rack, and a cd,dvd,video tape holder).
I feel a lot better when I'm building something.
It takes more time to figure out the design, then to build.
So i believe that once I have a few products made that I'm going to list them on ebay ( just to see if they will sell.)
MAybe just maybe it will be the start of something.
I was thinking also that when I have a few products made an I take some pictures of them , that I would print them off on some photo paper and show them to my customers ( from my construction/carpentry business)
Does that sound like a GOOD IDEA! ??
Oh ! Andrea, thank you for the offer of helping, I would really appreciate any help .
Again THANK YOU ALL!
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agoodsaid
Member
Joined: 13 Aug 2005
Posts: 53
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2006 23:51
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No problem Kevcon (really ... no problem since I haven't DONE anything yet ... lol)
It is really good to have people to bounce ideas off of, eh??
My Dad is a wood turner, so I understand "going to the shop for days".
Some days he talks my ear off about whatever project he's got going on. I have to just smile and nod (and this is over the phone!!) 'cause I don't know the first thing about wood. But I can see how gratifying it is to him.
Hmm... I feel like there are some decent wood forums around ... have you found any of those?
Ebay can be a little tricky for handcrafted stuff, so don't take whatever price point you get there as gospel or consider it the true value of your work.
I would totally start an album of the things that you make as they are created and float off to their new homes ... even IN their new homes if they're big enough. Keep that album handy and get that tongue flappin'; "Would 'ya like to see what I'm working on?".
Make a small album for your greatest supporter too ... nothing beats an excited third party
You'll have orders before you know it. And people asking you to do things on commission ... some great, some of them things that you'll wish you hadn't said yes to. It's all part of the learning curve.
First thing I want you to promise to do is have some business cards made up (I keep a 'supplies' link on my site if you want to get some at a great rate) ... it'll all seem that much more real once you have those in hand and can give them out to people. Do something fun ... something that shares your passion with your soon-to-be customers.
Since posting an email address on a public forum is just an invite for spam, I'll go find your contact page ...
I'm excited for 'ya!
Andrea
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