Monday, March 31, 2014

Markets of Sunshine Featured On Better Nashville WSMV Channel 4

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a great weekend and are now ready to start another great week of life in the fast lane.  Times surely have become faster these days, have you noticed that too?  Well, here at Markets of Sunshine we like to take things a little slower and one way we do that is with our Gift of the Month Club.

How? you may be thinking.  Do you remember show and tell day when you were in school.  When Monday rolled around you were excited to bring something in from home to show and tell the class about it.
Well, today our show and tell is something you can actually see on TV!  We are featured on Better Nashville TV, WSMV Channel 4 Monday, March 31, 2014 at 12 p.m.!  Woot!  We are super excited to have our products featured on TV so that more people can find out about us and our great handmade products.
Take things slow and easy and shop online with Markets of Sunshine!  We hope you'll give us a try.  Then show and tell your friends that you heard about us on the internet and Better Nashville WSMV Channel 4 TV.  You don't have to fight the crowd's at the mall or the traffic on the roads.  Shop from home with us and wait for the package to arrive in the mail each month.  You'll always have a gift on hand and ready to give for that next special occasion.  Exclusive handmade gifts in all occasion themes, designed with you in mind!
  



You'll find these great vendor's in our Gift of the Month Club collection.
If you'd like to join Markets of Sunshine as one of our vendor's, simply click here and find out all the details to get started.  You'll be on your way to having your products in the hands of potential customer's through our Gift of the Month Club program!

Sending You Sunshine,

Marsha Jaramillo
Owner

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Affordable Advertising On Blog Talk Radio: Markets of Sunshine Feature

Have you ever wanted to be on the radio?  It took me pacing the floor and giving myself a pep talk to get my courage up to agree to being on my first radio program broadcast over the internet with blog talk radio.  I am so amazed at what great ways you can promote your business now over the internet at very affordable prices.  You can hear me on Shabby Lane Shops by clicking on the blog talk radio link here on the right side bar of my blog.

The typical radio stations are very expensive, charging high prices for 30 seconds of air time that only big brands can afford.  That leaves the small business owner like myself frustrated.  I was so excited to find out that you can afford to advertise on the radio as low as $5 for a 60 second spot.  Blog talk radio to the rescue!  Relax for a minute or two and give a listen to these tunes where I recently hired a radio announcer to featured Markets of Sunshine on DTong Blog Talk Radio ShowClick on the play button when you get to the page!

When I find affordable places to advertise I just feel it is too good to keep to myself and I just have to share it with other small business owner's who may be reading my blog post.  I recently came across a website called Fiverr where you can hire people to do many different forms of advertising and business promotions for just $5 a gig!  That is awesome!!!

Do your research and read through the comments.  I have tried a few already and found that they make big claims but so far have yet to see results.  I have gotten traffic from one gig that claimed they would send 400 clicks a day to my website.  The first day I got 45.  The second day I got 95.  I have yet to get 400 a day.  They gave me a graph link of their so called proof of traffic showing the 400 clicks a day.  Bogus!  My own website stats is the proof I needed to show me the real numbers.  I will not use that service again.

Another, one claimed that I would get traffic which would be from sites that would fit in with my product.  Again, big claims but no results.

The moral of the story is that if you don't try all these forms of advertsing you will never know what works and what does not work.  So, where do you go from here?  Well, this year I am trying a TV ad with a popular website that I advertised on in the past in hopes that it will bring in the traffic and sales that we hope for and pray about daily.  I am also doing a free advertising and promotion program with fellow Etsy seller's.  I will let you know the results in 90 days.  So stay tuned!

Advertise With Markets of Sunshine
I have found that my own personal method of advertising is what works best.  What is that you ask?  Word of mouth and in person advertising!  You can hire Markets of Sunshine to get your products in the hands of the consumer.  When you pay for a print ad or flyer, you never know if it will get read.  You also don't know if they even come to your website unless you use a special link id.  But, when you hire Markets of Sunshine to put your products in the hands of a person that fits in the category you are wanting to reach, good things can happen.  For more details on our services, email us at marsha@marketsofsunshine.com

If you have subscribed to Markets of Sunshine Gift of the Month Club, we would love to have your feedback here on our blog.  Please answer a few questions for us.  Would you tell your friends about us?  Did you think the price was affordable?  If you have not tried our club, please give it a try and then come back and tell us what you liked best about it!

Thanks!  Sending You Sunshine,

Marsha Jaramillo




 

Monday, March 17, 2014

Secret Revealed - Markets of Sunshine January and February Gift of Month Club Collection

Table Runner with cute cat fabric design by Stitchin Hip Chicks
 
                                                           Adorable Dog Table Runner!

                                         
Animal charm bracelet by CJW Design Village
                                               Pet Wall Décor by Audrey's Decoupage
 
 Dove Chocolate Chai Tea compliments of Jeanpatch Holistics
Chocolate theme fabric mug rug by Stitchin Hip Chicks
 Adjustable ring by CJW Design Village, Fabric note card by Aprons and Home Décor
Upcycled Wood Box
 
March Secret Gifts of the Month Club
Each Markets of Sunshine secret gift of the month collection comes with a secret compartment container made out of a recycled box, vintage book or upcycled wood box.  Why not give our March secret gift collection a try before you miss it too!  Secret revealed here!
 
Markets of Sunshine Newsletter  Have you signed up for our newsletter?  If not, do so today at this link, click here! Each week our newsletter subscribers get a reminder that we have our latest blog post ready for them to read.  This is a great way to find out our latest specials and what new vendors have joined our Gift of the Month Club program.
Etsy Team
 Our Etsy team is growing with new vendors and shoppers!  We have over 26 members on our team!   Did you know that you can join as a customer/buyer without having a shop on Etsy?  Click here to join our great team and support handmade artists from Markets of Sunshine and all over the world.

****Look**** Want to open a shop on Etsy?  Use this link and you will get 40 free listings to get you off to a great start.  Click here!
Thank you for taking time out to read this weeks blog post.  I hope you will come by and shop with us and use the coupon codes.  Check out our member classified page at the top of this page or by clicking here!

Sending You Sunshine!

Marsha Jaramillo
Owner

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Product Promotion Photo of the Day

Every week I will be out in the local community of West Volusia in Sunny Florida doing my product promotion for Markets of Sunshine vendors.  I will be handing out our handmade products to employees at local businesses.  This week I visited Debbie's Health Food Store in Orange City, FL.  Three employees were given a sample of CJW Design Village handmade jewelry.  They were all excited and even asked if they could pay me for the ring I gave them. 
I said, "No! this is our free gift to you!"  You can show your appreciation by coming to our blog and leaving a comment and telling us what you like about the ring you received.  They all said, "Sure!"


Stay tuned next Saturday to find out who will be the next local business to receive a free sample of our wonderful handmade products.  If you live in Florida and have a business in West Volusia county and want to have a surprise visit from Markets of Sunshine, leave a comment telling me the name of your business along with your email address. 

Sunday, March 9, 2014

All Natural Cleaning and Deodorizing Gift Set

Do you use all natural cleaning and deodorizing products in your home?  Are you confused as to why you should?  Here are simple but powerful reasons and evidence as to why you should make the change to 'go green'.
One of my husband's friends died from pancreatic cancer this week at the young age of 55 years old.  He had worked in the printing business and home improvement field his whole life.
He did not smoke, but he did drink heavily in his younger years. 
He did not eat a diet free of chemicals such as pesticides and he did not use all natural or organic bath and body or cleaning products.
He used the regular cleaning products you find in any grocery store nationwide.  And, he ate the popular foods on the shelves more worried about the cost to his pocket, instead of worrying about the cost to his health and life.
So, the moral of the story is that what you put into your body and put on your body affects your health and will determine if you live a long and happy life or end up having your life shortened by bad choices.
This is not a way to scare you into changing you life.  This is a way to educate you into changing your life, so that you won't have any regrets and look back and say; "I wish I would have.....", only after it is too late.
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Happily, there are several things you can do no matter what your age to improve your life-style habits now.  Here is a list of some of those changes.  See where you need to make changes that will improve your health and make your life a happy one.
**Let's start with deodorizer's.  We all love our home, clothes and car to smell good for ourselves and for those around us.  There are some easy inexpensive things you can do to change from the popular harmful products to the less popular safe products.
** 1.  Room Fresheners and Linen Spray's - All natural easy to use and make (if you are a diy'er).  If not here is a great product to get you started making the switch to all natural.
Jeanpatch Holistics makes a great and affordable product and has it on sale this month for 50% off the normal price to help your budget.

Custom Prepared Natural Room & Linen Spray  - Large 8 oz - Baking Scents Comes in a variety of natural scents such as fruits and baking favorites with all natural essential oil mixture she makes herself.  You can also buy the refill oil mixture, also on sale this month.  Then there is a kit she offer's which includes the recipe for all you diy enthusiasts.   click here to make the switch!

** 2.  Gluten Free Foods - Most of us have issues with either dairy or gluten found in most foods you buy in pre-made packages.  Take time to read a label and you'll be amazed at how many things have one of both added.
Unless it says on the front of the package gluten free or dairy free it has it in it and should be avoided. 
These foods cause inflammation and this leads to cancer and other health issues down the road.  It also causes bowel issues that can cause weight gain or weight loss depending on the person.
**Here is a great recipe book written by women from the Markets of Sunshine team, formerly known as Sunshine Farmgirl Co-op.  It is full of great recipes, diy projects and cleaning tips for every day use.

Gluten Free Recipe Book with DIY Projects, Household Tips and  Candida Diet Recipes It is on sale in her Jeanpatch Holistics shop.  Use coupon code: MARCHMADNESS to get your 50% off this month only.  Quantities are limited, so don't delay, order your copy today!

Markets of Sunshine Newsletter  Have you signed up for our newsletter?  If not, do so today at this link, click here! Each week our newsletter subscribers get a reminder that we have our latest blog post ready for them to read.  This is a great way to find out our latest specials and what new vendors have joined our Gift of the Month Club program.
Etsy Team
 Our Etsy team is growing with new vendors and shoppers!  We have over 26 members on our team!   Did you know that you can join as a customer/buyer without having a shop on Etsy?  Click here to join our great team and support handmade artists from Markets of Sunshine and all over the world.

****Look**** Want to open a shop on Etsy?  Use this link and you will get 40 free listings to get you off to a great start.  Click here!
Thank you for taking time out to read this weeks blog post.  I hope you will come by and shop with us and use the coupon codes.  Check out our member classified page at the top of this page or by clicking here!

Sending You Sunshine!

Marsha Jaramillo
Owner

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Ready Made Gifts By Mail Contest

Have you ever subscribed to a gift club?  I have tried several over the years.  I was getting cheese from all over the world.   I never knew beer came in so many varieties until I tried the beer of the month club.  Of course, there is the well known scrapbooking and card making clubs, coffee and tea clubs, food clubs and the list goes on.  There is a club for just about any item you are in love with.  Did you know there is an olive oil of the month club too?  Who knew!
  Did you know there are many handmade gift clubs out there too.  But, I must admit I have not tried any of them myself.  Why?  Because, I can offer handmade gifts by mail and the thought of subscribing to another club would be an act of spying in my book.  I feel we have the best club out there so why be a traitor, right?
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  I have recently tried some organic subscription companies and one gluten free subscription club.  I have to say I am not impressed at all!  It was just a bunch of samples from all different companies from food to supplements.  I wanted real foods to try not a bite of something.  I get the whole concept, it is like sample day at your local grocery store.  They hope you will like the sample enough to buy the full size product.  I canceled both. 
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  We even tried one of the popular dog treat clubs for our little Yorkie.  He of course, loves getting treats in the mail.  He now inspects every incoming package to see if it might be for him!  lol  We found that giving him all these different treats did not agree with his digestion and he soon began upchucking nightly.  So, another club canceled********************
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  So, what is so different about Markets of Sunshine Gift of the Month Clubs?  Well, here is the skinny.  I will draw you a word picture so you can put yourself in our shoes.  The handmade artist that sells on Etsy, Artfire etc...does not buy their supplies wholesale.  They get them online or in stores on sale for the best price possible. 
  They spend hours figuring out design details and even more hours putting together the finished product to finally have something that they hope the consumer will love!  They spend even more hours waiting for the right light or setting up their product to be photographed.  They then spend more hours getting the right words to describe the product so that you will be able to grasp just how wonderful this finished product is and how it will improve your life.
  They then spend more hours checking their shop each day to see if they have any questions from potential customers.  Are you beginning to get the picture?  The handmade artist is not even making minimum wage when you factor in all the hours that goes into making and bringing a product to the market place for you the potential customer to view.
  We sit and wait day after day, week after week and month after month for sales to come to our shop.  When the sales do not come in like we hoped they would the question comes to mind.  How am I going to get folks to buy from Me?!  In comes the gift by mail idea!  If we can send our products to the consumer maybe they will tell their friends and maybe they will come to our shop and see what else we have to offer.
  After, three years of sending out our handmade products month after month in a wide variety of all occasion themes we have discovered one very important truthWe have a very unique product and special concept.  So, therefore, our customers are very unique and special as well!
  We are now turning to the media, namely live TV to advertise our gift of the month club.
  Your feedback is very positive, but the word of mouth advertising has fallen short.  Why?  We do not know!  Is it the economy?  Is it competition with big name stores?  We just do not know!  Nevertheless, we will continue to make our beautiful handmade products and keep them in our shops because that is what WE love to do!
  Have you tried our Gift of the Month Club?  Are you unique and special?  Then give us a try!  Spread some sunshine into the life of a friend or family  member by giving a gift subscription.  Why, support celebrities that already make millions.  Why not, support the small handmade artist who is struggling to get their product known to you the down to earth consumer.  The cost is minimal and the quality is surpassed!
  Here is what we offered in January and February.  See for yourself what you missed.

 Decorative cigar box
 
Table runner, bracelet and bowl cover in cute pet themes!


Chocolate themes gifts, chia tea sample from Dove Chocolate, diy greeting card, ring and mug rug!

Our March collection is a fun Mary Engelbreit spring theme!  Are you ready to start your unique subscription today?  Click here!
 
Giveaway Conest for March!
Easy Blog Contest!
What do you like to read about most often on blogs?
Rules: ***1 Entry: Post your comment on our Facebook page (link below) and I will pick a topic that fits with Markets of Sunshine's family values and do a post on my blog naming you as the requester.
I will also do a contest at the end of March giving away one of Markets of Sunshine's Gift of the Month Club packages. All who share their ideas with me on my FB page will get 5 extra entries!
*****10 Entries ***** Leave a positive comment about our blog here! *******
 
 
SPOTLIGHT CORNER
Announcing Markets of Sunshine appearing soon on a Nashville, TN TV station near you!  Stay tuned for show time!  Our popular Gift of the Month Club will debuted on a fun segment you won't want to miss the excitement!  We'll, have prizes and giveaways for all who comment and support our blog, starting with this post and running for six months! 
Markets of Sunshine Newsletter 
Have you signed up for our newsletter?  If not, do so today at this link, click here! Each week our newsletter subscribers get a reminder that we have our latest blog post ready for them to read.  This is a great way to find out our latest specials and what new vendors have joined our Gift of the Month Club program.
Etsy Team
 Our Etsy team is growing with new vendors and shoppers!  We have over 26 members on our team!   Did you know that you can join as a customer/buyer without having a shop on Etsy?  Click here to join our great team and support handmade artists from Markets of Sunshine and all over the world.

****Look**** Want to open a shop on Etsy?  Use this link and you will get 40 free listings to get you off to a great start.  Click here!
Thank you for taking time out to read this weeks blog post.  I hope you will come by and shop with us and use the coupon codes.  Check out our member classified page at the top of this page or by clicking here!

Sending You Sunshine!

Marsha Jaramillo
Owner