Dr Fizzics interview

Day114
Lyle is our next shopkeeper interviewee http://www.cafepress.com/drfizzics?pid=4370506

1.What drew you to opening an online store? Were you in a related field?

While I've had other online stores, I came to Café Press because it is a great outlet for my photography.

2.When did you open your store?

I opened my Café Press shop in the fall of 2005.

3.What is harder about doing this then you thought it would be?

The parts of this that were harder than I expected revolve around the learning curve; it's taken me longer than I expected to understand how Café Press works and how to promote my shop online. Certainly I learned a lot in my first few months of being a shopkeeper and I'm still learning.

4.What do you like best about being an online shopkeeper?

I enjoy being able to finally get my photography out where it can be seen and purchased. Café Press is a great avenue for visual artists to offer their work to a large audience.

5.During the very first month, what do you wish you had known then that you do now?

I wish I had cable Internet service that first month! It was painfully slow to learn Café Press and upload images over dial-up Internet service. I would also have gone to a premium shop right away, but felt I needed to test the waters with a basic shop first.

6.Could you share some of the marketing you’ve tried so far (on or off line) and what has worked and what hasn’t?

So far I use word of mouth and email signatures and updates via email and instant message to my friends and relatives. I also submitted my site to various services online, such as http://www.dmoz.org/. I’m branching out with blogs now too.

7.What other sites, blogs, etc. do you have if any?

I have a blog at http://www.drfizzics.blogspot.com/, a My Space site at http://www.myspace.com/drfizzics, an online store at www.talkvalue.net.

Wildlife and Scenic Photography Framed Prints, Posters, Mugs, Shirts, and More!
Custom Items Also Available Using Your Photographs
Lyle Ford, Photographer

Nancy's comment - Lyle’s photographs are beautiful and his pictures of Monument Valley and sunsets are breathtaking!