Sag Art interview

Day156
Our next shop owner has quite a few sites as you will see at the end of the interview, but here is one of them:

SagArt T-Shirt Designs

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

No, I was definitely not in a related field unless you count cleaning the porn off of my son's computer field related. Once I stumbled upon the Cafepress.com site (he must of got side-tracked) I was drawn to it from the
standpoint of their marketing strategy and the "dream" they offer to chart your own course and control your destiny via your own e-commerce business.

2. When did you open your store?

I seriously dedicated myself to this wonderful adventure a little over a year ago. Prior to that, I was busy learning how to turn the computer on and fiddling with a few designs for family and friends.

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

The hardest thing for me to wrestle with then and now, was/is understanding all the "techie" jargon in the "how to" part of getting a shop up and on the right road. Due to my stubborn attitude, I didn't let that hurdle stop
me and jumped in with both feet and dog-paddled my way around the pool.

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

Beside the accomplished feeling of making a sale, the best thing about being an online Cafepress.com shopkeeper is the community of shopkeepers I am privileged to rub shoulders with everyday. I would have drowned had it not been for the generosity of information and help I have received along the way. For me, that is as valuable as any sale I make.

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

I would describe myself as a blank sheet of paper when I started this adventure, but it would have been nice to have a bit more knowledge under my belt or at least some concept of what e-commerce entailed in that first month of startup efforts. I, like many new shopkeepers, thought that throwing a few products up on a site meant I was "open for business." I quickly found out that the process to realizing a degree of success required much more dedication and effort than I originally believed.

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?

Sure! I've placed ads on various sites and some have produced well, while others have not. My best tip for marketing a site is SEO'ing it to the best of your ability. Nothing takes the place of that effort or produces better results for a shopkeeper. Because I am windier than a popcorn fart, I blog and have to say that it is one of the most pleasurable and productive marketing activities that effects my sales and affiliate sales than
anything else I do.

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

You may be sorry you asked! LOL
SagArt Blog
Children's T-Shirt Teacher
Happy Birthday Zone
Watch Clock Wall Clocks
Breast Cancer Awareness Shop
Wedding and Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Christmas Gift Closet
Ballet Ballerina Dancewear Shop
Funny Bumper Stickers

And I attempt to maintain the following portals that include affiliate efforts:
SagArt T-Shirt Designs
Christmas Gift Closet
Children's T-Shirt Teacher
Happy Birthday Zone
World War II Shop
Wedding And Anniversary Gifts
Democrat America
Watch Clocks (under construction - when I find the time)
Kids World
With the additional MySpace, Squidoo, and other sites I endeavor to try and maintain.

I also maintain other sites, but they are not Cafepress.com related but are an offshoot of the skills and knowledge gained through my CP adventure.

Nancy’s comments - This is like visiting the Mall of America! For someone who started with a blank sheet of paper a little over a year ago, she has really come far! I especially like how she throws in tips for using items other ways and party and decorating ideas. The sites are fun – just like their owner. Sag-Art is always one forum post I know I’ll have a good time reading!