Using Blog Sticky Posts to promote new products, gift guides and special events!

A few months ago, I blogged about how to create *sticky posts* on your blogger blog!
Let's take it to another level!
Over the holidays, I first used this idea and created a "holiday gift guide"...I created simple, attractive buttons that targeted specific areas of my online shops and turned it into a sticky post so that it is the FIRST thing that readers see!
You could create sticky posts for new products, specials or anything else you want your readers to see FIRST!
You can see my sticky buttons above...I am using them to highlight my newly created Valentine's Day items!
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1. Using picnik, I created simple little buttons to use as the graphics for my sticky post! I used the editing features under *create* to add the hearts and to make the round shapes and to add the text.
2. I then uploaded the images to my free photobucket account. Once you upload your graphics to your photobucket account, you can copy/paste the html code it gives you for each individual graphic.
3. Then, open your blogger blog up. Go to customize. Click on add page element, click on add html code. Copy the graphic html code into that box that opens.Click on save.

Now, you are ready to do the sticky post component! Here is how you do that...

Step1: Connect to your Blogger account and click "Layout" in the "Dashboard."

Step2: Select "Add a Page Element" and choose the function you want to use as your "sticky post." For example, if you would like to announce an ongoing contest, you can choose "Text" and enter the details. "Text" allows you to add and edit HTML. By selecting "HTML/JavaScript," you also can choose to link to a previously written, archived post that gives the written details of the contest.

Step3: Complete the "Add a Page Element" template, click and drag the item to the "Blog Posts" section.

Step4: Click "Preview" to make sure the sticky post appears at the top of the page. Then click "Save."

• You can create more than one "sticky post."
• Using a "sticky post" is an effective way to drive traffic to additional sites you may have, such as another blog or online retail shop.
• “Sticky posts" have no expiration date. To remove a "sticky post," simply click "Remove Page Element."

Source info: http://www.ehow.com/how_2070439_create-sticky-post-blogger.html

I forgot about the men, I'll admit it!

In this crazy world of marketing and creating, I'll be the first here to say, "Yep, I forgot about the men!" Afterall, they have children, sisters, mothers and you know how the saying goes,
"Behind every man is a great woman!" or something like that. They have money. They like to shop...sometimes. And they are very, very easily persuaded...sometimes. As for me, I know I am certainly the great woman behind wire man Andrew!

Anyhow, my husband took my good camera to work today to take some pictures of electical parts, etc...And he called me hours later to tell me that he had all of the men at work asking me about my products?!? I was so confused and then he reminded me that 150 of my latest pictures were still on the camera--I hadn't downloaded them! So, when he went to put the pics on the work computer, up popped my photos as well, everyone walking by saw them and yada, yada, yada...I had some new customers and orders!

Now, I'm all for "girl power" and all, but last November I did send in freebies for all of the women that work there and the result was no sales:( Sorry ladies, just sayin'...

So, the moral of the story: Don't forget about the men! Market to the men! Sell to the men!
Now, needless to say, I'll be sending my husband in with some "product" tomorrow!

So, a big "shout out" to all of my future male customers at Richard's Electric Supply Co., Andrew will have some more things for you to view soon:) You NEED these...you NEED these cute little accessories for your wives, daughters, nieces and aunts!