And why we don't recommend it.People come to your business page to see your items. People like your page to see your updates. Personally, I have never 'liked' a page so I could see more pages to 'like'. And with the new Facebook, you don't see half of the pages you like anyway! There are countless Facebook pages now that are so caught up in doing share for shares or S4S that they rarely post valuable things.
Here is a little insight into the way Facebook works now - When you post something Facebook gauges how popular it is, decides what newsfeeds to put it in, and in turn gauges how many people and who see your next post. If you post a page share chances are not many people are going to like the post, therefore not many people are going to see your next post which could be much more relevant to them. While doing page shares can generate new page likes, it is much more valuable to have someone like your page because they saw an item they would like to purchase rather than because someone told them to 'go like this page'. We never mean to offend anyone, we just choose to opt out of sharing all together! The other major factor is that we like to share companies and pages that are reputable. We never want to steer the Barbie Brigade in the wrong direction, or recommend something we don't stand behind 100%! XOXO, CB
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The Do's and Don'tsAs you know, I often work with small businesses to help them gain exposure for their product or brand. And it is all too often that I find people doing things that could get them into some serious legal trouble. Here are some quick tips that I have put together:
I am not a lawyer and this is not solid legal advice, but I have done extensive research on this topic and am sharing my findings. My thoughts are - better safe than sorry! Here are a few articles about lawsuits as well: http://www.blogher.com/bloggers-beware-you-can-get-sued-using-photos-your-blog-my-story http://www.contentfac.com/copyright-infringement-penalties-are-scary/ http://www.blogher.com/pinterest-and-intellectual-property-conundrum http://www.blogher.com/if-emily-posted-fair-use Merry Christmas!The holidays always come and go so quickly. We prepare for months ahead of time and they are over in the blink of an eye! I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas with family, friends and food. This year I spent the holidays with my boyfriend and his family, their Italian - like straight from Italy, so you can imagine how much food was served and how delicious it was! Anyway, here are a few of my Santa Surprises :) XOXO,
CB It really bugs me when guys say that girls are hard to shop for. I know I can be picky, so please don't pick me out clothes, but if it's sparkly, smells good, has to do with horses, or is just generally thoughtful I am a happy camper. Guys on the other hand can be impossible to buy for! And I absolutely HATE feeling like I am buying someone I care for just a random gift that they don't really like or will never use!!!! If you're reading my 'country lifestyle' blog that probably is a good indicator as to what kind of life you lead so I am going to say that anything to do with hunting, fishing, trucks, tools, Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, etc. is a safe buy, Here's a list of budget friendly ideas to hopefully make your holiday shopping a little easier!
I have to say I was slightly disappointed by Equine Affaire. I have attended several other horse expos in (MA & PA), but Equine Affaire has always been made out to be the cream of the crop. So naturally I was ecstatic when I was finally able to make it this year. Firstly, West Springfield, MA scares me and is so dirty...and they really need to figure out a better way to keep traffic moving. The expo itself is set up in several different buildings that seem to have no rhyme or reason, and I'm all about organization! As far as vendors, I honestly didn't see too many good quality, original vendors. I definitely feel like this expo is geared more towards the clinics and trainers, which is a bummer because I was ready to do some Christmas shopping! I did find a few cute things though!
Black Horse Creations is NEVER a disappointment! And Kim is always a pleasure to see! I think the most popular question I seem to get is how did I get where I am, or some variation (how did you get so many fans, how did you start your business, can you tell me how to start a business). I wish I had an easy answer for everyone, but I don’t. I guess to start I should tell you how I started. I would always search for websites that sold girly and feminine items for my horse, and more often than not came up empty handed. I started Country Barbie to share the cute, pink yet durable items I came across, and to write reviews on things I purchased. The blog quickly grew and I was astonished at the number of girls out there that were just like me. I eventually became dedicated to helping small businesses gain exposure and continued my search for the best new items. We gained so much exposure that I was able to turn it into a clothing line, which was always my real passion. Our first shirt was actually printed as a joke, and everyone LOVED it. I ran with it from there.
Here are some of my tips that I have learned along the way. If you’re looking for an easy answer like click here to start a business and do this, that and this, you won’t find that here. I’m here to tell you it won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it. RESEARCH! This is the most important part of starting a business or becoming successful. There is no ‘easy’ way to succeed. If you want to start a business do your research, that’s what I did. I didn’t have someone giving me all the answers. I found them myself, be self sufficient. If you want to sell a certain product go do more research, don’t just ask someone where they get their stuff from. This is a business world, they don’t keep it a secret to be mean – they are protecting their business. There are so many useful tools out there to help people you just have to put in the effort to find them! I spend countless hours doing market research, product research, etc. It’s the only way to become an expert at what you do. ORIGINALITY! Be original and think outside the box. Don’t just try stealing someone else’s idea because you see it works for them. I see far too many ‘clothing lines’ or businesses stealing other companies trademarked designs. Companies pay BIG MONEY to protect their name and their image, and they will come after you. Slapping a popular logo on a shirt may work in the short run, but you need to build a brand and a name for yourself. You want people to remember YOU for your creativity and your image, not for stealing someone else’s work. If designing isn't your thing, think about being a reseller/retailer. DETERMINATION! You need some thick skin, and you need to curb your temper. Owning your own business is NOT a smoothly paved road. I have hit so many setbacks and have gotten knocked down more times then I want to recall, but I stood back up and dusted it off! (Cowgirl Up!) Everyone is a critic, some are supportive, some are not so nice. But who cares what anyone else thinks as long as you’re following your dream! You’re going to get turned down and told no, people are going to doubt you. KEEP GOING! You will only go as far as you are willing to push yourself. DEDICATION! I worked a full time job, a part time job and ran the blog when it started. I live, eat, sleep and breathe my company (ask my friends and family, they’re probably sick of listening to me). I wanted to succeed. I was determined to succeed, and I was going to do everything in my power to push myself to see it through. I cannot tell you how many hours I have put into creating this brand, but it has all been worth it and I would do it all over again. You determine your own success, you will only go as far as you push yourself. These are just some of the basics. I’ll write more soon! XOXO, CB As much as it pains me to admit it, I am one of those people that usually has a meltdown when you have to confess it’s your birthday and you are getting another year older. I’m not sure why this started occurring as I got older, maybe it’s due to me feeling like there is so much I should have accomplished by this age, no house, no husband, and I’m going to have to start Flintstoning my car soon. So to combat my birthday blues I planned a trip to Orlando, FL to visit as many places as I could cram into one vacation, and dragged my wonderfully patient, and Disney newbie boyfriend with me. He has never been to Disney or Universal so he wanted to cram as much as possible into our week long getaway. Mistake #1. Even for two adults traveling during off peak season (without children) the parks are too large and have too long of a wait time to be conquered in a day. If you’re ok with just taking in the views and not riding all the rides, like we did, it works, if not then give yourself multiple days. Lines can still be long during the off peak season (we saw some 70-90 minutes). Here is a break down of what we did and what I would do differently:
First off, let me say thank you to all my Country Barbies who helped make 2012 such an amazing year for me! 2012 has been such a crazy, hectic and eventful year for me. I cannot thank each and every one of you for all the love and support you have all shown me over the last few months. I never thought my tiny little blog would grow to this. I have so many fun things planned for the new year and cannot wait to share them all with you!!!! My goals for next year are to continue to grow the Country Barbie Blog, have a set line of apparel products for you all to buy, and to help small businesses gain exposure and grow with me. I also have several personal goals for myself, and I plan to share that journey here with you as well! It is time to think positive, work hard and play harder!
Goodbye 2012!! HELLO 2013! XOXO CB |
About the AuthorHey ya’ll, my name is Brittany. I am from a small town in upstate New York, yes NY, no it’s not all city here. I am 29 and grew up in Westchester County, that’s where I get my ‘accent’ from (it’s about an hour north of the Big Apple). I started this page to share the idea that you don’t have to fit a certain mold or standard someone else has. I like pink and sparkles, I surround myself with beautiful things, but I know how to get down and dirty with the best of them. Categories |