Trial and Error

You know, I've been learning a lot of different things about online marketing.  I guess I've been trying to follow the leaders, the experts, the ideals...but it really comes down to this:Trial and Error.  It was mentioned on Twitter under @AbbadiaMareFest while I was on #startupchat  that StartupPrincess has once a week (and if you are new to Twitter, and @ sign = that that is my particular account under Twitter or anyone is under an @ sign to start "following them" and the # sign = hash tag or a way to follow certain topics.

When someone mentioned trail and error, I posted right after that, "er do you mean trial and error? Yep, that's how we've learned".  It is true.  You can't try something new and not try it.

I know Facebook has changed.  A lot.  But that doesn't mean it doesn't work for everyone or everybody's business...trust me, there was a time on CraigsList (r) that a company posted they wanted someone to help them market their business.  I was somewhat new at it, but decided to help anyway - and I created a fan page to help their business, but it didn't grow.  I know, weird right?  No.  I mean, you can create something (just like a business or a website) but if you don't tell people about it OFF LINE AND ONLINE then NO ONE WILL KNOW ABOUT YOU! 

I just was reading now about another post that Facebook may lose some followers or fans.  Let me tell you something, I started a brand new page not even a year ago called Renaissance Performers and Merchants Renaissance Performers and Merchants and well, it's over 1,300 people.  Why?  I think it's because I'm helping others similar to my "avatar"/"tribe"/"community" learn about how to market themselves or promote themselves.

Shoot, last I checked Facebook is still free, and if it's that kind of resource I can still use, than dang it, I'm going to use it.  Of course you have to be social on your fan page, that's why it's called a social network. 

Twitter is still a great thing to help market our festivals, that is why I use them.  I like Google + too, another resource that I can use to help promote our festivals.  You name it, I'm probably on it to try and help promote our festivals.  Why?  It's not because I am doing it for my health, it's because that is how people find out about us.  Our business has grown because of it, I've networked with many different people that I would have never met because of it.  I've learned how to become what I want to. 

I used to be on LiveJournal (LiveJournal) but haven't been on that for a while, I have tried so many sites my eyes hurt.  Some work, while some I don't really bother going on after a while...again, it IS Trial and Error.

What works for me might not work for you, and what works for you might not work for me.  I guess my point is to keep trying.  That is how you will succeed.

Best of luck!

You are ALL beautiful to ME

You know, I understand about what "society" thinks Beauty is.  I mean we see it every day right?  On commercials, TV, magazines, models, etc...this has been an ongoing battle with most everyday ordinary women (and men) that I know.

But, to me, beauty is not about looks or how you come across to people.  I mean sure, you have to look decent enough on an job interview (suit is really best) or on a first date (really - no torn jeans, but maybe in specific areas).  Beauty is what is inside of "you" or your soul.  That is what makes you beautiful.  No amount of makeup or dressing up or tiaras or making young girls look like a princess (although on occasion, I suppose this is fine) for a Pageant will make them or you feel beautiful.  You have to feel inside of yourself that confidence, that great pride in being who you are.

I suppose that's why I love being in Renaissance Faires so much...I mean, I get to dress up funny, act funny, be funny...and you know what?  I think people dig it.  So, guess what, I'm going to be beautiful no matter what you say to me and you are ALL beautiful to me.

I also want to take this opportunity here to thank ALL of YOU who have supported us (Phinn and myself) over the years - we have more coming our way (can't divulge yet what, I know...such a tease).  In the meantime, I did create another blog here and so far so good: http://www.renperfmerch.blogspot.com 
So check that out.

Lessons I learned from Disney World

As some of you know, my family and I went to Disney World for our vacation and I've learned a few things there. I wanted to share with you my thoughts of what I learned although, most people probably know these things, but they might need gentle reminders.

1) Dreams do come true: What I mean by this is that if Walt Disney dreamt of a mouse (Mickey) and created a world where all this magic happens to entertain all ages, then you can have your dreams come true too. A quote I saw there was "If you have an idea, dog it. Dog it until it's done right. When you think it's done, dog it again." - Walt Disney

2) When you are performing, you have to fine tune it to make sure that families/patrons/customers believe you. When I saw those characters (yes, I even saw Goofy) they are them, they are called them (by everyone), they are not called by their first or last names, they are called by their character name. Even the cast/crew was calling them by those names. But also on this note, some other shows "Flights of Wonder" was classy, entertaining and educational. I thought that this was a great show and I think it's really important to remember that while we are entertaining people, we are also educating them on history or just a piece of yourself that you can bring to the audience.

3) "Keep moving forward" - Walt Disney - yes, I agree with this whole heartedly - if you are trying to create something, invent something, build a business for yourself and you don't it will work or worse, fail to make you cringe in the basement forever, you just have to shrug it off, and keep going no matter what.

4) Even if you aren't so brave, you have to act brave in front of your 7 year old. I am afraid of heights. I am afraid of flying. But my son (Charlie, age 7) held my hand and said, don't be afraid mummy and I was okay. I even did some crazy rides like 'Soarin' where you are aloft in the air and NOT on a plane...yeah...and I did 'Mission Space' - note to self, I will never be an astronaut!

5) You have to learn to be patient. There are lines about for every ride there, but if you wait your turn, you can get on the ride you like. Or you can get what's called the "Fast Pass" which worked out well for some rides, but other times, it was just worth waiting in line.

6) Always be thankful for the moment. What I mean by this, is that you have to thank the people around you and often, because if you don't you never know when the next time will be. Disney is a huge team (from around the World). From the people who collect the trash to the people who are the entertainers. They all know the songs, they all smile, they all acknowledge you and your families.

7) Always know your limits - I pulled my back out a few weeks ago at work, and I knew what I could and could not do. I sat out on a few rides because I knew that I couldn't handle it, and I was really glad that I did.

8) Animal Kingdom is just amazing to me. I mean, it was just so great to see all those wild animals be so calm and peaceful while sitting in a "safari" ride, some of the animals were very curious about us humans looking at them with cameras. Oh yes, and Coral Reef restaurant also had numerous live fish/sea creatures swimming in a tank - which was very cool.

9) Always be sure you have your child with you at ALL times....yeah...Charlie got lost twice (almost) but we made sure we put a tag on him and we made sure that he kept with us most of the time....at Disney World, it is too easy to get lost there, but we made sure we kept our eagle eyes on him.

10) The food there is fantastic and so was 'Talk to Crush' - so if you go - get on the Deluxe Meal plan because it is worth every buck and also if you have small ones take them to Talk to Crush, he really does talk to them...oh yes, and if you have small ones afraid of the dark, whatever you do, don't take them on 'Stitch's escape' - it's pretty scary for small ones.

Gut Decisions

I have been debating something for a while here, and I think all the people who are actually reading my blog understand that. What I've been debating is this: My real life/working life as a contractor vs doing something that I really want to do, which is - marketing/promoting for Renaissance Festivals.

I found my passion, my fire, my interest. I found that other people responded (well) to our ideas, our festivals, our world(s). I found that if I worked really hard at it, that people would really love our little festivals that we created. But I found out something else in the process....

See, a few years ago, (if you all remember) I started writing articles for a blog site (can't say here, as I think this person might remember) that went from no hits (really) to a lot of hits automatically. I learned that my articles were popular...very popular. I didn't realize how many people actually liked my writing and actually wanted to read what I wrote. I didn't know that it would get that popular really fast. That's when I decided I wanted to be paid for what I wrote. I wasn't sure on how much, but really, something was better than nothing.....but that person decided on not paying me....so I decided to stop.

Fast forward to this year, when we were doing BOTH Winslowshire AND Abbadia Mare Festivals...I was a very busy girl...along with deciding finally to create a fan page on Facebook called Renaissance Performers and Merchants (http://www.facebook.com/?ref=hp#!/RenPerfMerch) that is now up to 1,027 people! That's a lot of people! This page helps promote other Renaissance Performers or Merchants from around the country or around the world to say where they are performing or website information or whatever they want...I found that if I can help them, I am really helping myself boost myself into a new (somewhat scary) career - then I got an e mail recently offering me a job...a real job....but I turned it down....yeah...

Why? Oh there are so many reasons here, but I don't want to post them on this blog, since this gets transferred to Facebook as soon as I post it, BUT my main reason is this: I want to really try and create MY OWN THING....is that so horrible? Is that awful? Is that mean? You know what? It probably is a little horrible and a little mean...but in reality, I think I want to just give it a go...what do I have to lose....um...let's not answer that shall we?

My point here, is you sometimes have to go by your GUT....not your heart, not your brain, not what your parents/spouse/kids/life situation thinks...but your gut. You know, the little piece of yourself that knows that this IS what you are supposed to be doing.

Wish me luck...I'm gonna need it.

We DID IT!

It was a lot of hard work (but fun at the same time) and with great results! The City Meeting in Gloucester, MA was an experience I will not forget for a long time, and I think it's important for people that are getting into this business realize that you MUST always go with what the CITY is requesting! NO matter WHAT!

They gave us a green light, and we didn't need to pay any fees whatsoever - talk about great luck! I also finally got a call back from an ATM service 2 days before the festival - they were in Ipswitch, MA http://www.atlanticatm.com came - and set us up!

Now, for those who are familiar with Hammond Castle http://www.hammondcastle.org (or not so familiar) - it is an amazingly beautiful venue, BUT with NO cell service or electronic service - (weird considering it was the man who invented the radio signal...oh wells) but these guys were fantastic! They figured out how to get a signal so vendors could get cash transactions or the ones that had issues with their own electronic devices, had a way to make $$$ (so yay for that!).

We are still waiting on all the results, but I believe the amount that the Castle made for the weekend was over $9K so not too shabby for a first year event - and all the reviews that came back have been extremely positive and welcoming. My husband has finally broken the curse of the older Faire there.

I'll post up pictures for you all to see them later should you want to see them. In the meantime, you can visit our website at http://www.abbadiamarefestival.com HUZZAH!

Oh and I created a fan page on Facebook called Renaissance Performers and Merchants so others that also partake in Renaissance Faire or Festival by vending or performing can post their information too! The page is grown to over 930 people in less than 6 months! Wow!

Last post for a while - at least until Faires are over ;)

Yes, I know, I should be blogging more often, but the truth is that I just am so crazy busy, I don't have the time to write here...

I know that things will be getting even more hectic as the next big thing for us is Winslowshire Festival (http://www.winslowshire.com) which is coming June 25th and 26th.

We actually marched (in the rain, no less) for Foxborough's Founder's Day Parade, http://www.fcatv.org/founders-day-parade-part-2/ which you can see here (we're there somewhere after the guns go boom). We also got a small feature in The Sun Chronicle http://www.thesunchronicle.com/ and I just got off the phone with someone from the paper and hopefully they will print the article before we get to the festival!

Then after Winslowshire, we go directly to Abbadia Mare Festival which is coming to Hammond Castle in Gloucester on July 23rd and 24th -(http://www.abbadiamarefestival.com) which was featured in The Boston Sunday Globe Things To Do section (page 27!) http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/specials/family/articles/2011/06/05/new_england_weekend_fun_guide/?page=4 and we had a 1/4 page ad in the Boston Phoenix Summer Guide that just came out June 10th. We'll be marching in The Horribles Parade (yeah, I know...go ahead, make fun of it if you like) on July 3rd to promote Abbadia Mare Festival.

Then I'll be going on a vacation to Disney World in August...so yeah, I probably won't write here again until September sometime...till then, hopefully I see you at one of our Renaissance Festivals, after all, they are for some great causes right here in Massachusetts ;)

If you create it will they come?

If you create it will they come?

So, you created a fan page....now what...it's just like having a website or a business, but no one seems to know about it.

If you create a fan page and you are the administrator for that page (it does help to have an assistant), YOU need to post something at least once a week to engage people's interest.

Ask questions, create an event, leave blanks like I like this business/service/product/musician because ____________

Also, cross posting is a good thing especially online marketing. When you cross post on your page, on your blog page, on your fan page, it all goes viral. This means the ranking on the search engines go UP.

Sharing is also a good thing. If you have a fan page and you are looking for your numbers of fans to go up, share or have your friends share. Do a give away (a song on a CD or some little product) - people LOVE free stuff (including me).

BUT if you post something on someone other than yours fan page, make sure you have permission to post your fan page (or they do have fan pages here on Facebook that allow that).

That's my tip for this week!