Finishing Touches

As the finishing touches are being applied to the layout of JAE's new publication, Wilkes County Gazette Shopper - End of  Summer Savings issue, I reflect on the many steps that have been in process from drawing board to printed publication.

Originally, I had conceived the idea to be centered around my Pet News Reporters, Burnie and Katey Rose.  Both young at the time, and my having noticed the many print and television ads that depict dogs somewhere within the content, I decided that my 2 shepherd mixed dogs would be both photogenic and inviting.

I have subsequently learned that neither of my pets are as photogenic as my dog Red.  Red was perfect as far as photographic canines can be posed for many diverse back drops.  Some of Red's work is shown within JAE's website, some on my Etsy.com shops, and some within the Wilkes County Gazette's website.

Realizing that Burnie and Katey Rose would rather be out exploring than posing for pictures, I went back to the drawing board.  I decided to let my dogs host the Pet News feature on the WCG website.

Returning to design ideas for the new shopper supplement, I decided to feature the 4 seasons.  The first issue is the End of Summer shopper.  This actually assisted me with my layout choices within the two-sided flyer.  I hope that this flyer will be well received within Wilkes County, NC.  It will be even better if an upsurge in retail business results from the couple of thousand brochures that will be distributed within the area.

Money can be saved by the wise use of coupons.  Many thanks go to the entrepreneurs, small business advisors and local residents for their comments and questions that have given me much insight into the direction the shopper needs to proceed for maximum benefit to all: customer, business owner, and the Wilkes County Gazette itself.

Until Next Time,

Valerie Jeanne

New WCG Shopper Available Soon

After nearly 2 years since its first conception, the Wilkes County Gazette Shopper will be available in a print version soon.  This idea for a print supplement to JAE's digital media news site, Wilkes County Gazette, has been received with mixed reviews.

I have appreciated all the comments and questions regarding this new venture for JAE.  I have used coupons since the early 1990s.  I have saved hundreds and hundreds of dollars over the past 2 decades by shopping with coupons.

I have used a series of coupon envelope files.  I have perused many store circulars for weekly specials.  I have researched specials and coupons as a joint venture for maximum savings for Living On A Budget.  This WCG column shows readers where savings can be found from A to Z.

All this research has culminated in a brand new publication to be distributed in the Wilkes County, NC area next month.  Designed to assist both shopper and merchant, there is an effort to encourage shopping within Wilkes County and Shop Local.  This is the perfect environment for a shopper supplement that will offer coupons to be clipped and brought to merchants to avail of various specials.

Please click on this link for more about the Wilkes County Gazette Shopper www.sites.google.com/site/wilkescountygazette/wilkescountygazetteshopper.


Until next time,

Valerie Jeanne

Wilkes County Gazette Shopper

This is an exciting month coming up for the Wilkes County Gazette.   JAE's digital news publication based in Wilkes County, NC is celebrating its 6th Anniversary since its first publication in May 2009 under its former name, The Wilkes Gazette. 

In conjunction with this anniversary event, the Wilkes County Gazette will be soon publishing its long awaited shopping supplement.  This new publication will be highlighting savings to customers that are being offered by local businesses, merchants and restaurants.

Hopefully, this new shopping supplement will benefit both businesses and patrons in the Wilkes County area.  This link will bring readers to the advertisers and sponsors page on the WCG website https://sites.google.com/site/wilkescountygazette/home/advertiser-listing?

Until Next Time,

Valerie Jeanne

Passive Income Sources

This post is going to be the first of a series of posts that will examine passive income sources. Wikipedia defines passive income as "an income received on a regular basis, with little effort required to maintain it. It is closely related to the concept of "unearned income".

I am writing this series in conjunction with my recent experience with joining affiliate marketing programs.  In addition to applying for a Google Adsense account, I also have joined some programs with big name companies.  This is a learning experience for me in that my ad copywriting skills must achieve even greater depth and skill.

My 4+ years with owning shops listed on the Etsy.com marketplace have given me much experience in ad copywriting.  This is a process that needs continual revision.  If certain descriptions and benefits are not enticing potential customers to make a purchase, then I know that I need to edit and update each item's personal adjectives both positive and negative.  

In the world of vintage, many items have lost their original shine, glow, appendages, parts and usefulness.  Yet, beauty is in the eye of the beholder I have read, and it must be true.  I am even amazed at items that stay in the shop for over a year or 2, and items with flaws will sell in a couple of months or less.

Timing, supply and demand, and the economy all play roles in each item's time frame on when, and if, it will be purchased by a buyer to my shops.

In contrast to sales that require much attention, marketing and detail, affiliate marketing initially requires much thought and planning and research and then it stands on its own merits for weeks and months to come.  Big name company products that are in demand do not need much help by me in their sales stats, however, it is up to me to drive traffic to my websites in order to earn potential passive income in commissions.

This is one form of passive income.  I will be adding posts for you all to read and share as my experiences grow with this new form of sales marketing.  I do not have to produce a product because they are already for sale on the web by their stores.  I do have to put effort in to direct marketing techniques to drive traffic to the links that I have pasted on my various web platforms.  

Until next time,

Valerie Jeanne

Accomplishments Journal - Updating Websites

One task that I have been putting off is to take the time to update my websites.  In this, I refer to updating my many user names and passwords on websites that I have accounts.

This year I decided to go back to the old-fashioned method of pen and paper.  I began an accomplishments journal this year.  I decided that I have written a plethora of to do lists through the years, so now this year, I am adding an accomplishments journal.  

This journal will actually be a set of composite notebooks.  I  am already receiving benefits from this journal.  I have at my fingertips a listing of what I am actually crossing off on my to do list.  Mundane tasks like grocery lists and cleaning item refill lists I do not need to track.  However, major accomplishments are what I wish to keep for down the road.  For days when I am sluggish in my motivation, a glance at this journal is already giving me the impetus to see that I can reach small goals.

The journal is also assisting me in setting time frames for future projects.  I often have procrastinated on the more daunting tasks that I need to tackle in the course of a year.  i.e. yearly tax returns that I always complete myself.  I will note here, that in the last few years, I began e-filing my returns.  This process has involved the locating of the necessary tax forms and the researching of tax preparation software. 

The first website account that I updated this year was for my e-file tax service.  This started the ball rolling with updating my email accounts.  I decided to change passwords on all of my accounts. This is a tedious, time consuming task.  

However, I know that as the year progresses, I will be glad that I updated my various website accounts.  This was also the time for me to update and review all my profile and settings information.  

It is amazing how many website accounts one might need to update!  These accounts run the gamut from book clubs to club memberships  to contests to email accounts to social media and tax services, and much more.  

I decided to put all these accounts into a small notebook so that I can have them at my fingertips.  Realizing that this is a lot of information in one place, I keep finding new locations to store it.  At 54, it is easier for me now to go to my notebook, look up the account name, and then input my user/password information to log in to the accounts as needed.

I am hesitant to save my password and when prompted to save?  I usually click no.  I prefer to re-enter my login information each time I need to access one of my website accounts.  You may have a different system.  For 2015, this is the system with which I am working to assist me with my accomplishments journal.

Until next time,

Valerie Jeannne

Resolutions Continued

Well, how are we all doing with our resolutions one month into 2015???  I have to say that my publishing deadlines for my 2 news media sites have been met thus far.  In fact, please visit these sites by clicking the links here for the current articles and features for the February 1st editions:
Burke County Gazette, Wilkes County Gazette.

This is one resolution that I am striving to meet in my commitment to publish these 2 sites bi-monthly.  I divide my time during the year between these 2 counties and both have much to offer to residents and visitors alike.

The recession is slowly receding in favor of more employment opportunities in many parts of the country.  However, there are still limited opportunities in this area of North Carolina for those who do not wish, or cannot make, long commutes to work places.

I will continue to provide information this year as to community resources and avenues for our readers to supplement incomes.  This is something that I have needed to research both personally, and for the community.  

This year I am also endeavoring to learn more about the opportunities for affiliate marketers.  I have added a new page here to update my readers with information as I learn myself.

I have joined Rakuten Linkshare and ClickBank to learn more about the opportunities that may exist for entrepreneurs and publishers.  I began this blog in April 2009 and I have been most happy to be blogging here on Blogger.com.  

There may be other sites out there to host web pages, however, I will try to keep JAE on these pages for as long as I am able to accomplish my blogging and publishing needs.  There are wonderful templates here within template designer.  There are quite a few options to enhance my blog with Add a Gadget widgets.

So, please keep reading along with my posts.  Please subscribe by email.  I appreciate your comments and feedback as I continue to post here information based upon both my research, and my personal experiences with digital media publishing, online retailing, and now, affiliate marketing.

Until next time,

Valerie Jeanne

Promising New Year

I hope that all are ready to join me in what I hope will be a promising new year.  I have made many resolutions over my lifetime each January.  Some resolutions I did hold for awhile, however, by far and wide most of my resolutions did not even begin.

I took some time away from this blog and my other Google Sites to spend some end of year time on my 3 Etsy.com sites, Wilkes Vintage Finds, ValJeanne Photography, and Jeanne's Emporium.  Etsy.com is based in Brooklyn, NY.  This E-Commerce website is a marketplace that has over 800,000 shops selling vintage, handmade and supplies.  I have 1 vintage shop and 2 shops that sell handmade items.

Now that 2015 has arrived and proceeded, I want to make a resolution to bolster my 4 media/blogging websites.  I am undertaking a large project in publishing these sites bi-monthly beginning in February.

I hope that you will click on the tabs to my links for the 3 Etsy shops and the 3 Media Sites.  I am also enabling commenting this year, so that I may benefit my readers with up-to-date informative and engaging web content.

A good agenda planner is a vital component to my scheduling needs.  I have already purchased 4 books to assist me in becoming more adept at multitasking this year.  Adding to my schedule, affiliate marketing with ClickBank and Amazon.com.  I will write more about these endeavors in future posts.

Until next time,

Valerie Jeanne