Promoting Your Jewelry for a Charity/Non-Profit Group or Cause

I was recently approached by She Finds (as well as other indie jewelry, fashion and accessory designers) to create a jewelry design to help educate, raise awareness and support the non-profit organization, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF).

There were a couple of "rules"; the indie designers had to use teal the official color of the OCRF an incorporate the letter "O" in our design. Other than that, we were encouraged to be creative and share our inspiration behind the design.

During the month of September, She Finds will be promoting National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and the indie designer's efforts.


I created the Love & Hope necklace. This necklace incorporates a teal fused glass design (one rule down ..another to go), a hammered sterling silver ring ( my letter O"), and a white freshwater pearl for love & hope. Designing-Diva Jewelry has pledged that 25% of the proceeds will benefit the non-profit organization, OCRF.


Ironically, two of my dear Bunco Sister's (and you know who you are) mother was diagnosed last week with ovarian cancer. She saw the oncologist today and was told that it has metastasized to her major organs ; she is scheduled for a biopsy tomorrow morning to determine how her chemotherapy tx should be administered (scheduled to start mid-September). The whole reason I got involved in this women's health issue is because I was appalled there is NO early detection method for ovarian cancer and that it is the #1 gynecological cancer killer and 5th cancer killer of women. As a daughter, wife, mother and friend to many, this is my way of supporting a cause that just might prevent a tragedy like my Bunco sister's are experiencing right now from occurring!

I issued a press release when I first created the design online and have had a few other blogging sites that will be posting the design and helping raise awareness regarding ovarian cancer. Since September is just around the corner, I have pitched the following press release to the Dallas Morning News and local tv stations. Cross your fingers that we can get this in the public's face! I'll let you know if I hear anything back.

FOR RELEASE THROUGH SEPTEMBER

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL:
RANDI-SUE DECKARD- (469) 877-0805

Local Jewelry Artist is Baking Up Glass to Support Ovarian Cancer Research Fund

September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and a local jewelry

artist is baking up glass at a whopping 1500 degrees to help support the Ovarian Cancer

Research Fund (OCRF). The artist named the teal fused glass design Love & Hope as a

tribute to survivors and for those who have departed but are not forgotten.

Randi-Sue Deckard, a Dallas based jewelry artist, wanted to support this

important women’s health issue because at this time there is no early detection method

and this gynecological cancer is the leading cause of death in the US and

the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women in the US. With a friend’s mother just

recently diagnosed Deckard urges all women to get the facts at www.ocrf.org

Deckard states, “As a daughter, wife, mother and friend to countless women, I wanted

to help support research, education and raise awareness so that some family may be

spared a tragedy. “


The artist has pledged 25% of the proceeds from the sale of Love & Hope to the

OCRF. The teal fused glass design may be purchased online for $49.95 through

December 31, 2007. Love & Hope is available at www.designing-diva.com.

###

Randi-Sue Deckard is available for interview by calling 469-877-0805 during regular business hours.

Link Building Tips for New Websites

Check out these 15 tips for link building for new websites from Dosh Dosh. This is a great article and can be used when you first start selling your gorgeous handcrafted jewelry/goods online. It isn't just enough to have a website..."Build it and they will come"...mentality will get you zero traffic and zero sales. Yikes!

I feel pretty good that I've done a lot of thins on this list...good thing because I've had the virtual business for over a year now! ;)

For my virtual jewelry boutique, I have submitted www.Designing-Diva.com places like DMOZ, Google, and Yahoo. Check out this add your url website for more SEO friendly places to submit your url.

If you run a blog like this, you can also build traffic for your blog by submitting your blog url to a variety of blog directories.

I have several link partners to help with PR (page rank).

I have written several press releases since I started my "virtual boutique" which you can see about 2/3 of way down on my press page on my website. I have used PR Leap's free and paid service. I like the fact that I can log in and check my stats.

I get traffic to my main website and blogs through my several lenses on Squidoo.

I have written several articles using Ezine such as Marketing Your Handcrafted Jewelry.

I blog on several other blogs and forums as an expert.

I've held several successful contests.

See even us creative artists can learn the business side!!!

Silent Auctions-Great Way to Market Your Jewelry to the Community

We live in a suburb in the Dallas Fort Worth area. Our local community paper is a great place for me to find Silent Auctions and other fund raiser to place my jewelry line in.

When I submit a jewelry item, it is always tagged with my business information. I also include a gift box and pink purse with my logo to be displayed along side the jewelry item that is donated. Of course, it has never been a problem to include business cards and I always ask if coupons can also offered.

These have been a great way for not only my jewelry line to gain visibility but free marketing. Often the Silent Auctions/fund raisers will write a press release or give out thank you notes to the attendees that list the donating companies with contact information.

I have had several new customers as a result of helping out in my community.

Has any other jewelry artist had an experience with a Silent Auction or fund raiser that they would like to share? Post a comment.

Don't Forget the Office & Corporate Gifts

This is a huge hidden market IMHO. I have done several trunk shows in downtown office buildings and was welcomed by both genders who are just TOO busy to shop. I always offer free gift wrapping, note cards and delivery options for my jewelry purchases.

Also, I have marketed to several companies and offered a variety of one of a kind corporate gifts. This was also well received. My marketing materials included an artist bio and photo samples of what types of jewelry & accessory gifts are available.

Never forget you are providing a service but you need to get in front of people so that service may be utilized!!!!

This is one HOT marketing tip. Let me know if it works for you!

Keep Your Jewelry Fresh

I know what you are thinking....jewelry is NOT produce why does it need to be fresh! :) My point is that you must not be stagnant when creating jewelry. You may have a signature line or piece but in order to offer the customer something different (or fresh) so they'll come back to see what you have now.....

Here is one way I let my customer's know what's fresh or NEW at Designing-Diva Jewelry; when folks sign up for the newsletter, they are asked what they would like to be notified of general updates, sales, new designs, etc...

The folks who sign up for New Designs will get an e-mail with the new design and a discount for a limited time. I know people like these for two reasons:my e-mail stats and the fact if I don't have a fresh/new idea at least once a month I get e-mails say where's the new design sneak preview.

For those of you who don't have a website, make sure that your display a retail event/markets highlights "What's New". Create interest for returning customers and new customers alike.

The other thing you can do to keep your jewelry fresh is important as well. Invest in your education; learn new skills. I started out just straight beading with my business. I have added the following skills to my repertoire:

1. Crocheting with 26-28 guage silver wire

2. Wire Wrap Techniques

3. Viking Knit

4. Chain Maille techniques

5. Fused & Dichroic Glass

6. Metalsmithing

7. Lampwork glass beads

What does this mean? I can offer truly ORIGINAL designs to my customers.

Hold a Contest & Write a Press Release

Did you check out Designing-Diva Jewelry's (DDJ's) jewelry contest, "Mom Rocks", press release?

**When you look at the original press release, does the headline grab you?

**What is the point of the press release?

**Does the press release sound like an ad?

Can anyone tell me , why I asked those questions and why they are important? I'm waiting for those lurkers to comment! :)