Category: General
February 28, 2010
Filter out Your Own View on GA
One change you should make to get a better grasp of your visitor is filter out your visits from the count. This will remove your views from the data and just show you the data from other visitors. You'll need to go to Google Analytics, I usually just go using My stats.
It'll probably open to a graph, so you'll need to click "Analytic Settings" on the top orange bar, right under the Google logo.You'll need to go to this page as well for the GA upgrade as well. Before you start, go to http://www.lawrencegoetz.com/programs/ipinfo/ and this will give you the ip address of your computer, write it down, we'll use it in a few minutes.
- On the right side, there will be a column called "Actions", under that click edit. (You probably want to go back and do this for all your profiles).
- On the next page, go down to the third box, labeled Filters Applied to Profile.
- On the right hand side, click add Filter.
- Next page, Click on radio button for New Filter.
- Scoll and name the filter- say My Views.
- Leave it on predefined filter, and left it on exclude in the first box, next box choose traffic from IP address, third leave on equal. Then enter that number you got before. This will block at your traffic. Click save changes.
- If you view Artfire from the workplace and it has a network, company.com. You can block those views by creating a second filter, this time chose exclude views from domain and then just add your companies domain. Click save.
In the next few articles we'll explore more about what you can do with Google Analytics and work you can find out beyond the number of views. If you have any questions about the steps be sure to let me know and I'll explain further.
February 22, 2010
You Can Sell It
I am excited- I am taking over as guild master of the You Can Sell It guild. What a great name for a guild because isn't that the whole point of being on artfire. Selling your stuff. I'm hoping to be able to share of some the excitement with the guild and get us started promoting and find tips adn tools to selling. There are lots of sites and articles available to help- the point is to get it altogether and help promote each other towards that goal. I'm not guild master yet - we're still waiting on Artfire to make the switch but I have already gotten started.
December 31, 2009
It's a new year and a new decade!
I just realized not only are we starting a new year, we're starting a new decade, ok not as exciting as a new millenium but still something. It's time to no longer be tied the ball and chain of the past like my skeleton. Now is the time to shake off the dust and take inventory of what you've down and what you want to do and what you can do.
This last decade has been an up and down one for me- I starting working instead of being a stay at home mom, Unfortunately I'm still looking for the right place for me after ten years, what I'm doing now, project coordinator, feels like a keeper, now I hope I can learn enough to keep it going. My marriage is a lot stronger, 2009 was 20 years. I discovered polymer clay in 2000 and internet selling in 2006 with Etsy. I added new crafts and put aside others. I've learned a lot. And learned how much more there I need to learn.
My biggest goal is to really explore my art and develop some of my own techniques, big ambitions but worth the challenge. I'd also like to lose 90 pounds, another really big goal. From Weight Watchers though, I've learned to break the big goals to smaller goals. So first, I'll start with making a tutorials, probably starting with some helpful techniques and going from there. I'd also like to contine testing new materials and techniques and also if I use a tutorial, change it in some way to make it my own.
The future looks bright to me, I am happy with my life but I can get too content, my biggest goal is to really push the limits to see what I am capable of a an artist, and as a person.
December 21, 2009
Reaching Beyond the Venue
This year has been really productive for me. I joined Artfire first off, which gave me a real boost to create. I resurrected my blog and have gotten involved in a number of communities. I wrote a tutorial with plans to make more, but most importantly, I tried a number of new projects and techniques, most with good results. I plan on putting those to good use in the new year.
Artfire has come a long way even since I joined in May, just before they introduced the fusion studios. So many features have become available since then but I think the biggest push is the auto upload to google. I can't find another venue that does this overall yet, I'm not counting Ebay because their listing last 30 days at the longest. This feature has helped me connect with customers who I couldn't have found any other way. Face Etsy may be the biggest site for handmade goods, but even that isn't well know outside of crafters, even with a lot of crafters. Artfire may not be well known yet either , but people can find you, even if they're looking for Artfire.
That is my big inspiration. I can think out of the box beyond what other crafters might like but to what anyone might be interested in and reach out to my audience that way. It really expands the mind!
December 03, 2009
Overwhelmed with Projects
I may have gone overboard this month with projects, I am taking 2 classes right now, finished another about making faux stones. I plan on making them soon and selling them as beads, I like making beads but I don't really enjoy making jewelry. The two classes are from Christi Friesen, both for winter items. I hope I get them done before spring, if not they'll still be on sale then.
I'm also working on a unicorn and have to make some holiday gifts. Suddenly I have more projects than I can name and I love it. I just need more time in the day. So here's hoping everything gets done.
