Millionaire Challenge

cazmanian_minx

I have no idea why the MSE software doesn't like the word Fr33l0aders!

Karmacat

Its really funny when you try to imagine what the word might be

gallygirl

Karmacat wrote: »

Its really funny when you try to imagine what the word might be

I'd come up with something much more entertaining :rotfl:. It's probably because it's been used on benefit basher threads.

Broken_Biscuits

Kayalana99 wrote: »

Might sound silly but my worry is that one day the site just disappears...same reason I won't let my paypal account pile up in case the account gets banned (I haven't done anything to get banned but it's just rather have the money in the bank otherwise I would take it out monthly) I know you've got to take the risks sometimes (and in cases like these its very very unlikely to happen) but I would prefer having my cash offline, I trust the banks like I would trust to have my money in B2L's (I know their are other risks but I mean basically someone running of with your money in one shape or another, the house is yours and that's final) but I don't think I could have say 10k in something like P2P lending

bit late, but just found a new (to me) site 4thway.co.uk

rates and compares each peer to peer site.
the one i use, ratesetter, is rated the lowest risk, which is nice to see!

lessonlearned

Just a quick stop by to say hello.

The reason I've been MIA is that I have had the flu. A week of feeling absolutely dire but I'm feeling human again.

Needless to say absolutely no money making whatsoever, in fact, probably quite the reverse because I had to let DS2 do some food
Shopping.:rotfl:

Anyway life can get back to normal.

Some interesting thoughts about sideline income, especially crafts, arty stuff etc. It is hard to make them pay isn't it. I am quite crafty and can turn my hand to most things, jewellery making, furniture restoration, sewing etc.

Over the years ive turned out some good work but I know I wouldn't be able to get really good prices for it. I wonder if it's down to where you live or where your markets are....what your contacts are like.

I see some of these niche businesses in interior design mags, such as House and Garden. - you know the sort of thing. They do a house feature which showcases the owners work. "Jeremy turns reclaimed pallets into "sculptural pieces and bespoke furniture solutions" and Jocasta is a jewellery designer" Their pieces sell for thousands. :rotfl::rotfl:

Well my stuff is just as good so why can't I get the same prices:rotfl: For example I picked up a kitchen dresser for £25 spent about £25 on mAterials and God knows how many hours of my time lovingly restoring and hand painting it. I saw one virtually identical in Laura Ashley for £600.

Is it a case of not what you know but who you know. I've Not enough friends in high places perhaps......

Perhaps where I live folk are just too canny to shell out a lot of money.

I've often thought of trying to find outlets in more affluent areas - maybe that's the answer. Maybe I need to move somewhere posh and just bluff it out. In the meantime my family get to benefit from my one off pieces. Perhaps their monetary value will increase when I'm dead.:rotfl:

Right that's enough musing, I need to do some food shopping, the cupboards are looking rather bare.

droopsnoot

lessonlearned wrote: »

I've often thought of trying to find outlets in more affluent areas - maybe that's the answer.

Not necessarily by area, but certainly you'd be more likely to get decent money for stuff if it's offered in places where the other stuff is expensive too, just because the clientele will be expecting the higher prices.

For example I once saw someone on our local car boot sale selling an as-new set of "Snap-on" spanners, asking £120 for a set of 12 spanners. (For those who don't know, Snap-on is a top quality brand that comes with a very good lifetime guarantee, would cost new probably £20+vat per spanner for smaller ones, rising as the spanners get bigger). And the point was that he was never going to sell them at a car boot sale. At an indoor classic car show, where most people visiting have paid £25 to get in and are aware of the product and its quality, no problem, but a car boot sale is where you (or I, at least) expect spanners to be 50p each or three for a pound.

lessonlearned

That's a very good example and its got me thinking......

My sisters girl is very horsey. She has been schooling a young horse and is hoping to have him ready to compete this year. And, now that im a lonely widow:rotfl: Im hoping to be able to go and join in the fun.

These events often have stalls selling crafty stuff., often At what I think are eye watering prices. Perhaps that's my problem, perhaps I dont put a high enough value on my pieces.....

And as you know keeping horses is not a cheap hobby, there is often a lot of money sloshing around at these events. That might be a fruitful avenue for me......

.and maybe I need to blow my own trumpet a bit.....

"LL is a skilled and dedicated artist who can provide unique pieces and bespoke solutions to enhance the beauty of your home........."

Kayalana99

It's stupid how much you can rack up prices with branding but that's what marketing experts are for !

The problem is it does cost money, you go to a stall put a few high priced pieces on people will most likey walk on by wondering why they are so high priced....get some glossy massive banners and some newspaper articles framed or information stuff framed etc (lets go crazy here) about you and your business and why your items are the bees kness and I bet you'll have crowds at least coming to see what the fuss is all about. You're not just selling your items your selling yourself and your brand of high quality.

Just popped on to catch up really, think I'm seriously considering taking on photography as a career I just adore it and I already have 90% of the photoshop skills to match it....but I am riding it out for now as I know myself and I tend to fall in love as quickly as I fall out of it...I'm on a steep learning curve ATM got quite a few books on subject trying to work out f stops and things.. (still not quite got my head around it but sure I'll get their) I already know what I would do and that's children's portrait photography as I love working with kids and it's one of the few areas that you can work 9-5 (within reason) because the younger the kids the less they are in school and can come to sessions M-F, obviously you go into most areas it's all evenings and weekends.

Not that I can do this right now as even *if* (lets not forget I need a lot more experience and time here haha) I had a studio set up, I just couldn't be having people coming in and out the house all time because of the neighbours...I'm not technically allowed to run a business from home as it is but the difference is I'm not causing any trouble with what I am doing now, customers coming round the house all time is a big no no (esp when you've got our neighbour, he's lovely(ish) but he'd be on the phone to the council within minutes if he suspected someone was running a business)

I kind of had the idea of renting space on a Sat to start up (again guys just pointing out I'm not going to do this tomorrow but once I've got a bit more experienced) ...I just think their must be places where they have unused space so to speak that I can set up...i.e mother care and toys r us near me have photographers set up, so I'm sure nearer the time I could find somewhere that isn't expensive at least to start and I'm not getting in anyone way as such lol.

Quite amused yesterday, read an article on setting up portrait studio and step three was hire 2-8 staff....I mean COME ON. How can an article that knows nothing about your business suggest you hire staff from the start? I know theirs more to it then simply pointing a camera but 2-8 is a wide gap really isn't it?

lessonlearned

Hiring 2- 8. (Big difference there) before you are up and running does seem a bit like putting the cart before the horse.

I think your photography idea is great, both my sister who was a semi pro and my DS2 are really good photographers. My sister is particularly good at portraits. She worked at A photographers near Teddington studios and has photographed lots of big names. She was very good at handling "awkward sitters"', whether they are big ego film stars or toddlers having tantrums, she always got her shot. Now she is more into country pursuits and her horsey doggy pictures are really good.

I think you are right about the marketing, branding, selling yourself stuff though. I definitely need to come up with a strategy.....

My husband was good at this, although he did call it "pimping himself out" ....... He was never very comfortable doing it and I think this is often our trouble.

We are just too damned modest.......

I blame my education......trying too hard was seen as vulgar - it all had to appear effortless. There's academic snobbery for you.

In my school anything remotely "trade" was sniffed at..:rotfl:

Kayalana99

Yes true I have to admit I've been putting quite a few photos up on facebook (of my little kiddies hehe) but instead of being proud to show them theirs a voice in back of my head that thinks people will just see me as showing off... where as other people post willy nilly about every little thing blowing their own trumpet so to speak..perhaps it's just finding the middle ground.

I am the definition of modest(offline anyway)...I think this is partly why I would struggle to do anything offline as to brand myself and try and make an image for myself (and my business) would ..IS blowing your own trumpet...but that is what you have to do when establishing a brand people who wants to use someone who isn't professional?

My confidence is something I will need to work on but hoping if I am confident in my skills I can use it as the backbone to put myself out their a bit. As much as I love working from home around the kids it's not done any good to my sanity..I am so jumpy lately.