Review Archives – Campfire Chic

How to Launch a New Product: My Favorite Resource

Nearly everything I learned about launching digital products and online courses I learned from this ebook.

This ebook has taught me you can’t just put something out in the world and hope people will see it, like it and buy it.

You’ve got to lead the way.

PLEASE don’t just put up a blog post saying ‘I made this; here’s where you buy it.’

PLEASE don’t just tweet a link to your shop saying ‘new stuff here!’

From the ebook: “The bottom line is that if you want to sell your [product or service], you’re going to have to get involved with that dreaded ‘M’ word: Marketing.”

Over the last few weeks you’ve probably seen some posts or tweets or excitement about my upcoming BUILD ecourse. Kam and Mollie and Megan and Allie have all posted about it, and I’ve already got a list of bloggers looking forward to the official launch – and it is still weeks away.

Any excitement you see from Listers pre-March or pre-September 30 Days of Lists? A huge portion of all registered participants join us in the first couple days after opening registration. That’s all from having a strategy behind launching our registration.

This isn’t just a put-it-out-there-and-see-what happens. This is a carefully planned, honed and strategic approach to making our products and services available.

Which, again, I learned from this ebook: How to Launch the **** Out of Your eBook by Naomi Dunford and Dave Navarro.

NOTE: That IS actually the name of the book. Replace the four asterisks in your head with whatever word you prefer.

This 100+ page book comes with worksheets and very clear steps for how to plan your product launch.

But that’s the thing. You have to PLAN.

I have read this ebook about 3 times – It’s so good that every time I read it I learn something new….. so when I started to plan the release of my BUILD ecourse, I knew I needed to give myself plenty of time.

Four months, to be exact.

It’s still a bit too early to see exactly how my BUILD launch will do, but I’ve already got WAY more interest than the 1 ebook I released without any kind of launch strategy. And we’re still weeks away from the ecourse even being available!

Keep in mind that this book is all written from the point of view of selling an ebook (pdf download), but I have used it very successfully for all kinds of online offers (30Lists, Onward and Upward and ebooks). The basics are easily adaptable.

Modules included:

Analyzing the market for your ebook
Finding and wooing your ebook buyers
Setting up your mailing list
Writing your ebook
Launching your ebook

Module 5 (Launching your ebook) is broken farther into 5 stages:

Preparation: Getting things together before you launch
Pre-launch: Where you make your first batch of money
Launch: Build up the buzz, build up your list, and let it fly
Post-launch: Where do we go from here?
Ongoing: Even more opportunities to make money via your ebook

My one disagreement with How to Launch the **** Out of Your eBook is that the ‘writing your ebook’ is step 4.

I totally understand making sure there are people who would buy the ebook you have in mind before writing it, but for me personally I need to do the bulk of the writing first so I know what I’m dealing with. Often my ideas change partway through and I don’t realize the CORE of what it is I am offering until I’m editing the finished product.

I (personally) couldn’t craft a launch around something not at least close to being done. But maybe you’re different.

But, here’s the deal. If you want to get started making money from your blog … and you want to create and sell your own products or services…. You’ve got to get invested in MARKETING (or hire someone to help you).

And this ebook -
How to Launch the **** Out of Your eBook -
is a GREAT place to begin.

At the daily blog Lemon and Raspberry, Amy T Schubert writes about blogging, memory keeping, doing what you are meant to do … and how those all combine to help you live your best creative life. She has been a writer, photographer and encourager for most of her life. If you’re looking for a free guide to jumpstart your creativity or one-on-one blog-business coaching, head over to Lemon and Raspberry. For more day-to-day fun (including cat photos), follow Amy on Twitter and Instagram at @amytschubert.

June 12, 2013 { 5 comments }

From a Beginner: My Favorite Climbing Shoes (Evolv)

Today I want to talk to you about the best (in my opinion) climbing shoes for beginners – specifically, for women looking to start climbing and bouldering.

I bought my first pair of climbing shoes in August of 2011 and bought my second pair for myself for Christmas 2012. I use them both to this day and I wanted to share more information about them both with you.

Why buy climbing shoes?

Climbing shoes are a great first investment when you start climbing at a gym (or outdoors, if your friends have all the necessary equipment) because renting each time you go can get pricey — Let’s say a day pass is $12 and shoe rental is $6…after going a few times and renting shoes, you’re halfway to a pair of the Elektra VTR shoes! After buying your shoes, you will have more money for you day pass (or monthly pass, should you decide to go often).

As somebody who doesn’t wear socks with her climbing shoes, you can imagine why I’m encouraging you to buy your own shoes. Yep, I went there.

I should also mention that climbing in your sneakers isn’t the best option, you’ll want to rent or buy climbing shoes. Climbing shoes have a sticky rubber on them that will help you stick to the wall/rock better and are tight enough on your feet that you will have better contact with whatever it is you are climbing at the time. With climbing shoes, you’ll be able to get a foothold on something you would otherwise not think you could stick to! Think of it as Spider-Man shoes!

Why these Evolv shoes?

The Elektra VTR (in purple above) and EVO (in blue above) shoes are fantastic entry-level and intermediate shoes because they are really well-made and have a fantastic price point…especially the Elektra VTRs. I’ve used both pairs in an indoor gym as well as outdoors on granite.

I love that both shoes have the climbing rubber surrounding most of the shoe…the EVOs have a higher heel, so there is even more climbing rubber back there. Having that sticky rubber all the way around helps keep you connected to the wall, and I feel that other entry-level shoes cut back on the amount of rubber on the shoe to cut down costs. More rubber = happy Kam.

It may just be me, but I prefer to wear shoes with 2-strap closure more than shoes with laces. While there is the rare instance that my straps will get momentarily-snagged on the rope while I belay, I feel more comfortable with straps than I do laces. Laces make me feel I don’t have good control over the tension in my shoe, and I have an irrational fear the laces will get caught on a hold/rock/anchor and I’ll die. Other people prefer laces (the Elektra VTR is available with laces for about the same price as the 2-strap), so try out both types before purchasing your first pair.

I’m not saying that Evolv isn’t for elite athletes, it totally is! Heck, Chris Sharma developed one of the top Evolv shoes – the Shaman (mens and womens). I just wanted to share two great options for beginners that are awesome and at a great price point.

Shoes discussed in this post:

So there you have it!

If you’re in the market for an inexpensive-but-awesome climbing shoe, I hope you consider Evolv!

What was your first pair of climbing shoes?

If you’re looking to buy your first pair,
what are you looking for in climbing shoes?

June 6, 2013 { 2 comments }

Blogging for Creatives // Book Review

Title: Blogging for Creatives: How designers, artists, crafters, and writers can blog to make contacts, win business, and build success.

By: Robin Houghton

I previously posted a review on the book, Blog Inc. – Blogging for passion, profit, and to create community and knew that I wanted to read Blogging for Creatives to compare notes.

Right off of the bat, I noticed that Blogging for Creatives is more visually focused than Blog Inc., which is helpful when you (as the reader) want to see what the author is describing and to get multiple examples.

Blogging for Creatives covers many topics in well-defined chapters spanning from the design of your blog, connecting with others using social media, using podcasts for content, affiliate programs, and the anatomy of blog posts. I didn’t feel like the chapters or even the topics within each chapter were laid out in an order that made sense to me (like other resources such as Problogger’s Guide to Your First Week of Blogging). For example, the author covers monetizing your blog before covering how to monitor your blog’s traffic and conversion rates. I mean, I feel like I should know what my traffic looks like before I start opening up my website to advertising or an affiliate program. But maybe that’s just me.

Topics include:

Tools for mobile blogging
Common blog mistakes to avoid
Tips for customizing a theme
Ways to grow your blog community
The power of photos

What I did like about this book is that it is easy to skim when compared to Blog Inc. and it does a good job of focusing on creating content and connecting with others before it jumps into monetizing your blog — because not all blogs need to be monetized and not all bloggers are looking to monetize. The blogs that are included in the examples are from different niches, which helps when looking for different ways to implement tactics or design elements.

This book is good for:

Newer bloggers looking for information on better blogging without clicking through a million blog posts
Bloggers looking to start advertising or starting an advertising program
Creatives who want help developing relevant content

If you are newer to blogging (a year or less), this may be a good book for you to pick up as a reference, but I’m going to suggest that you pair it with another book (or two!) such as 31 Days to a Better Blog or 31 Days to Finding Your Blogging Mojo (only $4.99 right now on Amazon)…and Problogger’s Guide to your First Week of Blogging, which I mentioned earlier.

Pick up your copy of Blogging for Creatives from Amazon today.

April 16, 2013 { 5 comments }

Skillshare: Learn Differently

I want to share a little secret of mine…or maybe it’s me admitting a guilty pleasure…I’m a life-long learner. What a buzzphrase, right? Life-long learner.

That’s right, I love to learn. I can’t help it…in fact, my grandmother once told me that “learning is our religion”, and that really stuck with me. After finishing my Masters program, I felt a bit lost. I went from being a student for the past 19 years to being…not a student. I filled that void for a while by signing up for online challenges and mini-courses, but I needed something more than a self-paced PDF with ways to document my trips.

Enter, Skillshare.

I found Skillshare in September 2012 when there was a $5 class about telling your story on Pinterest. I also signed up for another class on customer loyalty…all while also taking part in Amy’s (AMAZING) Onward and Upward course. After being without classes for so long, I hit the jackpot!

A few classes later, and I’m sitting here wondering why I haven’t shared this great resource with you! This is totally something you’d dig.

In fact, you may even decide to teach a Skillshare class (yeah, I took a class on how to teach a Skillshare class–you know me, I like to be prepared!) after seeing how cool the classrooms are and the different types of classes being taught. Seriously. You’ll love this website.

What is Skillshare?

Skillshare has a quick video for you to check out, it’s really well done and does a fantastic job of telling you just what Skillshare can do for you. I’ll try to do it justice: Skillshare is a way for you to learn either online or locally. The teachers are just like you and me…in fact, you can teach a class if you have something to share! There are opportunities to meet up with people in your area who are taking the same class, for you to connect with your instructor via Google Hangouts, or you can take a class at your own pace.

To start, you’ll need to create your free profile. Once you do, let’s be friends! You can find my Skillshare profile here. Then, search for classes and sign up! There is a small fee, but many times there are discounts if you are one of the first students to register, which is nice!

The classes I’ve taken all have some sort of final project, and you get your own section of the classroom to create and share your project. I really like the setup and think it is a great way to connect with the other people in my classes.

Two of my final projects:

My Pinterest board that I created for my Pinterest class. I should be full of pins that tell the story of Campfire Chic’s core values
I took a class by the Director of Possibility from Lululemon/Founder of igolu, which focused on goal-setting as a way to create the life you want. My final project was a 5 and 10-year plan for my life that included health/fitness, relationship, and career goals

I’m just finishing up another class, but I’m going to talk about that one in a few weeks after I’m able to better put my final project together to share with you all!

Have you taken a Skillshare class?
If you could learn something, what would it be?

March 5, 2013 { 10 comments }

New Glasses! Firmoo.com Review

I was approached by Firmoo.com a few weeks ago to review a pair of their prescription glasses. Now, I don’t usually do these types of review posts, but I couldn’t resist sharing this great website and service with Campfire Chic readers.

While I love my Warby Parker glasses, the prices for the Firmoo.com glasses can’t be beat…and the fact that you can get your first pair of glasses (with or without prescription!) for free. Yes, free glasses. I also can’t resist their slogan: Vision & Fashion, the Frugal Way.

I had a fun time searching the site for the perfect pair of frames that are thinner than my current pair of glasses, but was a bit hesitant about ordering without trying them on…I mean, it took me 3 ‘at home try-on’s with my other pair before settling down. I was happy to see that the glasses come with a case, cloth, and a eyeglasses screwdriver with keychain. The only issue I found with the whole process was that my glasses don’t really fit into the case…but I have plenty of other cases, so it wasn’t a big deal. Shipping was pretty quick, and I noticed that there wasn’t a ‘breaking in’ period with these glasses like I did with my other pair.

Glasses aren’t just for those of us who need them to see, there are many people who wear them just for fun! And with the possibility of getting your first pair of glasses for free, you can update your look with the different frame styles…and there are all types of frames: modern, vintage, geeky, you name it. There are also plenty of sunglasses available on the website.

You can also upload your own photo to the site to virtually try on a pair of glasses, don’t want any surprises, right?

Are you ready for your first pair? Try Firmoo’s First Pair Free Program, available worldwide! All you have to do is pay shipping. Not happy with your glasses? Get a refund or exchange, risk-free!

I’m already filling my cart with other frames I would like, you can never have to many pairs of glasses, right? I’m thinking of going smaller and maybe with patterned arms! You can see the glasses I’m wearing in the photos here.