So, let me lay out my schedule...
Tuesday, Thursday - 3 Entrepreneurship classes
Monday, Wednesday - Golf
Independent Study (research)
As you can see, I'm pretty Entrepreneurship heavy this semester, which is good, because that is what this blog was originally about!
So, a few notes on Entrepreneurship. Basically, anyone can be an entrepreneur, anywhere, anytime, anyone. Do not let ANYONE ever tell you otherwise. If you truly believe in your idea, you should make it happen...
That is...if it's a GOOD idea. I have heard from 2 professors already that Entrepreneurs do not take huge risks, like most people believe they do. A common misconception is that entrepreneurs are huge risk takers. This is actually false. A good entrepreneur will analyze his idea, and his market enough to know that there is a good chance of success. (The actual success rate for new businesses is 50/50...much better than restaurants, which have a 98% FAILURE rate)
Another common misconception is that an entrepreneur is someone that starts a new business. That is FALSE! Think about it, is a gas station owner an entrepreneur, or a business owner...no, they are not one in the same. Someone who starts a restaurant that does your dry cleaning while you eat is entrepreneurial (maybe not a great idea, but a NEW idea). A good entrepreneurial mind thinks uniquely, and looks at things differently.
If you want more education on entrepreneurship, I have found that the Podcast Entrepreneurship and Business Course with Mark Juliano (adjunct prof. at Carnegie Mellon) is a great basic course for someone wanting to learn to THINK more like a small business owner. This is geared more toward "big" small businesses. Meaning, businesses that are geared to bring in $2-$10 Million in funding to grow rapidly. It's still a great podcast, as he also gears some toward small business owners.
I find there are plenty of great podcasts which provide free learning.
I'll keep updating with more knowledge as I get it from my classes.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Dorm Survival Guides - Calling all contributors
Well, I hate to post this, because I currently have 69 posts on this blog, and that's just awesome, the show must go on!
I have decided to produce a series of Dorm Survival guides, they will be easy to read guides covering all aspects of surviving dorm life. I hope it will assist many people who are going into the dorms. I am calling all contributors now!!!
What you get for contribution:
Your name in print in the guides.
A free copy of the guide (depending on the extent of your contribution)
If you are interested in contributing stories, tips, or anything you'd like to say about living in the dorms, e-mail me at recchiap@gmail.com
Again, any cool stories, tips, advice, are appreciated. If you would like to contribute but don't know what to say, e-mail me, and I will help you understand what we are talking about.
*Note: NO COMPENSATION will be given to contributors unless explicitly stated by me, Paul Recchia, in writing.
I have decided to produce a series of Dorm Survival guides, they will be easy to read guides covering all aspects of surviving dorm life. I hope it will assist many people who are going into the dorms. I am calling all contributors now!!!
What you get for contribution:
Your name in print in the guides.
A free copy of the guide (depending on the extent of your contribution)
If you are interested in contributing stories, tips, or anything you'd like to say about living in the dorms, e-mail me at recchiap@gmail.com
Again, any cool stories, tips, advice, are appreciated. If you would like to contribute but don't know what to say, e-mail me, and I will help you understand what we are talking about.
*Note: NO COMPENSATION will be given to contributors unless explicitly stated by me, Paul Recchia, in writing.
Monday, July 20, 2009
The Old Fashioned Cocktail
I know a fair number of my posts lately have been about alcohol, but there is a reason for that: over the past few weeks, I've been drinking plenty of it. I know, sounds bad, sounds like I'm self-medicating or something like that. That's not the case; with the exception of a few particularly rough days at work, I have not drank for any other reason than the fact that I enjoy making cocktails and drinking good beers.
I have been drinking Magic Hat (good), Dundee (MUCH better than I expected), my homemade English Brown Ale, and The Sam Adams Longshot Beers. On the cocktail side, my favorites have been: Margarita, Daiquiri, and the Old Fashioned.
Today, I would like to talk briefly about the Old Fashioned Whiskey Cocktail. It is one of the oldest named "cocktails" and is simply a Whiskey Cocktail made the "old fashioned" way. In "the old" days, a cocktail was defined as: Spirits of any kind, water, sugar, and bitters. That's all an Old Fashioned is. I could talk all day bout it, but watch the video below and you will get a better sense of how to make it. It is INCREDIBLY simple to make, and it is excellent. It takes bad whiskey's and makes them more palatable, and it takes great whiskey's and elevates them. I enjoy it with Jim Beam Rye Whiskey, and Jameson alike (in my mind, on VERY different spectrums, one is smooth and delicious, one is more harsh and "hot")
I love to watch The Cocktail Spirit, it's on my iTunes podcast list (among MANY others) and it's a very informative show.
The recipe for an Old Fashioned is (as I make it):
- 2 oz. Whiskey (Whatever you like...I'd avoid Scotch, but I've used it with American, Canadian, and Irish all with good results. My favorite is with Jameson)
- 1 tsp simple syrup
- 2-4 dashes of Angostura Bitters (to taste)
I hope this post gives you a small taste of a few drinks you can easily make and make you seem more "sophisticated". You can WOW your friends (and the ladies) by making a proper Margarita, and when you serve someone a daiquiri that doesn't put them into a sugar coma, they will be shocked. If mixology is something that interests you, I would suggest checking out "The Cocktail Spirit with Robert Hess". He is one of the more legendary mixologists of our time, so you could do worse than learn from him.
Anyway, lately, I have time to learn to mix some cocktails, less time to start my own businesses, so that is what I have been doing. I hope to get back into the entrepreneurial spirit when I get back to school and have more time.
If you are interested in starting up your own bar at home, I made an aStore on Amazon for cocktail tools that would be helpful in learning to become a master mixologist...or at least one who can dazzle.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Making Cocktails - Why to Always Have Bitters on Hand
So, in the real world, you may, at some point, be called upon to entertain clients. One way you can impress them is by providing their favorite drink for them. This may be as simple as pouring some Laphroaig into a glass, or it could be a gin and tonic, or it could be a mint julep, it could be anything.
So, you don't need to be able to make some crazy flaming concoction, but you should know how to make a basic cocktail. I am NOT an expert, but I have been learning. I have been listening to Tim Morrisson's Behind the Bar Show which is a podcast available on iTunes. I have learned so much from listening to that podcast, and now I will be going back through them and trying some of the recipes he lists.
One very basic point I have learned in the past, and put to use today is this:
Use Bitters.
Bitters are basically a heavily flavored liquid, that is only used in very small amounts. The measuring amounts for bitters are dashes, so it is not much (to imagine a dash, think about those soy sauce bottles with the tip that has a little hole so it shoots out of it...that's a dash, but a bitters bottle has a much smaller hole)
I was unsure of the necessity of bitters, and I thought it would only be used in classic cocktails, nothing modern or sweet. I thought "in a manhattan, sure, in a rum and coke, no way" Boy was I wrong.
I made myself a Cuba Libre just now. A Cuba Libre is basically a rum & coke with lime. I made it this way
I tried it without the bitters, and it was good...very good. I then added a couple of dashes of bitters, and it woke up the drink like nothing else. Let me make this clear...you do NOT taste the bitters. Adding bitters to a cocktail is like salting your food, you don't want to taste the salt, but the salt can enhance other flavors.
I know there are a fair number of spices in Coke, so it blended well with the bitters. I have been talking about all of this with Angosturra Aromatic Bitters. There are many kinds of bitters, but I think you really only NEED one. Angosturra is a good basic bitter to have. You can graduate to Orange bitters, and Peychauds bitters if you wish. I have not tried either of those (I will be) so I cannot comment.
Mr. Martini (Tim Morrisson) from Behind the Bar Show is a HUGE advocate of orange bitters in a martini (that's gin, because that's what a real martini is, if you want it with vodka, it's a vodka martini) I imagine it could also help wake up some flavors in a gin & tonic, as well as other drinks where a citrusy flavor is used. I cannot speak to this at this point, this is only my theory as of now.
I will have more udates in the future, but my simple advice is:
Go out and get a bottle of bitters...and experiment with it, you will not regret it.
P.S. I put together a marinade today (a recipe from my mom's friend) and it is half a can of orange juice concentrate (the other half was mixed up...now I have an extra mixer...I'm thinking tequila sunrises :D), a half cup of darm rum (I just used captains spiced, but a very dark rum is advised) and I put a few dashes of bitters in as well. I'm hoping the flavor will go well with the spiced rum, and bring out the flavor. I used this on 2 pork tenderloins, I will pan-sear and roast them tomorrow.
So, you don't need to be able to make some crazy flaming concoction, but you should know how to make a basic cocktail. I am NOT an expert, but I have been learning. I have been listening to Tim Morrisson's Behind the Bar Show which is a podcast available on iTunes. I have learned so much from listening to that podcast, and now I will be going back through them and trying some of the recipes he lists.
One very basic point I have learned in the past, and put to use today is this:
Use Bitters.
Bitters are basically a heavily flavored liquid, that is only used in very small amounts. The measuring amounts for bitters are dashes, so it is not much (to imagine a dash, think about those soy sauce bottles with the tip that has a little hole so it shoots out of it...that's a dash, but a bitters bottle has a much smaller hole)
I was unsure of the necessity of bitters, and I thought it would only be used in classic cocktails, nothing modern or sweet. I thought "in a manhattan, sure, in a rum and coke, no way" Boy was I wrong.
I made myself a Cuba Libre just now. A Cuba Libre is basically a rum & coke with lime. I made it this way
- Juice of half a lime
- 2 oz. Bacardi Rum
- Coca-cola to fill
- 1-2 dashes of bitters
I tried it without the bitters, and it was good...very good. I then added a couple of dashes of bitters, and it woke up the drink like nothing else. Let me make this clear...you do NOT taste the bitters. Adding bitters to a cocktail is like salting your food, you don't want to taste the salt, but the salt can enhance other flavors.
I know there are a fair number of spices in Coke, so it blended well with the bitters. I have been talking about all of this with Angosturra Aromatic Bitters. There are many kinds of bitters, but I think you really only NEED one. Angosturra is a good basic bitter to have. You can graduate to Orange bitters, and Peychauds bitters if you wish. I have not tried either of those (I will be) so I cannot comment.
Mr. Martini (Tim Morrisson) from Behind the Bar Show is a HUGE advocate of orange bitters in a martini (that's gin, because that's what a real martini is, if you want it with vodka, it's a vodka martini) I imagine it could also help wake up some flavors in a gin & tonic, as well as other drinks where a citrusy flavor is used. I cannot speak to this at this point, this is only my theory as of now.
I will have more udates in the future, but my simple advice is:
Go out and get a bottle of bitters...and experiment with it, you will not regret it.
P.S. I put together a marinade today (a recipe from my mom's friend) and it is half a can of orange juice concentrate (the other half was mixed up...now I have an extra mixer...I'm thinking tequila sunrises :D), a half cup of darm rum (I just used captains spiced, but a very dark rum is advised) and I put a few dashes of bitters in as well. I'm hoping the flavor will go well with the spiced rum, and bring out the flavor. I used this on 2 pork tenderloins, I will pan-sear and roast them tomorrow.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Drinking Alcohol!!!
Well, I turn 21 on Wednesday. I plan on going out with some co-workers and getting a couple of drinks. This will be the third time I've turned the legal drinking age in the jurisdiction I was in at the time. It happened in Italy and Austria as well. I am excited to legally be able to purchase some good beers, it will be great. I hope they carry Dogfish Head around here, I am excited to try their famous IPA!
I will gleefully be drinking over the next few weeks, but I'll be doing it responsibly. By responsibly, I do NOT mean that I will not be getting drunk, but I KNOW my limits, so I know I will not be getting to a dangerous level. I will be friends I know and trust, and I will ALWAYS have a Designated Driver (seriously, it sounds like a record on repeat, but seriously, why would you decide NOT to have a DD?)
I know everyone has heard the spiel about responsible drinking, but have you heard this one? You should NOT mix energy drinks and alcohol. Some people have, and yet, they still continue to drink their jagerbombs. I don't understand it. Basically, you're putting an upper, and a downer in your body at the same time; this is dangerous, and puts a MAJOR strain on your heart. You can find a basic informational article here: Dangers of College Red bull Cocktail Creations.
For a collegiate article, check this article from the State University of New York (chosen for readability, and credibility. There are more out there from Brown, Vanderbilt, etc.). Mixing Alcohol & Energy Drinks May Spell Disaster
I am NOT saying people should not drink alcohol, and though it's bad for you, I'm sure people will continue to drink their Jagerbombs, or Red bull and Vodkas, or whatever energy drink mixture you want, but those who down 4-5 in one sitting, should SLOW DOWN. I have a friend who likes to drink them to energize himself. I'd say, slow down, and take a bit of the strain off your heart.
To another topic. I am considering, once I turn 21 of course, developing a series of "college cocktails" videos. I will take cocktails--both famous and my own creations--and turning them into college level cocktails. College cocktails have taken the form of cheap, crappy vodka, covered up as well as possible. What happened to cheap Gin, cheap Whiskey, cheap Tequila??? Tequila doesn't have to be shots, rum doesn't have to be mixed with Coke, Gin isn't just for martinis, Whiskey is DELICIOUS. These other alcohols have character: Vodka aspires to be water, these other liquors are their own thing!
Anyway, I will go more into detail in the series. Let me know if you have any suggestions, or questions about this!
I will gleefully be drinking over the next few weeks, but I'll be doing it responsibly. By responsibly, I do NOT mean that I will not be getting drunk, but I KNOW my limits, so I know I will not be getting to a dangerous level. I will be friends I know and trust, and I will ALWAYS have a Designated Driver (seriously, it sounds like a record on repeat, but seriously, why would you decide NOT to have a DD?)
I know everyone has heard the spiel about responsible drinking, but have you heard this one? You should NOT mix energy drinks and alcohol. Some people have, and yet, they still continue to drink their jagerbombs. I don't understand it. Basically, you're putting an upper, and a downer in your body at the same time; this is dangerous, and puts a MAJOR strain on your heart. You can find a basic informational article here: Dangers of College Red bull Cocktail Creations.
For a collegiate article, check this article from the State University of New York (chosen for readability, and credibility. There are more out there from Brown, Vanderbilt, etc.). Mixing Alcohol & Energy Drinks May Spell Disaster
I am NOT saying people should not drink alcohol, and though it's bad for you, I'm sure people will continue to drink their Jagerbombs, or Red bull and Vodkas, or whatever energy drink mixture you want, but those who down 4-5 in one sitting, should SLOW DOWN. I have a friend who likes to drink them to energize himself. I'd say, slow down, and take a bit of the strain off your heart.
To another topic. I am considering, once I turn 21 of course, developing a series of "college cocktails" videos. I will take cocktails--both famous and my own creations--and turning them into college level cocktails. College cocktails have taken the form of cheap, crappy vodka, covered up as well as possible. What happened to cheap Gin, cheap Whiskey, cheap Tequila??? Tequila doesn't have to be shots, rum doesn't have to be mixed with Coke, Gin isn't just for martinis, Whiskey is DELICIOUS. These other alcohols have character: Vodka aspires to be water, these other liquors are their own thing!
Anyway, I will go more into detail in the series. Let me know if you have any suggestions, or questions about this!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Where has Paul Been???
Wow, I can't believe it has been over a MONTH since I last posted. The honest truth is: I have been WAAAAAAY busy. I've had school, work, life, and I lost track of my blog :( but I'm back!!!
So, what have I been up to? Well I finished up my Junior year at Michigan State (man that feels weird to say) and, save for a small 3.5 blemish from a class I went to...oh, I don't know, 3 times in the semester, I had a 4.0 (woot!) To get that 4.0 (almost), however, I worked my butt off. I also had life: let's face it, junior year of college, there is a LOT to do, and this was definitely one of my more social semesters. I had made some new friends, and some new traditions that ate up a lot of time. Who could say no to dollar burgers on Wednesdays? And now! I have work. I got out of school on the 8th of April, and I began work on the 19th. That time in between consisted of plenty of packing, flying, driving, traveling, unpacking, moving in, learning a new area, etc.
Well, I am happy to say, I am finally getting well settled in my new home (for 12 weeks at least) in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Where is Wilkes-Barre? It's very close to Scranton (which The Office fans have surely heard of) and is actually quite a nice town. I was not quite sure what to expect...a friend's brother told me that all there was to do in Wilkes-Barre was "sniff coal dust and look at poverty". I was worried to say the least. I got here, and it turns out it is quite a charming CITY. Not a town, a city, it's actually a fair sized city, not so small that you can't find anything to do, not so large that you feel anonymous within its' limits.
I am now working for Kraft Foods in the Export Control group. This was a HUGE surprise for me, especially since I was originally told I would be working in Chicago (wtf?) but then I got assigned to Wilkes-Barre (pronounced WILLKS-BARRY) and I was a little mad, I began thinking "maybe I should have waited for Staples...maybe I should have gone with Holcim! I mean, I wanted a consulting job, but I didn't get one, and now I am stuck in the middle of no where, I only took this job because I was afraid of not getting another job..." Well, it turned out to be a blessing.
First of all, the people/culture at Kraft are to be envied by everyone; very laid back, and yet professional. I am in the export control group, which means INSTANT international exposure. Whether or not I decide to take a role with Kraft (if I am offered one), I will have that to talk about, and international experience is vital in today's world. We get plenty of free food (it's Kraft, they have like 49238135109 brands), and I get the benefit of working for a fortune 100 company, who has like 6-8 brands over a Billion Dollars, and like 500 over $100 M. It is unreal how many huge names are actually Kraft.
Remember, just because you may think you've made a horrible decision, it may work out for the best. I am now at Kraft, in their Export group, meeting GREAT people, making GREAT networking connections, and I am actually coming in as some sort of a consulting role. They take me seriously, and are interested in hearing what I have to say, and how I can apply my school learning to their company. "You may find a better way to do something, then a year later, someone new comes along and finds an even better way to do it, you've got to be flexible, and ready to accept better ways of doing things," one of my managers said to me.
I will be taking pictures/video of my apartment here in Wilkes-Barre, so you can all see it. I have had plenty of fun outings already: we went as an office to see the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, one of the Yankee's AAA teams play, and they had some really sweet firework after the show. The next day, I got to go golfing with some guys from the office (including the director of the office I work at), and in 8 days, I turn 21 (woot!). I plan on doing PLENTY of traveling (this weekend, I go to Pittsburgh) to Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, Roanoke, Boston, and Dallas (I'll be there for the 4th of July :D )
Hopefully I will have more time to write. I have done some reading on Neville's Financial Blog, and I realized that in trying to find ways to make money on the Internet/in a dorm room, I have focused WAY too much on selling, and could focus on services. A lot of his business ideas are service based; I guess because I grew up making a small fortune (for my age) on e-bay, I am just used to selling physical goods.
I will hopefully be coming up with some new business ideas in the near future (gotta get some beer money somehow)
Until then, I bid you adieu.
So, what have I been up to? Well I finished up my Junior year at Michigan State (man that feels weird to say) and, save for a small 3.5 blemish from a class I went to...oh, I don't know, 3 times in the semester, I had a 4.0 (woot!) To get that 4.0 (almost), however, I worked my butt off. I also had life: let's face it, junior year of college, there is a LOT to do, and this was definitely one of my more social semesters. I had made some new friends, and some new traditions that ate up a lot of time. Who could say no to dollar burgers on Wednesdays? And now! I have work. I got out of school on the 8th of April, and I began work on the 19th. That time in between consisted of plenty of packing, flying, driving, traveling, unpacking, moving in, learning a new area, etc.
Well, I am happy to say, I am finally getting well settled in my new home (for 12 weeks at least) in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Where is Wilkes-Barre? It's very close to Scranton (which The Office fans have surely heard of) and is actually quite a nice town. I was not quite sure what to expect...a friend's brother told me that all there was to do in Wilkes-Barre was "sniff coal dust and look at poverty". I was worried to say the least. I got here, and it turns out it is quite a charming CITY. Not a town, a city, it's actually a fair sized city, not so small that you can't find anything to do, not so large that you feel anonymous within its' limits.
I am now working for Kraft Foods in the Export Control group. This was a HUGE surprise for me, especially since I was originally told I would be working in Chicago (wtf?) but then I got assigned to Wilkes-Barre (pronounced WILLKS-BARRY) and I was a little mad, I began thinking "maybe I should have waited for Staples...maybe I should have gone with Holcim! I mean, I wanted a consulting job, but I didn't get one, and now I am stuck in the middle of no where, I only took this job because I was afraid of not getting another job..." Well, it turned out to be a blessing.
First of all, the people/culture at Kraft are to be envied by everyone; very laid back, and yet professional. I am in the export control group, which means INSTANT international exposure. Whether or not I decide to take a role with Kraft (if I am offered one), I will have that to talk about, and international experience is vital in today's world. We get plenty of free food (it's Kraft, they have like 49238135109 brands), and I get the benefit of working for a fortune 100 company, who has like 6-8 brands over a Billion Dollars, and like 500 over $100 M. It is unreal how many huge names are actually Kraft.
Remember, just because you may think you've made a horrible decision, it may work out for the best. I am now at Kraft, in their Export group, meeting GREAT people, making GREAT networking connections, and I am actually coming in as some sort of a consulting role. They take me seriously, and are interested in hearing what I have to say, and how I can apply my school learning to their company. "You may find a better way to do something, then a year later, someone new comes along and finds an even better way to do it, you've got to be flexible, and ready to accept better ways of doing things," one of my managers said to me.
I will be taking pictures/video of my apartment here in Wilkes-Barre, so you can all see it. I have had plenty of fun outings already: we went as an office to see the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, one of the Yankee's AAA teams play, and they had some really sweet firework after the show. The next day, I got to go golfing with some guys from the office (including the director of the office I work at), and in 8 days, I turn 21 (woot!). I plan on doing PLENTY of traveling (this weekend, I go to Pittsburgh) to Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, Roanoke, Boston, and Dallas (I'll be there for the 4th of July :D )
Hopefully I will have more time to write. I have done some reading on Neville's Financial Blog, and I realized that in trying to find ways to make money on the Internet/in a dorm room, I have focused WAY too much on selling, and could focus on services. A lot of his business ideas are service based; I guess because I grew up making a small fortune (for my age) on e-bay, I am just used to selling physical goods.
I will hopefully be coming up with some new business ideas in the near future (gotta get some beer money somehow)
Until then, I bid you adieu.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Creating Effective Product Descriptions
As some of you may have guessed, I am doing a small series on effectively running small online stores. Many people seem to believe that if you put your product online, it will sell itself. If you believe this is anywhere near true, search whatever you think you would sell, and see how many results pop up on google. I bet it's easily over 100,000. It is important to optimize your products, and opening a small online store is not difficult, but it does take some time and energy.
I’ve covered product photos for online stores, so what about product descriptions? After all, everyone needs to read the specific about the product. Search engines can’t read images, so we need to provide good descriptions. This doesn’t just apply to online stores either, you could use this information for e-Bay auctions, craigslist listings, newspaper classifieds, and anything else you may need a good product description for.
The golden rule of product descriptions: Would this be a good product description if YOU were the shopper.
1. Be Specific
The first thing you need to do is provide a good, concise, meaningful title for your product. Think about: if you saw the title you provided, would you stop by to see the item? Would you be interested in spending your time to read more about the product?
Be very specific, if it is a product that depends on color, be specific on the color, not dark orange, but burnt orange, not yellow, but maybe goldenrod. If the color is specified with the product, specify it in your description. You should remember, if the buyer can’t easily figure out everything they wish to figure out, they will not be likely to purchase from you.
If you sell clothes, make sure to include the sizes, and maybe a size chart. With other items, height, width, depth are all good to include. If you sell electronics, you will want to include information about all the specs. Does it hold 256MB, or 2GB, what size is the product, etc. Just remember, you want to provide all specifics your customer may be looking for, and then a few they might not have even thought of.
2. Offer alternative uses
If your product could be used in more than one way, make sure you specify that information. I sell temporary tattoo’s on my web store; these are fun little upsells for people to add to their carts with their orders, but they could also make great gifts for parties, or great items to just have sitting around the room for a fun time. You want the buyer to see all the ways they could use this product; you want them to visualize themselves using these items. That's the trick car dealers use, you want the buyer to "see them self" using the product.
3. Remember your target demographic
If you are targeting a specific group of people (I tend to target college kids) then you need to remember that in your description. A college kit may be more receptive to a "shot glass" instead of a "cordial glass". You want to describe why your target cannot live without the product you are selling. "You won't know how you ever lived without it" can be good, you want to build that feeling that the buyer really needs the product. This all said, DO NOT do a corny advertisement type thing in your product description. The line I mentioned earlier "you won't know..." might be a little bit too corny. It is up to you, however, to figure out what your target demo. will respond to.
Your language should make sense to your target demo. as well. If you are selling electronics, you may need to provide more technical language which will be understood by those purchasing your items. Remember, though, you want to have language everyone can understand. It is a careful balance; you want the specifics, but also language describing the basic information. If someone is buying an mP3 player for a gift, they might not care that it holds 16GB of music, but they might care about other cool features, like a voice recorder, etc.
I’ve covered product photos for online stores, so what about product descriptions? After all, everyone needs to read the specific about the product. Search engines can’t read images, so we need to provide good descriptions. This doesn’t just apply to online stores either, you could use this information for e-Bay auctions, craigslist listings, newspaper classifieds, and anything else you may need a good product description for.
The golden rule of product descriptions: Would this be a good product description if YOU were the shopper.
1. Be Specific
The first thing you need to do is provide a good, concise, meaningful title for your product. Think about: if you saw the title you provided, would you stop by to see the item? Would you be interested in spending your time to read more about the product?
Be very specific, if it is a product that depends on color, be specific on the color, not dark orange, but burnt orange, not yellow, but maybe goldenrod. If the color is specified with the product, specify it in your description. You should remember, if the buyer can’t easily figure out everything they wish to figure out, they will not be likely to purchase from you.
If you sell clothes, make sure to include the sizes, and maybe a size chart. With other items, height, width, depth are all good to include. If you sell electronics, you will want to include information about all the specs. Does it hold 256MB, or 2GB, what size is the product, etc. Just remember, you want to provide all specifics your customer may be looking for, and then a few they might not have even thought of.
2. Offer alternative uses
If your product could be used in more than one way, make sure you specify that information. I sell temporary tattoo’s on my web store; these are fun little upsells for people to add to their carts with their orders, but they could also make great gifts for parties, or great items to just have sitting around the room for a fun time. You want the buyer to see all the ways they could use this product; you want them to visualize themselves using these items. That's the trick car dealers use, you want the buyer to "see them self" using the product.
3. Remember your target demographic
If you are targeting a specific group of people (I tend to target college kids) then you need to remember that in your description. A college kit may be more receptive to a "shot glass" instead of a "cordial glass". You want to describe why your target cannot live without the product you are selling. "You won't know how you ever lived without it" can be good, you want to build that feeling that the buyer really needs the product. This all said, DO NOT do a corny advertisement type thing in your product description. The line I mentioned earlier "you won't know..." might be a little bit too corny. It is up to you, however, to figure out what your target demo. will respond to.
Your language should make sense to your target demo. as well. If you are selling electronics, you may need to provide more technical language which will be understood by those purchasing your items. Remember, though, you want to have language everyone can understand. It is a careful balance; you want the specifics, but also language describing the basic information. If someone is buying an mP3 player for a gift, they might not care that it holds 16GB of music, but they might care about other cool features, like a voice recorder, etc.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Entrepreneurial Specialization
Well, I've taken the plunge (an obvious one for me) and declared an entrepreneurship specialization to add to my degree. It requires 12 extra credits (I just so happen to have one extra semester that I don't need).
I'll be taken a few classes that are exciting, mostly about analyzing an implementing a plan in the real world. I wanted to take an accounting class for entrepreneurship, but it's not offered all next year, so I'm replacing it with Emerging Enterprise Law, which is a law class about starting a new, smaller venture.
This brings up my point; use the resources you have available to you. There is a wealth of opportunity out there for you, at your respective schools, or at work. There is almost always an opportunity to learn more, and you should use the tools available to you. Figure out where you can learn more; especially in this highly competitive environment, the more you know, the more likely you are to get a job.
Remember, these companies that are still hiring are looking for people who not only have a fair amount of knowledge, but also those people who are enthusiastic when it comes to learning, and those who have the ability to learn. Show companies that you are willing to get out there and learn what is available. A great way to do this is to join an organization. I'm a member of the Supply Chain Management Association (my major), Students Consulting for Non-Profit Organizations (my future career goals), Student Investment Association (great life skills), Broad Scholar Organization (honors program in our Business School), Honors College.
Everybody knows that recruiters like to see students that are involved, but do you know why? They would like to see you take a leadership role, because that is the buzz topic right now in business, "we need new leaders", so they are looking for leaders. However, not every company NEEDS new leaders, sometimes the best leadership tactic is knowing when to follow. Think about it, it is sometimes better for the team when you decide to follow, than when you clash with the "leader".
Involvement also shows passion, interest, and the desire to learn; these organizations are a great way to learn, a great way to network, and a great way to build your resume. Join these organizations as much as possible, and be as involved as you wish to be. I like to go to most events for the Supply Chain Management Association (SCMA) and Students Consulting for Non-profit Organizations (SCNO), and pretty involved with some of the others. I'm going to an SCMA dinner tonight, to a golf outing with them, where I will be paired with a recruiter. I hope you can see how helpful my membership is to me. I am making myself a very marketable individual, and I also love learning what I do from these organizations.
So while I started by saying "use your resources available", I am going to narrow it down by saying, get involved. I know you hear it all the time, but I hope this gives a little insight as to why you should get involved.
It feels good to be writing again.
I'll be taken a few classes that are exciting, mostly about analyzing an implementing a plan in the real world. I wanted to take an accounting class for entrepreneurship, but it's not offered all next year, so I'm replacing it with Emerging Enterprise Law, which is a law class about starting a new, smaller venture.
This brings up my point; use the resources you have available to you. There is a wealth of opportunity out there for you, at your respective schools, or at work. There is almost always an opportunity to learn more, and you should use the tools available to you. Figure out where you can learn more; especially in this highly competitive environment, the more you know, the more likely you are to get a job.
Remember, these companies that are still hiring are looking for people who not only have a fair amount of knowledge, but also those people who are enthusiastic when it comes to learning, and those who have the ability to learn. Show companies that you are willing to get out there and learn what is available. A great way to do this is to join an organization. I'm a member of the Supply Chain Management Association (my major), Students Consulting for Non-Profit Organizations (my future career goals), Student Investment Association (great life skills), Broad Scholar Organization (honors program in our Business School), Honors College.
Everybody knows that recruiters like to see students that are involved, but do you know why? They would like to see you take a leadership role, because that is the buzz topic right now in business, "we need new leaders", so they are looking for leaders. However, not every company NEEDS new leaders, sometimes the best leadership tactic is knowing when to follow. Think about it, it is sometimes better for the team when you decide to follow, than when you clash with the "leader".
Involvement also shows passion, interest, and the desire to learn; these organizations are a great way to learn, a great way to network, and a great way to build your resume. Join these organizations as much as possible, and be as involved as you wish to be. I like to go to most events for the Supply Chain Management Association (SCMA) and Students Consulting for Non-profit Organizations (SCNO), and pretty involved with some of the others. I'm going to an SCMA dinner tonight, to a golf outing with them, where I will be paired with a recruiter. I hope you can see how helpful my membership is to me. I am making myself a very marketable individual, and I also love learning what I do from these organizations.
So while I started by saying "use your resources available", I am going to narrow it down by saying, get involved. I know you hear it all the time, but I hope this gives a little insight as to why you should get involved.
It feels good to be writing again.
Monday, March 2, 2009
A note on risk taking
So, an aspect of ANY business is risk. If you want to start any business, you will be taking a risk. I found this interview by one of my favorite Food Network stars, Alton Brown, and I think it is a great one to watch about risk taking. Learn to live a little, and feel that raw emotion of fear, and risk.
I am usually quite risk averse, and that is something I want to fix. No one has ever made lots of money by being truly risk averse. You might make a good living, but you know what, you'll never be one of the greats!
Give that a watch, and I am SO sorry I've been so nonexistent on this blog the past few months. I have been incredibly swamped, but I am going to make a commitment to working on this blog more. I owe each and every one of you an apology.
I am usually quite risk averse, and that is something I want to fix. No one has ever made lots of money by being truly risk averse. You might make a good living, but you know what, you'll never be one of the greats!
Give that a watch, and I am SO sorry I've been so nonexistent on this blog the past few months. I have been incredibly swamped, but I am going to make a commitment to working on this blog more. I owe each and every one of you an apology.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Quick update
I'm not dead, just busy. Expect an update tomorrow. I've had a lot going on, and this has taken a back burner. I'm in class right now, but I felt the need to inform everyone of what's up.
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