Professional equipment

Sunday afternoon we visited one of our local haunts, Camera World, and selected a tripod for our camera. The Manfrotto 728B digi compact 3W tripod to be exact. As soon as we got it home, Chris set it up in our living room. Professional equipment. In our home. For our camera. It's like a piece of sculpture--so lovely, so necessary, so PROFESSIONAL.

We are so loving it!

Blogging: The Low Cost, High Return Business Marketing Tool, Part 6: Cons for the Company without a Blog

In Part Five of this marketing series, I listed the pros for starting and maintaining an active blog to support a small business. The list of the cons includes reasons why not blogging could affect your bottom line.

By not blogging companies could lose potential customers, lose current customers, lose influence that could be wielded and eliminate building relationships to define a company. Businesses can benefit from being aware of other company blogs even if they are not blogging themselves.

LISTENING - Blogs help companies listen to what others are saying about them.

TRACKING - Blogs help to track where, why and how a company is (or is not) growing.


l 2 r: Thrillville Carousel fine art photo - Pfeiffer Photos, Dodgem fine art photo - Photobox

TRENDS - Blogs can indicate trends a company is starting or is a part of.

RESPONDING - Blogs let companies know what people are saying about them—the good and the bad--and help them decide how they should respond.

SOLUTIONS - Blogs provide a safe, often informal, place for companies to respond to customer feedback and to offer solutions and follow up for unhappy customers.

NETWORKING - Leaving comments on other blogs lets blog writers know other companies are listening to them and it builds more connections between companies.

l 2 r: Key Card custom design biz pkg - S Type Creative, Great Bowl O'Fire recycled steel, 37" - John T. Unger Studio

Community and Cataloging of Blogs

The collective community of all blogs is known as the Blogosphere. Discussions on blogs are often used by members of the media as a measurement of public opinion on many topics. Numerous online communities have been created to connect people to blogs and people whom blog to other bloggers, including BlogCatalog and MyBlogLog.

l 2 r: Gluten-Free Plain Donut Hole Mix - Glutenada, Happy Dog fine art photo - Ondago Arts

Blog search engines, such as Bloglines, BlogScope, and Technorati exist to help readers search the contents of blogs. Technorati, the most popular search engine for blogs, displays the most up-to-date statistics on searches and tags used to categorize blog postings.

Keywords are being replaced by other information to help navigate more efficiently through the large amounts of information on all the blogs on the Internet. Blogs are ranked for popularity based on the number of incoming links and web hits by people searching for blogs to read on the Web.

This post is part SIX of a marketing series. Please visit my archives to read parts 1-8.

The photos displayed in this post represent items sold by our ever vigilant, super creative, fellow small business owners, in their online Etsy stores. Please click on the links under the photos to visit the artist shops on Etsy!

Etsy is the pefect place to shop for gifts. Share joy and buy quality, handmade, edible and vintage goodies from local and international artists and sellers.

copyright pfeiffer photos 2008 - all rights reserved. do not use my writing or photographs without my permission. contact me HERE for info and permissions...thanks!

1950's Female Icon Quiz

I am a Grace Kelly -- "I need to understand the world."

Graces have a need for knowledge and are introverted, curious, analytical, and insightful.

How to Get Along with Grace:

* Be independent, not clingy
* Speak in a straightforward and brief manner
* I need time alone to process my feelings and thoughts
* Remember that If I seem aloof, distant, or arrogant, it may be that I am feeling uncomfortable
* Make me feel welcome, but not too intensely, or I might doubt your sincerity
* If I become irritated when I have to repeat things, it may be because it was such an effort to get my thoughts out in the first place
* Don't come on like a bulldozer
* Help me to avoid my pet peeves: big parties, other people's loud music, overdone emotions, and intrusions on my privacy

What I Like About Being a Grace:

* Standing back and viewing life objectively
* Coming to a thorough understanding; perceiving causes and effects
* My sense of integrity: doing what I think is right and not being influenced by social pressure
* Not being caught up in material possessions and status
* Being calm in a crisis

What's Hard About Being a Grace:

* Being slow to put my knowledge and insights out in the world
* Feeling bad when I act defensive or like a know-it-all
* Being pressured to be with people when I don't want to be
* Watching others with better social skills, but less intelligence or technical skill, do better professionally

Graces as Children Often:

* Spend a lot of time alone reading, making collections, and so on
* Have a few special friends rather than many
* Are very bright and curious and do well in school
* Have independent minds and often question their parents and teachers
* Watch events from a detached point of view, gathering information
* Assume a poker face in order not to look afraid
* Are sensitive; avoid interpersonal conflict
* Feel intruded upon and controlled and/or ignored and neglected

Graces as Parents Typically:

* Are kind, perceptive, and devoted
* Are sometimes authoritarian and demanding
* May expect more intellectual achievement than is developmentally appropriate
* May be intolerant of their children expressing strong emotions



Well, now, I don't mind being a bit like the infamous Grace Kelly. What girl wouldn't want to be classically beautiful, intelligent, insightful AND eventually become a princess?

Want to find out which Female Icon you're most like? Visit HelloQuizzy.com and take this (short) quiz!

Sunday

Top to Bottom:

Easy Like Sunday Morning by Anne Kristoff of Poof!

The Desert on Sunday by Pretty Petal Studio

Sunday Morning by Bound by Nature Handmade Books & Photography

Sunday Afternoon by MKendall Photography

Sunday in Mont Blanc by Images We See Art & Photography

Sunday Ride by Linden Tree Photography

The photos and art displayed in this post are handmade creations of our fellow small business owners on Etsy. Please click the links to visit their shops and view more of their work and enjoy your Sunday!

copyright pfeiffer photos 2008.

Lead Me On...takes me back

Thanks to a 30 second radio clip this morning...and a few clicks of the mouse across the Internet...we're going to enjoy Amy Grant in concert on Monday night! Amy's CD, Lead Me On was originally released in 1988. On June 24, 2008, Grant re-released the album in honor of its 20th Anniversary. The two-disc release includes the original album and a second disc with new acoustic recordings, live performances from 1989, and interviews with Amy. The current 20-city tour is a chance to celebrate and remember these wonderful songs.

"Watching people shed the years and remember the vibrancy and passion of a younger version of themselves is the only way I can describe the view from my vantage point [on the stage]. Looking back and remembering the best parts of our younger selves, less road weary and jaded, just might give us fresh inspiration for the next stage of life...which I believe, is the most important chapter yet." ~Amy Grant

Amy Facts

Amy Lee Grant (born November 25, 1960 in Augusta, Georgia) is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her Contemporary Christian music and pop music, and a New York Times Bestselling author, TV personality, and occasional actress.

Grant is considered by many to be one of the true pioneers of Gospel and Contemporary Christian music. She has had a strong influence on Gospel music and the Christian culture in the United States and beyond. She is the best-selling Christian music artist of all time, and is the 19th best-selling female solo artist in the United States. Grant has won six Grammy Awards, 21 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, and had the first Christian album ever to go Platinum. Heart in Motion is her best selling album, which has exceeded sales of 5 million. [1]

Amy Grant has been one of my favorite singers since age 9. Through listening to her lovely voice I learned I was also an alto. In middle school, I penned poems and songs of my own inspired by her albums. In our senior year of high school, my best girlfriend and I sang a duet of her version of "El Shaddai" at our church.

Since 1977, Amy's heart has always shone through her voice and her songs. I haven't seen Amy in concert since 1991 so this concert will be like visiting an old friend. I like to think of her as a girl, sitting on a stool on a stage, guitar in hand, singing about her faith in God, her family and friends, about herself, and most of all, about love.

The play list for this weekend is all Amy Grant. I've included a variety of Amy's best through-the-years...from 2008 all the way back to 1977. If you think you know who Amy Grant is because of the Top 40 Pop charts just know that there's much more to Amy than her radio singles, "Baby, Baby", "Every Heartbeat", or the Peter Cetera duet back in '86, "Next Time I Fall". If you're a fan then you're probably already turning your speakers up. If you're new to Amy, give her a listen and find a new voice to enjoy.

Have a happy weekend, everyone!

[1] Wikipedia article, 2008.

Photos displayed are copyright by various sources.

Text copyright (except as noted), pfeiffer photos 2008.

Black and White

Top to Bottom:

Sabrina Tuxedo Dress from Maisy Brown's Repro Retro Shop

Newspaper Girl Heels from Judalina

Pagodas on Zither Lake by Pfeiffer Photos

Nostalgic Lily-of-the-Valley Clutch by Red Ruby Rose

Flight collage on canvas by Tina Pfeiffer

Vintage VERA B&W Fern Scarf from Flashback Retro

Les Fleur Necklace by Kenton Beadworks

Tabernacle by Pfeiffer Photos

Perspective

One of the wonderful blogs I follow, Kala Pohl Studio, posted this YouTube video, recognized by the Cannes Film Festival 2008. Please be sure to have your speakers turned on and don't miss the English subtitles at the end--unless you speak or read Spanish.




For me, watching this short story put a host of issues going on in my world into a much more accurate perspective. With any issue there is always a way to find hope and joy. I hope you can all see the beauty of this day and of days to come!

"Thus (through perspective) every sort of confusion is revealed within us; and this is that weakness of the human mind on which the art of conjuring and of deceiving by light and shadow and other ingenious devices imposes, having an effect upon us like magic... And the arts of measuring and numbering and weighing come to the rescue of the human understanding--there is the beauty of them--and the apparent greater or less, or more or heavier, no longer have the mastery over us, but give way before calculation and measure and weight." ~Plato


copyright pfeiffer photos 2008.

Road Trippin'

Thank you to Julie Shiel for including our Retro Motel Sign Notecard Set in her Road Trip treasury on Etsy! Click the photo grid above for an expanded view of this fun, Route 66 style collection. To view the individual shops of the artists in this treasury visit HERE and click each photo to link to their quality handmade goodies!

To view more of Julie's work now is a great time to visit her shop, Forgotten Beauty, and take advantage of her big SALE--buy any regularly priced 8 x 10 or larger size photo, or $25 worth of regular priced mechandise, and you'll receive a FREE 5 x 7 photo valued at $15!



t 2 b: Rust International and Embedded Memories by Forgotten Beauty


As you may know, we Pfeiffers are all about the road trip and as such I've included some of our road tripping shots below for your enjoyment. If you see something you'd like to own please visit our Etsy shop or send us an email HERE, and we'll make it happen for you.




t 2 b: Granite General Store, Stop and See, Rides from the Past, Shaniko Wool Barn - all photos by Tina - Pfeiffer Photos 2008

Forgotten Beauty and Pfeiffer Photos are members of the Photographers of Etsy (POE) Street Team. A visit to the POE blog is nothing short of the ultimate eye candy! On your next visit to Etsy please search using the keyword POE to view work and connect with our talented group of wonderful independent photographers worldwide.

Happy Weekend, Everyone!


copyright pfeiffer photos 2008.

Blogging: The Low Cost, High Return Business Marketing Tool, Part 5: How Blogs Can Impact a Business

With the chance to widen Internet marketing programs, increase value to existing company websites, and to reach new heights in search engine hits, blogging is the best investment in time to achieve all three at once! A business blog can deliver all of the following and more.

IDEAS – Smart companies blog to gain new product ideas. They assume their customers know what they want better than they do.

PRODUCTS – Blogging can replace the narrow development achieved by traditional focus groups and reach a world full of customers with information about what they really want.

VISIBILITY – Blogging can replace the single-event marketing approach and create an on-going experience for customers and let those customers decide when and how often to interact with the company and create online communities.


t 2 b: Yellow Chairs by The Bucks County Frame & Moulding Co., Blue & Gold fine art photo by Photoamato

TEAMWORK – Blogs provide living information for companies and their customers to use in the present, refer to in the future, and can encourage employees to exchange ideas with other bloggers who share similar interests via both internal and external blog sites.

COMMUNITY – Internal blogs, accessed through a company Intranet system, can become a Weblog that all employees can read and contribute to. Offering direct communication between various layers of an organization builds a sense of community and strengthens collective intelligence. Entries that spotlight a client, new hire or awards to employees only increase the positive advantages of a blog.

EASE OF USE – Anyone that can type an email message can post content to a blog. All employees within a company can benefit from participation in posting to the company blog—especially if the company blog is intended for internal use only.

RELEVANCE - Blogs are simple to manage, simple to publish and have user-friendly interface programs that make blogs easier to update than traditional websites. Frequency of updates can generate more hits, more readers, and more repeat business.


t 2 b: Eat Your Greens by The Pairabirds, Gloss Yellow Sculptural Teapot by Judi Tavill Ceramics

LOYALTY – Blogs help customers feel a sense of loyalty by providing an environment where their opinions—positive and negative—are valued.

BUZZ – Living information on a blog provides inside information on developments and news about products.

l 2 r: Grow fine art photo print - Jen's Everyday Moments, Blue Flapper Dress - Punk Vouge Vintage

REACTIONS – Blogs introduce a public forum for airing and communicating about negative events, which can lead to public support and minimize the damage caused by rumors.

In April of 2008, primary research findings co-sponsored by BlogHer and Compass Partners gathered some interesting information about women who blog and women who read blogs:

36.2 million women write and read blogs every week.
47% polled believe blogs to be a “highly reliable” source of information and advice about everything from products to political issues.
24% of women surveyed admit they watch less TV due to blogging.
55% claim they would stop drinking alcohol.
50% reported they would relinquish their PDAs.
42% say they would surrender their iPods.
43% would give up reading newspapers and magazines.
20% said they would stop eating chocolate![1]

This post is part FIVE of a marketing series. Please visit my archives to read parts 1-8.

The photos displayed in this post represent items sold by our fellow small business owners, in their online Etsy stores. Please click on the links under the photos to visit the artist shops for quality handmade and vintage items.


[1] Bloomberg, Toby. "Girlfriends Just Wanna Have Fun...Social Media Style." [Weblog Diva Marketing Blog] 15, April 2008. Bloomberg Marketing. 27 May 2008 .

copyright pfeiffer photos 2008 - all rights reserved. do not use my writing or photographs without my permission. Contact me HERE for info and permissions...thanks!

Photo of the Week on coastradio.org!

While checking our Flickr stream last evening, I found a pleasant little surprise. My photo, Track, has been tagged as their Photo of the Week to be posted on coastradio.org on 10.18.08! Coast Radio's website displays the air schedule for radio stations at the North Oregon Coast, including Astoria, Warrenton and Tillamook (roughly a hour drive from where we live in Portland). Big thanks to them for choosing my image as their favorite for the week. Yay for Flickr!

Track by Tina, Garibaldi, OR ~ Pfeiffer Photos 2008

This photo is not currently posted in our Etsy shop but if you like it just contact me and I'll create a custom listing just for *you*! Please visit our shop for information on all print sizes available, pricing, and copyright information.

copyright pfeiffer photos 2008.

Hattitude

I've always loved hats. I used to collect and wear hats in high school. In fact, I was known for my hats...the deep purple felt bowler was a favorite I wore the most. Then I got older, logged too many hours in front of a computer screen, ruined my eyesight, and I stopped wearing my hats. Something about wearing hats with glasses...um, just does not quite work on me. I guess if I had a handful of different glasses with funky frames I could swing it but I've lost some of the *zip* I had back in my youth (at least on the outside!)


top 2 bottom: Little Black Hat by Retro Repro Handmade & A Blustery Day by BKM Hattitude

None-the-less, that being stated, all in all...I still love hats! These days I love handmade hats so much more than what I see in the accessory stores at the mall. Thought I'd share a post with some photos of hats I'd like to wear...just discovered today on Etsy, of course.


top 2 bottom: Simple Brown Cloche by Retro Repro Handmade and Etta Bloom by Piper & Paisley

To more information on the handmade hats featured in this post and to view more quality items please, click the links to visit the shops of these talented creators and don't forget to tell them that Pfeiffer Photos sent you!

copyright pfeiffer photos 2008.

Abracadabra!

Here's a blast from the past for all you 80's kids. This Abracadabra Treasury on Etsy was inspired by the song of the same name, by The Steve Miller Band from...wait for it...1982! I was in eigth grade in 1982 and remember that this song was very popular. I try not to remember standing alone by the wall at the school dances in those years...but at least we had fun, creative music all through that era. We had to have a redeeming quality since the clothes, hair and pop vocabulary choices were so tacky!

New Orleans Square Holiday by Tina, Pfeiffer Photos 2008

A big, sparkly thank you goes out to Local Colorist for adding my New Orleans Square Holiday image to this magical collection on Etsy! Click the photo grid below above for a larger view of all the magic from the members of California Crafters (CCCOE) and InteriorDesignTeam (IDT). I am not a member of either group so I feel extra special to be included in thier treasury.

I also highly recommend a visit to the Local Colorist Etsy shop...her handmade peace cranes are every bit as magical as the works shown in her treasury!






copyright pfeiffer photos 2008.

Make it count

One of my favorite blogs to follow is written by Leah of moxie photo & design. In the post I read today she wrote about examining oneself. I understand completely about wondering what it is that I am actually doing...is it making a difference? Is it just motions that go by and are forgotten? To learn, to share. Create things, see beauty, find wonder, show appreciation, expression, joy. Wasting minutes in any day is always a concern for me. Can't get those minutes back. Better make 'em count and rack up the memory points to the max!

Thistle by Tina - Pfeiffer Photos 2008

Sometimes I honestly have to tell myself (yes, out loud) to STOP and to BREATHE. No wonder I love to sleep so much...

Mid October by Tina - Pfeiffer Photos 2008.

Last weekend Chris and I took a drive out to Oregon City, the oldest incorporated city west of the Rockies (1829), and walked along the overlook above the Willamette River. The photos displayed in this post are part of a series I captured along the way...if you're interested in owning one for your wall or on a notecard, please contact me, and I'd be happy to make you a print.

Happy weekend to Leah, and to all of you that read along...get out there and enjoy it!

VFW Post, Oregon City by Tina - Pfeiffer Photos 2008.

Visit Leah's Etsy shops, moxie thrift and moxiephotodesign, to view more of her handmade art, fine art photography and unique vintage finds!

photos and text copyright pfeiffer photos 2008 - all rights reserved.

Banana Pumpkin Saltwater Taffy and Pine (Oh My!) ...Treasuries on Etsy!

Our thanks to Lady Fran Creations for including our Yellow Bricks image and to 2 QT 4 WORDS for selecting our Crows image as part of their Etsy treasuries this week! Click the photo grids below for a much larger view of these lovely collections.

We are pleased to be part of these fine groupings of quality handmade art and goods with our fellow Etsy sellers. To see more work from any of these artists or learn more about Etsy just visit our shop. Shop Etsy, buy handmade!

Crows by Tina, Pfeiffer Photos 2008

Yellow Bricks by Tina, Pfeiffer Photos 2008