Jeweltastic: June Pearls

Almost twenty years ago, I purchased my very first piece of expensive jewelry.  It was 10K gold with 14K gold floral inlay.  I wanted a pearl as my stone but it wasn't something they offered.  I was, however, able to get mother of pearl.

I placed this ring on my finger and it was like magic.  It symbolized the month I was born, the month I would graduate high school, and my independence.  It was the first real purchase I ever made on my own without help from my family.  Even today, it's beauty surpasses my wedding ring.
 
What is the appeal that a pearl has?  It doesn't come in to existence like other stones.  Most stones happen through thousands and thousands of years of pressure.   A pearl is created from an under water creature either an oyster or mussels.  When something gets inside the shell like sand or a pebble something called nacre is placed on the object to protect the soft surface of the mussel, this is the substance you will find in a ring or piece of jewelry with mother of pearl as well.  It takes about eight years to form one pearl.

Pearl is the stone that represents those of us who have the zodiac signs of Gemini and Cancer.  Pearls are given on the first, third, twelfth,  and thirtieth wedding anniversaries.

Pearls were used in China for well over 5,000 years.  They have been exclusive to those of noble birth.  The Grecian s considered them as a symbol of love and marriage. Perhaps that's why we see so many brides to be making a peal purchase for her day.  Even I have pearl earrings and a necklace that I wore on my day.

The pearl is a wonderful and beautiful thing.  There is nothing quite like a pearl regardless if one is cultured (humans intervened) or natural.

Jeweltastic: Telling My Boss About Social Media

It happened a few weeks ago.  My husband decided it was a good day to see a movie.  We called my boss to watch the kids, my mom.  I had forgotten that I was holding a giveaway on Facebook.  I had hoped that my husband's ipod worked in the theater. 

I sat down with my mom.  Wrote down the instructions which were detailed.  Stay on this page, post "giveaway begins now please comment below this."  I told her to choose using random.org to come up w/ a random number and only use those that post  below what she posted.

This was all in the event that the ipod doesn't work in the theater.  The majority of the time I was worried about leaving my mom to social media, the movie could have been more enjoyable.   I had a bad feeling about it all the whole evening.

I came home to find that the winner didn't even post to the event page.  I had people upset with me and the only solution that was viable that I could come up with is to reward two people.  Not exactly the solution I was looking for but the only thing I could come up with to unravel her mess.

Moral of the story:  Never give your momma social media freedom.  The planet may explode. 

Jeweltastic: Site Engine Optimization (SEO)

"Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the visibility of a website or a web page in search engines via the "natural" or un-paid ("organic" or "algorithmic") search results."

Firstly, I don't recommend anyone scrape content.  What I mean by that is this:  Let's say you find my articles interesting.  You like it so much, you copy and paste my entire article.  That would violate copyright infringement laws and bring your Google rank down.  You will be reported to Google by me.  That means it is going to mess up what ever you are doing to have Google notice you.

Secondly, if you must copy and paste always give recognition to the author by placing quotes, a link, or the book information which includes author, publisher, year published,, and copyright.  As well you can quote about 250 words from a literary work, 10%  of an article, letter or diary, and  two lines from  lyrics or poetry.  You should  always keep this in mind when doing SEO.  One mess up can send it all down hill.

Write Original Content

If your article looks like everyone else's, you're just another post and not very interesting.  You are an individual.  Your posts, to some degree, should represent your individuality.  Every topic has already been written all you can do is be yourself as you write on the same topic.

Content is King

As a blogger I can't tell you how many times I've heard this and I will reiterate the thought.  To get back links, which helps provide SEO,  you need quality content.  You need content that means something to somebody.

Deep Link 

Meaning, it's ok to link within your blog and it's ok if someone else links to specific posts in your blog.

Page Rank Isn't Everything

Sure, it feels great to get Google brownie points but Google doesn't give you a pay check.  You need to do what's best for your readers or customers.  Which means sometimes you may need to over label.  Keep in mind though, Google will look at that as spamming which will affect your rank.  If you Google Google SEO a PDF shows up on SEO for Google.

Use That Title

You want to be found right?  Part  of being found is making sure each individual post has a relevant title and you place that title in your labels or tags.

Using Your Labels

If your going to place labels, make sure they are relevant to the topic.  If they aren't labels that fit the post they are basically spam.

This is my basic beginner's guide to getting on that first page.  May all your search dreams be fulfilled.

Jeweltastic: Challenges of Business Blogging

I have been a blogger for about two years now.  You would think this would all be like clockwork, I should be able to come up with a post every single day.  I, plain and simply, can't do it.  Why?  This isn't a personal blog.  This is a business blog geared toward my business. 

I'm not going to tell you who I advocate for and I do consider myself an advocate blogger as well.  I will volunteer at those organizations wearing a t-shirt when I can't wear jewelry.  I won't tell you my political or religious views or what is going on in my life. 

I have made the choice to keep my personal life out of this.  The reason I've done this is because my views may sway your want to shop with us.  It has also narrowed my topics to write on drastically.  I need to focus on business, jewelry, and perhaps blogging about becoming a better blogger.  I will be the first to tell you, I have my moments when content is so-so, but when I shine and I'm at my best, I set off fireworks. 

I have become a mad, crazy SEO (site engine optimization) machine.  Don't believe me?  Everyone of my publicized blogs are on Google's front page.  There are other search engines to be concerned about but Google is the head honcho. 

The challenge I'm facing is prompting me to do a once weekly post.  I don't want to burn too many bridges.  I did start off running on purpose.  Now, I feel I can slow down a little and work on  my product.   

Another challenge that I'm facing is research.  I don't need to research my own life much.  With this, I do research to see where my target is at and then some.  I know the majority of people interested in my business are women from 15 and up.  I have to be "in the know" about jewelry.

Which means eventually I hope to take a course here and there on design and gemology which should be a challenge math and sciences were not my strong points in school.   I'm hoping, one day, to be able to set diamonds and rubies and know the difference between a ruby and a garnet.  I suppose you could say it's a life adventure.

Yes, I'm beginning to feel the blogging pressure.  Usually, I go on a blogcation.  I'm not going to let this get stale.  This blog is too important for that.