Using Smilebox for Digital Scrapbooking

Create a free scrapbook

Leaping into Digital Scrapbooking!

In a recent post I spoke about the different niches that are out there that you could potentially make an income from.  Two of my own goals are to be financially independent and be a work at home mom.  On my journey to WAHM status, I've thought about a few things that sounded interesting to me.  A few years ago I kicked around the idea of doing scrapbooks, it's fun and a great way to preserve your memories, a lesson I learned the hard way twice!  I can really get into scrapbooking but then I also find myself getting a little overwhelmed and losing my creative juices.  So recently I came across digital scrapbooking and I wanted to know more. 

So what is digital scrapbooking? It's basically another way that you can preserve your memories with  your computer using software such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Elements or Jasc Paint Shop Pro.  If you are not able to purchase a program such as Adobe, you can download GIMP, which is a free image software to create your digital scrapbook.

Much like traditional scrapbooking but on the computer instead.  Just as buying paper supplies, the software used can vary from inexpensive to expensive.  Instead of going to a traditional store to buy supplies, a digital scrapper will purchase their inventory from online stores.  Once all your supplies have been gathered, you use your software to create your pages and place everything where you want them to be.  Joining forums and finding other blogs on scrapbooking will also provide valuable information.

Before investing in any special program, take the time to check out the free digital scrapbooking sites that are out there to be sure that this is something you want to get into.  I found Smilebox while searching for free digital software on google and have found it fairly simple to use.  You can also use Smilebox to create animated postcards, greeting cards, slide shows, in addition to creating scrapbooks.  The initial service is free, you can try them out for 14 days free and if you like it, upgrade for $5.99 a month or $39.99 for a full year.  The free service will allow you to email or post to facebook but if you want to print or save your creation to a dvd you must sign up for their monthly or yearly service.  This is a great way to test the waters before jumping in with both feet!

I will continue to learn as much as I can about digital scrapbooking and look into using the tutorials and other helpful sites that I can learn from.  This may be what I'm looking for, but only time will tell as I have other ideas I wish to implement. 

Ho'o maikai!

Ten Niche Markets for 2011

Got Niche?

Niche Market: addressing a need for a product or service that is not being addressed by mainstream providers.

As anyone who has started blogging or even their own business has learned is that finding  your niche market can be a difficult task.  No one wants to build a business or start a blog on a particular product without knowing what your niche focus will be.  Here is a list of ten top niche markets to help you get started and to be a success in your business.

1) Self-Development-People are always wanting to know how to improve their daily lives and are constantly searching for different ways to do it.  They want to read or listen to materials pertaining to this topic to be inspired or enlightened.
2) Save Money-In this economy, with all the uncertainty of jobs, people want to know how they can save money.  If you can provide them with helpful tips or guides, you could potentially increase your sales, or bring more attention to your page.   Also, look at all the coupon sites that are all over the internet.
3) Arts & Crafts-If you're good at a certain craft, such as sewing for example, you could promote your own crafts and business.  Also, giving away tips or providing free tutorials can be a good promotional tool as well.
4) Everything Baby-Over the last few years there has been a surge in the baby mode.  There's so many products, tips you could provide on baby safety or what to do when your baby is teething (I've found a free helpful sites myself).  There is no limitation on the extent that you could take this niche, just take a look at all the sites for car seats, strollers, clothing, etc.  The sky's the limit!
5) Weight Loss-There are alot of new products, books, dvds on helping a person to lose weight.  This will always be in demand because people want to know how to eat healthy and lose weight quickly!
6) Careers/College-With our unstable economy, a lot of people are finding themselves out of work and looking for a new career after years of service.  Some may have to start all over again, or you can find young adults looking for that right career.
7) Online Dating-In the past few years the number of people looking for love online had increased steadily.  Causing the number of dating websites and products to increase as well.  Because it has become so popular breaking into this field can be difficult and you may be met with a lot of competition.  To break into this highly competitive field, a budding online entrepreneur should break the online dating field into smaller pieces, small enough and broken apart into pieces that aren't highly saturated.  For example, you could get more into the local dating scene and create a guide to help people find love or companionship with someone already in their area.
8) How to make money online-Gone are the days of complete job security and people everywhere are searching for opportunities to create their own business and work at home.  We all want to make money and make it fast, give people a few tips on making money online and you'll have them coming back for more.
9) Fashion-This is a constantly evolving niche, if you have a blog you can establish a following that can make you good money. Keep your readers interested with great content and fabulous pictures.
10) Recipes/Cooking-Getting dinner ready in 30 minutes, new ideas on traditonal recipes, spice up dinner party menus are all great niches within this area than can prove to be profitable.  I know I love searching for new and healthy food to make for my son.

There ya go! A few ideas, that I may even try myself, to get you started into finding your niche.  You can blog or write about various topics, but you'll do better if you focus on one particular niche.  If you're passionate about a topic, great go for it! But for others you may not know what your passion is, it might be a good idea to research and learn as much as you can about the topics that do interest you. 

August Goals and Selling on your blog with E-books

So this month I am revamping my goals and making a few changes.  I have put writing a business plan on a back burner until I fully decide what kind of business I want to have.  I would love to be a work at home mom and hoping I will find the right path through this blog.  I will continue to practice sewing and creating upcycling projects but for the moment I am taking a step back from them as well. 

In August I will be concentrating on growing my blog, sharing ideas on various topics or projects I create or come across.  Market research for my company as well as helping my hubby with his bail bonds job, and looking into writing E-books.  I've already had some fabulous ideas and inspiration from Jill @ Creating My Way to Success. 

I keep finding myself losing focus because of life's daily routines so I need to kick it in gear and get focused !  I am hoping to have an E-book published this month to give away and then eventually have E-books for sale.  This may go into next month since I am learning and researching different topics.  In the meantime I plan to post valuable information on the blog that anyone can use. 

Ho'o maikai (Do your best!)

Updates

I haven't been blogging that much lately because I've been doing a lot of researching and trying to figure out what I truly want to do.  I've also been thinking of updating my about me page to better suit what I will be doing.  Last month I had goals of writing a business plan, doing a few upcycling projects but then I got sidetracked.  Actually, I got a little frustrated with sewing and needed to take a step back.  I'm not giving up on it completely but it's been pushed to the background.  In the meantime, I' ve been thinking of other things that interest me and I could make a living from.  I'm also helping my hubby with his bail bonds job to get it going.

So for this month I am going to really make a push to put out relevant  information that others can use.  I also want to learn more about writing ebooks and seeing if I can be any good at that.  August will be more of a path of self discovery I'm hoping!

Scrapbooking with Stampin Up