Name of your website?Affordable Scrapbook Weekends
Your name?
Kimberly
Your Location (city, etc)
Gladwin
Please give us a short summary of your website?
My website gives information about my scrapbooking retreat. It tells about the beautiful location we are at and what we offer. See how we are different from other retreats with the location in itself. Where else can you scrap and enjoy a beautiful view of the lake and watch the action outside? View photos of the accommodations, what food will be served and what the scraproom has to offer the scrappers during their relaxing weekend.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
The internet is a great tool for finding information. I felt it was the best way for me to reach potential "customers" aka: my fellow scrappers.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
January of 2008 http://www.scrapbookweekends.com
How did you decide on a name for your website?
I couldn't so of course I just settled for what I was all about. It seems simple but then in the end maybe more people will find me and stop by.
What makes it different from other, similar offerings?
Scrapper's do not scrap in an upstairs or basement location. The scrap room provides a beautiful view of the lake. We also offer the lowest rate in Michigan for what Scrapbook Weekends offers. I am a professional scrapbooker so I have expertise most retreats do not have. I am confident that once a guest stays with us, they will return again. The accommodations are very comfortable with a location quick to most anyone in Michigan.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
Keep it and run this business after I retire from my "real" profession.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
I'd make my site bigger. Currently, I am not sure if investing in a bigger site is worth it. It may be nice to have more pictures of the location for guests to see exactly every part of the lake home. I could also offer a guest book so others could see how previous guests felt about their stay.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Finding time to get things going. I am a mom to 4 boys in which my oldest 2 are in college. I too am pursuing a second master's degree. I teach high school science by day and one of my classes is an AP course which is very demanding. My plate is very full so starting a business right now is exhausting when I do find the little time. Getting away to work at the retreat is actually a blessing when I can enjoy fellow scrapper's and do what I love hostess to others with great food. I also get a small perk and teach from time to time or advise when guests get a scrapper's block or need advice.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Right now I am offering free weekends at small 12 hour fundraiser crops in my hometown area. As time goes on, I hope word of mouth will be more of my best marketing in the end. I think once that happens the website will be a tool former guests return to see about specials or to contact me about "next year's" booking.
How long have you run the site already, and how long will you continue to keep it up if you don't enjoy big gains in traffic, income or popularity?
I have only been at this about 2 months. I intend to commit 3 years to getting the business of the ground and use the website as a means to make that happen. As things move forward (fingers crossed) in a successful way I will be in business until I am old and not gray.
What would you ask of anyone visiting your website?
Please give me a try. I am committed to making each guest happy. If you have tried other places, I ask you compare a weekend with me to that location. I know my prices are more than fair. Michigan's economy is down and I know families might find it difficult to let "mom" get away but I know mom's NEED to get away. I hope after a weekend with Scrapbook Weekends that the money saved will allow each guest to buy more scrap "stuff" and also relax, rejuvenate and unwind.
What is your website address?
Affordable Scrapbook Weekends
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