Using the Square Marketplace

When I mentioned free tools you can use to better your business, I didn't mention Square because, technically, you pay fees on your credit card transactions, and that's no fun.  However, you can sign up for Square and use their free marketplace for free.  You never have to actually use the card reader to get this benefit, and it's a remarkable benefit!

This is my Square Marketplace page.  I kept it from when I was in the States, and I have never signed up in Canada.  Why?  Because 9 times out of 10, if someone wants to pay with a credit card, I just run it through Jamberry's system and never think about it.  The 10th time, when I'm at a fair and she doesn't want me taking the information down, she just pays cash.  Here's the thing though, every piece of my inventory is on that page.  I give it to customers who just want to know what they can come pick up, and they can look through it and decide if they want to order online or come by and buy something.  This is particularly when I hear from someone new and they ask if I have inventory, or if someone is travelling from out of town and wants to see what I have.

The secondary benefit is that, if you do use the Square application to charge credit cards, you already have your inventory set up to push the name of what your client it buying.  She gets an email with your name, your website, and pictures of what she purchased.

So, today, I figured I'd do a quick tutorial on how to set up items in the Square Marketplace and leave it to you to decide if it's something you want to do.  If you do, we have homework!

1. Save every Jamberry design to your computer.  Do not do this manually!!!! I seriously spent 6 hours one day saving every loving design to my computer.  I'm glad I did it, but I don't want anyone else to have to ever do it.  Download this file and then ask me how to unzip it. You're welcome, I just saved you 6 hours.  When the new designs come out, I'll just update it and let you guys know.
2. Create a Square account.  I'll wait.
3. Once you're there and have gotten to the Dashboard, click Items
    
    
4. Select "Create New Item"
   
5. Under the grey box, select "Edit" then "Add Image".
   
   
   
   
6. A dialogue will come up so that you can select your file.  Find a nail design you have in inventory and double click on it.  I'm using Heartstrings because I know that one's on its way here now.
   
7. Enter the name of the nail wrap then create its category.  I already had "Dotted Lines" created, but all you have to do is type in the name.
   
   
   
   
8. Okay, I checked into this and I'm pretty sure this is allowed because of the functionality of the app.  I always put the price in as well as the Jamberry identifying number.  That's because, if I use the app, the price goes in automatically.  Correct me if I'm wrong
   
9. Scroll down and make sure the "Show this item online" button is blue.
   
10. IMPORTANT!!!!!  Make sure the button for "Sell this item online" is grey!  We are not allowed to sell our wraps on any site other than Jamberry.  If your customer wants what you have, she can contact you and purchase it!

Optional Homework:  If you decide to make a Square account, post your marketplace link on the team page!  Due January 20.

Free Tools to Make Your New Year Shine!

One of the best things about owning your own business is being able to create new items for business use.  The only thing that isn't awesome about that is that many of the programs that give you the most ability cost a significant amount of money.  The purpose of this post is to give you free alternatives (most of which I use myself) to allow you to create professional-looking graphics, documents, etc.  If you have tools that aren't mentioned, please post a description of the program and a link to where you can get it in a comment!

• GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program has virtually all of the tools and utilities of Adobe Photoshop except for the price!
• OpenOffice - Apache OpenOffice is an Office Suite with all the capabilities of Microsoft Word.  In fact, it can open MS office documents and save in their formats.  When you download it, it comes with a whole ton of options including:  Writer (equivlent of Word), Calc (equivalent of Excel), Impress (equivalent of PowerPoint), Draw (better than Paint ever tried to be), Base (equivalent of Access), and Math (does mathematical formulas; not sure there's a MS equivalent).
• CutePDF - The CutePDF Writer allows you to take a single page (or pages) out of any PDF document and save them individually.  Their Editor allows you to combine multiple PDF documents into one and save it.
• CollageIt - This photo collage maker can randomize collages of your nails, pictures from parties, or anything and make them look amazing.  I use this at least once a week!
• WiseStamp - This free program creates a custom, professional email signature that you can add to your emails.  Mine looks like this
  

  Jennifer Forbes Independent Consultant Jamberry Nails | m: (250)858-6605 | e: fairefaerie@gmail.com | w: http://jarner.jamberrynails.net

Websites

• MailChimp - Mail Chimp can help you create amazing mailings to your clients for absolutely free!
• Pinterest - Seriously, you can get amazing graphics on Pinterest that you can't find anywhere else!
• Jamberry Documents - This Facebook Page is the second best place to get graphics!  If you can't access it, request me to add you to the group. 

Homework:  Post which, if any of these websites and programs you think you'll use in the next year.  Due tomorrow.