As a result of input from Retailers at TNNA last week, I have ended up going in a slightly different direction with the Marketing Edge sites. Both the Retailer site and the Designer site will be membership sites

The Retailer site will be going live first. It will have two levels of membership: Silver and Gold. Participants at both levels must be qualified Retailers, either online or offline.

Silver membership will be free. The Silver level will have basic information access, but far fewer bells and whistles than Gold membership.

Gold membership will have all of the information provided at the Silver level PLUS much additional information, step by step tutorials, time-saving services, and various discounts on workshops etc…

There will be a Forum (being installed at this very moment!) and both levels will have access to it. Silver members will have a basic section and Gold members will be able to access the Silver areas as well as their own more structured discussion area.

In addition, I will be offering email consulting services for Gold members. There will be a cap on the number of retailers from each discipline (Needlework and Quilting) that I will be able to accept.

It has been an adventure getting the Membership site up and running. I found a good company with an excellent reputation to provide the software and installation. It has been a very pleasant experience and I will be happy to report in greater detail if any of you retailers are considering implements a site such as this!

The company providing the software is in Russia and it took me a bit of time to figure out the time differences… there is 7 hours diference, btw.

Which brings me to an important point of business etiquette… The web is truly international and without geographic borders. Because of this, you should have YOUR time zone clearly listed on EVERY page of your website. Putting it alongside your contact phone number is a good place. The same information should be provided in every email or every time you provide your phone number!

This morning I am working with Alex in Russia, later today I will be working with my friend Bjorn in Sweden…
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