Converting Traditional Marketing Methods Into Internet Marketing Strategies Can Bring Success to Your Home Business Startup

By Barbara Gabogrecan

I have been selling my art work for many years, using traditional marketing methods like advertising and trade fairs. I had never considered using internet marketing strategies. I won 7 of the Australian Gift of the Year Awards which resulted in a great deal of media coverage and consequently I received many enquiries for my work all around Australia and overseas. I then had my designs produced under license by a number of large corporations such as Shelta umbrellas, Laurantine bags and Fresca scarves.

However, eventually I decided that I only wanted to hand paint product to order. This meant that I could no longer provide the numbers required from the big retailers. But how to find potential buyers in this new market was the problem. I decided to use Internet Marketing strategies to build my business. I created a number of websites (around 40) and offered freebies so that I could build a list to market to. I also keyword optimised my websites to ensure that I received high rankings on page one of Google. This has proved to be most successful, with me getting regular orders via my website as my internet marketing strategies began to work for me.

Recently I suffered from a stroke and had a brain tumour removed and while in hospital I received three orders because my internet marketing strategies were working well. However, we had to be ‘fair’ to these new clients and they were informed of my circumstances and offered their money back. Each said they would wait for me to get back to my painting. This was a real challenge for me as I was not as confident after such radical surgery; but I completed the orders and got rave reviews! WOW! This was a real boost for the continued improvement with my health. I could have only done this by having strong internet marketing strategies in place.     

I continue to get orders and have just sent a special Christmas Gift offer to my lists and am expecting a flood of orders to come in over the next few weeks. I cannot speak more highly of using Internet Marketing strategies to sell your product, particularly if you want to (or have to) run a home based business.

If you want to see samples of my work and learn more about my silk painting techniques you can view product at this website.

“I believe Gabogrecan has a high quality product and has displayed considerable foresight in exploring export opportunities for their product in a planned and professional manner.” Janine Kirk, Senior Trade Counsellor, Australian Chamber of Manufacturers

“I have seen Gabogrecan develop an attractive unified product range, highly suitable for Japanese tourists, and for gift giving within Japan itself………..I would expect Japan to become, in time, a major market for Gabogrecan products…………the success, as it comes, will be as a result of artistic flair, business acumen and hard work, not an unplanned accident. It will be richly deserved.” Peter Mackian, Senior Trade Counsellor (Japan), Austrade

“Gabogrecan products, with their vivid colours and highly “Australian” look, have been one of our most successful promotional items  -  especially with overseas visitors.” John Cavana, Group Communication Manager, Zurich Australia Insurance Group

“……(in Australia) the giving of gifts to international business has traditionally not been particularly good. The Gabogrecan range offered me a perfect solution in that the items are particularly Australian, they are unique, and are available at a price range which allows not only continuity, but also distinction.” Chris Fenton, General Manager, Alfa-Laval Spiraflo

“…….Gabogrecan Enterprises …….supplies the Australian Wheat Board with unique and beautifully hand made silk scarves depicting Australian scenery………quality and presentation is of a very high standard……” Angelique Adler, Market Promotions, Australian Wheat Board