There are also several ways to make removing ice a heck of a lot more easier as well.
This video will walk you through 5 methods to make the ice problem a whole lot more tolerable.
Watch an pick your favorite method.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls_BoaU0nvU
Have you found a good way to peel those slippery fruits like kiwi’s or Mangoes?
This video is going to show you such an easy way you are going to be astonished.
With a little practice you’ll have perfect looking kiwi or mango pieces in no time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JggNP6jogg#t=43
Vanities come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, but the principles in installing them are pretty much the same.
You need to establish a level elevation line.
Determine if a filler strip is required. This could be because walls ar out of square. a prebuilt top has an overhang on both sides of the cabinet or the cabinet drawers need to be moved away from a wall so they miss certain obstructions when they are opened.
Watch the video and see how to drill the pipe holes and fasten it to the wall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgAM1LWCBLw
Maybe you just use it to get different speeds. There’s more to it than that.
There are other tricks to using this type of trigger to make driving fasteners a lot less frustrating.
You actually get to control the tool instead of it controlling you.
Watch the video as Mark demonstrates:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E73eXr9XRcQ
Welcome to the real world of uneven corners, out of plumb walls, up and down floors and wouldn’t it be nice if the trades men before us actually had squares that were square.
Well the true craftsman has a way of dealing with all this kind of crap.
I found this great article over at The Home Handyman and I’d like to share the best finishing tips.
Close The Gap In Miter Joints
Here’s a trick few know about.
“Problem: An open miter
This doorjamb protrudes a bit beyond the wall, and the result is that the trim can’t lie flat and the front of the miter joint can’t close.
Uneven walls or misaligned jambs make it hard to get tight-fitting miters. If your miter has a consistent gap at the front, there’s a good chance that putting a slight back bevel on both moldings will fix the problem. If you own a compound miter saw, you could tilt the saw about a half-degree, but that requires fussy adjustments.”Solution: Cut a “back bevel”
You could tilt the saw blade to back-bevel the miters, but tilting the trim is faster and easier. Slip a pencil or shim under the molding, just behind where the cut will be. Cut both sides of the miter with shims in the same position. Then test the fit and make adjustments as needed.
The quickest and easiest way to cut a slight back bevel is to shim the molding so it’s resting at an angle to the saw blade. A pencil makes a handy shim and is just about the right thickness. You can adjust the position or thickness of the shim to compensate for all kinds of wall variations. You can even shim just the back or the front to mimic how the trim rests on uneven drywall.”
Miter Saws Don’t Cut Angles Larger Than 45 Degrees
This is not a common cut but it occasionally is needed.
“Problem: Miter saws don’t cut steep angles
This miter saw won’t cut the 60-degree angle we need.”
“Solution: Clamp to an angled block
Cut a block of wood at a 45-degree angle and cut a flat spot for the clamp. Clamp the molding to the block and line up the miter saw with the mark to make the cut.”
Trim has to be scribed to fit a wall
There are times when a casing is wider than the spac between the door frame and the adjoining wall. The casing in this situation has to be cut down to fit tightly to the wall.
Solution: Step 1 – Scribe a line on the casing
Set the scribing tool to the distance between the wall and the mark on the casing. Scribe a line by running the point of the tool against the wall, being careful to keep the tool perpendicular to the wall.
Solution: Step 2 – Cut along the lines
Next, remove the molding and tack it to a board. Carefully saw along the line with your circular saw. Stay a little outside the line. Then finish up by belt-sanding or planing up to the line.
A table saw works best. Tilt the blade in the saw 15 to 30 degrees to make it easier to plane to the line.
Learning how to scribe moldings to fit tightly to uneven surfaces is a vital trim carpentry skill. And once you get the hang of scribing, you’ll find all kinds of situations where it’ll come in handy. Here we’re showing how to fit a casing against an out-of- plumb wall. You can also scribe door bottoms, inside corners of wainscoting, and even shelving or cabinets that abut crooked walls.
There are several types of scribing tools, but the simple compass with a wing-nut lock shown is a favorite with many trim carpenters. The second photo shows how to use the compass to scribe a line. Then finish up by cutting and trimming to the line for a perfectly fitting piece.”
How To Close A Gap Between The Baseboard And The Wall
This is a common problem. The gap seems impossible to close because there is no stud to nail to.
“Solution: Nail into the plate
If there’s no stud where you need to pull in the molding, drive an 8d finish nail at an angle into the plate. In hardwood trim, drill a pilot hole. Use a hammer and a nail set to set the nail head slightly below the surface.”
There are more great tips in the source article.
Finish Carpentry Tips - Top 10 Tips For Dealing With Pesky Site Conditions
I learned the trade before biscuits and pocket screw and still think rabbits are the way to go.
I usually rabbit the sides and ends and set the bottom piece in. This works well for plywood so you don’t see the end grain. When doing it this way make sure you bevel or round over around the bottom so you don’t get splinters of wood breaking away as the caddy gets slid around.
Since Cody is using solid wood, the way he is doing it means the bottom will make a good wear surface and should last a lifetime.
Watch the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttz3jKEb58c
Back to the first video in this series – Click Here –
OK so we have the tool caddy box built in the previous video. Now it’s time to shape the ends and make the handle.
In the video Cody is using hickory, a standard wood used on many tool handles. It’s not a common wood in my area, so you could use ash or maybe oak.
Watch how he does it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghsB7uFgxXw
I built one of these when I first started out as a carpenter. I still use it today to hold all the different nails and shot for my Hilti gun.
As you progress in the trade a simple tool caddy will not hold all your tools. You’l probably build a larger lockable tool box. You might even have to have a large job box for power tools.
But any handy man will find that various trades or types of work require different tool sets. One way to keep those tool sets organized and together is to have a separate caddy for each set.
A wooden tool caddy like the one in the video may be just what you need — way better that that 5 gallon plastic pail.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DRS4c-ML7A
If you need a work table, but the thing is it doesn’t get used all that often then the ability to just fold it up on the wall having the table ready for the next time makes a lot of sense.
Here’s a simple table you can build in half a day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jPlAhcwaNY
Strings and Stakes Work Sometimes
Strings and stakes work sometimes, but there is another way to maintain layout control for small project areas
When we used to build garbage enclosures for our commercial projects, after the gate post and bollard holes were dug, the easiest way to control the gate post, corner post and bollard post layout for the concrete pour was to build a layout template on the ground. All these posts could be set to elevation, and braced plumb before the concrete truck arrived.
Here’s a similar setup in a residential. situation.
“Use the construction lumber as a template
You see it in print and on TV everywhere—some stake and board contraption set up to hold strings to help position postholes, or lay out footings or building footprints. But most of the time, there’s a much better way. Tack together the construction lumber to outline the structure, square it up and use it as a giant template to do all your marking. Set it aside to do your digging and replace it to set the posts.”
Setup A Job Site Work Station
Things can go a lot smother and faster if you have some kind of jobsite workstation set up around your miter saw and table saw.
I have a couple of sets of stackable saw horses dedicated for this purpose. You can usually find plywood or 2x material on site to make a table top.
“Use materials on hand for this simple bench
Whether you’re working in your garage, out in the backyard building a shed or up at the in-laws’ cabin building a deck, take a few minutes and cobble together a miter saw bench, With a little creativity, you can use just about any materials you have on hand. The only custom work you’ll need to do is to rip some spacer boards to make the outfeed support the same height as the saw table. It sure beats kneeling on the grass or perching the miter saw on horses. And the bench does double duty as a super-convenient work surface too.”
The Toenail Trick
No we’re not talking about kicking your lumber pieces in place.
Driving a toenail into a lumber joint is a great way to straiten a member or move it sideways into the correct place.
“Use the toenail trick to position lumber
On my first job as a framing carpenter, I was beating on a stud to try to coax it into position. The stud just bounced back. A veteran framing carpenter walked over and drove a big nail at an angle through the edge of the stud. The last two hammer blows moved the stud into position, where it stayed. Now I use the toenail trick whenever I need to adjust stubborn lumber.”
The Easy Way To Order Framing Materials
This is a simple formula for figuring out how much framing material to buy for your walls.
“Use this formula to order framing materials
You don’t need a math degree to estimate framing materials for walls. Here’s a formula that works every time, no matter how many doors, windows or corners your walls have:
- One stud per linear foot of wall.
- Five linear feet of plate material (bottoms, tops and ties) per linear foot of wall. It’ll look like too much lumber when it arrives, but you’ll need the extra stuff for corners, window and door frames, blocking and braces. Set aside the crooked stuff for short pieces.
Learn more great construction tricks and tips at the source article. click here
Carpentry Tricks and Tips - 10 Of The Greatest Carpentry Tricks You Will Find
The assembly is the easy part.
Start by nailing the top and bottom members to the stringers and tho spacer blocks to the two outside stringers.
Fastening this assembly in place while it is still fairly light weight, makes it easy to lift in place and maybe even rack it a little if the hall and landing are not quite square.
Once firmly in place it is easy to fasten in the treads and risers.
Watch and see how it’s done.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9etXSmeW1w
In this part of the series you will be shown how to layout a stair stringer.
At the top and bottom you need to make adjustment.
He doesn’t talk about it in the video but sometimes a further adjustment has to be made if there are different finishing floor material thicknesses on the treads, landings and upper and lower floors.
Watch and see how it is done:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QrWlMC4qCY
It’s the carpenters job to build the stairs between the floors.
It’s becoming a lost skill for some carpenters because many times the stairs will get subcontracted out.
But for those of us who love to build stairs from scratch, this video series will show you how.
With a bit of luck you’ll also know the floor finishes top and bottom so you can build that perfect stair.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=531UPCjZTm0
I came across this article at The Family Handyman and I have to agree that these 10 construction tips and tricks are well wort knowing.
If you are in the trade they will make you money and you DIYers will save a lot of time.
So lets take a look at my favorite 4 for starters:
Finish Carpentry Tip
This first one is a favorite because it is not only fast and accurate but it saves you from the embarrassment of incorrect measuring and layout.
The advice is to not use your tape unless you have to.
“Holding trim in place and marking it is always more accurate than measuring, often faster and it eliminates mistakes. This is good advice for other types of carpentry work too, like siding, laying shingles and sometimes even framing.”
Use Nippers To Pull Nails
The right tool for the right job. Demo work often means saving trim pieces to be reused later. If you drive the nails back out, you end up with an ugly surface blemish. Besides 18 gauge brad nails are near impossible to drive back. If you use the tools at hand you often end up just cutting the nail off while trying to pull it. Those little nail stubs sticking out are a danger for scratching yourself as well as marring other pieces in the save pile, not to mention a hazard to your saw blades later when you go to cut the piece to a new length. Here’s the tool to use.
“Keep a pair of ‘nippers’ in your pouch whenever you’re doing trim carpentry. When you pull trim from the wall, use them for pulling the nails through the back of the trim
Buy A Trim Gun
For beginners this power tool should be on your top 10 list. If your not sure rent one for your next trim project and I’ll guarantee You’ll own one befor the next project.
“I haven’t hand-nailed a piece of interior trim in 25 years. Why? Because air-powered trim guns make the results so much faster, better and neater. No splits, no predrilling, no knocking the piece out of place as you hammer, and only itty-bitty holes to fill. The gun I paid $300 for back then can now be had for $125— and it’s better than the old one! If you’re going to buy just one size, the most versatile choice is one that shoots 5/8- to 2-inch 18-gauge brads.”
Practice Your Miters Before The Final Cut
Before nailing that piece of trim solid check the joint at the other end with a piece of scrap. You’ll be amazed what you’ll find some times. I sure wish they could build walls perfect.
“Practice on test pieces for the perfect miter
Fine-tuning a miter for a perfect fit is often a trial-and-error process. Practice on smaller test pieces until you get your miter saw set to exactly the right angle, then cut the actual parts.”
For more great tips head on over to the original article.
Read more: http://www.familyhandyman.com/carpentry/the-best-carpentry-tips-and-advice/view-all#ixzz3Q9B20uWn
Buy the beginner jig kit – Kreg jig jr. which should cost less than $50.
The clamp shown in the video is also a must have tool which will keep the two wood members flush while drilling and assembly.
Watch how easy it is to join wood together with this system.
.
This is an ideal jig for cutting miters for things like picture frame moldings.
So why do you want to use flip stops on your miter sled?
Watch and see how simple it is to build this miter sled with a flip stop fence
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bMMKtJ84Yg
How to make a standard miter sled – Click Here –
Have you ever used a sanding drum to sand a gradual curved surface?
It takes a lot of skill to avoid gouging in some divets.
The solution is to make up some of these flexible sanding strips.
Watch and see how it is done.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebbp4TIQWV8
With this jig the widths of your dado joint cuts will be perfect every time.
The guy making this video is a real shop pro. Your going to see 3 or 4 shop tips that you wish you would have know years ago
I’d make the adjustable side wider so the locking knobs could be on top and not interfere with the router.
Watch and learn.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j4vGS4HY-8
It all depends on how you build the fence.
I’ve probably got a half a dozen sleds.
Sleds to cut tenons, sleds to cut finger joints of various widths, sleds for cross cuts, a sled for a 7 to 1 scarf joint and on and on.
Only your imagination can hold you back.
This video shows you how to build a sled for cutting miter joints.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H00prACPflw
You might want to consider one of these small routers.
I first bought mine for laminate trimming years ago but this small woodworking router probably gets more hours of run time than any of the other routers in the shop.
The bulk of the time it’s used with a round over bits, as well as flush trimming and beading.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAPUyb08sx4
Now here’s a DIY solution I’ve never seen before. But it sure makes a lot of sense.
Why leave your ice fishing shack in the same place all winter?
You could move it at will with this Do It Yourself Solution.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot5ovZr_PVQ#t=251
There are a whole bunch of things to consider when you do your rafter tail layout.
You need to consider how big the bird’s mouth cut is going to be. You need bearing on the wall but you wood strength acros the top of the wall for the eave overhang and as much room as possible above the plate for insulation.
How much roof overhang will there be. Are you measuring that from the wall sheathing line or wall finish (4″ of brick makes a difference).
How about the soffit? Do you need a rough fascia for it to nail to? How thick is the rough fascia and finish fascia?
Watch and see how these factors are taken into account.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7dmQOIc0DY
Framing walls is easy, for the most part it is all square cuts.
The roof is what separates the tradesman from his helpers.
It requires a little keener visualization skill, a knowledge of math and the know how to use the layout tools.
Let’s look at how to cut common rafters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpXjiN3fUoM
It’s a large square and is great for laying out square lines, but using it for angles can be a bit more intimidating until you discover how.
Lets start with the two basic cuts for a roof rafter. The plumb cut at the ridge and the seat cut at the top of the wall. These cuts are easy to lay out providing you know the slope on the roof.
Here’s how:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OKnXMgfjdA
If you can’t afford the table saw at the start a good circular saw can see you through a lot of projects.
This video talks about power tools and ignores the hand tools you will need.
I’m surprised no one mentioned the hammer.
Watch the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5zyJkzQ3VU
Back to the first opinion – Click Here –
This list includes two stationary power tool, a couple of cordless power tools and 6 hand tools.
If I was to add another tool to the list it would probably be a mid sized router.
Watch the video and see if these are the 10 you would pick.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSlXaEJsJ_I
Many people are modifying the paddles on both two stage and single stage snow blowers.
The reason? To make them throw further and prevent clogs in wet snow.
The goal of the mod is to remove the gap between the impeller blade ant the it’s housing.
This video shows you how to make single stage snow blower paddles out of rubber tire side walls.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJQAfE9dmA8
New paddle blades have been installed to reduce any gaps between the blade and the housing walls.
Here’s a side by side comparison of a blower with and without the modification
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umwa71YRrt0
It makes good sense to reuse a freezer box this way.
Plenty of room to get the micro hydro generator in.
The freezer box makes in weather proof and provides some insulation for the winter months
Have a look at the video and get some ideas for a similar set up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUO7zTIW_3w
Solar panels of course. Hot water without any fuel.
For you preppers out there hot water is one of the main necessities of life and you need to find a way to provide it for your family.
This solar powered solution is a hands off way of doing that. No fires no wood chopping.
Watch the video for tips on how one man did it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxaNC4mOHV8
It’s surprising just how many different kinds of screws there are out there.
Screw pocket screws have some unique characteristics built in to them.
Characteristics like a fine thread or course thread (used in different types of materials), a thread cutting tip, a pan shaped head, and different lengths for different wood thicknesses.
Watch an discover these and more tips on pocket screws.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Socy4rjyMP4
And it doesn’t take a lot of time and effort.
Decide on the look you want.
Go buy the molding.
Do the layout and apply the moldings to the door.
A couple of coats of paint and you are done, doors with that touch of elegance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx-pV3TsJSM
There is a new gismo out there to make your shop experience safer.
Whether you build something similar or get this Rockler T-Track System, these safety tips still apply to you.
Watch the video and see how easy it becomes to secure your work pieces while performing power tool operations on them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Evr-yQoWeY
Did you know that you could purchase some chair parts?
The tough ones to make – the ones that require steam bending etc.
Of course there are also chair kits available where you just have to do the sanding and assembly.
What’s your next chair project going to be?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGuNIPHwHgE
Most of us have pretty small shops, so innovative shop storage becomes a priority.
Take note that almost every square foot has been used in this shop.
Shelves above and below the power tools.
Shelves that slide out to utilize the full depth of the shelf.
Stuff hanging from the ceiling.
Watch and see what ideas you can get for your shop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I-Aem0OV9M
Here’s one gals solution to small parts storage – Click Here –
These ones in the video where made of pine and fir but you could use hardwoods as well.
The biscuit joinery used here makes them fast to build. For the more traditional furniture makers out there, mortise and tenon joints would also be a great choice.
As you will see in the video you can get a variety of looks by the way you treat the edges or add on little trim pieces.
Have a look
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8IyFRpI2G4
Here is a simple end table design you can build for yourself.
It’s a classic design – 4 legs a skirt and top.
Since you are using solid wood for the top, it is going to expand and contract withe the seasons. So only glue the breadboard ends in the center and screw it to the skirt with screws in slotted hols to allow for that seasonal wood movement.
Here’s how to build this table.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuzBpeNR9CU
How about a fence, tee slots, replaceable center, dust collection and storage drawers.
In this video you’ll see how to do exactly that
Discover how to up grade your drill press.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxFO32pT2xc
How about a self centering drill press jig – Click Here –
With this drill press jig in place your work piece center line is lined up dead accurate and now all’s you have to do is line it up in the other direction.
What makes this jig particularly nice is that it sets up very quickly so it’s a pleasure to use.
Watch the video to see how it’s made and how to set up the drill press self centering jig.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVuZbkHlEC4
A machinist’s vice comes in very handy from time to time.
The problem is where to mount it. The machinist’s vice needs to be mounted on something heavy and solid.
In the woodworking shop that is usually your woodworking bench, But something bolted to the top of that bench is the last thing you need.
There is a great solution that allows you to have the best of both worlds.
I’ve used my machinist’s vice this way for 30 years and this solution has never been a problem.
Watch the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh4-hpgtbOs
I found an L shaped mounting bracket better because it got the vice back over the bench.
That way when you pound on the vice the forces go to the bench top, not to the fasteners holding the woodworking vice to the bench top.
Also make sure the wooden jaws of your woodworking vice are flush with the bench top.
Now you might be saying why build one? The plastic ones come in a wide variety of shape or degrees of quality – all for reasonable prices.
Well the wood one here does look pretty good. Maybe you’d build it just because you can.
Watch and discover how to build a wooden utility knife.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6BaPQ13qD4
The course wood thread on the insert really gets a grip on the wood making it very difficult to pull out.
That makes it the ideal concealed nut for a small bolt to fasten something to a wooden board.
Watch the video for some additional insights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n57AQGwS6Fg
You garden light has to be supported by something. This cedar post is attractive and is made out of durable outdoor materials so should last for years.
This video with show you how to make the cedar lantern post so you won’t have to fumble around in the dark again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEzcPQzSqyA
These six universal Principles of Persuasion that have been scientifically proven to make you most effective based on the research in Dr. Cialdini’s groundbreaking book, Influence.
This video is narrated by Dr. Robert Cialdini and Steve Martin
Watch the video and you to will be able to increase your influence with others.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFdCzN7RYbw
The question is how do you adopt new habits that will work for you in your life?
In this video Gretchen Rubin will explain four ways you can successfully adopt new habits.
She also shares the four personality types when it comes to adopting new habits or “rules.” Knowing your personality type and its pros and cons are instrumental to adopting new habits and behavior.
Watch the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnXijAxiy8g
The question is how good are you at telling your story?
And are you story telling like it’s 2007 in a 2014 world?
We live in an ADD culture and you need powerful micro stories in order to be heard.
And with all the different platforms out there to put your stories on you need to be extremely aware of the context needed for the platform. They are not all the same.
Contexts is more important than quality content.
Gary Vaynerchuk is an expert in this area – watch this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnXijAxiy8g
Doing near impossible feats of skill these guys have turned fun into a business.
Why do their videos go viral?
They come up with crazy ideas for having fun with various sports. But there are other things at work here too. They are always enthusiastic in the extreme. Are you that enthusiastic about your business? Do you like enthusiastic people. If you were enthusiastic about what you do would your customer’s attitudes towards your company change?
Celebration. Have you noticed they celebrate their victories. How many tries do you think it takes to make those shots. They sure do celebrate success though. The question is — Do you celebrate your successes? And would others be more attracted to you if you did?
Food for thought.
Watch the Dude Perfect Guys do their trick shots and have fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCtb_ylVDvU
Yea, I didn’t think so. But what if I could show you a company safety video that got over 12 million views in 4 weeks?
Would you be interested?
It’s all about building your message around a trending topic.
Air New Zealand has just pulled it off – take a look.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOw44VFNk8Y
Could you do the same with one of your products?
My team’s rule is to read at least 20 minuets per day.
That alone can make all the difference in how you see yourself and the world around you.
Here is an article by Otiti Jasmine which explain 5 benefits of this daily reading habit.
1. You interpret yourself and the world more positively.
When you read an inspiring book every day, you flood your brain with positive words and uplifting concepts. Making the time for this raises your vibration and keeps you in optimal conditions more often than not.
2. You’re inspired to make better choices and take positive actions more often.
A lot of personal development books come with exercises and prompts that get you thinking about the choices you make and why you make them.
An honest evaluation of your life as it is frees you to make the changes you need to make while still feeling good about yourself. Danielle LaPorte’s The Desire Map is an excellent book with lots of illuminating prompts and exercises.
When you’re aware of the thinking behind your actions, you can erase your negative thought tapes and replace them with words of love, possibility, power, and magic.
This makes you super aware of what you choose to fill your day with, so you can do more of what’s working, and less of what’s not.
3. You don’t improve; you expand.
Get the details and the other reasons in the original article
The power comes when you put our dreams on paper.
The commitment to achieve that dream will naturally follow.
The next insight my mentor gave me. — Speed is essential.
Run toward your goals and you will never have time to look back. It’s too easy to change and deviate when you merely stroll towards a goal.
The invisible bonus of taking massive action is that what you learn on the path to your goals can be more valuable than the achievement of those goals.
To quote Napoleon Hill:
“A goal is a dream with a deadline.”
Did you know that Pinterest users pin more than 3400 pins per minuet?
And according to Shopify research Pinterest users are 10% more likely to buy from Pinterest than from other social media sites.
Also Pinterest gets 300% more revenue per click than Twitter and 27% more than Facebook.
This spells opportunity for marketers on Pinterest.
This article gives you 5 ideas to drive those conversions on Pinterest:
Image by Roxanne Ready via Flickr.
1. Delight followers and promote campaigns with contests
When C. Wonder, a luxury retail store for women, wanted to promote a new product line, they created a Mother’s Day contest to create awareness and drive conversions.
The terms of the contest were simple: participants were asked to pin their favorite C. Wonder monogrammed products to their boards along with their email address.
The contest gained momentum because it leveraged the power of user-generated content and social proof: participants’ submissions were shared with their followers and helped spread the word.
This snowballing effect brought C. Wonder impressive, measurable results from their Pinterest contest: In addition to a 23% increase in repins, pinning activity doubled and they saw a 44% increase in revenue per click.
C. Wonder isn’t the only retailer to get a conversion lift from a Pinterest contest. Contests like this have helped bring cosmetic company Beauty Bridge more traffic, more engagement and more conversions; they now describe Pinterest as their “number one revenue-generating social channel.”
Apply this to your own marketing campaigns
If you’re ready to launch your own Pinterest contest to drive conversions,DIYThemes has some great tips for success, including:
- Set campaign goals for your contest, whether it’s getting more followers, leads, brand awareness or conversions. Focus on one primary goal to avoid making the terms of your contest too complicated.
- Decide on the terms and rules of your contest and ensure that they’re aligned with your campaign goals.
- Provide an awesome incentive by putting an irresistible, high-value prize up for grabs.
- Use multiple channels to promote your Pinterest contest. Whether on other social media networks, through paid advertising or through affiliates, the more momentum you can get, the better.
- Make it as easy as possible to participate by establishing crystal-clear rules and having simple entry guidelines.
- Measure your results with stats, analytics and spreadsheets. Gauge how effective your contest was at achieving your marketing goals, then optimize, rinse and repeat.
2. Leverage user-generated content for powerful social proof
Like Beauty Bridge and C. Wonder, more and more companies are leveraging user-generated content (UGC) in their social media campaigns. UCG allows customers to share what they love about your brand, and is a great way to provide social proof, which is widely known to influence conversions.
Urban Outfitters has used this trend to become one of the fastest growing retail brands on Pinterest.
One of their Pinterest boards gathers photos of people wearing their brand from around the web, while they encourage other users to post pictures of themselves wearing UO clothes.
Then they showcase the user-submitted pictures on their site with a call to action to “shop it,” allowing people to purchase the items with only a few clicks.
The stats they report show that 20% of users click that “shop it” button.
Apply this to your own marketing campaigns
If you want to spread the word about your next marketing campaign, user-generated content can help you acquire new leads and create buzz. This article by Jason Boies has some great suggestions to get you started:
- Encourage fans to upload photos of your product or service.
- Ask for video testimonials and reward the best.
- Give top pinners access to your board.
Whatever you do, make it fun. Ask yourself, “Would I be willing to share this on my personal account?”
3. Collaborate with influencers in your space to help generate buzz
Mike Murdock said this:
“Someone is always observing you who is capable of greatly blessing your life.”
Look very closely to the people you associate in life. It’s a good indication as to where you are going.
I’d like to share with you a song by Mariah Carey — “Hero”: You can be that hero.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IA3ZvCkRkQ
Did you ever wonder why your mom and dad watched who your friends were.
Well it’s up to you to choose who surrounds you in life, who you rub shoulders with.
Do you want to get ahead in life, do you want to grow and do interesting things?
The people around you will push you in one direction or another, you can’t change that. You can only change who you hang out with.
As John Mason pointed out in his book “the Enemy Called Average”.
If you associate with eagles, you will learn to soar.”
Focus on the important issues in your life.
H. Stern said this:
“If you are hunting rabbits in tiger country, you must keep an eye peeled for tigers, but when you are hunting tigers, you can ignore the rabbits.”
The key takeaway is not to get distracted by the rabbits un your life and never forget that there are plenty of tigers to go around.
Set your sights on the Big Dream.
There’s a fabulous old saying that goes something like this:
“Even a turtle doesn’t get ahead unless he sticks his neck out.”
While successful people (i.e. rich people) spend on average about $7,000. Did you know that listening to CD’s and mp3′s in your car everyday will get you the equivalent of 3 university degrees by the time you retire.
“Our whole life is an Education — we are ‘ever-learning,’ every moment of time, everywhere, under all circumstances something is being added to the stock of our previous attainments. Mind is always at work when once its operations commence. All men are learners, whatever their occupation, in the palace, in the cottage, in the park, and in the field. These are the laws stamped upon Humanity.” – Edward Paxton Hood, Self-Education: Twelve Chapters for Young Thinkers, 1852
You’ll earn more. Fifty or sixty years ago, you could finish college and you’d have all the education you needed for the rest of your career. You don’t have that luxury in today’s job market. Skills that were cutting edge five years ago are likely out of date, and the jobs that we will perform in the next decade or two probably don’t even exist yet. If you want to stay competitive in today’s job market and potentially earn more money, you need to become an autodidact.
Not only can becoming a lifelong learner help you earn more money in traditional employment, autodidacticism can be the gateway to self-employment and starting your own business. There are countless examples from history of famous folks who learned how to create thriving businesses without any formal education: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, and Henry Ford to name just a few. Countless not-so-famous business owners became successful without ever earning a sheepskin too, simply by teaching themselves what they needed to know and relentlessly tinkering.
You’ll be more interesting and charismatic. Those who met Theodore Roosevelt were always greatly impressed with his ability to hold a conversation with anyone regarding any subject imaginable. Scientists were blown away with Roosevelt’s knowledge of complex theories, socialites were smitten with his witty insights about the latest piece by Oscar Wilde, and cowboys out West respected the “Eastern Dude’s” understanding of desert wildlife. How did Theodore Roosevelt become such a charismatic, conversational dynamo?By developing the ability to speed read and then devouring books like a hungry lion feasting on a fresh kill. While in the White House, he would read a book every day before breakfast. If he didn’t have any official business in the evening, he would read two or three more books, plus any magazines and newspapers that caught his fancy. By his own estimates, TR read tens of thousands of books during his lifetime, including hundreds in foreign languages. As a result, he could connect with anyone, from any walk of life, on something that truly interested the other person.
You’ll be a better leader. Being able to connect with others doesn’t just make you more interesting. It also makes you much more influential. The greater your knowledge base, the more you can meet people where they are, and the greater the stockpile of solutions you have at your disposal to tackle problems and overcome challenges.
You’ll be independent and handy
For this and several more reasons go to the source article
Aim high and be willing to take risks.
Average people do their forward planning based on past performance. The fact is you can’t drive where you want to go by looking in the rear view mirror.
John Mason says in “An Enemy Called Average”
“Those who make great strides take chancesand plan past the challenges of life. Go out on a limb… that’s where the fruit is.”
Think about this – nothing in life is more frustrating than becoming really good at unimportant tasks.
Choose to dream big, and strive to reach the full potential you have.
Focus on the important stuff.
There’s a famous saying:
“Even a turtle doesn’t get ahead unless he sticks his neck out.”
A positive attitude will always create positive results.
There is a direct correlation between our passion and our potential.
And as Winston Churchill said
“I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else.”
Have You Watched Gary Vaynerchuck’s Q&A Show
Gary has a deep knowledge in the social media arena, not tho mention the energy and enthusiasm that comes across on his show.
He also picks some very interesting questions that his followers send in. And Gary is not afraid to speak his mind in answering them.
Watch the latest Gary Vee show and see what you think.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYcHt_VF6x8
Your brand, the quality of your content, your products and your business depend on these images.
With millions of images out there, how do you choose?
So the question is where and how to acquire them.?
In this article Julya details 3 ways to achieve this goal:
It’s important to choose stellar stock photography to accompany your designs.
1 Get Ideas Across by Using Images Related To Your Content
- When choosing stock photos, it’s best to stick to images that are related to your content.
- Not all designs are viewed up close and for a long time. Make sure that at first glance your audience has a clear idea on what the design is about.
- Choose images where the subject is easily identified. Uber close-ups, too many things going on and creative cropping are all very artistic, but make sure your subject is still understood.
2 Get in the Mood by Choosing Similar Styles
- Designing is all about conveying ideas to your viewer. An elegant photo compliments sophisticated typefaces and classy elements.
- Filters can change how approachable your design is. Choose one that suits the mood you’re aiming for. Cool tones (filters that use a lot of blues) more often feel more professional where as warmer tones (filters wiith red and yellow hues) are friendlier.
- It’s important to know who you’re designing for. Each audience has different tastes so take that into account. The way you would design for a kids party is a different approach to designing for a corporate event.
3 Let Your Text Pop with Some Space
Its an online ‘ad serving and measurement’ service for PEOPLE-BASED marketing
That’s where the industry is moving to.
Marketers are empowered to “put the right message in front of the right person at the right time on the right device.”
What’s people based marketing all about?
Here’s Mari’s write up from Facebook get the full details!
◆ Facebook first acquired the Atlas Advertiser Suite from Microsoft in late February 2013 (for around $50 million).
◆ Atlas allows any website to insert ads targeted to Facebook users. (Hm, will this impact Google‘s DoubleClick display ad service?)
◆ The purpose of Atlas is to pioneer advances in ad measurement on the small screen (mobile, tablet). However, Atlas can track virtually any form of digital ad: mobile, in-app, desktop, email, search, social and video. (Very cool!)
◆ Atlas works via ‘people-based marketing’ – tracking ad placement and performance through Facebook user accounts.
◆ Atlas will essentially follow users across the web, making note of the ads they see, interact with and act upon, and will tie that information back to their Facebook profiles.
◆ Using cookies for tracking is not always accurate or …There’s more Click here to cotinue
In this article Charlie goes through the 5 methods he used when starting out to get traffic.
And guess what – they still work today.
Today I would put more emphasis on your blog and providing valuable content. Learn to curate other peoples content the proper way as well. You will soon be seen as an expert.
Here are the other things you can do:
Most of these methods take effort, and lots of it. But if you use them consistently I believe you will build multiple streams of highly-targeted traffic.
And that really is the key. Not one large flow that could stop but many smaller flows that can’t be stopped and add up to one large stream of visitors.
What I share next comes from experience. I use all these methods, not just teach them.
1. Social media
Social media is free to use but can be time consuming. You can get on Twitter and Facebook or LinkedIn. But none of that will do you much good unless you have something valuable to say.
Happily, you don’t have to be a writer to have good things to say!
If you have ever been to a movie and then seen a friend and shared a few reasons why you liked (or didn’t like) the movie then you have what it takes to succeed with social media.
I believe the key with social media is what I call “sharing with a purpose”. None of us is going to be able to compete with Taylor Swift or Ashton Kutcher when it comes to number of followers.
But we can compete when it comes to the quality of what we share. We can compete when it comes to providing value.
One key with social media is to share often and spontaneously. Are you reading a book and found a great idea? Tweet it out or post about it on Facebook. Technology like the Kindle (or Kindle app) actually let you do this with one click!
Another key with social media is to tease readers into joining your list by providing helpful information that leaves them wanting more.
One actionable idea is this – buy a Private Label Rights product that you can give away and create a Facebook page that gives the product free to people who “like” you. This can unleash a viral avalanche and help you build your email mailing list at the same time.
A win-win!
2. Pay-per-click
If you have a limited budget to try and sell things online consider using it for pay-per-click advertising. Why would I say that? Because with pay per click you know you will get traffic or you don’t pay.
One key here is to start with Facebook and not Google. No disrespect to Google but Facebook pay per click often costs less and is much more targeted.
As with all pay per click, you only pay what you want to pay and you should never be in risk of spending more than you want.
One key here is to send the traffic to your own squeeze page.
With PPC traffic you often want to use a longer squeeze page than with strategies like solo ads, but do focus on list building using PPC.
Research your competitors. Do a conservative pay-per-click campaign modeled around what they’re doing.
While you never want to copy their campaign directly, you can and should take a lesson from what they are doing that works well.
If you have a modest budget, pay-per-click is a great place to start. You control your expenses. You can try something for $20 or $30 and see how it works.
3. Forum Participation
There is some truly unbelievable things going on.
How bad is it, you ask? A concerned Geoengineering insider from a government lab told Dane, “If the public truly found out about these programs they would seek out those who are responsible and hang them or shoot them in front of a firing squad.”
Dane explains, “Geoengineering and climate engineering is the all out assault against everything we hold dear. This issue will decide our collective future if we don’t deal with it. It’s that simple.”
This is a must watch interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR6Ads0A3cU
Here’s the question:
“If I asked you to tell me in one (short) sentence why you do what you do, would you be able to give me a good answer?
If you answered yes – congratulations and high 5′s.
If you like most people your answer was more along the line of maybe or no.
Knowing your “Why” has a huge impact on your success in all aspects of your life.
Here’s a video which will heplp you clarify your why:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_9YwOO6ZCc
