This Ain't Your Mama's Marketing Tool!

While trying to return the favor of those who have dropped on me recently, I just came upon the best post regarding "all things Internet" I think I've ever seen. The article, The Ultimate Bookmark (for Online Entrepreneurs), was written by Jason over at BizBoink. Here is the purpose of the list - straight from the list author's fingers:

Learning to conquer the web can actually be quite easy, as long as you have the tools and resources you need to do it. Many aspiring internet marketers have no clue where to begin - they subscribe to more than enough feeds, buy overpriced books, and spend more time on forums than they do on their actual business.

If you are trying to establish an online presence, build your brand, get your name/brand out there - and into the hands of potential customers...If you are typing like mad, trying to figure out the best places to advertise, wondering which ad brings the biggest response, or just trying to figure out how to stop spending so much time on promotion/networking/looking around for the "new" and "hot" topics in your niche...this list is for you.

I cannot think of one topic Jason left out, or didn't cover thoroughly. Since I have been doing mass research on launching a new website (store), and spending a ridiculous amount of time trying to build my brand and come up with a unique "look" that people recognize...not to mention tearing out my hair in an attempt to build a solid following - I honestly thought I knew of all the "most important" or "top" sites that would help me accomplish those things.

NOT!

I can't wait to explore some of the sites on Jason's list - and I'm super excited to see how utilizing those sites impacts my (upcoming) business.

Oh - you don't know about my new venture, The Crafty Queen? Well, I don't know that I would rush over and check out the poorly designed site right now (especially since it doesn't have any product up yet!), but you can bet I will announce the latest skinny here first. When there is skinny to announce. Which there isn't. At least for right now there isn't. But that is fixing to change. I will let my faithful subjects know about the exciting launch before I announce anything to the public. Der - I know enough to know you guys mean the most...so I will notify you of the soon-to-be raging success of The Crafty Crown.

And I'm hoping the article over at BizBoink helps to blow my launch out of the kingdom. Or at least off the charts.

Loads of Royal Link Love

I would like to thank the following sites for dropping on me so often throughout the month of March. I appreciate all of you and hope my other readers take a minute to check out your amazing sites!

Pat's Encaustics - Art in the Wax

Silver Sachet

Lola's Diner

Theresa's Treasures

Sexy Old Broad

Autumnal Confessions & Sexy Advice

Alterity Art
Wii Mommies

Work at Home

John Wright Art

I also want to thank the truly amazing artist, John Wright. Every month he offers a giveaway on his blog for his readers. The grand prize is one of his gorgeous paintings - and 5 runner-up prizes of a signed limted edition print of the painting. I am thrilled to say I won a signed limited edition of this awesome painting:

Too Cold to Rest by John Wright

Thank you so much, John - I aspire to be like you in my painting. It won't happen, but that doesn't deter me! lol You are a constant source of inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing your talents with those of us lucky enough to have found your blog. You rock!

April Woot Loot

I think Woot Loot has been so fun, don't you? The only thing I don't like about the whole process is that I can't give every single one of you some Loot to Woot over at the end of the month. It's so fun to read all the comments and see everyone participate every month. You guys are inspiring me to make it bigger and better!

I am in the process of working with some amazingly cool artists and other creative people in order to expand Woot Loot and have a big blow out one month. As soon as the details are figured out, I will give you a little more information. Trust me, though...if even one of these fantastically creative and extremely generous people decides to definitely participate, you are in for a royal experience! (And just between us, I'm so not above filling these potential sponsors so full of tea, finger sandwiches and crumpets that they'll beg to participate in their state of royal overload and subsequent delirium!)
Starting this month, I'm going to switch things up a bit. There really isn't a reason why I've chosen this month...other than I feel like it. And well, when it's your blog - and you are the one giving stuff away (versus holding "sponsored" giveaways) - you can pretty much do whatever you want.

I'm super excited about April's prize...

Alphabetica by Lynne Perrella!

Alphabetica is a wonderfully delicious book full of luscious pictures and an intimate look at an art swap Ms Perrella hosted/participated in several years ago. The artists featured are exciting, talented, creative, FUN. This book doesn't only appeal to those in the art world - or at least it shouldn't. Just a few of the amazingly talented ladies who contributed: Sarah Fishburn, Lesley Riley, Teesha Moore, Claudine Hellmuth, Lesley Jacobs, and of course Lynne Perrella. Pick up the book and the talent literally pours out, racing through your fingertips, sending this...this...palpable electrical stir of creative energy pulsing through your entire body.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them

Anyone who enjoys looking at art that falls outside the mainstream will enjoy this book. Anyone with a creative bone in their body will find something to love in Alphabetica. And certainly, anyone who wants to get into collage, book art, mixed media, or art swaps will fall in love with this book. I'm not quite sure how Ms Perrella forced so much information and goodness into 144 pages - nor how she did it in such a beautifully coherent way.

Artist: Judi Riesch

I've had it in my library for a long time - and it's one I never tire of. (You will receive a second copy from my personal library - never been read. Only opened to scan.) I refer to it over and over - for inspiration, sure...but also just to take in the unique qualities of each piece. For not only does Ms Perrella take the reader through the swap these talented artists held...but there is a virtual art class included in the book. There are in-depth projects listed - including instructions and items used - to provide assistance to the beginner, and a spring board of inspiration to the more advanced artist.

Artist: Karen Michel

You just can't go wrong with Alphabetica - if you'd like more information, click on the picture of the book cover to be magically transported to the Amazon site for Alphabetica. I'm sure this is a book you will go back to again and again - for many reasons.

ARTISTS (clockwise from top left): Lisa Renner, Lisa Renner, Judi Riesch, Karen Michel

As if receiving a copy of al-pha-bet-i-ca An A-Z Creativity Guide for Collage and Book Artists for your very own isn't reason enough to sign up for Woot Loot, there is more. For every 100 entries, I will add an additional prize. Notice I said ENTRIES - not ENTRANTS. So if 20 people choose to enter April's Woot Loot 5 times each, we're already at 100. Easy? Yes. Exciting? Totally!

I am keeping what the additional prize will be, a secret until we reach 100 entries. I will post what the additional prize will be if/when we reach that point. And I will continue adding prizes every 100 entries we have. So spread the word - the more who join the fun, the more prizes will be awarded. Doesn't that just make you want shout, WOOT?!

THE ENTER THIS MOST AWESOME GIVEAWAY

** EACH ENTRY REQUIRES A SEPARATE COMMENT OR IT WON'T COUNT **

~ For one entry, leave a comment telling me how you found my blog. If you don't have a blog - or your email address isn't listed on your blog - please leave your email address in your comment. If I can't reach you, you can't win. Since I am giving away one of my own possessions or handmade creations - with nothing expected in return, nor do I get paid for this - PLEASE do me the courtesy of making it easy to reach you. It's frustrating to spend twenty minutes looking for an email address...don't make me sick the childebeasts on you!

(This must be done to enter Woot Loot!)

~ For one entry, follow me. It's easy! In my side bar, you'll see a box full of little pictures. Join us and your cool little picture will show up in the box, too! You won't believe how great your life will be, simply by becoming a recognized friend of the Queen's! It will totally amaze you! (If you're already a follower, leave a comment stating just that...and thank you!)

~ For one entry, Stumble this post OR "favorite" this in Technorati. To Stumble: Just click on the thumbs-up-in-the-circle icon at the bottom of this post. Leave a comment so I know you did. (I will check!)

~ For one entry: Place my lovely button on your blog. You know the drill - leave a comment (with the URL) stating you completed this option.

~ For one entry: If you recommend entering to someone, be sure to ask them to include your name. If that person leaves a second comment saying you sent them or they found out about April's Woot Loot because of you, both of you will receive an extra entry! (You must have entered prior to their comment or it doesn't count.)

~ For one entry: Leave a comment telling me what you would like to see as future Woot Loot. This can be totally extravagant, impossible, ridiculously luxurious - or it can be serious and totally possible.

~ For three entries: Blog about April's Woot Loot. You can use this link to make it easier, if you would like: http://bit.ly/4WL. Now...about this - don't make it a sorry entry. Come on - show some originality! Leave the link (or blog address) so I can check it out!

~ For three MORE entries: Write a poem about my whole mess on your blog. Just a quick poem about entering Woot Loot, my blog, royalty, or winning. For example, "Go and enter the Queen's Woot Loot, and while you're there take a look around - you'll see the royal family is nuts, and understand why the Queen was crowned!" - OR - "Check out this blog with the name of The Queen Speaks - enter Woot Loot, read some posts & learn new techniques!" Get the idea? Do NOT copy what I wrote. And don't be as dorky as I am. ** You only need to do one blog post. If you choose to write the poem, leave the link and you'll get 6 points! **
April's Woot Loot ends Thursday, April 30th at 11:59 PM MT...winner announced by May 3. (Why May 3? Because life always seems to get crazy on the first - and I hate not posting when I say I will!) I will email the winner and announce the winner on my blog - and the winner has 48 hours from the time my email is sent to reply. No reply within 48 hours means you forfeit the prize...and on we go to the next royal winner. This goes for each prize awarded. The first name drawn will be for the first prize offered, the second name is for the second prize, etc, until we reach the number of prizes given away. Questions? Email the Queen - the email button is on the side bar.

GOOD LUCK!!

I want to give out lots of Loot this month - so spread the word!!

What is Smaller than the Head of a Pin?

Normally I am not a big fan of posting videos...I figure if someone wanted to see a video, they'd be a You Tube, not on The Queen Speaks. I decided to post this video, however, because it is art-related...not to mention fascinating. Amazing. Unbelievable.
It is inspiring - someone who can't read or write can do this? I can read and write, but I don't see myself starting on something like this anytime soon. (Can't you just picture it with the childebeasts running around?? Cha!) This man will do and say things you're not likely to see or hear again. For example, it can NOT be good to have an Alice in Wonderland inside you. (His statement, something to the effect of, "I think I inhaled Alice in Wonderland" is something I guarantee you'll never hear again. Ever.)
And to the "private collector" (you won't believe how much he bought the collection for!)? I hope you invest in some serious tissues - not to mention some really great cold medicine. Sneezing would be disastrous! Just look at what happened to Alice in Wonderland - and the guy was only breathing!

Click on Charlie

Woot Loot Winner for March

C*O*N*G*R*A*T*U*L*A*T*I*O*N*S !!

Isn't showing up a few minutes late for the party considered fashionable? Well then...

HELLO! Wa-pow!

Since I'm a full day late, I must be the fashionista of the universe! Then again, my life runs on perpetual un-punctuality. Enough of that...let's get to the good stuff! Thanks to help from random.org, we have a winner! Let's hear it...WOOT!

Random Sequence Generator

Here is your sequence:

• 51

Timestamp: 2009-04-03 06:49:40 UTC

So WHO was #51??

Elsie says:

03/13/2009, 07:46:00 AM

“Turquoise and butterflies, flying around my wrist, The color is mesmerizing, with butterfly kisses!

So very magical!

Awww, thanks! I've already sent Elsie an email - and I hope she's as excited about receiving the faux-turquoise bracelet as I am about sending it to her!
After reading the comments you guys posted, my heart is light - and I really wish I could give every one of you Woot Loot. I've said it before, but it's worth reiterating: I have the BEST readers in all the land! (Which includes all the kingdoms on the planet.)

Thank you, for making Woot Loot such a great experience for me. Something has happened I never expected - and that is, I've been given more than I could ever repay. It's such a great feeling to hear positive comments on things you create. So THANK YOU.

My next post will include April's Woot Loot - and this one is really exciting. I can't wait to post about it - so be sure to check back tomorrow and find out what Loot is up next. It will be totally worthy of a huge WOOT! There are several other topics I want to cover also...so it's a busy time at Castle Crazy. Don't forget to drop by, say hi, and see whazz up!

Congratulations, Elsie - enjoy the bracelet!! xx

You Did... Say What?? Part II

Part I of this post can be found by clicking here.

Part I is not exactly where I intended to go when I first sat down to write this post. No, I was going to share with you some information that came to my attention.
Remember the Princess discussing with me how "inappropriate", "unflattering", and "embarrassing" my wardrobe is? How she cannot stand to be seen with me in public - and that, according to her very dramatic discussion with me, it's even affecting her at home?
Back around Christmas, I won a copy of Clinton Kelly's book Freakin' Fabulous: How to Dress, Speak, Behave, Eat, Drink, Entertain, Decorate, and Generally Be Better than Everyone Else from Modern Lady Etiquette. (If she could only see the wardrobe the Princess has deemed disastrous, I'm sure she would faint. Politely.)

The Princess and I have had many conversations since the arrival of that book - usually revolving around my need to read such a publication. When I turn the tables, and mention to her that altho she may not approve of my dress, there are many actions I don't particularly appreciate that she and her brother 'beasts take great delight in...the demand to "pull my finger" (or the lack of warning), the "booger wall" I recently came across (can you say, "eeeewwww"??), the previously discussed "Man Mission" they are on...the list is much longer than I can go into here.
No matter which flagrantly UNmannerly behavior I point out, in her mind there is nothing as horrible as my wardrobe. (May I just take a moment to quickly point out that all this wardrobe discussion is coming from a girl who wears orange, pink, purple, and red...all in the same outfit?? Or doesn't understand why I won't let her wear her pj's to school? Or thinks it is just fine to wear two different shoes to church??)
When the Princess is home sick - which she is quite often, due to her asthma - she likes to watch What Not to Wear. Throughout the show she'll call me upstairs repeatedly, shocked the woman featured hasn't been jailed due to her lackluster look. (In all fairness, some of these women go well beyond lackluster.) She is always quick to point out how I'm just as bad in my style choices. (Never mind I have a closet heaving with fantastic clothes I would love to wear, had my body not been wrecked by this illness.)
I got on the computer the other day, looking for an old email I had sent, when I came across something vedy intedesting. Before I share it with you, I have to tell you that as soon as I saw what it was, I knew where it came from.
I waited for her to get home from school before bombarding her with questions. The story goes something like this...she was at home, sick, and watching What Not to Wear. (Of course, I was running up and down the stairs at a speed rarely seen by creatures other than roadrunners, trying to meet her "requests" [demands] for more sick-related items than one usually needs after open heart surgery.) An announcement at the end of the show caught her eye...which I imagine went something like, "If you know someone who could benefit from an intervention from Clinton and Stacy, whose wardrobe SUCKS OUT LOUD and causes you actual pain to look at them, then contact us!" This was all she needed. The battle cry had been launched and she quickly sprung to action.
With very little Internet experience, she admits to getting on the computer - and instead of sticking to her list of pre-approved sites, she ventured out (ALONE!) into the world wide web. She actually found tlc.com - the channel hosting What Not to Wear - and even more than that, found the show information. Not satisfied, she went on to search around tlc.com further - and amazingly found an email address for the show. She's never done anything like this before (to my knowledge) - and her tenacity floors me.

I never would have known she took it this far, had I not been looking for that email I sent several months ago. Ever since I found out what she did, she has asked me - no fewer than twice a day- if I've heard anything from Stacy or Clinton. Happily, my answer is always no...but what if that suddenly changes?? How many 9 year olds do you know who would carry things this far??
Without anymore conversation, I will share with you the email I found. I don't even know what else to say about it. Life with the childebeasts is never dull. That's for sure!

This is the actual email the Princess sent to someone at TLC. Can you imagine??
my mom needs a NEW wardrobe. she has a tragical wardrobe. help my mom. my mom needs new clothes. she always wears sweat pants and t shirts. and the t shirts are disgusting! she has nothing thats fancy. well nothing fancy that fits her. she needs new clothes. definitely new clothes. all she sleeps in is a t shirt and boxers. she needs help! she dyed her hair RED. she needs new clothes. help me. help my mom. help my mom get new clothes. my mom's name is katherine. she needs help. BAD.

The Real Cycle of Life