Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Don't Colour Outside The Lines.

You don't know what you don't know until you find out.

That's been my whole experience of setting up this business venture. I didn't know so much - and it's lucky that I was so pig-ignorant because I may have been even more daunted by what lay ahead. Ignorance can be bliss.

The website display issue I had turned out to be an easy one to fix. Thanks to Raj, who I'm pretty sure was sitting typing at his laptop in his boxer shorts in his lounge room. At least I hope he was wearing boxer shorts. For hygiene reasons. And because of the three playful cats who can't resist suspended soft toys.

Is my stereotyping showing?

Anyway, Raj asked me specifically what display issues I was having. So I told him about the website being cut off on smaller monitors. And my confusion because I'd figured that what was on my screen would surely just be shrunk to fit whatever the viewer was viewing on.

I'm pretty sure I heard eye-rolling over our internet connection. And hysterical, disbelieving laughter. Then a deep, pull-it-all-together-and-try-to-act-professional-mate breath. And then he calmly typed in a few questions.

"What have you done to try to fix this?"

Nothing - apart from considering asking everyone who complained about the display to get the same size monitor as me.

"Can you see the vertical and horizontal lines on the website template?"

Of course I can. I'm just techno-stupid, not blind.

"You must keep all of your content between those lines."


Ah! Light bulb goes on and all is clearly visible. So computers don't actually encourage you to colour outside the lines just because you're feeling creative. Not like that grade 5 teacher that I had who used to wear patchwork hippy skirts with embroidered tops and vests whose name I can no longer remember because it's been pushed out by all this newly-learnt computer stuff. Those lines weren't just there to help me line things up symmetrically.

It did make me wonder if I should have pressed publish on the day that I'd set as my "I'd like to have it up and running by then' date. But if I hadn't pressed publish I wouldn't have gotten the feedback that it wasn't quite right for everyone.

I also wondered momentarily if I should be embarrassed by presenting such an imperfect product to a world that expects perfection. Only momentarily though. Then I thought "Nah!" I'm so old that most of the pride's been beaten out of me and my boo-boos make good topics for blog posts. And just because the website isn't perfect doesn't mean that the tights aren't. I've been in the website business for all of two months but I've been making tights since I was pregnant with Josh 27 years ago. So I know what I'm doing there.

No orders yet but it's early days. I'm working on spreading the word. Hmmm - marketing. Another new skill to learn.

22 comments:

  1. That explains it! Hang in there Char. (I have an order planned - the only decision I have yet to make is which fabric to get... you ship internationally, right?)

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    1. I will ship internationally. No problems.

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    2. Fabulous! You now have a second (or third or fourth or fifth or something) online order. It's getting shipped to Singapore because we'll be there till mid-February. :)

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  2. Ooh am I first???? I know you have an order now - xs broadway stars & hearts tis me - even if you did colour outside the lines!!!!!!!!

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    1. You are the first. Thank you!! It hasn't come through as an email yet - a little concerning and something I have to look into. But because I knew to look I can find it in the shop.

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    2. Yay!! I got my confirmation email with invoice/receipt! Glad I can be an official test bunny!!!!!

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  3. Where is the link? I must be blind! I'll come back if you wouldn't mind directing me to it Char.

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  4. does the young lady come with the tight?

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    1. She's my niece. No inappropriate thoughts allowed.

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  5. I'm technologically challenged as well. I know some stuff but there's a lot I have NFI about!

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  6. So glad you got it sorted out!

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  7. Oh this screams ME. I am terrible with technology! I am glad you were able to get it sorted out!

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  8. I recognise that elephant. I am pretty sure I had a plastic stencil that I drew around and around when I was little. I love that the lines are ignored.

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  9. I am positive and sure your business will be a success. Maybe an idea: make flyers for the next race you are doing. Maybe you can leave them somewhere for people to pick them up.

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  10. Char you should contact FitApproach and maybe do a campaign with bloggers! Oh and I have 'heard' an eye roll from many a tech person over the phone!!!

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  11. I am right there with you on the tech thing. Many a computer person has rolled eyes at me. I have no doubt you're going to make a great go of it. Those tights are awesome!

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  12. I love following this process with you, Char! I know I keep saying it, but it is so inspiring to me to watch you take on this new venture. I'm making a bit of a transition myself, and the stupid computer issues drive me crazy! For a couple of years I couldn't get any comments to post - tried everything, including getting a "pro" to look at it. Then one day, magically pressed a random button and all the comments came back! So weird.

    Anyway, thanks for posting what all you're going through.

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  13. Love the new look for your site! Best for your new venture - tried the link, gotta let me know when it's up and "running"! (had to, sorry) Dive in like a marathon, you never know what the miles ahead will present, but you've done the planning and the prep to take you to at least 1/2 way. From there, you just keep looking ahead!

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