i did not post yesterday

And I’m glad to see the world didn’t implode. Life happened: I printed and hung up many millions of posters for a huge event we are having for Bonobo Kids…and then I went to the big Ag Fair on the Vineyard to drop something off and got sucked in to working with my good friend Susan Gibbs of the Martha’s Vineyard Fiber Farm. Then I was a mom for several hours and finally turned on my computer to deal with email around 10pm.

But, I missed my blog and I’m ever so happy to be back! I’m guessing you all survived…

Filed under News | Tags: Ag Fair, bonobo kids, copywriting, Julie Roads, Marketing, martha's vineyard, MV Fiber Farm, Writing Roads | Comments (2)

real people, not Paris, using video and thriving on web 2.0

Here’s an example of someone, not Paris, succeeding online with video. Etsy just produced this mini-documentary of my friend Susan Gibbs and her revolutionary MV Fiber Farm which is the world’s first natural fiber CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). This past Sunday it was the featured video on YouTube‘s hompage – garnering  129,536 views as of this morning. Besides Susan’s amazing story, there is an exciting delivery in this tale…around the 1/2 way point of the vid.

Susan has grown the CSA almost entirely online (save the Martha’s Vineyard local farmer’s markets) – through her blog, website, store and online communities like Etsy. Some highlights from the first year:

• Sold three rounds of shares (2 falls, 1 spring – actually this fall’s shares are going like hotcakes right now if you’re interested!)
• Raised over $10,000 on her blog to help pay for an electric wheelchair for her uncle – in ONE week
• Doubled the size of the flock
• Featured in an article on the front page of the Wall Street Journal
• Spotlighted in Women’s World Magazine (which surprisingly has one of highest circulations of any magazine in the country)
• Promoted & supported by the awesome crew at Etsy who, amongst many other things, created the video
• Currently negotiating a book deal
• Built a strong and loyal community of knitters, crafters, weavers, spinners – and lamb and sheep lovers

Not bad, Susan, not bad at all. I wish I could say that I taught her everything she knows, but she is this brilliant and talented all by herself. Visit Susan and become part of the CSA at www.mvfiberfarm.com.

Filed under Marketing, News | Tags: angora goats, community supported agriculture, copywriting, CSA, Etsy, freelance copywriter, internet marketing, Julie Roads, knitting, marketing writer, martha's vineyard, MV Fiber Farm, online video, sheep, Social Media, Susan Gibbs, Wall Street Journal, Women's World Magazine, Writing Roads, YouTube | Comment (0)