Do you blog? If so, you simply MUST offer this

Do you keep a blog? If so, you simply must offer to send your blog to RSS feed readers and offer an email option too. I have been reading blog after blog lately, and I find some that I really enjoy but can never seem to remember to go back there. I am a techie doh-doh-head and can't figure out how to use RSS so if a blogger doesn't offer to send their blog to my email, more than likely I don't make it back very often.
Of course, as with every rule, the exception is twitter. IF I'm following you on twitter, and IF you tweet a link to a new post, more than likely I'll read it, but that is alot of ifs.
When I run across a blog I like, I always bookmark it, but rarely think to go through all my bookmarks and check for new posts. Having it emailed to me keeps me in the loop. Don't you want your readers in the loop?
Even though I don't know how to use an RSS reader, I have set up my blogs to transmit the feed. Make sure you do that too for those who prefer that option.
I'm sure that there are plenty of companies that will deliver your blog posts to subscriber's email addresses, but the one I use is feedburner. I absolutely love it and setting it up couldn't have been easier. (Plus it is free!)
If you notice over there ---> there is a box to sign up with your email address? That is what feedburner does. Once you get set up, every time you post, it will be delivered via email to your subscribers. easy peasy.
If you have a blog and you don't offer these two things... go do it now.
Then, send me a link to your blog so I can sign up.

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Shamless self promotion:

Items for sale on eBay under user id Shelley-Faye

Items for sale on eBay under user id Love2DressUp

Items for sale on Etsy under user id KitschyAprons

Some of my thoughts about why people fail at selling online

Yesterday I was "let go" from my part time side job. I'm a little bummed about the loss of extra income but I must admit I saw it coming months ago.
Thankfully, I knew it was coming so I had already re-structured my budget to account for it.
My job with X company (sorry, I'm just way to loyal to say) was to ship out their products for them and keep track of sales. I did not create the stites nor do any marketing for this company other than writing a blog post once a week. I wasn't paid much to do this, but I accepted the job because I already had all of the necessary things in place from my own business that shipping out another companies products was not a big deal. I would say I was paid appropriately for the work I did.
I was laid off because the company just wasn't selling any products. and yes, I mean NONE. The owner sat down with me several times to strategize about things that could be done to increase sales but didn't take action on any of my suggestions. Now, I'd love to say "I told you so" but again, that loyalty thing. Plus, I really like the people who own this company.

So, I've compiled a list of X company's mistakes so that hopefully, someone else can benefit from them:

1. not answering email. If you run an online business (even if it is just selling one product on eBay, treat it as a business!), you simply MUST answer your emails. This is crucial. The acceptable response time for an email question is shrinking. No one should ever have to wait over 24 hours for an email response (with the exception of major holidays). If the question the customer is asking is a difficult one that needs research, respond letting them know that you are on the case.

2. blaming someone else. When you are selling a product, YOU are selling that product. The customer doesn't need to hear about whatever drama you have going on, they just want what they paid for. If something goes awry, make it right. No excuses.

3. product knowledge. I know this can be difficult for those eBay sellers who sell a wide variety of products, but even then, do what you can to get to know what you are selling. Never mis-represent or assume.

4. ill prepared for shipping. Plan how your product will be boxed or packaged before listing it for sale. If you need a certain size box, go ahead and purchase that ahead of time. Know what your shipping will cost you so that you can charge appropriately without undercutting your margins or gouging the customer.

5. lack of commitment. Your products are up for sale 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You cannot walk away for three weeks at a time. You must be promoting your shop at every opportunity. I'm not saying that you have to work all the time, but being involved is priceless.

6. misunderstanding of the web. The web changes constantly, no one is expecting you to be involved in every new idea or social network that comes out, but having no clue about shopping online is a bad idea. I see this alot with my eBay students. If you have never shopped online or even browsed around, please do not open an online shop without spending some time online first. More than likely, if you are reading this, I'm not talking to you. I'm talking about the folks that have no idea what a blog is.

7. not researching your market. Not knowing what an item is currently selling for online before you commit to selling it can be detrimental. There are plenty of products that sell for one price in a shop and a significantly different price online.

Feel free to add some mistakes that you've seen ................

I learned how to make animated pictures and banners --- here is one FREE!

Because I always have to one-up my baby brother, I taught myself how to do animated pictures and banners for the web. Ok, that really wasn't the plan, it just happened that way.
I was talking to my brother the other day, and told him that I taught myself how to make animated logos. He told me that this was his homework for the week (he is in school right now for graphic design) and that he hasn't figured it out yet.
Score.
I have no clue why I'm so competitive.
Anyway, I've created two that you can use in your eBay auctions or store banner if you so choose.

Above logo is 250 x 100 pixels and the html code is:

<a href="http://URL FOR YOUR STORES SALE SECTION GOES HERE" target="_blank"><img src="http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff153/addictedtorockabilly/Logos/sale_animated.gif" border="0" alt="Click Here for items on Sale" /></a>

The above logo is 600 x 200 pixels and the html code is:

<a href="http://URL FOR YOUR STORE SALE ITEMS GOES HERE" target="_blank"><img src="http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff153/addictedtorockabilly/Logos/sale-going-on-now_animated.gif" border="0" alt="Click Here for items on Sale" /></a>

Here are some instructions:

There are several ways to add it to your auction. If you use eBay's SYI form, I would suggest using the templette version, if you use a template or use Auctiva, you will need to add the html code into your template. Don't forget to add the URL for your store's sale items!

Templette Intructions:
In the *Describe the item you're selling section, click the drop down menu that says "Inserts", click "Create an Insert", a pop up window will come up. Name your insert then copy and paste the above code into the box. (Don't forget to add your store's sale item URL)
Then click Save.
Put your cursor where you would like your Sale banner to be and click the "Inserts" drop down menu and choose the Sale insert that you just added!

Adding a store banner Instructions:
In your store manager, click "Display Settings"
then click the Change button to the right of Store Header Display. Click Yes that you would like to include additional information, then change the tab below it to "Enter your own HTML"
Copy and paste the banner code into that box, click Save. Voila!

Don't forget to check your store and make sure it came up right and try the link to make sure it worked.

If you have trouble, comment here on the blog that way if others have the same problem, I'll know how to better give instructions for next time. :)

eBay in Person in Miami

This past Thursday I attended eBay in Person in Miami. I had a great time but it wasn't as "useful" for me as it could have been. I think it was very beneficial for sellers who are just starting out though. I'm sure that it would be very difficult to host an event like this and have it actually benefit sellers of multiple levels. I think it was probably best for the seller who is already selling but not at the poweseller level. The very green beginners seemed lost and people like myself were bored.
I rarely go down to Miami (I live in the next county North) so I mapquested how to get there. The travel time said 28 minutes. The event started at 9AM so I figured that estimate was way off and was right, it took me 1 hour 17 minutes. I managed to get there without getting lost trying to get out of the parking garage! I took the stairs instead of the elevator and ended up on a street where I couldn't even see the building I was supposed to be in. How embarrassing.
They had coffee and pastries and all the eBay people were there mingling. eBay does a wonderful job of showcasing the friendliest people on their staff. Either that company is the most fantastic place to work with all those positive people, or they just leave all the bad apples back at the office.
There were three sessions. Shipping, DSRs and Search Standings. Ok, so they had better names than that, but I'm just too lazy to go dig out my flyer to find out the exact name. Sorry.
Shipping was pretty basic but I think may have reached some folks. The nice thing was that they had Q & A and had a representative from the USPS and UPS on hand. Apparently the USPS will be introducing a new flat rate box. A smaller one this time, but they haven't decided on a price yet.
The things they talked about in the DSRs session seemed like common sense to me, but most everyone I talked to felt like that one helped them the most. I can sum it all up by saying "think like a buyer". I disagree with them about the "free shipping" to increase DSRs though. For some silly reason, I don't think it helps.
The findings session was the one that was probably most useful to me. They did a great job breaking down and explaining how their best match algorithm works. I feel like I've got a better grasp on it now.
They served lunch and appetizers at the end. The thing was set up very nicely and I met quite a few very interesting people. At the opening intro they identified all the Education Specialists, all three of us, so this gave folks an opportunity to approach us with questions. I found this to be nice because usually I'm pretty shy so having people approach me helped break the ice.
Overall, I thought the event was fun and I'll definitely participate again.

eBay in Person!!!!

To be quite honest, I had never heard of this event before. On Sunday, one of my clients asked me was I going. Huh? I had no clue that such an event even existed! I tried looking around the site to find out about it. Nothing.
Pretty sad that I know as much as I do about eBay but have no clue how to find this sort of thing.
So, today, I get an email from eBay inviting me to attend. Yay!
Of course I will attend! If I soak up a tenth of the knowledge and motivation that I got from eBay Live in Chicago it will be worth spending a day in Miami.
If you'd like to join me at eBay in Person in Miami, here is the info:

The event: eBay in Person
The place: Hyatt Regency Miami
The date: Thursday, September 25th; 9AM to 5PM
The cost: $25.00
Website to register: http://www.inpersonevents.com/miami

If you are not in the South Florida area, you can try google-ing "ebay in person" and the closest major city to you.

Custom Search

7 tips for using eBay's email Marketing effectively - Dos and Don'ts

I've been putting more time, thought and effort into planning my email campaigns. I started my research with checking out the competition (and my favorite sellers, friends, family & past students too). I've now got a pretty long list of "Favorite Sellers" that I'm subscribed to. Some send great stuff and make me wish I were that good, others.... well, you know.
I've compiled a list of tips here to help you tweak your eBay emails too:

1. You simply MUST put either your user id or your store name (or both) into the subject line. If you don't go in an manually do this, your emails go out like this:
If your email is going to someone who gets their email on their phone or who gets alot of emails a day, they may never open this up. The subject line is "eBay seller Email: Check out my Newly Listed Items". Whos newly listed items? Why should I care? Let them know so they will open it up!

2. Brand your emails. Put your logo on them, make them look like your listings as much as you can. See mine:
If you've shopped with me before, you've seen my logo and right away, you know who this email is from. This is super easy to do, eBay gives you the option of putting your store header in your emails... you just gotta click the box! (Also notice that I've got my store name and the brand name of one of my biggest sellers in the title?)

3. If you are advertising a $0.99 auction sale or a special something or other, please make sure that those items are the ones that show up in the email. It is frustrating to get an email from a seller who goes on and on about these great tops that just arrived and it sounds like something I'm interested in but when I scroll down, the only things featured are shoes. Nothing wrong with shoes, but why are you telling me about tops when the only thing I can click are shoes? Use the preview button to be sure witch items will show up first.

4. Don't include your feedback banner if you've recently gotten a really nasty feedback or don't have a good DSR percentage. If yours are wonderful, go ahead, include it.

5. If you are like me and too lazy (or too busy) to send out stuff as often as you should, make sure that at the very least you have your system set up to automatically send out "Newest Items" bi-weekly.

6. Go back in and check your settings every so often because your business may have taken a turn (I went from selling costumes to ticket stubs but still had a message about costumes months later....oops) or eBay may have added a feature.

7. Put a link to sign up for your newsletter or to save you as a favorite seller (or both) in every listing.

8. (Bonus tip) Spellcheck, grammar check and don't use ALL CAPS.

changes changes changes, what should I do?

This year eBay has pushed the limits on my flexibility. It seems like I've had to re-think my business plan every time I turn around. Most of the changes haven't made significant impact, and have been relatively easy to adjust to, but goodness, it is exhausting and difficult to keep up with. I'm very positive and flexible but I'm downright irritated this time. I think I will actually like these next round of changes in the long run, but it is going to take a major adjustment in my business plan and way of conducting business on eBay on a day to day basis.
I've been pouring over concepts and plans for two weeks now and still haven't nailed down my game plan.
Then, on top of that, it has put yet another stall in my Education Specialist plans. I had organized to teach two classes in September but have cancelled (or I guess.... 'postponed' would be a better word) them both because I haven't wrapped my head around the changes enough to teach them just yet.
Sorry for the gripe. My next post will be more positive once I get this all figured out.