3 Time-Saving eBay Tips to Streamline Your Holiday Selling!

This post is sponsored by Seller Ledger; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

As an eBay seller, the Q4 holiday season is your busiest time of the year.

But it doesn’t have to be overwhelmingly hectic! Here are three time-saving eBay tips to streamline your holiday selling. With these tools in your seasonal toolkit, you’ll be set for successful sales while enjoying more time with loved ones and focusing on what matters most during this profitable quarter.

Time-saving eBay Tip #1: Schedule What Matters Most!

Start by pulling out your calendar, whether it’s digital, paper, or both. Mark down any personal holiday activities that are important to you: caroling, cookie baking, tree-lighting events, taking grandkids to see Santa, or that annual office potluck. Make sure to add alerts so nothing slips through the cracks!

Personally, I prefer a digital calendar like Google, while my husband loves the classic paper kind with big daily squares. I make sure our holiday plans are noted in both, keeping us on the same page. For a little extra convenience, consider sharing your digital calendar with family members. This way, everyone’s in sync, and you can focus on enjoying the festivities!

Time-Saving eBay Tip #2: Use a Virtual Accountant to Save Time!

Give yourself a huge time-saving gift this season by automating your bookkeeping. If you’re still doing manual data entry, now’s the time to streamline! Many online sales platforms, including eBay, Amazon, and Etsy, integrate easily with accounting software like Seller Ledger. This software links directly to your seller account(s), handling sales and expenses for you — and it keeps getting smarter as you use it!

Just link your accounts to Seller Ledger, and let it classify your online sales, bank transactions, and even credit card statements. This software can also complete your IRS Schedule C form, so when tax season arrives, most of the work will already be done. And if you’re behind on your 2024 finances, Seller Ledger’s annual plan (with a two-month discount) can retrieve all your transactions for the year. Use THIS LINK and try it for free for 30 days, no credit card required!

Seller Ledger: Stress Free Bookkeeping for Sellers

Time Saving eBay Tip #3: Track What’s Selling Best Right Now

Check your sales every few days to stay on top of what’s moving fastest. Are Pink Floyd T-shirts trending? Maybe purple Christmas ornaments, kids’ snowsuits, or women’s sequined tops? Adjust your keywords and prices based on recent sold items. Want a free list of Holiday keywords for your listings and social? It’s included in my, “Top eBay Holiday Sales & Social Media Tips!” Click HERE to grab yours now.

Grab your free PDF, “Top eBay Holiday Sales & Social Media Tips!”

Got extra stock that matches these hot sellers? Get those listed quickly! Share links on social media to increase exposure. Maximize your profits by focusing on what’s in demand right now.

With these three easy tips, you’re ready to make the most of your holiday sales season. Here’s to a smoother, more profitable Q4!

 

eBay Open 2024: eBay Seller Conferences Continue!

The long and colorful history of eBay’s seller conferences continues this year with eBay Open 2024!

eBay Open 2024 is the latest in a long and vibrant series of eBay seller conferences. It all began with eBay Live! in Anaheim back in 2002, then moved to Orlando in 2003 with Weird Al Yankovic performing his eBay Song.

eBay Live! was in New Orleans in 2004, and then in San Jose in 2005 for eBay’s 10th birthday. eBay Live! Las Vegas, Chicago, and Boston followed. Highlights over the years included serenades from the E-Notes, clapping tunnels, an actual wedding, and celebrity performances by the B-52s and The Monkees’ Davy Jones.

When eBay ended its big eBay Live! events as of 2008, eBay Radio stepped in and hosted the eBay Radio Party & Conference in Las Vegas from 2009-2015.

Meanwhile, from 2010 through 2012, eBay held a series of smaller regional events called eBay: On Location.

Their tagline was,” You’re in Business.” On Location took place in Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Philadelphia and Orlando. In 2010, San Jose was included in honor of eBay’s 15th anniversary. 

In 2015, eBay leadership wisely returned to hosting live seller events.

eBay marked its 20th anniversary in San Jose with “We Are Twenty.” Sellers cheered; live mega-conferences were back! During that seller celebration, eBay founder Pierre Omidyar was regifted with the infamous broken laser pointer. It was the very first item ever sold on eBay, back when it debuted as AuctionWeb.

eBay Open conferences ran from 2015-2019.

Executive keynotes, workshops conducted by various eBay teams, and seller panels and third-party vendors anchored these events. Hundreds of eBay employees were on hand to answer seller questions in the Expo Hall.  eBay Radio broadcasted live from the event, and there was even a clapping tunnel

Then the pandemic shifted these popular seller events online.

With eBay Open now online, the eBay Community and Seller Events team stepped up their game. They took on the challenge of delivering an informative high energy virtual event. And every year, they knock the ball out of the park,, wowing attendees!

This year, eBay Open takes place on Wednesday-Thursday, September 25-26.

For details and to register, go to ebay.com/open. The night before —on Tuesday, September 24— 35 locations across the country will host eBay Open kickoff parties hosted by local seller groups. To see if there’s one near you, go to https://sellerevents.ebay.com/ebay-open-2024-kickoff-parties/.

Think of attending eBay Open as you would any other business conference.

eBay is picking up the tab, so there is no cost to attend eBay Open 2024! And since it’s online, it’s hassle free, no travel delays, no need to even pack a suitcase. In addition,  you don’t have pay for a plane ticket or hotel . To help you get the most out of this online event, I’ve created The eBay Open Seller Success Planner. It’s your road map to optimize your eBay Open experience. Download your complimentary copy HERE.

With the eBay Open Seller Success Planner, you’ll be guided through each day of eBay Open. Stay informed about all the events and options to maximize your experience!

 

Now get ready to have the time of your eBay life!

Women-Owned Businesses Thrive on eBay!

By virtually any standard of measurement, women-owned businesses thrive on eBay. In fact the company’s first CEO was a woman, Meg Whitman. She oversaw eBay’s rocket-ride transformation from quirky startup to multi-billion-dollar pioneering ecommerce powerhouse. Along the way, she empowered millions of fledgling businesswomen.

Although subsequent CEOs have been male, 34% of eBay’s global leadership positions are currently filled by women.

Three of the top nine executives on eBayInc.com’s Leaders page are women They’re all senior vice presidents in key positions. They are: Marie Oh Huber, Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel & Secretary; Stefanie Jay, Chief Business and Strategy Officer; and Julie Loeger, Chief Growth Officer.

Who are some of the top female sellers running businesses on eBay?

From 2016-2019, eBay’s seller recognition SHINE Awards celebrated the platform’s small and medium-size businesses. Laurie Ann Wong was the first seller Grand Prize winner. Her Reflections of Trinity was named eBay’s 2016 Small Business of the Year. 

The following year, in 2017, Angie Cardona-Nelson took home the Grand Prize. She was followed by Cori O’Steen in 2018 and Jodie Rosenbaum in 2019 — all woman entrepreneurs.

eBay is attractive to many women starting an online small business because it costs very little or nothing to begin.

Furthermore, sellers can list things they already have on hand. A wide array of items sell well on eBay. Saleable inventory ranges from all kinds of apparel to plush toys to trading cards, TV remotes as well as collectible trading cards. And don’t forget products for pets! In short, by selling on eBay, women can create a business on a shoestring, with minimal start-up costs

By contrast, financial hindrances stymie many women entrepreneurs who want to launch a business of their own. Female billionaire Kendra Scott frequently talks about the gender gap in attracting angel investors for female-owned enterprises.  She says, “Getting funding and getting taken seriously were significant roadblocks.” On eBay, there are no such gender roadblocks.

eBay is a natural fit for women-owned  businesses.

Whether full-time or part-time selling, eBay allows women flexibility, freedom and a low cost way to start a full time or part time hustle.  eBay sellers work at their own pace, control their own schedule, and maintain their preferred work/life balance.

Want to find out how to turn your clutter into cash by selling it on eBay and keeping it out of landfills? You’re on your way with the help of my free guide, ” How to Start Selling on eBay.” Download your complimentary copy HERE.

 

How to Start Selling on eBay!

 

In eBay Inc.’s 2022 Small Business Report states that women are 13% more likely than men to say that eBay is essential to their business. And they are 7% more likely to say that eBay played a big role in starting their business.

Women in Small Business-eBay Small Business Report! (Photo: Courtesy of eBay)

According to eBay Main Street, “[On eBay,] small businesses owned by women are not just trade equals; as a group, they generally outperform the rate of eBay small businesses overall.” 

Further the study reports, “Women entrepreneurs on eBay are building successful business enterprises for the long haul.

They’re pretty happy about that, too. In fact, a survey by Inc. magazine found that female entrepreneurs in the US rank their happiness three times higher than that of women who are neither entrepreneurs nor business owners.

And with all that happiness, once up and running on eBay, women step right into exporting around the globe.  Here are some of those detailed in eBay Main Street’s 2022 US Women-Owned Small Online Business Export Report:

US Women-Owned Small Online Business Export Report (Photo: Courtesy of eBay)

 

97% of eBay’s female sellers export to an average of 15 countries, compared to 96% of male sellers.

By contrast, less than 1% of small businesses nationwide export, and then only to an average of 4 countries

55% of women-owned small businesses on eBay export to 10 or more countries, vs 51% of small businesses on eBay overall and 8% of businesses in the USA

eBay is reducing everyday barriers that have traditionally locked small businesses, including women-owned small businesses, into their local market,” explains Cathy Foster, VP of eBay Government Relations.

Shoppers across the country and around the world are now available to small women-owned enterprises regardless of where they call home,” she continues. “We are committed to providing women-owned small businesses with the means and opportunities to grow their operations and create wealth in their own communities.”

Kendra Scott shared, “In our world today, there are still so many barriers that women face—whether cultural, financial or self-imposed. My mission as a woman, a founder, and an entrepreneur, is to break down those barriers and clear the path for other female leaders to follow—to empower women to achieve their dreams, whatever that may be, and pass on the wisdom I’ve learned through my own journey.”

eBay welcomes and nurtures its women owned businesses. In short, women owned businesses thrive on eBay!

So, now is the time to get busy listing and selling on eBay!

 

 

Spring Cleaning for eBay Sellers!

Spring is springing from coast to coast, and that means it’s time for spring cleaning for eBay sellers!

So grab your virtual feather duster, and let’s get busy brushing up, and spring cleaning your eBay listings!

For spring cleaning for eBay sellers, we start with your listings.

It’s time for clearing cobwebs away from keywords, dusting off descriptions, and polishing up your pictures.

Go your Active Listings page in Seller Hub, and sort by date, oldest first. If an item has been listed for more than six months, ask yourself one simple question: Is it rare, collectible, and/or unusual?

If so, then click REVISE, and cast a critical eye over the entire listing: Did you overlook any juicy keywords when crafting your title? Do your pictures do justice to this wonderful item, showcasing it from all angles against a clean (preferably white) background? Does your description include all of the necessary details? Did you fill out the appropriate item specifics? Is your item listed in the right category?

If an item is NOT rare/collectible/unusual, end the listing.

Then relist it using SELL SIMILAR, reviewing and revising it as needed to improve the title, item specifics, description, and/or photos. This will make eBay’s search engine see your listing as brand new, not that same tired item that sat for six months with nary a nibble.

My YouTube video eBay Listing Smackdown: Relist vs Sell Similar? explains the difference between the two options. Check it out HERE.

 

While you’re sweeping your shelves clear of stale listings, it’s a good idea to do a little housekeeping around your inventory management as well.

Can you actually put your hands on every single item you’ve got listed? It can’t sell if it isn’t listed. But it can’t ship if you can’t find it! And are your listed items staying pristine while they’re stored and waiting to sell?

While Spring Cleaning for eBay sellers, it’s wise to use the SYI (Sell Your Item) form’s handy Custom Label (SKU) field!

It’s the perfect spot to record the item’s location.

It’s the perfect place for that information. Use it rather than putting it in the title or description. It saves that valuable real estate for keywords and relevant details about the item itself. The Custom Label field is for your eyes only.

You can include other key details in the SKU field, too.

I note the month and year I bought the item, where I bought it (“SA” for Salvation Army, “GW” for Goodwill, etc.), and the price. This way I can tell at a glance how long I’ve had the item and how much it cost. This is essential information if I receive an offer or when I’m marking down items for a sale.

Once you’re got your listings squared away, it’s time to refresh yourself as well.

Selling online can be a lonely endeavor. Furthermore, the daily grind of listing, selling, and shipping can wear us down. You know what they say about all work and no play!

Why not treat yourself to a day at eBay Seller Camp?

It’s 90 minutes of fun and info-packed minutes with me as your Head Counselor. It’s absolutely FREE. In Camp, learn the swim of what’s scoring sales on eBay right now.  Come hike through the latest social selling tactics. And explore the art of crafting listings that get your items sold fast, for top dollar; and leave you wanting s’more.

It’s all happening LIVE in the eBay Seller Camp pop-up Facebook group on Monday, May 1, at 2:30pm ET (1:30pm CT; 12:30pm MT; 11:30am PT).

I’ll be recording the entire hour and a half, so you can watch the replay for several days afterwards and soak up all the Seller Camp goodness and camaraderie.

Catch the camp bus by signing up HERE.

Once you’re on the bus, you’ll get your Welcome to Seller Camp workbook. You’ll also receive a link to join the private Facebook group, and even a nifty eBay Seller Camp badge. I can’t wait to see you around the campfire!

Yes to signing up for the free eBay Seller Summer Camp!

eBay Seller’s Bad Weather Preparedness!

In a world where bad weather strikes somewhere every day, your business on eBay needs to be prepared to ride out any storms that may come your way.

It pays to plan ahead. Here are five tips for battening down the hatches. Read on for your eBay seller’s bad weather preparedness checklist!

Your first action for your eBay seller’s extreme weather preparedness is to use Time Away.

Put your business on Time Away, and set up an autoresponder message as well. You can opt to allow sales for up to 15 days or shut down your store altogether, putting purchasing on pause for up to 30 days. If you’re facing uncertain times, you don’t need the stress of having to ship sold items.

Time Away is available to all eBay sellers, whether or not you have a store.

It’s  also included in the eBay Mobile app. If you have an eBay store, go to Time Away under the Store tab on your Seller Hub Overview Page. Or you can go to My Messages and click “Change settings” in the upper right-hand corner. Either way, you’ll end up at Time Away. here’s what eBay says about this tool.


It’s better to overestimate how much Time Away you’ll need. You can always end it early. It may take a few hours for your Fixed Price listings to be hidden when Time Away starts and to reappear when it ends. I’ve used Time Away with great success. HERE is my video reporting my results and sharing some bonus tips.

 

Note that Time Away does not adjust delivery dates for accepted Best Offers, Second Chance Offers, accepted seller-initiated offers, athletic shoes eligible for eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee, or items with local pickup or GSP set as shipping options. You’ll need to change the handling time and/or shipping option for those listings.

Next, protect your inventory.

How is it stored? Cardboard boxes don’t provide much protection at the best of times. Consider upgrading to plastic bins ASAP, before disaster strikes. Get your items up off the floor, too, preferably onto sturdy metal shelves. Raise the bottom shelf if you’re worried about flooding.

Step three is back up your data to the cloud.

That way you can access it from wherever you happen to be, and nothing will be lost. You might also want to give your most essential passwords to a trusted family member, employee, or friend so that they can check customer messages for you if you’re unable to do so.

Step four is visit the ATM so you have ample cash on hand.

Make sure you’ve refilled any prescriptions for necessary medications. Fill up the gas tank of your vehicle (or vehicles). Charge up your devices along with whatever you have in the way of power bars or other portable chargers. If the electricity goes out in your area, your smartphone will become an essential lifeline.

 

Be ready when bad weather strikes eBay seller with this 5 point check list!

 

And finally, stay safe!

 Your personal safety — and your family’s safety — are more important than any sale.  The Red Cross has an abundance of emergency tips for different weather situations that can be helpful. Keep up with news bulletins (including eBay announcements, if possible), follow the authorities’ recommendations, execute your business preparedness plan, and focus on safety first.

Once the weather changes for the better, you can reopen your store, welcome shoppers, and get back to business as usual.

 

eBay Seller Best Holiday Moneymaking Tips!

It’s that time of year again, eBay seller: Shoppers are searching for the perfect gift to put under the holiday tree for their special someone.

Now it’s up to you to make it more likely that YOUR item is the one they find — and choose to buy. But how? The answer are these eBay seller best Holiday moneymaking tips!

For starters on the topic of eBay seller best Holiday moneymaking tips, remember: It can’t sell if it isn’t listed.

Look through your unlisted inventory. Is there anything holiday themed? Or in holiday colors (i.e., red and green, blue and silver or white, etc.)? If so, then list it NOW!

Furthermore, consider adding that newly listed item to a Promoted Listings Standard campaign.

According to eBay, a listing in Promoted Listing Standard Campaign is twice as likely to sell. You can set your PL standard fee as low as 2%, and you only pay if the item sells. You can even boost the price a bit to cover the PL standard fee.

The option to promote a listing in a Promoted Listing Standard Campaign — and specify your desired percentage — is in the final section of the SYI (Sell Your Item) form. Also you can create a Promoted Listing Standard campaign and add items in bulk from the Promotions tab of your Seller Hub Overview page.

Speaking of price, it’s a good idea to include enough wiggle room that you can add Best Offer to your listing.

Best Offer is another good way to increase the likelihood that your item will sell, and sell quickly! You can still make a profit and also get the benefit of quick turnover.

Next, scan the titles of your active listings. eBay gives you 80 characters altogether. You should be using 75-80 of them. If any of your titles fall short, revise them to add more keywords. Not sure what keywords to add? Do a search on eBay for similar items, then filter by Sold to see what keywords have worked for other sellers.

Another eBay seller best Holiday tip is to check Terapeak.

It’s under the Research tab on the Overview page in Seller Hub. Put a couple of keywords describing your item into the text field, then search to find comparable sold items.

Be sure to follow other best practices for eBay titles as well: Front-load the most important keywords, because eBay’s mobile app truncates titles, and don’t forget “the noun” (what the item is). Think “Keyword Keyword Keyword”, in title case — never ALL CAPS.

There’s no need for punctuation; titles don’t have to read like a sentence.

And for goodness’ sake, don’t waste characters on nonsense like L@@K, Wow, special characters, or emojis!

Pro tip: If you include the word Christmas in your title, be aware that Cassini (eBay’s search engine) considers Christmas and Xmas to be the same keyword. Using Xmas frees up five characters, and your listing will still pop up when shoppers search for Christmas.

 

eBay Seller Best Holiday Moneymaking Tips!

 

An eBay seller best Holiday tip is find fresh inventory!

Be sure to shop holiday clearance events both locally and online. Don’t overlook pop-up stores, church bazaars, and flea markets. Then list your newly acquired inventory ASAP. Again, consider promoting those new listings and/or adding Best Offer.

In addition, if you have multiple quantities of an item, consider adding a Volume Discount to encourage multi-quantity purchases: Save x% on 2, y% on 3, z% on 4 or more. (You set the percentage of the discount.)

Both Volume Discount and Promoted Listings can be added to your listing from the very last module of the SYI (Sell Your Item) form on your desktop or mobile device.

These proven, actionable strategies will literally pay off for you right now in your business on eBay.

 


Your free 12 Days of Christmas eBay Money Making Tips!

Want even more ways to optimize your Q4 sales — and maximize your Q4 profits? Download your complimentary copy of The eBay Seller’s 12 Days of Christmas Holiday Moneymaking Tips!

Be sure to include things in your plans tat make the Holiday season meaningful to you. Is that  a Christmas service, neighborhood caroling or volunteering at a local no kill shelter or food bank?

Here’s to you having a fruitful and meaningful Holidays!

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