That means it’s time to get down to business and sell, sell, sell. Yes, states are beginning to modify or even lift restrictions on retail stores, but safe shopping practices are still the order of the day. Check out the National Retail Federation (NRF) guidelines for brick-and-mortar retailers.
The good news for you, eBay seller, is that millions of consumers are choosing to shop online.
So your eBay 4th quarter could be amazing! Here are four things you can do to help make that happen.
First, be aware that products that may not have been big sellers in the past are now hot, hot, hot. Use Terapeak and eBay’s Advanced Search function to check prices and trends. In most cases, it’s best to look at recent prices, because prices from last year could be very different than what they are now. After all, a lot has changed since then!
Second, here’s a heads-up regarding Halloween: Don’t stock up on Halloween costumes; instead, think home décor! Because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, there will be much less traditional trick-or-treating this year. But there’ll be plenty of folks staying at home, so decorations and seasonally themed items should continue to be in high demand.
Third, it’s true that all four seasons sell well on eBay all year round. However, right now many shoppers are looking for Fall and Winter items. If you have any unlisted inventory, this is the time to sort through it with an eye towards the Q4 calendar.
For example, do you have any sweaters, coats, boots, and/or other Fall and Winter clothing on hand? If so, get those items listed ASAP!
Its 20 pages list dozens of items thatwill keep selling throughout the holiday season. Print out this handy guide, then take it with you to thrift and consignment stores, wholesale sources, or your favorite top-secret destination for retail arbitrage.
So there’s your four-part plan of attack for eBay 4th Quarter:
Holiday shoppers are already flocking to eBay in search of the perfect gift for everyone on their list! eBay has mentioned the uptick in Holiday shopping several times in their eBay for Business podcast. After a challenging year spent mostly at home, people are really looking forward to the holidays.
To make the most of what’s shaping up to be a very busy and very prosperous 2020 Holiday season, smart sellers plan ahead — starting right now.
So, here are three top tips for maximizing your eBay Holiday sales a success!
1- To begin, whip your workspace into tiptop shape. Review and analyze your eBay workflow. Furthermore, can you improve your inventory management? Revamp your desk logistics? Update your shipping area? So, could you streamline any of your processes in any way(s)? What tweaks, changes, or refinements might help you to be more efficient and productive during the upcoming holiday rush? Implement these changes now, while you still have time to do so!
And speaking of shipping, savvy sellers are prepared for holiday shipping snags. Stamps.com gives eBay sellers the gift of a free subscription; all you pay for is the postage you purchase (at a discounted rate). Grab your complimentary Stamps.com eBay seller account via my referral link. If the Grinch throws a glitch into eBay Labels, you’ll still be ready to ship on time! Hereare more tips for Holiday shipping .
Along with ensuring your workspace is shipshape, also order your holiday shipping supplies. Will 2020 be the year you offer to gift-wrap sold items?
So, If you’re an eBay Store subscriber, be sure to useyour quarterly coupon for eBay-branded shipping supplies. Further, to add an extra-festive touch to your packages this year, eBay is also offering special 25th anniversary supplies. Use my affiliate links and Check out the special edition thank-you postcards and stickers via their 25th Anniversary Store.
2- List holiday items ASAP.
Christmas goodies and Hannukah treasures sell all year ‘round. Additionally there’s always a big uptick starting in September that continues through December.
Don’t be late to the holiday party! However you source —wholesalers, thrift stores, auctions, garage and/or estate sales, retail arbitrage, and/or online arbitrage — be on the lookout for traditional holiday–themed décor.
With all of the turbulence this year and in the world right now, people yearn for cozy comforts of Christmas Past. So keep an eye out for ornaments, wreaths, and garlands. Also in demand now are home accessories and bric-a-brac; tableware. Table, bed linens;chachkes and apparel with a traditional holiday vibe are all hot sellers.Who doesn’t love an Ugly Christmas Sweater? And remember, Thanksgiving is a holiday, too!
3- Get a road map for the your eBay holiday selling season.
Seller plot your route to maximum sales.Come join me September 8-13, 2020 for my FREE 2020 eBay Holiday Sales Success Boot Camp. From sourcing the most saleable inventory to creating the most effective listings to promoting your eBay store and items via social media, it’s going to be a chock-full cornucopia of practical tips and proven strategies for achieving your best holiday selling season ever.
Yes, there is amazing Pinterest power for eBay sellers.
Pinterest power is a must use tool for eBay sellers!
Let’s start from the beginning. If you’re like many eBay sellers, when you think of promoting your items and store via social media, you probably think of Facebook. But you really should think of Pinterest, too. Why? Because Pinterest power is pure gold for eBay sellers.
Pinterest users utilize Pinterest like a search engine to discover, browse, and shop for coveted items.
More than 200 billion pins have been saved on Pinterest.
Pinterest’s user base grew by 26% last year, to 335 million users worldwide.
43% of U.S. internet users have a Pinterest account.
Pinterest is now the third largest social networking site in the U.S.
It is right behind Facebook and Instagram. High-income households are nearly twice as likely as low-income households to use Pinterest. There are more than 200 billion searches on Pinterest each month.
Those are some pretty impressive numbers! But what’s most relevant to you as an eBay seller is that nearly half of all Pinterest users (48%) are there to shop. Sharing content, networking, and news all rank as lower priorities. By contrast, shopping is only the 7th most popular activity on Facebook (14%) or Instagram (10%).
So how do you create pins that harness Pinterest power?
The secret to getting repins & sales from Pinterest!
What is the secret to Pinterest pins get clicked and shopped? First of all, make sure you have a Pinterest business account. They’re free, and they come with terrific analytics.
Second, make sure your picture really pops. According to HootSuite, 85% of Pinterest users put visuals first when shopping. Look at the photos in your eBay listing. Which stands out the most to you? Use that one!
Third, think like a buyer. Why would someone purchase your item? What reasons might they have for wanting it? Then write your description accordingly. Remember, Pinterest is all about discovery.
Fourth, be sure to include a link to your item’s listing on eBay. Consider using an EPN (eBay Partner Network) link, so that you can potentially earn a free final value fee or even a commission from eBay. For the full scoop on how using EPN links can pay off for you,download a copy of my EPN Guide for eBay sellers.
Fifth and finally, find out from a leading Pinterest expert what works best. Top Pinterest marketer Meagan Williamson, not only manages various brand accounts, she’s also someone to whom Pinterest turns for feedback when they’re working on a new product or functionality.
Free Pinterest workshop series – The PIn Potential Summit!
It is a power-packed event that’s absolutely free to attendees. Scheduled for August 18-20, 2020, this virtual conference will feature 35 top-notch speakers, including Pinterest team leaders. Sign up ASAP via my affiliate link.
Once you’re signed up, be ready to learn how to use Pinterest to its fullest and most profitable potential.
I can’t wait for you to put newfound knowledge to work, and start pinning your way to more eBay sales!
It’s time for eBay 2020 Back to School shopping time as we’re nearing the end of July.
The eBay 2020 shopping season has begun!
As an eBay seller, you well know that your business life revolves around the retail calendar. Like everything else this year, the eBay 2020 Back to School retail moment will be very different due to the ongoing nationwide Coronavirus pandemic.
According to The National Retail FederationBack To School spending will be over 33 billion dollars this year. That’s well over last year’s 26.2 billion dollars. Most of the shopping will be done online.
Where and how kids will be attending school in the Fall remains uncertain. Some schools will conduct classes online either all or part of the time; other schools are planning to stagger physical classes. Home schooling probably will continue to be an option as well.
But shopping for back-to-school items still starts NOW.
What does that mean for eBay sellers?
It means that going forwardthrough early September, back-to-school supplies and clothing are going to be in high demand! Think backpacks, notebooks, sports equipment, electronics, apparel, and more. In addition to those traditional necessities, non-medical masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes will also be on parents’ shopping lists.
To help you source back-to-school inventory that sells, I’ve put together a free guide to eBay 2020 back-to-school products.
You can download itHERE.Meanwhile, here are some guidelines to keep in mind.
Clothing probably will be more casual than in previous years. Not all schoolchildren will be attending classes in person. For example, teachers and students interacting via an online platform may need to have a certain look from the waist up. But they can sport something very different from the waist down.So shorts, leggings, and sweatpants are likely to be part of the 2020 school uniform.
School sports have been impacted by the pandemic, too. Those that allow for social distancing, such as tennis and baseball, will most likely see higher equipment sales. The contact sports of football, soccer and volleyball look to be less popular this year.
Also liable to be hot tickets for are electronic devices: laptops, tablets,smartphones, etc.
You don’t necessarily have to source the gadgetsthemselves. Instead, add some of their many accessories to your virtual store shelves. Remember, kids and parents are spending a lot of time at home right now, and that doesn’t look like it’s going to change anytime soon.
Crafts supplies for school projects will be in demand as well for eBay 2020 Back To School shoppers.
You can often find excellent deals on this type of item at your local drugstore, grocery store, or office supplies outlet.
Furthermore, the availability of certain products tends to differ in different parts of the country. For instance, those glitter markers you see in abundance in your area may be rare — and highly coveted by buyers! — in other locales.
Another strategy to consider is bundling back-to-school items.
Back To School Supplies bundles sell on eBay!
Put together a listing for a colorful ring binder, notebook paper, and notebook pocket folders along with coordinating pens, pencils, and erasers. Or perhaps a backpack complete with a starter kit of supplies: a multi-subject notebook, pen and pencil set, highlighter, and attachable charm, such as a tiny plush unicorn or teddy bear.
Getting creative will literally pay off, becauseyour unique listings will stand out in the crush of back-to-school search results.
eBay sellers have a moneymaker with eBay affiliate marketing!
It is eBay’s affiliate marketing program, eBay Partner Network. If you’re like most eBay sellers, you wouldn’t say no to an additional revenue stream. That’s why I’m going to introduce you to affiliate marketing and the eBay Partner Network (EPN). Because who doesn’t like to make money even when they’re asleep? And with EPN, you can both make money and save money! In short, EPN is an eBay seller moneymaker.
Affiliate marketing is one of the very first types of performance-based online marketing.
Back in the very early days of the internet, a lot of online marketing was pay-per-click: If somebody clicked on your link, you got paid. Maybe only a few cents, but those clicks added up.
Unfortunately, not all of those clicks generated revenue for the companies whose links garnered them. So pay-per-click gave way to pay-per-sale: If somebody clicks on your link and it leads to a sale, then you get paid.
Lots of major companies (and plenty of not-so-major companies) offer affiliate marketing opportunities; it drives traffic to their site, and increased traffic means more sales.
Brands spend about 10% more every year. In 2020, companies that offer affiliate marketing are projected to collectively spend about $6.8 billion. In fact, 16% of all online sales are thanks to the impact of affiliate marketing. Why shouldn’t that include sales of your eBay items?
Basically, affiliate marketing is a referral program. Here’s how it works. It’s as easy as 1-2-3:
First find a product you like. Next, Promote it to others. Finally, earn a commission for each resulting sale
For eBay sellers, though, there is now an additional benefit if you do affiliate marketing through the eBay Partner Network (EPN for short).
EPN is eBay’s affiliate marketing program. You don’t have to be an eBay seller to be participate, but if you are an eBay seller, there is a brand-new advantage to doing so: Not only can you earn money promoting your items (as well as those of other sellers), you can also save money on eBay fees.
eBay sellers road map to free final value fees!
That’s because eBay is rolling out a new feature for EPN: If a shopper clicks on one of your EPN affiliate links for your own item, then buys the item within 24 hours, your Final Value Fee (FVF) will be 0%. In other words, you get a free FVF from eBay! Depending upon what categories you sell in, that means about 10% of the item price goes right back into your pocket. Wouldn’t you like to make 10% more on what you sell?
Setting up an affiliate marketing campaign isn’t rocket science, but there are a few things you should know before you get started.
And once you do get started, there are certain guidelines to follow, along with some rules of thumb.
That’s why I’ve created an exclusive guide to making money through the eBay Partner Network. It’s called EPN Guide- eBay Partner Network: a Moneymaker for eBay Sellers. This hit guide is your road map to making EPN pay off for your business on eBay!
Cheer the cha ching of sales and free final fees, using affiliate marketing links from EPN!
This year, thanks to the ongoing restrictions imposed by the corona virus pandemic, the typical eBay sales slowdown doesn’t seem to be happening.
As Senior Vice President and General Manager for Americas Jordan Sweetnamrecently reported in his eBay announcement Your Business: Our Results, eBay’s GMV (Gross Merchandise Volume) is up. Buyer growth is accelerating. Major categories are growing; and there’s more organic traffic coming to eBay. The company is even launching a brand-new advertising campaign, complete with nationwide TV commercials featuring eBay’s small and medium-sized sellers!
eBay sellers, that’s a whole lot of good news. And it leaves you with two options as a seller. Which of them you choose is entirely up to you.
Option number one is GO FOR IT!
Many eBay sellers are reporting holiday-level sales. If that’s happening for your business, you may want to just keep on keepin’ on. So in other words eBay sellers, keep sourcing, and keep selling. Check out my popular video eBay Sellers: HOT Sales Niche Discovery for exclusive tips on finding in-demand inventory. These are proven sourcing strategies that can pay off, big time, for your business on eBay.
Discover hot eBay products!
Taking advantage of the current upturn in eCommerce sales is definitely one way to find a silver lining in the COVID-19 cloud. But remember every business is unique. So what’s happening in your business may not be happening for other businesses, and conversely. If you want to max out on listing and selling, more power to you!
But there is another option that’s equally OK: namely, to cut yourself some summertime slack. So, maybe you’ve got kids at home to spend time with and keep occupied. Or you’ve planned some vacation travel. And perhaps you’re going to get started on home renovations.
Whatever the reason this may be your chance to slow down for awhile.
And that’s fine, too! But if you do decide to take time off from eBay, please don’t forget to turn on your store’s vacation settings. This includes an email auto response, and/or extend your handling time. Doing this protects you from dings for late shipping.
Just click on “Vacation settings” in the Seller Tools module of your Seller Hub Overview page, or click on “Change Settings” in the upper right-hand corner of your My Messages Inbox page. Then follow the screen prompts.
You can opt to allow purchases of Fixed Price items while you’re away, or you can postpone any sales until after you’ve returned and your store has reopened. Auction-style listings will still run as originally scheduled, which is why you need to extend your handling time. Ditto if you opt for allowing customers to make purchases while you’re away.
Be sure to write a welcoming message for customers who visit while your store is on vacation, encouraging them to come back and buy!
Whichever of these two roads you decide to travel this summer, pursue your chosen path guilt free.
Summertime eBay sales that are guilt free!
Everyone’s business is different, and every business owner’s priorities may be different as well. Do whatever is best and right for you, your business, and your family.
Whether you take the eCommerce expressway or Easy Street, enjoy your summer journey!
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