by Kathy Terrill | Dec 6, 2017 | eCommerce Selling Tips, eCommerce Tips, Selling on eBay
I recently conducted a poll in my Facebook group for eBay sellers, eBay Stores Nothing But eBay Stores. I asked the group members what they need right now during this busy Holiday time. The number one answer was “more hours in the day” right now.
Here are my top five tips for sellers to get more done during the Holidays.
#1 Get More Done And Set Priorities.
To get more done, set your day around your daily must do tasks.
To get more done each day, look at your to do list.
Prioritize your tasks. Shipping and customer service are daily essential tasks. To get more done, the rest of your day is set around your daily must do tasks. If you have rooms of unlisted inventory, you cannot list all of it in one day. Commit to listing XX per day. List the items that will make you most money first.
For social media, note where you get the most likes and comments. Whatever your most popular social media site is, whether it’s your Facebook Business Page, Instagram, Twitter or Pinterest, focus there. Here are some quick tips to save time and maximize your social media.
#2 Strategize your time.
Make choices that move your eBay business forward.
To get more done look at your week. Let’s say you want to list forty items this week. How will you accomplish this?
Grouping tasks works. Set aside a few hours one day a week to photograph your items. Another day, edit your pictures and take measurements for your products. Then starting day three on, list XX items daily.
Want to post on your Facebook Business Page three times daily? To save time, use a scheduler like Hootsuite or Buffer. With a scheduler, once or twice a week, set up your posts for the entire week or month.
Make choices that move your business forward. Something doesn’t get finished? Check your calendar and find a place to fit it in. I have great social media tips for you during the Holidays in my Top 10 Holiday Sales Success For Social Media Tips.
#3 Life will happen.
You plan your day. You’re moving along and then, bam, life happens. A customer situation takes hours to resolve. A family crisis arises. Your internet connection goes down etc Quickly look at the absolute MUST DO’s in your day. Do them. Deal with your crisis. Assess what time is left.
Which of your undone tasks is the most important? View your week and see what can be juggled to fit in the undone tasks. If you are a solopreneur with young children or elder care needs, there are daily family situations that occur. Be realistic about what can be done. Ask in Facebook groups for eBay sellers like eBay Selling Basics Nothing But Selling Basics how others deal with running a business with your life situation. The New York Times has some great tips on mastering life’s distractions when they happen in the blog post How To Make The Most Of Your Workday.
#4 Do your best.
Successful sellers set realistic challenges for themselves.
Each of us has unique strengths. One seller is super fast at listing, another is amazing on social media. Do your personal best.
If the best you can do is to list three items a day on eBay, good for you! Want to become a faster lister? Analyze your work flow. How can you speed up? Set a timer when you product research. Can you prep your items in less time, so that photographing them goes quicker? Measure products more efficiently, entering the information on an organized spread sheet to use later. Break down each step in your business. Five minutes saved here and there adds up to thirty minutes to an hour and more in your day.
Applaud yourself for progress you make. Successful sellers set realistic challenges for themselves. You decide where and how you want to grow your eBay business. Assess and plan. Move forward, even if it’s baby steps. Some sellers never make progress as they over analyze and endlessly discuss every action they take, rather than taking regular steps. Baby steps count!
#5 What Can Be Delegated?
The bottom line for any business is to make money. You are running a business. If there is no room in your budget to hire workers, use every free tool you can get your hands on. Schedule your social media with Hootsuite and Buffer. Save hours using the complimentary email digest daily of Unroll.Me.
A business can only grow so large without help. Can you enlist family members to work? Can they list, source and or ship? High school kids can be hired to photograph listings. Is there a college nearby that has an intern program you can utilize? Look at your profit margins. Find ways to increase them. Buy items in bulk. Stop buying certain items as the marketplace price has dropped. Change the way you package an item saving on shipping weight and postage but still wrapping securely.
With as little as $8 -$10 a hour you can hire off shore virtual assistant helpers to do social media scheduling, inventory research, graphics and more for your business. This is my affiliate link for FreeeUp. FreeeUp is a marketplace where you can hire off shore and US based virtual assistants. Consider what that a few dollars a week buys you. More free time for you means you can list, source and ship more, generating more cash!
To get more hours in the day, and get more done, it’s essential to prioritize your tasks.
Life throws you curves daily. Think through your work flow. Discover ways to streamline your essential tasks. An improved work flow saves you precious time and money. As you grow, utilize local help and or a marketplace like FreeeUp to hire professional workers for your business.
There are never enough hours in the day for the busy eBay seller. Adhere to the priorities you choose this Holiday season. Maximize your workflow and paycheck.
A planned selling strategy is the road for more profit and hours in the day.
What would you do with more money and time?
by Kathy Terrill | Oct 3, 2017 | Selling on eBay, Social Media Tips
Back to school shopping is over. Halloween shopping is in full swing on eBay. Sellers are messaging me, “Kathy my sales are slow. What should I do?”
So, I answer, “It’s time to sort through your eBay inventory and discover in demand items!”
Many eBay sellers think that Halloween is solely packaged costumes.
Many sellers think that Halloween is solely packaged costumes, traditional Halloween decor and candy. So, yes, all those products sell right now. But, shoppers are looking for that and more. Examine your merchandise carefully. Do you have clothing that could be used in a costume? Can your fashion items lend themselves to being a hippie, tacky tourist, zombie or princess? So, once you’re done sorting through your clothing, look at the accessories you have to sell. Consider your hats, belts, bags, and shoes. People often go straight from work to a Halloween costume event. The New York Times has ideas on dressing for work and then heading to your favorite Halloween party.
Your perfect scarf, or flamboyant piece of jewelry can transform the wearer into a costumed party attendee!
So, for your higher priced items, it is worthwhile to revise them. Add Halloween and costume themed keywords. Holiday keywords get you sales. Terapeak’s professional seller research tool SEO Pro gives you the best eBay search keywords and Google keywords for search and sales results. HERE is my affiliate link to test SEO Pro out for yourself!
eBay offers the perfect scarf, or flamboyant piece of jewelry that turns the wearer into a costumed party attendee!
If you have an eBay store, group items perfect for a costume in a Promotion using Promotions Manager. With a Promotion, you receive a shareable link and url address for social media. You gain additional exposure for your listings if you’re a Top Rated Seller and/or eBay Store Owner with eBay’s paid search option Promoted Listings.
Along with fun costume pieces, shoppers are looking to decorate their home and work spaces for Halloween. I’ve compiled pages of products that shoppers want to buy now. You may have them in your inventory, but are missing out on how to showcase them to shoppers.
Armed with my gift of your own Hot Halloween Product Tips you’ll know which items in your current inventory are popular now.
You’ll also know what to be on the lookout for as your shop thrift and retail stores for in demand inventory.
Not finding hot merchandise to sell locally?
Look at top quality wholesale cases and pallets with BULQ. BULQ sells wholesale inventory with a detailed manifest, so you know exactly what you are buying.
Showcase your Fall/Halloween on hand inventory, tweaking keywords, using Promotions Manager, social media and Promoted Listings. With my Hot Halloween Product Tips guide, you’ll be alert to great inventory locally and wholesalers so you can add items that will sell NOW.
Bring on the Halloween sales!
by Kathy Terrill | Sep 11, 2017 | eCommerce News, eCommerce Selling Tips, Selling on eBay
What is the short cut to killer sales on eBay? The answer, find what customers want. So, list products in a manner that eBay and internet search will find them. Next, enjoy watching the money pour in.
Running a profitable business on eBay starts with finding and selling the right items.
First of all, selling in demand items is not enough in the competitive world of eCommerce. Successful products must be listed in a manner that search engines find the items.
Research is key for sales success!
The short cut to killer sales on eBay has two parts. Find and source products consumers want. Next, list inventory so that search engine discover your items. In addition, list using research. Know what search engines like. Optimize your product listings. Optimization gets your listings found and sold.
How do you find in demand products?
For sales success, research four ways. First, listen to friends on the internet. What clothing styles, electronics, home decor items etc are mentioned? Furthermore, do your friends plan to buy an item soon? While you’re in a retail store, watch what people put in their shopping carts. The third way to research hot products is to search eBay by types of merchandise. Analyze sold data with the Advanced Search function .
The fourth way is to use Terapeak. Terapeak is a professional research tool with three years of sold data. Look at items you want to buy with Terapeak Product Research 2.0. Next, analyze Terapeak’s data. So, does your product sell year round? In addition, how fast does the item sell? With Terapeak, investigate hot selling products. Collectibles typically sell slower than other merchandise. Know how long you’ll hold an item before it sells. An unsold item is cash tied up. Buying fast selling merchandise keeps the money flowing.
So, now it’s time to source products.
Buy inventory at thrift and consignment stores. Also shop yard sales, retail stores, online sites and wholesalers.
Once bought, its time to list and sell.
Optimized listings get your products found by search and sold. Furthermore, your title is crucial to get your inventory sold.
Your title and your pictures are what shoppers see first. In addition they are important to mobile shoppers. Use eBay search to help you write a killer title. So, start typing in the words that describe your product.
Think like a buyer to get sales.
Look at your item. What terms describe it? eBay staff spoke at recent events on title length. Titles that use 75 characters or more of the 80 allotted characters get more sales.
My YouTube shows you how to write awesome titles.
Use four or more clear crisp pictures with a white background.
In addition, listings with four or more pictures are best. You can create a listing with up to twelve pictures. Image recognition is being used in search. Due to image recognition search, clear crisp pictures are a must. Click HERE for effective tips for pictures for your listing.
So, the short cut to more sales?
Take the time to research what shoppers want to buy. Spot trends by listening to friends. Be alert when shopping in retail stores. Gain a clear picture of how fast inventory sells with Terapeak . Time spent researching inventory saves you money and frustration. While listing, let eBay search help you create keyword rich titles. Write titles that are 75 or more characters. Use four or more clear pictures in your listing. Maximize every nook and cranny of your listing to stand out in search and get sold.
Maximize every nook and cranny of your eBay listing to stand out in search and get sold.
Now, you’re set for your sales to take off!
Sales will take off!
by Kathy Terrill | Jul 16, 2017 | eCommerce Tips, Selling on eBay
eBay is returning to Las Vegas July 25-28 welcoming eBay sellers to the annual event eBay OPEN.
eBay OPEN is a mega conference event produced by eBay for it’s sellers. It’s a time of celebration and learning for the eBay community.
Sellers and staff come from not only all across the United Sates, but from around the world. eBay pulls out all the stops using cutting edge technology in it’s information and inspiring presentations, workshops and festivities.
If you’ll be at eBay OPEN, it’s worthwhile to take a bit of time to prepare before the event. Preparation can maximize the benefits of attendance.
Here are practical tips to help you take advantage of everything this eye popping event has to offer!
On the practical side:
- Wear comfortable shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking going to and from presentations and workshops.
- It’s smart to carry a light sweater or hoodie with you. Las Vegas will be 100 degrees outside, but indoors there is plenty of air conditioning.
- Carry a water bottle with you. It’s easy to get dehydrated in Las Vegas.
- Bring lots of business cards. Also have something handy to collect business cards. When meeting with eBay staff it’s smart to get their business card. It will help you if/when you want to follow up with them on their tips and suggestions. If you’re carrying a smart phone the free app Cam Card is great for scanning business cards.
- Carry the electrical plugs for your cell phones, tablets and cameras. Also carry spare juice packs for your camera, phones, tablets and cameras. The days are long and eventful at eBay OPEN. You’ll want to take lots of notes, pictures and video!
On the educational side, if you’re attending eBay OPEN , you have selected which workshops you are attending. This year’s workshops are Efficient Selling Toolbox, Seller Hub, Know Your Numbers, Smart Shipping, The Perfect Listing, Know Your Audience, Maximizing Sales With eBay Marketing Tools, Building Your Brand Through Social Media, Going Global, Take Better Pictures, Case Studies, Fashion Sellers Q&A, Top Sellers Collectors Q&A, Top Sellers Hard Goods Q&A and A Conversation About Entrepreneurship. I want to take them all! Last year the workshops were videotaped. eBay has made no announcement yet about taping this year’s workshops.
What can be smart is to split the workshops with your eBay selling buddies and agree to meet up and compare notes!
Whichever workshops you plan to attend think through your eBay business needs now.
What specific questions do you want answered? If it’s not covered in the presentation, there is always a question and answer time at the end of each workshop. You can also often get time one on one with presenters in between presentations. eBay OPEN also will have an abundance of meet up areas and eBay staff team areas. Be sure and get time with the eBay staff teams of your choice.
Want to meet eBay executives? If you’re attending the eBay OPEN reception on July 25th, if you keep an eye out you might be able to spot eBay CEO Devin Wenig, eBay’s Sr Vice President of North America Hal Lawton and Bob Kupbens Vice President of B2C Selling & Global Trust mingling with sellers.
You’ll see key eBay executives chatting with sellers throughout the event. Be bold, walk up and introduce yourself. eBay executives are attending to let you know their vision for eBay and to hear from sellers.
Don’t overlook the eBay vendors that are sponsoring eBay OPEN. Speaking with vendors is a great way to learn of new selling tools and hear of updates to tools you use. Cross channel sellers stop by Volo Commerce or Channel Advisor. Want to talk payments? Visit Paypal. Shipping solutions in attendance are Ship Station, Shiprush and Shippo. Insurance questions for your shipping, chat with Shipsurance.
If you’re looking for a listing tool stop by Inkfrog, Auctiva or Crazylister. Collectible sellers will enjoy learning of updates to the listing research tool Worthpoint. Looking to outsource some of your work and hire a VA? 2nd Office is attending.
Sellers are always looking for great inventory to sell! Stop by BULQ and learn about the awesome wholesale liquidation inventory they offer sellers.
To accommodate sellers of all sizes BULQ offers inventory by case and by the pallet.
eBay OPEN explodes on Thursday with the eBay seller SHINE award winner being announced. Everyone heads to the party at the Brooklyn Bowl Thursday night to celebrate. This year’s band is Barenaked Ladies.
Wishing you could get in on all the learning and festivities? You can!
eBay For Business promises coverage on their Facebook Business page and Twitter account at @eBayForBusiness. Be sure and tune in for eBay Radio’s live broadcasts during the 3 days. On Twitter search by the hashtag #eBayOPEN2017. Keep an eye on social media for pictures, tweets, posts and live video from eBay and attendees!
eBay OPEN goes FAST.
Thinking through your priorities now, taking notes, making plans and writing down your questions in advance will help you to get the information you need to grow your eBay business and have the best time ever!
by Kathy Terrill | Jul 4, 2017 | eCommerce Selling Tips, eCommerce Tips, Selling on eBay
So, if you’re having a slow Summer sellers, now is the time to re-group. Let’s turn slow sales into awesome sales.
You need to take action to increase your Summer sales now.
Here we go!
If your online sales are terrific, good! Keep doing what you are doing.
But, if you are like many sellers, experiencing a slowdown in Summer sales, let’s get to work and turn your sales around.
#1 Mistake Sellers Make That Slows Summer Sales!
Check prices!
Check prices if your sales are slow!
Have you checked the price on your product? Have you looked at it with a Google search on the web and not just the site you sell on?
Yes folks may pay a bit more on Amazon if they are Amazon Prime, but if it’s $5 cheaper on eBay, shoppers may head over to eBay to buy the item. The reverse is also true. Shoppers look at eBay, Amazon, Walmart, Jet, Etsy and Poshmark and a whole host of websites with a few taps of their finger or click of their mouse. They are sites that find the cheapest price for products for shoppers. In hard to find collectibles where your item is unique you are less subject to this. As a collectible seller, for you it’s a matter of doing your price research using tools like Terapeak, #ad so you value your item correctly.
For more common items especially items with barcodes and MPN numbers, if your item is sitting and not selling, look at the price all over the web.
Often a price change of $1 can open the flood gates to more Summer sales! The internet is like the stock market. prices go up and down. When you listed your item the going price may have been XX and 2 weeks later it has dropped as other sellers have come onto the market. Big Commerce did a study on what shoppers look for. Over 80% of shoppers say price is very influential in their purchase selection.
#2 Mistake Sellers Make That Slows Summer Sales!
Check your keywords in your title!
Is the brand, color, size and important aspects of the item in your title?
Titles are more and more crucial to getting sales online. That is because so many shoppers are on mobile.
On a mobile device your customer is looking at your picture and title on eBay, Etsy, Amazon or Poshmark. Online shoppers make the majority of not all of their shopping decision solely from your title and picture(s). This YouTube will show you how to use eBay search to write titles for your listings that will help in both eBay and Google search.
http://https://youtu.be/hvfK5wsEbNM
#3 Mistake Sellers Make That Slows Summer Sales!
Forgetting To Think Ahead!
I was working with a private client this past week. I reminded them to start to set up their social media for back to school. They remarked, “Really?” My response was, “Yes!” Back to school may not start where you are til late August or September, while other parts of the USA start in late July. Look to your products now and decide what you put front and center for people that are shopping for back to school now! With my free Ultimate Guide To Back To School Inventory list you’ll be ready to increase your Summer sales everywhere you sell! Click HERE for yours!
Check prices, check your keyword selection and get busy anticipating the next selling season and you’re on your way to more Summer sales everywhere you sell!
Let me know how these tips help you below.
