eBay Sellers Thrive During COVID Pandemic!

At times like this eBay sellers look to thrive not just survive.

eBay COVID-19 sales tips

eBay sellers – thriving during the COVID-19 crisis!

eBay sellers look to thrive economically during this COVID -19 pandemic. Here are my top tips to keep your online sales business strong during these tough times.

COVID-19 is a harsh reality for all of us right now.

It’s not just here in the USA; it’s global. COVID-19 impacts all eCommerce sellers worldwide. Sellers from Amazon, eBay, and Etsy to Poshmark, Shopify, and Walmart all feel CO-VID-19.

To begin, there is good news. Financial aid is available to help you get through this crisis. eBay has launched several initiatives. More potential resources are included in the recently passed Federal stimulus package. I don’t want you to miss out on anything, so let’s take it from the top.

eBay store subscribers received  50,000 free listings in March. And eBay Store sellers get another 50,000 this month (April). Don’t forget to activate this generous offer via the link in the Promotional Offers section of your Seller Hub Overview page.

Non-store subscribers get 200 additional free fixed price or auction listings for April; get details and activate the offer here.

Furthermore, eBay is supporting eBay sellers in other ways, including special seller protections.

Starting with your March 20th evaluation and running through your June 20th evaluation, your Seller Performance Standards will not be negatively impacted for 90 days. For details, check eBay’s  announcement, “Protecting Your Seller Performance Through COVID-19”.

Additionally, eBay is in close communication with major shipping carriers. This includes USPS, UPS and FedEx. Sellers were updated April 3rd via an eBay announcement titled “Advising You About Shipping During COVID-19”.

eBay created a dedicated COVID-19 Community Hub. eBay Main Street launched a special page of COVID-19 Small Business Government Support Resources. For more details, read “Helping Each Other Through COVID-19 in the Ways That Matter the Most” on the eBay Announcements page. Keep an eye out for future announcements.

If your eBay sales are down right now, do your best to pivot quickly. Source, list, and sell items that are in demand right now, download my free tips eBay and COVID-19 A Seller’s Guide!

eBay and COVID-19 A Seller’s Guide!

Now let’s look to see what’s available for eBay sellers!

There are State and Federal programs to assist all small business owners. This includes all online sellers on sites such as eBay, Amazon, Shopify, Walmart, etc. Check eBay Main Street’s COVID-19 page. eBay’s Government Relations Team provides up to date links to Federal, State, and international programs.

Moving on to the recently approved COVID-19 Federal stimulus package. This legislation features unprecedented coverage for unemployment. There are benefits for unemployed workers.
Also there is coverage for contract workers who lost their jobs or had their hours cut due to COVID-19.

As an eBay seller, did  you suffer work loss because of the corona virus? Explore whether or not you qualify for benefits. They are administered by individual states. So check out the links for your state on eBay Main Street’s COVID-19 Small Business Government Support Resources page.

Congress passed extensive loan and grant programs for small businesses suffering losses due to COVID-19.

These funds will available through the Small Business Administration (SBA) in conjunction with local banks. Check SBA’s Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources for details.

These SBA loans and grants are welcome programs. But it can take awhile to actually receive your funds. If you’re in the same boat as many sellers, you may need money now. Payability is one company that offers highly effective financial options for qualifying online sellers. This could be especially useful if you’re in eBay’s Managed Payments program. Payability is also very useful for Amazon & Shopify sellers.

There are several ways Payability can help you can increase cash flow and liquidity.

Instant Access provides next-day marketplace payouts. Instant Advance lets you get 75%-100% of your monthly marketplace revenue in one lump sum (up to $250,000).

Yes, this is indeed a challenging time in many ways.

So take a good hard look at your own situation. What helps you and your business right now? 

Unemployment qualifications changed. Benefits have expanded. Could this help you and/or your workers? Are any SBA offerings a good fit for your business? If you need funds quickly right now to cover bills or pay for inventory, consider the speed, ease, and convenience of Payability.

A healthy cash flow is critical to the success of your online selling business. Payability offers a lifeline  at this critical sales time whether you sell on eBay, Amazon or on your website.

So analyze your choices, and then act.

In closing, move forward even during these difficult days. Don’t let COVID-19 break your business’ stride!

 

eBay COVID-19 Navigating Challenging Times!

To start, let’s talk about eBay, COVID-19 and you.

Selling on eBay during the COVID-19 pandemic!

Selling on eBay during the current COVID-19 pandemic. It’s the challenge of our lifetime.

Never before have we as Americans been through a global pandemic like COVID-19. We’ve faced the fallout from 9/11. We’ve weathered numerous hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters. But the coronavirus is a worldwide crisis that is a test  like nothing else in our experience.

What can and should you (and all of us) be doing at this difficult time?

Before even thinking of eBay selling and COVID-19, protect yourself along with your family.

How do you carry out this mandate to protect yourself and your family from the coronavirus? By knowing what is recommended right now — and staying up to the minute with information you can be sure is 100% accurate and reliable.

To do so, go directly to the COVID-19 page on the Center for Disease Control website (CDC.gov). There’s a clickable banner right at the top of the CDC home page. Don’t trust media reports or what you see on Facebook; get your COVID-19 info straight from the source!

Next, watch for eBay announcements about COVID-19.

The Announcements page can be reached from the Selling Announcements module on your Seller Hub Overview page or via the Announcements link at the bottom of any page on eBay.com.

By the way: Some of you will see right on eBay’s home page one way eBay has your back at this time; click on the Shop Small button to see more. If you don’t see the “Open right now and here for you” banner on the home page, just go directly to eBay’s new Small. Mighty. Open for Business page. It’s highly reassuring — even inspirational!

eBay has already announced that they will defer fees to support small and medium-size businesses through COVID-19. If you’re an eBay Store subscriber, watch your My Messages and regular email inboxes on March 25 for details on how to request support, or check the Announcements page.

Additionally eBay Government Relations eBay Main Street has information for sellers. Unsure of actions your state is taking? The page on COVID-19  that eBay Government Relations is maintaining has up to date information for sellers.

With eBay shipping and CO-VID 19, take advantage of USPS’ scheduled pickups.

It’s hard to get to the post office when you’re sheltering in place. Luckily, you don’t have to go there; USPS will come to you. Every day except Sundays and holidays.. Because that’s how they roll. Schedule your package pickups via the USPS website (USPS.com) in just 4 easy steps.

It used to be that you had to have at least one Priority Mail package going out in order to schedule a pickup, but now USPS will pick up any class of package. It’s best to schedule package pickup no later than the night before the day you need it. Often if asked nicely, many carriers will  take and scan your package(s) on the spur of the moment.

Now that you know what you need to do right now, let’s talk about what’s selling right now!

Folks are home. What do they need?

Some eBay sellers are doing very well, while others are struggling. Furthermore, many part-time sellers who have been laid off or are on hiatus from their full-time jobs are expanding their business on eBay and need to stock their virtual shelves.

So think about it: People are staying home.

In fact, many are stuck at home by local government order. Topping the list of products these folks need are household essentials and food. Ponder pantry items. Also think over-the-counter medications and vitamins.

Educational and entertainment items for kids are also in high demand. Look at books, DVDs, games, puzzles, and crafts items of all kinds.These in demand craft items includes lots of egg cartons, wine corks, clean and empty glass jars, plastic pill bottles, and the cardboard tubes from rolls of paper towels and toilet paper. 

Adults need to entertain themselves as well. Jigsaw puzzles and many games are fun for all ages, as are the full gamut of crafting options. Think sewing patterns and fabric; knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, embroidery, and other needlework supplies. Also think about adult coloring books, perhaps bundled with a set of colored pencils or markers (especially the new glittery versions); and model anything kits.

And don’t forget scrapbooking. This is a perfect time for millions of hunkered-down Americans to get caught up on printing out and showcasing their photo libraries.

In addition, lots of folks are using this time as an opportunity to learn new skills or try new hobbies.

They need books and DVDs that teach crafting, DIY home improvement, auto mechanics, languages, and more.

I share even more ideas with you , along with some thoughts regarding the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic in my recent YouTube video Sales Success On eBay Despite Coronavirus Outbreak!

In sum, today more than ever, you need to think like a buyer.

Look through your unlisted inventory. Look around your house or apartment. Do you have something on hand that other people need and/or that’s in high demand right now for whatever reason? Get it listed ASAP! My free tip sheet Dominate eBay Search will help those listing stand out to shoppers and get sold!

Take care…stay well…and sell on, fellow seller!!!

eBay Spring Seller Update 2020 Has Arrived!

The eBay Spring Seller Update of 2020 is here!

eBay released its Spring Seller Update of 2020!

You should have received email about the eBay Spring Seller Update via My Messages in your eBay account. You also should have noticed eBay’s announcement of it. And here’s another “should” for you: By now, you should have read the entire update. If you haven’t done so yet, what are you waiting for?

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly In The eBay Spring Seller Update!

As is typical of eBay’s updates, there is some fuzzy language. But there are also sizeable chunks of good stuff for sellers; it’s just that you practically need a road map in order to find them. That’s why I created my free downloadable guide Spring Seller Update 2020: Tips to Win the Scavenger Hunt.

Once again, listing optimization and sell-through rate are eBay’s primary concern in the eBay Spring Seller Update. That should give you some insight into what’s on the mind of eBay execs! There also are some interesting changes to Returns as well as to Seller Protections.

The biggest thing for you to check out is category changes, which also mean item specific changes. The latter are a work in progress, and they can be problematic. However, item specifics have an tremendous impact on your listings — and on how they rank in search results.

A Full Bucket of Changes, Mostly For the Better

The Spring Seller Update’s category changes will take effect in May 2020 in the following categories:

  • Business & Industrial
  • Jewelry & Watches
  • Home & Garden
  • Sporting Goods

If you have listings in any of those categories, revise them to have a full complement of their new item specifics! Tedious? Yes, especially if you’ve added custom item specifics. But oh, so necessary!

My YouTube eBay Spring Seller Update 2020 Find The Gold! has all the details for you!

Other new initiatives contained in the eBay Spring Seller Update include:

  • Expanded functionality for Terapeak (included free with all Store subscriptions from Basic on up.)
  • Multi-User Account Access (MUAA) also is expanding to offer read-only shipping data.
  • Volume Pricing — available to all sellers with multi-quantity items, not just to eBay Store subscribers; it’s extremely popular with buyers, which means it’s good for your sell-through rate. Give it a try!
  • New photo-editing tool turns your pictures’ background white; it’s only available in your smartphone’s eBay Mobile app, but a desktop version is in the works.
  • eBay International Shipping, a cheaper (albeit currently slower) option for sending packages to overseas customers.
  • Expansions to Send Offer to Buyers — now you can send up to 40 at once. This highly successful tool from eBay is a sales maker!
  • New Seller Help, accessible right from your Seller Hub’s Overview page; sellers in the beta group for this are reportedly loving it!

In closing, For details and clarifications regarding eBay’s 2020 Spring Seller Update, download my free tip sheet.  There is treasure in eBay’s newest seller update, but it takes a bit of digging to find it all.

But dig in, because I don’t miss out on all the goodies in this eBay scavenger hunt!

eBay Seller Events Continue Across USA!

eBay continues its long history of live eBay seller events in 2020.

eBay Seller Conference Events In 2020!

Rather than one large eBay Open event this year, eBay is rolling out a series of smaller, local Upfront events. This news is met with mixed feelings from the eBay seller community. Sellers are grateful to have live eBay events for sellers across the United States. But many sellers bemoan eBay not offering one big “blow out” event.

If you don’t know the history of eBay live conference events, let me enlighten you.

Once upon a time, from 2003-2008, there was an annual eBay event known as eBay Live! At its height, this legendary city-hopping conference attracted thousands of fervent eBay sellers. eBay Live! conferences occurred several times in one calendar year at key locations across the United States.

eBay Live! was a large conference that attracted hundreds if not thousands of sellers and staff. A key feature was workshops  running on multiple tracks. One could  also hang out with eBay staffers in the Pinks Lounge, named for eBay employees’ pink-lined discussion board posts. There were always “added attractions” at eBay Lives. At one, attendees could line up to have a book signed by then CEO Meg Whitman.

In the Expo Hall sellers discover useful third-party tools and services while collecting vast quantities of swag.

Attendees proudly sport eBay-branded apparel, eBay-colored hair, headgear, and accessories. A sudden burst of “pin music” alerts you to find the nearest eBay employee and claim another of that year’s series of collectible pins. Also eNotes, eBay’s own all-employee a cappella singing group, might turn up next to you in the Expo Hall.

Keynote addresses typically commence with a performance by eBay’s all-employee house band. The band originally was known as Negative Feedback and later as Twisted Lister. Sometimes Griff joined them on piano. So let’s just say, music was everywhere at eBay Live! events.

eBay Live! culminates with a gala with a red carpet entrance for all!

Sellers walk the eBay Live! red carpet through a vociferous clapping tunnel of applauding eBay employees. After an amazing dinner, sellers dance the night away to big-name musical entertainment. Entertainers like Kool and the Gang, the B-52s, or Weird Al Yankovich  perform at eBay Lives. Weird Al’s hit parody “What I Bought on eBay” was greeted with thunderous applause complete with an audience singalong. All of this was at the 2003 eBay Live! gala in Orlando.

Sadly, these mega-conferences ultimately became unsustainable for the company.

The last eBay Live! events happened in 2008. But the following year, a call-in to eBay Radio lamenting the demise of eBay Live! sparked the founding of the inaugural  eBay Radio Party & Conference (eRPC). And a new era  of eBay seller conferences was born with the eBay Radio Party & Conference!

eBay Radio Party & Conference with eBay Radio’s producer Lee Mirabal at the helm, kept the spirit of eBay Live burning brightly.

So while eBay turned from organizing and running the mega conferences of eBay Live!, eBay Radio Party & Conference picked up the torch! Though a smaller conference, eBay Radio Party & conference brought together awesome eCommerce speaker line ups. It also showcased such fun features as a Best eBay Outfits contest. I myself was honored to be first a Mentor as part of eRPC’s informative Mentors Corner, and later for two years a presenter. Other eRPC innovations included networking lunches. At these lunches attendees shared Dutch treat repasts with speakers, sponsors, and eBay employees.

Nothing beats the learning of sellers talking to sellers!

The eBay Radio Party & Conference ran from 2009-2015. During those years, eBay did experiment with smaller regional conferences known as eBay: On Location. These took place in cities across the country. Sellers were grateful for the events albeit on a much smaller scale compared to eBay Lives of days gone by.

In September 2015, eBay celebrated the company’s 20th anniversary with We Are Twenty!

Held in eBay’s home town of San Jose, It was attended by some 1000 sellers. We Are Twenty had much of the energy of eBay Live! events from the past. It was wildly successful. Handing out $100 eBay gift cards to all registrants was a great way to kick off the event! It included a large array of eBay staff speakers speaking to eBay’s past and eBay’s future. Of course it included a great event party.

So in 2016, eBay brought back a series of large conferences with eBay Open.

Held in Las Vegas during the third week of July from 2016 through 2019, this annual seller celebration incorporated key eBay Live! traditions such as the beloved clapping tunnel. Presentations by key eBay executives anchored eBay Opens. Plenty of workshops of hot seller topics were available. 3rd party vendors and teams of eBay staff were readily available in the event’s Expo Hall. eBay Radio was on hand broadcasting live!

Though not offered across the country as eBay Live! had been, sellers greeted the annual eBay Open mega events with great enthusiasm. It was great to have an outstanding venue, speakers, workshops and expo hall with vendors. And sellers loved the closing event party!

2019 also saw the introduction of eBay UpFront. Intimate local events in a smattering of cities nationwide. eBay UpFront features a presentation by key eBay team leaders. After the executive presentations, there is  round-table discussions with various key eBay teams, and lots of yummy treats.

Like eBay Live! before it, eBay Open fell victim to its own success and became unsustainable for the company.

So there will be no eBay Open in 2020. But, eBay will continue its seller outreach by doubling down on one-evening eBay UpFronts.

Twice as many are scheduled for 2020. 10 Upfronts are in cities from coast to coast. Check out the entire schedule at ebay.com/SellerEvents. If there’s an eBay UpFront anyway near you, I urge you to take advantage of this opportunity to get face time with eBay team members.

Though not the same as the large eBay Open and eBay Live events, eBay Upfronts are packed with great content. Attending sellers gain access to top level eBay executives and staff. And nothing beats the energy of several hundred eBay sellers under 1 roof!

We’ll miss the glitz and glamour of eBay Open, which was wonderful while it lasted.

On the upside, sellers don’t have to take several days off from business to travel to a large conference.  Nor will sellers incur the expenses of a business trip to Las Vegas. As for how we’ll celebrate the quarter-century milestone of eBay’s 25th anniversary, we will just have to wait and see!

In closing, I’ll be at eBay UpFront in both Tampa and Weehawken.

Are you coming to eBay upfront?

If you’re there, please come on over and say hello. I can’t wait to hear the great eBay staff speakers. The presentations are sure to be loaded with choice nuggets of information. As is always the best part of any eBay event, I look forward to meeting up with old friends and making new ones!

I applaud eBay for continuing live seller events. I encourage sellers to support eBay in its Upfront evenings.

Who knows, if each eBay Upfront sells out, perhaps we’ll see bigger events in the near future?!

 

 

 

eBay 2020 Sales Full Speed Ahead!

eBay 2020 has arrived.

eBay 2020 is here!

The new decade is here.  We’re celebrating the beginning of not just a new year, but a new decade! As a seller, what are your top resolutions for eBay 2020? Reorganize your office/workspace or inventory? Finally get those death piles listed? Attend eBay Open in July?

Those worthwhile goals for eBay 2020 are all fine and dandy, but without consistent sales, you won’t have a business to organize. Healthy cash flow is the lifeblood of any commercial enterprise, especially your business on eBay.

In the hit reality series Shark Tank, what’s one of the first questions the sharks ask each would-be entrepreneur? 

They ask the business owner,” What are your sales?” Now I’m asking you the same question, and you’d better know the answer. If you don’t, you’ve got some homework to do. Because as a seller, it’s essential that you know your numbers — including not only how much you’re selling, but also how fast you’re selling it (sales velocity). In other words, how long are items listed before they sell?

The answer to this question will vary by category and even by item.

For example, cell phone accessories have a different sell-through rate than Mid-Century Modern candleholders. Furthermore, MCM candleholders may have a different sell-through rate than Art Deco candlesticks.

Once you have some idea of your sales history, consider this: If a certain type of product typically takes four months to sell, what would it mean for your bottom line if it sold in three months? Or two? It could mean the difference between a business that stagnates (or even fails) and a business that flourishes.

Here’s why.

“Sell-through rate” (how fast your items sell) is also known as “conversion rate”, because it represents the process of turning an item into cash — i.e., converting it to dollars and cents. The faster you can recoup your initial investment, reap your profit, and get that money into your bank account, the better. Many sellers get into trouble because they have too much cash tied up in inventory that isn’t selling.

Don’t be that seller in eBay 2020!

I can help you to get cash flowing (and/or flowing faster). What you need — what every eBay seller needs — is to accelerate sales. And I’ve got some proven tips for doing that. You can grab them right here. eBay Sales Accelerator tips are my gift to you when you add yourself to the wait list for my exclusive membership group Social Media Insider.

Now, when evaluating your business look at what IS selling. It’s important to note your best selling products and categories. While doing this be sure to do the following.

First, check prices! The value of an item will fluctuate over time. You may be asking too much, or you may be leaving cash on the table by asking too little. Use Advanced Search to check sold prices on eBay. My YouTube Watch This Before You List On eBay!, will show you how to use eBay’s Advanced search feature.

If you have an eBay Store subscription, check Terapeak as well (under the Research Tab in Seller Hub).

Second, include 4 or more pictures in each listing. You can have up to 12, so take photos of all the sides of each item as well as closeups of details and/or any flaws. Showcase each item to its best advantage, because shoppers make their purchase decision based on your photos and description. Show them what they’re getting, preferably on a plain white background! More pictures can add up to more as well as faster sales plus a boost in eBay search.

Third, offer a robust return policy. Most customers want what they’re buying. But they’ll feel a lot more comfortable about buying from you if they know they can return an item that doesn’t work out.

Think like a buyer in eBay 2020!

It pays to think like your buyer!

Let’s say a buyer needs a widget. Two identical sellers have widgets listed at the same price with free shipping. One seller offers no returns, while the other offers 30-day returns. Which widget would you buy?

Look at your competitors’ return policies. How can you make yours better than theirs? If they offer 30-day returns, maybe you could offer 60-day returns. Or free returns. Or both! Check the number of returns you get in any given category to know what’s best for your business.

To score a free copy of my eBay Sales Accelerator with even more tips, add yourself to the waiting list for Social Media Insider, my VIP sellers group.

Here’s to a new year full of more eBay sales than ever, faster than ever!

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