Instead of a New Year resolution list, or a 2009 prediction list - here is a list of simple things you can focus on to keep your customers and continue to grow.

• Save your customers time - buyers will pay more if they understand it will save them time. We're in a perfect position (we save time because no driving to buy).

• Help customers stretch their budget dollars - tell buyers how your product will save them money. (quality will last longer, your product takes less energy, package your items into value packs so you can offer a better discount on more).

• People still love luxury - if you sell on eBay this is perfect. Remind your customers that while they may not be able to afford new in package, your product is still high quality. Even if it is used. Example, let's say you find a high quality cashmere sweeter at a garage sale - remind your buyer they can afford this simple luxury because it's not full price. (PS- I'm sure eBay will be aggressively pushing Bill Me Later options this year, so higher value luxury items will be perfect candidates - remind buyers they can have the cashmere sweater for "less than XYZ a month").

• Entertainment - collectibles are still going to sell, people love entertainment. If it's more expensive remind buyers about Bill Me Later. Try to create a buzz by using newsletters and include stories (history or how you came to own it, or any other tidbit that's interesting to your buyers) in your description. 

• Add Value - include information about your products. Money saving tips, recipes to stretch buyers dollars - perhaps even an eBook or podcast. Both can be created easily using free tools available to all (stretching your marketing dollars). 

Do you have any tips you'd like to share with readers? Please send them in. If I publish them, I'll be happy to include a link to your site.

Newsletters - Sales In A Click - Just For eBay Newsletters
A new service that will make your eBay newsletter more effective

Did you know that A Harris Poll Consumer Survey revealed that 68% of online shoppers feel compelled to browse an online retail website after receiving an email from the store.

Last week I had the pleasure to talk to Greg Bala from Sales in a Click. This new service is simple and affordable.  It's an eBay email marketing service that drives customers to your store every month - automatically.

Sales in a Click has taken all the pain out of writing a store newsletter. They will write it and send it for you. 

For only $25.00 for six months, I'm going to sign up next week. Watch out for an update. 

Profitable eBay Stores Series

This your chance to learn from an amazing teacher. Janelle Elms wants everyone to set up their eBay store for maximum profitability. In this new series, Janelle walks you step-by-step through opening an eBay store all the way through maximizing it for best placement on Google and other search engines.  This series is getting great reviews. If your plan is to build an eBay store in 2009 I highly recommend you grab your copy.

Janelle is offering it at a special introductory price and including some very valuable bonuses.

This 5-part CD set includes:
Almost 20 hours of step-by-step video instructions about setting up your eBay Store for profit 

• Lessons that take you from 'what to do BEFORE you set up your eBay Store' all the way to 'marketing outside of eBay'...and everything in between 

• 5 exclusive Interviews with leading experts: Lynn Dralle, Marsha Collier, Hugues Deriau, Andy Sernovitz and Jay Berkowitz 

• Success Steps offered at the end of each 'week' – these checklists will help you stay on track and achieve success. 

• Clickable links are included with each lesson so you can easily locate the products, stores, and companies referred to during the training. No scrambling for a piece of paper to catch the website that was mentioned. 

For more information - head on over to the 1% club!

The Marketing Minute - A Fun New Video Series

Click here to watch the video

During eBay Live, I asked as many sellers as possible to give me their favorite marketing tip. Over the next several weeks I'll let them tell you, in their words, their favorite eBay marketing tip. Watch my blog, YouTube, Twitter, or your email inbox for the latest video.

This weeks guest is Andy Sernovitz, author of Word Of Mouth Marketing find out more about him at www.wordofmouthbook.com

Eventbright - an easy to use registration system for events

Click here to watch the eventbright video

One way you can promote your business is through local events and classes. But all the extra work involved may seem overwhelming, especially when it comes to keeping track of reservations, emails and client contacts. That's why I thought you might be interested in Eventbright.

I've used it a couple of times and find it very easy to navigate and the price is reasonable. Not only can you use it for local events you can use it for teaching online classes.

For more information about eventbright click on this link

Watch free tutorials, read free eBooks and more
My new site for internet retailers and entrepreneurs, Web Sellers' Circle, is adding a special Members Only area that will feature longer videos, tutorials, ebooks, and other specials and occasional goodies - all with the aim of helping you to be more successful in the new year. 

All we ask is that you sign up to view this special content. But because you already receive my newsletter, I want to share this great information with you immediately. There is nothing more you have to do - no fees, no forms to fill out, no extra registration.

Right now we're still adding goodies, so please bookmark the site and check back often.

http://members.websellerscircle.com

When asked for a password, enter "profits" (without the quotes) - user ID: WSC

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for future classes, please leave them in the comments. I'd love to hear from you.

Here's what Ani said about our first video:

"Hi Cindy & Dany:
This is a wonderful presentation. So informative. 
I've just added your insights to my list of goals for 2009"
Ani Khachian
http://lilliansgirl.wordpress.com/

The PhotoShop Elements Class Starts On Saturday - Don't Miss Out!

   We've had so much interest in a Photo Editing Class that Dany Byrne and I will be teaching an online series on PhotoShop Elements.

  This online class covers the basics of PhotoShop Elements. We'll help you get the most out of your camera and produce award winning pictures that you'll be proud to share!

  This course will meet three times - January 10, 17 and 24th from 2:00 -3:30 pm Pacific Time. 

  We'll take you through, step-by-step the basic tools provided in PhotoShop Elements. The modules are designed to show you how to use the tools, allow you a week to get familiar with them, and then we'll move on to the next level

Free Success With Cindy Webinar This Wednesday