eBay announced another design change this week. The stores are the latest to receive the new, more web 2.0 upgrade. If you have a store, between now and the end of March you should preview it to make sure your design features will integrate with the new look. Read the announcement and see how your store will look by going here.

I had a scare this week. I received an email the day before the big announcement from an eBay Certified Provider who claimed that the new changes would break eBay store custom designs. To make matters even more confusing there was no 'official' announcement from eBay. It was with great relief when the eBay announcement came the next day and I could test how my store would look. All is OK!

I like the new store look so much that I opted to keep the new changes starting immediately. 

Below is my 'old look"

Below is the 'new' design. I really like the cleaner gallery photos - three across. That means that for many buyers more products displayed 'above the fold' (that area that is viewable without a person using the scroll to go up and down or side to side). Every monitor displays a little different, but for the most part - more product above the fold - yea! I also like the way the categories and sub categories display. I think it's much easier to read.

You should check your store soon if you have done a lot of customization or your designer used lots of graphics, any java or (in some cases) CSS. Don't worry if you don't understand what those are, just check your store display by going to the eBay announcement and clicking on the preview link. If you need to change, contact your designer - in many cases they are 'on it' and know the tweaks you'll need to keep things flowing smoothly.

USPS Postage Rates Go Up Today

Prices will change on Sunday, January 18th, for Express Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Select, Parcel Return Service, and some international shipping products. Overall, shipping services prices will increase an average of 5 percent. The complete list of new prices is available at www.usps.com/prices. 

Just a quick tip for those who still take their packages to the post office: Sellers using Endicia, Stamps.com or PayPal postage services will save some money because they will be eligible commercial discounts. Commercial savings over retail will increase from 3% to 5% for Express Mail and from an average of 3.5% to an average of 4.7% for Priority Mail. Currently I subscribe to Endicia and can highly recommend the service, and now it with the discounts it pays for itself.

Exciting News!

I've just finished a new DVD tutorial outlining how to Make Money With eBay Affiliate Web Sites. 

According to the Marketing Sherpa over 6 Billion dollars was paid in affiliate income in 2006. Currently on the eBay Partner Network that are over 50,000 members generating affiliate sales, and you could join the ranks. Widgets are a simple way to create great looking content that your visitors will click on. Using the eBay Partner Network (EPN) many affiliates have generated huge incomes. It's reported that the top 20 EPN affiliates make over $1,000,000 per month. Now, I'm not saying you'll instantly make a million, but this tutorial will show you how to set up a site that has the potential for some serious extra income.

This easy, step-by-step guide to setting up your eBay widgets will show you how to: 

How to sign up for the eBay Partner Network 
How to get a web hosting account 
How to add a domain to that account
How to direct (or point) your domain to your new web hosting account
How to put an eBay widget on your website 
How to create you own unique website for the widgets using free software 
How to upload your new site so the world can see it
How and where to market your site 
How to list your sites on Yahoo.com and Google.com 

We'll also show you the different types of eBay Widgets and how they will be most effective and profitable for your website or blog.

As an introduction I'm offering it for $24.95 plus FREE shipping. The price will go up as soon as I release it to affiliates and put it up for sale on Amazon and eBay. If you are ready to make money without investing lots of capital in inventory - grab this tutorial.

For more information or to purchase click here.

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 John Tillotson from deal4it.com - a wonderful way to use interactive videos to liven up buy-it-now listings.

How To Write A Press Release Video Reply Up

If you haven't already, please sign up for free access to the special members only part of the Web Sellers Circle. Once you've signed up you'll have access to the video reply.

We covered, when, what to say, where and how to drive traffic to your site using press releases. As a special bonus, inside the membership area, I've included 20 places to submit press releases online. I've also included quick checklist on what to say and do if you are interviewed by the press.

To gain access, sign up to the members only area by going to:

http://websellerscircle.com - and look for the 'join the web sellers circle' form

Remember - access is free, but you do need to sign up to enter.

FREE Webinar - Amazon Fulfillment (FBA)

Wednesday (Jan 21st) at noon pacific.

I'm back on the air with Janelle Elms from the OSI Rockstars to teach you about Amazon.com fulfillment. We'll cover why, how much it costs and I'll give you a demo of how to set up an Amazon.com 'FBA' order.

To sign up for this free webinar go to www.successwithcindy.com

Puget Sound Area Classes:

eBay Basics

Sandpoint Education Center
1/28 & 2/4/2009 - 6:30 -9:30pm
more information

Digital Cameras 101

Sandpoint Education Center
1/26/2009 - 6:30 -9:30 pm
more information here

Internet/eBay Photography

Sandpoint Education Center
1/27/2009 - 6:30-8:30 pm
more information here

An Introduction to Buying & Selling Online

Renton Community Center
1/29/2009 6:00-9:00 pm
More information here

Lynnwood Community Center
1/30/2009 6:00 -9:00 pm
More information here

Selling on Amazon (online selling)

Skagit Valley Community College
2/18 6:00 - 9:00 pm
more information

Dany Byrne wanted to let you know about some exciting new classes she'll be teaching this March, at the Everett Community College:

NEW CLASSES BEGIN - March, 2009 

Introduction to Blogging
Popular Publishing Class
You Tube Class

For more information about her classes - visit her website at: http://www.dbyrneassociates.com

Click here to watch the video

Danna Crawford, AKA the powersellingmom.com recently hosted a charity auction to benefit the Jimmie Johnson Foundation. My top bid won me a month banner ad linking to a website of my choice from Dannas website: http://powersellingmom.blogspot.com/  - That meant I had to create the ad (Danna volunteered to help - but I wanted to do it myself). Which made me think - maybe others would like to know how to make a simple banner in case they're ever called upon to create one. So, - thus... today's video tutorial a quick demo on creating an ad using Photoshop Elements.