The changes from eBay management keep coming fast and furious. I was taken by surprise when eBay announced major new policy changes on the day eBay.com changed the feedback system. While many were licking their wounds over their lowered feedback score eBay added some salt. Ouch! But, don't panic - we'll recover. 

In today's newsletter I thought I'd do a quick rundown of the new policy changes for my students. If you want more information my friend and colleague Janelle Elms already has some ideas cooking up about how to take advantage of the new policy changes and is preparing a class specifically for her members at OSI Rockstars. And by the way, what are Janelle Elms and Dany Byrne up to? Check it out here.

eBay Live 2008 in Chicago is in June, just around the corner. Another surprising announcement from eBay was that they are skipping eBay Live 2009, so this conference has to hold us till 2010. If you are wondering about going this year - go, go, goooooo.

My business is really taking off, thanks to the help of many! I can't tell you how grateful I am to my peers, students and mentors for all you've done. And, now one more exciting bit of news is that Cliff Ennico and I are teaming up to write a Marketing Book about eBay for Amacom. This summer will find me with my fingers to the keyboard. Watch for more details as we go forward. Tentative release date, this time next year.

I was recently interviewed by Daniel Gross of Newsweek (for their blog) as well, but what meant even more to me was that they one of my photographs from last years eBay Live. My photo made to the Newsweek blog lightbox. In all, while it's fun to get publicity - I loved the chance to have another one of my photos published. After all, that's what we photographers thrive on - LOL.

You can read the full article here. 

eBay Live! 2008 Update

I just received my eBay badge and booked my plane ticket. I hope to see you in Chicago. There's still time to get your ticket for the June event. If you want more information about eBay Live go here. If you're going I'd love to meet you. Here are a few of the places you can find me.

I've been asked to be part of the eBay Education Specialist Panel called: Teach Others To Sell On eBay on Saturday June 21st . I'll be speaking alongside eBay sellers: mltring, xoxmas & brooklynbooks.

I'm also volunteering at the eBay Education Booth on Thursday June 19th from 12:00 to 3:00 pm. Please come on by I'll show you how to become an education specialist - or just say 'hi"

The Unofficial eBay Live! Photo Walk will be Friday Morning from 8:00am to 9:00am. I've found a tour guide who will show us some of the downtown Chicago artwork including Picasso & Miro. Our guide is a photo blogger and you can see some of Peggy's fantastic photographs of Chicago on her Chicago Photo blog by going  here. 

We'll be meeting at 8:00 am (walk lasts an hour, so you'll have plenty of time to get to the convention center) at the the "Fountain at Millennium Park" right on the corner of Randolph Street and Michigan Avenue. I'm sponsoring this it is free for anyone who wants to learn a little about Chicago and learn a little more about their cameras. If you want to send me an email - I'll keep you up to date on the event.

eBay Policy Changes - How to avoid trouble

There are new policy changes rolling out this summer. I expect we'll hear new policies announced at eBay Live as well. 

This week eBay announced several more. Among them a new choice listing policy, a new limit on listing visibility, a linking policy and a vaguely stated update on the keyword spamming policy. If you haven't had a chance to read them here's the link.

Let's take a quick look at these policies and what they mean going forward.

Removal of choice listing policy. This one is fantastic for sellers who have identical items except for color, size etc.. Under the old policy sellers were suppose to list each unique color or size separately. Now, if the only difference is something like size they can all be listed under one listing. For instance I sell Flip Video Cameras in my store, they are all the same except they come in Black, Pink, Rock Star Orange or Silver. Now I can put them all into one listing and give my buyers a choice of color. 

Ok, my speculation on this new policy - I think it may mean eBay is moving toward removing the store listings, similar to what has been done on the eBay Italy site. But, that just speculation at this point.

Removal of multiple listing policy. Don't worry about this one unless you are listing over 15 identical items on the same day, in the same category, one at a time. If this is your strategy please send me an email so we can discuss more profitable selling strategies for you.

Updated Links policy. Sellers are no longer allowed to link outside of the eBay on any of their pages. Ebay has had a long standing policy to allow links to outside websites on their 'About Me' page. It has been an important marketing tool for many sellers. I have to admit, this new policy has me more upset than the feedback changes.  If you have any links to pages outside of eBay on any of your eBay pages, including your eBay Blog, About Me Page, Custom Page or Reviews and Guides they must be removed before July.

Note: If you are an eBay Education Specialist or Trading Assistant you can link to your ES or TA page. (Yea!).

And new wording on the Keyword Spamming Policy. Ebay is changing the name and wording on this policy and I think a few sellers are going to be taken by surprise. When I read the new policy - I instantly thought no more "T&A" to sell your item. You guys know what I'm talking about - LOL.

From eBay's Policy:
"The new Search & Browse Manipulation policy extends beyond the replaced policies to include any type of activity that harms the shopping experience. This includes using terms, pictures, or links in a listing title, subtitle, item specifics, description, picture, or seller tags that don't pertain to the item being sold."

You must have seen them at some point while surfing the site. The gallery photo of the beautiful blond with lots of cleavage selling that cheap get rich quick eBook (now on CD).

Need I say more? Can't say I'll be sorry to see these ads go. But, it also means that sellers will have to be very careful how they represent their products both visually and verbally (OK, via written word).

Of course there is more to this new policy as well - some of the wording has left this policy open to lots of interpretation and I strongly recommend you read through it carefully. I think a lot of sellers will be getting a call from the Trust & Safety department at one time or another over a potential violation of this policy because it is so vague. 

New Video from Dany Byrne at Ghost Leg Media

Anyone who creates videos for YouTube, eBay, a Blog, etc to help market and brand your business will want to watch this video.

Dany Byrne has a new video that shows you where to find "royalty free" photos & videos and stay out of trouble when you use them.

Click the player below to see her video or go here to play

And here's news of a new project from Dany:

"Ghost Leg Media is hard at work on our next DVD for eBay sellers and entrepreneurs - a step by step instructional DVD that will show you how to create You Tube videos that not only look good but pay off with more sales and higher traffic to your web site or eBay store. In the coming weeks, we'll release short videos that will give you a sample of what will be covered in the DVD. 

Look for new videos in this series every week. And watch for the release of the DVD! Updates will be posted on the Ghost Leg video Blog : http://www.ghostleg.com/blog"

I'm beginning another eBay Basics Class on Friday, June 6th, in Lynnwood, Washington.

When: June 6th & 13th

Time: 6:00 -9:00 pm

Where: Lynnwood Recreation Center, 18900 44th Ave West, Lynnwood, WA 98020

Call 425-771-4030 to register

For more eBay Classes this summer go here

More On The Local Scene

The June Monthly Success Meeting is on:

Wednesday, 6/11, at Lake Forest Park (9:30 - 11:30 am)


From Carol Hearn:
"Not sure if it's the time of year, the economy, or something else, but my May sales have been terrible. I'm hoping we can give each other some pointers." 

If you have any specific suggestions for discussion topics, or need more information please email Carol Hearn. 

For those who can't make it to eBay Live this year - this is the next best thing

The Skip McGrath Boot Camp DVD series with Skip McGrath, Lynn Dralle, Jen Cano and me. We did a weekend long workshop last fall that covered everything from start-up to marketing and more. We'll be pulling the special introductory price soon. To purchase, or for more information go here.

Online Camera Class Starts: June 3rd

It's time to start enjoying your digital camera! It's not just for work you know. Vacation time is coming and you'll want to capture friends & family, sunsets and mountains, pets and wildlife.  This four hour course cover what the settings are on your camera and when to use them. If you'd like more information - go here

This newsletter is getting  long so I'm excluding my How to Make an Honest Living feature this time. I'll pick it up again, when the policy changes slow down.

That's it for now, 
Cindy

 

PS - Don't forget to check my blog for updates - I post eBay news and tips regularly. You can find the blog here.

Copyright 2008 Cindy L. Shebley Enterprises