Hi ,
I hope you had an enjoyable
Thanksgiving. We'll have to wait on the official numbers for Black
Friday sales, but it looks like shoppers were out spending. Next comes 'Cyber
Monday' - our day. As I write this newsletter my inbox is starting to
see a steady increase in those 'you've made a sale' notices. However, the
numbers are smaller than last year....
Are you using reviews to
your advantage?
I just read an informative
report on social networking and marketing. I'll talk more about it on
my blog, after I've had a little time to 'digest' the information (or
maybe the rest of turkey leftovers - LOL).
I was struck by the
importance of reviews when it comes to buying decisions. Reviews
on the Internet have risen to take over the number two spot in consumer buying
decisions. That means if a friend didn't recommend the product, people
are swayed by online reviews from strangers and base their purchase
decisions on them.
To drive the point home (for
me) was an email I received from a customer on eBay. Here it
is:
"Hi Cindy:
You're all stars so far:) This is a plus for you: While looking at inexpensive diffusers for on-camera pop-up flashes at
Amazon, ( I was headed towards the wrap around one, for my XSi) I finally read
one honest experienced user, He said: "His wrap around was so-so for the money (@$20.) but you need to raise the iso to at least 800+ and the flash exposure +1/2-2 but the back flash will kill my eye!
and next time he would get
<the one I just bought from you> and he even provided the link for me!
I feel like my little first-time-buying-a-flash-accessory research paid off:) I have a party to do the on 29th and I feel a lot better about NOT having a very fast lens now.
Thanx,
XXXX"
Notice this buyer. He left Amazon and came looking for me on eBay because a
reviewer recommended the item. That's powerful folks! I didn't put anyone up to
the review on Amazon - the customers did it - but there is no harm in
asking for a review of your products when you send out your items.
On
eBay we are obsessed with DSR's - but it's time to move past that and start
tossing in a request to review your products. Use a vistaprint
postcard (FREE Deals of the Week and Free Shipping $50+)
 or
create your own toss-in with Word or Publisher. Ask
the customer to rate the product or write a quick review about it. It's simple for
customers on Amazon to rate/review the products - just a mouse click.
On eBay let your customers know where to find the 'reviews and guides'
section.
A side
note here:
I just received a
request from one of my YouTube channel subscribers asking me to please
rate and review his video - he's trying to win a culinary scholarship
- so if you have a few minutes please rate and review this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK-R_zk3L1o
after I went, rated his
video (5 stars) and left a comment, he sent this follow-up. Bravo for
him! We should take a lesson - once in awhile we need to ask for
ratings and reviews.
Here's the request from
Darren: Culinary Institute video
"I appreciate you watching and rating my video. Would you please share it with your friends, contacts, etc. The highest rating and most views wins the scholarship."
Thanks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK-R_zk3L1o
Using the eBay store to Google Base
data feed
To see the video
click on this link
Using Google Base to keep your eBay store items
high in results has gotten easier! The original incarnation of the
connector was a desktop application that you needed to toggle on every
thirty days. This first version sits on my desktop, collecting virtual
dust. I forgot
to use it. When I did remember to use it, half the time I'd get error
messages and have to come back and try later. I gave up on it and
considered using the old connector a waste of time.
However, Google and eBay now
communicate via a bridge called the 'eBay to Google
Store Connector'. You set it up once, determine the length of time
between transfers and let Google and eBay work it out.
It's pretty simple, but you
may miss a couple of important steps. Above is a video tutorial on how
to set it up. (First set up a Google account if you don't have one). Then come back and watch the
video.
A special Thanks goes
to eBay seller Beth Cherkowsky who moderates the OnlineBusinessSuccess - Yahoo! group for sharing this tip.
2009 the
Year of Internet Video - Free Webinar this Wednesday!
One theme I've noticed over
and over is that Internet Video is becoming more and more important. EBay
sellers have been including listings with video for about a year now
and in 2009 Amazon is going to open up Video to sellers. Meanwhile,
YouTube is the number two search engine on the Internet. If you don't
have a video on YouTube - your chances of be found though search is
increasingly slim.
And, after the first of the
year there are going to be BIG changes in Search algorithms on Google that
will make video even more important.
To learn all about these important
changes I invite you to a free webinar on Wednesday December 3rd -
noon pacific time. I've asked Dany Byrne to join me so we don't miss
any important technique you need to know.
To sign-up or for more
details click here to go to the Success
With Cindy sign-up page.
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
Facebook
or your email inbox for the latest video.
This weeks guest
is Robin Cowie from worldwidebrands.com.
EBAY RADIO GROUP - JUNE
2009 PARTY
Almost Live Get Together
Lee Mirabal, Jim Griffith and eBetsy from eBay radio has started a grass roots eBay get together in June 2009. Talk is that there will be experts, parties and cheap buffets. This will be an
excellent chance to network with other eBayers. And, there is talk that if we can get together at least a hundred people, the eBay contingent will come.
First line of business: choosing which city we want it in: Las Vegas or San Diego - so go to:
http://www.wsradio.com/RADIOGROUPJUNE/ and vote.
Send Lee an email if you are interested in attending. The link is on the page.
Stand Out In A
Sea Of Free With Profitable Gallery Photos
A New CD Tutorial
With everyone’s gallery images now free, how will YOURS standout among the crowd? Join photography expert Cindy Shebley
and OSI Trainer
Janelle Elms as they give you some brilliant ideas on doing just that!
-
What's a good gallery
photo
-
Why it will become
your most valuable real estate on eBay
-
Simple steps to
improve your photos
-
Cindy's best lighting
tips
-
Basic equipment that
will make a difference
-
Step-by-step on how
to use Bling! It
-
How to add photos to
your listing
-
And, how to add
photos without paying extra in fees
-
How to make a text
only graphic for your gallery
Purchase the CD Rom now for $14.95
- click
here
Learn To
Blog
Whether you are a new or
experienced blogger, you will find something to improve your blog
in this new book.
-
Learn the difference
between WordPress.com and WordPress.org
-
Find out how to
optimize your blog for top search engine rankings (SEO)
-
Learn how to earn
income from AdSense, Commission Junction, and affiliate sales
-
Discover which
Plug-Ins are 'Must Haves'
-
Learn how to
schedule "future posts" so you will never be
overwhelmed by the demand for constant updates
This e-Book is a perfect
guide to those ready to start a Wordpress Blog.
For more information or
to purchase Blogging
With Wordpress visit ghostlegpress.com
Buy
it now, Dany has tons of great bonuses, including a special
members only area including a webinar class for those who purchase
early.
More On The Local Scene
The December Monthly
eBay Success Meeting:
The next Seattle EBay Success Group meeting will be held
Wednesday morning, 12/10, It's
going to be a celebration - potluck!
at Lake Forest Park meeting room (near the food court by Third Place Books)
from 9:30 - 11:30 am.
Please let Carol know if you are joining us and what you'd like to
bring. Click here to
send her an RSVP email.
PS: Grita asked us to
bring clothing to donate to the thrift store she works at. They
give vouchers to clients who can't afford to pay for the items -
and this year they are running short on clothes. Clean out your
closets and bring them to the potluck!
Fall Classes:
Fall classes are finishing up now.
Here are the last classes:
eBay Basics in Oak
Harbor - Dec 8th & 10th
more
information here
eBay -102 Beyond The Basics in Mt Vernon -
Dec 1
& 3rd
more
information here
Winter
Classes
January Schedule around
the Puget Sound:
eBay Basics
Sandpoint Education
Center
1/28 & 2/4/2009 - 6:30 -9:30pm
more
information
Oak
Harbor - 12th & 14th
more
information here
Digital Camera's
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
The
PhotoShop Elements Class Has A Date & Time!
Thanks to everyone
who's sent me an email!
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
Have
you visited my blog lately?
If not, you've missed these articles:
Cindy For President
Of eBay
http://clovercitysells.blogspot.com/2008/11/cindy-for-president-of-ebay.html#links
Looking At Black Friday Sales
http://clovercitysells.blogspot.com/2008/11/looking-at-black-friday-sales.html#links
eBay Changing DSR's in 2009?
http://clovercitysells.blogspot.com/2008/11/ebay-changing-dsrs-in-2009.html#links
Payments by Amazon
http://websellerscircle.com/payments-amazon/
Want to make an extra $1000 a month?
http://websellerscircle.com/100000-week-potential-income-stream/
Want to improve your
SEO?
One tried and true
method to improving your SEO is links to your site or store.
Because my site ranks pretty high in my field the requests for
links is constant. I usually ignore them, but recently I had a
group contact me for a link several times. I finally took a look
at their site and determined they'd be a good match. So, to make a
long story short - I told them "yes... but..."
Then I got to thinking,
If I going to say yes to perfect strangers, it would only be fair
to offer the same deal to all of you. So, here it is. If you want
a link I'll provide them in exchange for an interview. It can be
on your area of expertise - and it can be either written, spoken
or a webinar. I have all the technology we need. I'll promote the
interview on my blog, in this newsletter and put a link on my
site.
Send your interview
proposal to me at: cindy@clovercityseslls.com
- I look forward to hearing them!
That's it for now,
Cindy Shebley
eBay Certified Business Consultant
author eBay Marketing Bible
www.clovercity.com
Copyright 2008 Cindy L.
Shebley Enterprises
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