Videos get clicks. Let’s drive some eBay traffic! (VIDEO)

Posted by in Creative Ideas | 68 comments

In the newsletter that went out today I talked about a new idea for driving traffic from eBay to affiliate programs, opt-in lists, or websites without violating eBay policy.

Experienced eBay sellers and those familiar with the “about me” page can skip forward to about the 2:17 mark. The front end of the video is for “newbies”.

For EVERYONE though – this is an idea you haven’t seen before!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

Alternate links to video:
YouTube
FreeIQ

Please leave me your feedback after you watch it.

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  • http://www.liquid8music.com Andy Rogers

    Jim,

    That's a really cool twist on putting video in the listings which, by the way, is a great auction booster.

    Cheers – Andy
    http://www.liquid8music.com – music gear auctions

  • http://www.AuctionSelling101.com Mr. Blue

    Hey Jim,

    Great ideas – as usual. Keep up the great work!

  • http://mattnokes.com Susie

    Very good, especially with all the Ebay rules!

    Great help in thinking around them to reach our customers!

  • http://www.proebook.de Mario

    Perfect, Thanks Jim !!!

  • Stuart Roberts

    Hi Jim,

    that's a great tip! If only I understood how to 'insert the code' so that when the picture is clicked on it takes the person to my eBay page. Is the way to do it freely available anywhere?

    Thanks

    [[reply from Jim]]: Toward the end of the video I give you the exact HTML code that you need to drop into your auction to make it all work. When you are listing an item for sale eBay give you the choice to use the HTML or standard listing option. If you choose HTML and drop in that code you are all set! You can use a free picture host photbucket.com to host the pics. Anyone else have some good free photo hosting sites they can suggest?

  • http://www.shearbridal.com Terri Shearer

    Jim, this is a great idea. A perfectly legal way to use the 'lost leader' marketing concept to drive traffic.

    Thanks! – Terri
    http://www.shearbridal.com – all things weddings

  • http://CollectibleSport.com Kevin T. Fairbanks

    I wish I would have thought of this idea. Please keep them coming. Not sure about anyone else, but I can use all the help I can get. Thanks!

  • http://mustseepromotions.com/ Nick

    Great idea, Jim, but if you're running multiple auctions would you really want to put all the videos on your about me page?

    Nick

    http://mustseepromotions.com/

    [[reply from Jim]]: why not use the same image in all auctions? Just make it an interesting image…

  • http://www.househub.com Greg

    Jim,

    Great content. Your books and sites make the business of internet marketing and ebay sales a snap!

    Thanks, Greg http://www.HouseHub.com
    - Deep Discounted Houses and Real Estate

  • http://www.karenshistoryproject.com Karen Davis

    Your instructions are always so clear~

    Yes, do please make more!!

  • http://HawaiiVacationBuzz.com/1/ John McCabe

    Excellent idea! My guess is that a variant of that will also work anywhere you are allowed to post images…

  • Bobbie Davis

    Fantastic!!

    Keep up the great work and-

    Thanks again

    Bobbie Davis

    bobbie44dee@yahoo.com

  • http://www.crisp100dollarbills.com Jeff Hall – www.cris

    Hey Jim,

    Jeff Hall here..

    Another fantastic video for all us eBayers.

    Your remarkable, and freely given marketing information is what gave my wife Sandy and I our successful experience in eBay and internet marketing.

    I also want to thank you Jim, for allowing

    Sandy to be a part of your outstanding website as one of your highly acclaimed experts on mysilentteam.com.

    That site is an inspiration to a lot of us on the internet.

    This latest video gave me a great idea that I'm implementing onto our About Me pages right away.

    I'll let you know how much traffic improves to our brand new website I just launched.

    Which I'm going to promote on our About Me pages with a video.

    I just love your "Out The Box Thinking" Jim.

    Thanks Again,

    Jeff Hall

    <a href="http://www.crisp100dollarbills.com” target=”_blank”>www.crisp100dollarbills.com

  • Leona

    Great video Jim. I screen captured the instructions with the code page !:) Another super learning tip! Thanks again!

  • http://www.crisp100dollarbills.com Jeff Hall – www.cris

    Hey Jim,

    This is for Stuart Roberts..

    A really great free site for hosting photos and to "easily" launch your eBay auctions is:
    http://www.auctiva.com

    My wife Sandy and I use this free site to launch all of our eBay auctions, as well as hosting all of our auction photos.

    And we host all of our website photos here as well.

    Completely free of charge.

    We save a tremendous amount of money on eBay's extra fees for adding photos to your auction listings. Plus a whole lot more.

    We've saved hundreds and hundreds of dollars using their features instead of the same features that eBay charges for.

    Hope this helps,

    Regards,

    Jeff Hall

    http://www.crisp100dollarbills

  • David R.

    Way to go Jim. Don't stop, you got the right stuff. Take it to the Moon and beyond.

  • http://www.shopbic.com Phil

    Great video Jim. I do have one question. Would you just put a generic video in even if it has nothing to do with your auction content? This is a great idea but I wonder what eBay will say if the video has nothing to do with the auction item. I hope it is still OK as this will defiantly drive more traffic to your about me page.

    Thanks again and keep up the good work

    Phil

    [[reply from Jim]]: Oddly enough eBay's policies about videos (as found here: http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-links… state nothing about the videos relevance to the auction. It will perform better for you of course if it is relevant…but it's not a current requirement. The policies say things like "The seller must be the owner of the underlying rights", "The video may not solicit unsafe payment methods such as Western Union", "The video may not include software that harms or interferes with the viewer’s machine" etc.

    Nothing in there about "relevance", but again, relevance is probably key in getting customers to act.

  • Natalie

    Great idea? I love it. I understand it all but one thing. Does the video have to be about the item up for auction? What are the ebay rules on the videos in auctions? If not what type of thing should we do a video about?

    It's still all new to me forgive my if it's a no brainer.

    Thanks for another NEW idea. Natalie

    [[reply from Jim]]: See the response I left for Phil

  • http://www.andeezmedia.com Andy Valenzuela

    Hi Jim

    This is an excellent twist, I have a video linked directly to Google Video from one of

    my store items…Your absolutely right, the

    possibilities are endless linking to the About Me page…Great tip!

    Regards

    Andy
    http://www.andeezmedia.com
    Genuine Velcro(R) Brand Products

  • http://www.ticklemegood.com Nate

    Jim,

    Great video and very simple and helpful. Please make more…they are short and to the point and very useful.

    Thanks a million!!

  • http://www.SuperSmartyPants.net Jennifer

    Fantastic…as usual! I have enjoyed every bit of info you have every made available to us. This video has given me a great idea…Thank You!

  • Jim

    I have been using a youtube video to drive traffic to my auctions so I realize the power of youtube.This is powerful stuff.Please keep this kind of information flowing to us. Thanks Jim. I have both of your books.

    [[reply from Jim]]: Thanks for the kind feedback! Not to self promote too much, but there are actually 3 books. SilentSalesMachine.com, AuctionTrafficCash.com, PartTimePlan.com. Visit the order page of either of the first two and get a special price on a 3 book bundle.

  • Carol Dankelman

    Thank you so much. The SSM book was my inspiration to get into intermarketing.

    I believe an earlier commentor had the same idea: there doesnt have to be a video on the AboutMe page; you could just make a relevant image clickable and insert it into the auction. Right?

    [[reply from Jim]]: testing will tell the story, but right now it's hard to beat the click through rate on a video image…

  • Lynn Leusch

    Super idea! I appreciate your willingness to share your ideas with us so we can create a successful online business. Knowing how we can use this one idea without breaking the eBay rules will definately be a great advantage to our auctions which offers easy access to redirect traffic to the "about me" page. Keep the ideas flowing… Thank you!

  • Julie

    The wheels are turning in my mind. This is a great idea. I have your book and it is well worth the price. I loved sampling the membership site. Hope to join before long. Please, please, please keep the videos coming.

    Thank you,

    Julie

    sororitysisters.blogspot.com

  • http://www.easywebdesignbasics.com Linda

    I love the way you explain things so simply!

    This is a great idea and thanks for sharing it!

    Linda

  • http://www.starwarstoystore.com Martin

    Hi Jim, I really liked the idea of pointing the screenshot to my About Me page. Can I just ask exactly where/how you put the html code in the ebay auction listing ? I assume it must be attached to the image but how do you make this happen ? Sorry for the dumb question ! Thanks, Martin

  • http://www.roberteilers.com Robert Eilers

    That is an awesome idea. Now I need to make some videos. Anyone have a camera I can borrow?

    Since you gave me such an awesome tip I would like to give you one too for your next videos.

    If you could make the video window smaller that would be great. I had to scroll a few times to see the whole thing and I have a 17 inch flat panel screen.

    Keep 'em coming though. Your tips are always awesome.

  • http://www.shopbic.com Phil

    Jim, hello again. I have a little more about my previous question. You put your screenshot in your auction and direct them to your “About Me “page. Do you then have them click again on your video to play or would you make it play automatically? If it plays automatically they would not see your about me page. After the video how do you direct them back to your auction? Some would know to use the “back” button and some may not. Would you need to provide directional instructions? I know that this may be basic to some but I am new to the big picture.

    Thanks again and keep up the good work.

    We all appreciate it

    Phil

    shopbic.com

    [[reply from Jim]]: you said: "If it plays automatically they would not see your about me page" You need to embed the video in your about me page. For example, every YouTube video has a code associated with it that allows it to be uploaded to any page on the web. You'd need to upload it to your "about me" page.

  • http://www.diypackagingtemplates.com Cheryl

    Jim,

    Another great tip. I have both SSM & PTP. I've put video on my auctions before, but doing the screen capture to send them to the about me page is outstanding idea and encourages click-through. Keep up the good work!

  • Jack

    Your the best! 'nother fantastic idea,

    Thanks and please keep'm coming.

    later,

    Jack

  • http://www.mawvelousdeals.com Michelle W.

    I watched the video and I think you did a good job with it. I appreciate the hints regarding the about me page!

  • Les

    Jim's Da Man!

    Excellent Jim!

    Most people learn better from watching. You explained and illustated the whole procedure very well.

    More of these will be great!

  • John

    Hi Jim,

    I only just recently purchased your book and its 10 out of 10 so far. The video tip in the"about me" page is a great idea.

    Jack from Oz

  • http://www.shopbic.com Phil

    Jim, hello again. I guess I didn't make my self to clear. I know that you would code the page to show on your about me page and when they clicked the image on your auction page that your about me page would come up with the video in a section of the about me page. Would you want the video to start automatically (like a PowerPoint presentation starts when you open it) or would you want them to click on the video play button? Next would you need to direction them back to your auction? I am still a little new to all this and I appreciate all your help.

    Thanks again

    Phil

    shopbic.com

    [[reply from Jim]]: you could either automatically start the video or you could require another click of the play button once they get to your about me page. Either way it's the act of clicking the image the first time that gets you traffic to the "about me" page. There is no need to direct people back to your auction. It is a universal skill to use the "back" button when moving from one page to another and then back again. I'm more interested in picking up a new subscriber or lead than in having one more person see my auction. If the customer is interested in the auction they'll go back to it.

  • http://www.auctionewz.com Patrick rogers

    Great idea jim! I have your book and Recommend it to my ebay friends.

  • http://www.easyincome247.com Mick Menesse

    Hi Jim,

    Great idea Jim, I've often been stuck trying to link my auctions to my 'about me' page in a more exciting way than just standard text.

    I was about to add something similar to my website http://www.easyincome247.com
    but you beat me to it.

    Keep the good ideas coming!

    Regards,

    Mick

  • http://www.currymad.net Tony

    Hi Jim,

    Your eMails are one of the few that I actually read, because I find them good and interesting.

    I've watched the video, and it is packed with good info. Just a couple of things. I didn't actually SEE your image! When you mention "Video" I expect to SEE something!

    Also, how can I copy the html code to paste into the Auction page.

    Keep the "goodies" coming, and hey, thanks a lot.

    [[reply from Jim]]: you mean you want to see my face?? Trust me – you aren't missing much… To copy the code from the video to your about me page you'll need to type it out one time and then use copy paste from now on. Once you have a good "generic" video you can drop it into all your auctions.

  • Jo Graeber

    RE: image hosting accounts — the only reason I have kept my AOL account for FREE is because I have 7 names, each with loads of free ftp space where I host all my ebay images for free. There is room for hundreds and hundreds of images. This was a great video, thank you again for very helpful info!

  • simon nixon

    hi jim,excelent video and fantastic concept,another winner jim,many thanks.

    simon UK

  • http://theurbanshoppe.com Karen S.

    You always have great ideas! Thanks

  • Ray M.

    These instructions are extremely helpful. Nice to have it simple

  • http://http/www.ryansstuffandthings.com Reg Boczko

    Great tip… Can't wait to try it…

    keep the ideas flowing…

  • http://www.jklphoto.com Jim Lenderink

    Great Job Jim. You really are a teacher and you enjoy it. Thank You for being there for all of us. Keep up these videos. Jim

  • Eli

    You rock. Have a great vacation.

  • Alex

    Great video, I always learn a lot from you Jim.

  • http://www.ladybugwreaths.com Nancy Alexander

    Hi Jim,

    I know you're probably already with that sweet little girl. I hope your entire family has a wonderful adventure!

    Well, I spent about 2 hours today watching your video over several times and applying your ideas. I put my YouTube video in my About Me page. (The page needs more work, but that is to come.)

    Then, I went by your directions exactly, and I now have the link in each one of my wreath auctions which leads them directly to the video on my About Me Page.

    You're ingenious AS ALWAYS! What a wonderful idea! I have another video coming which I think is much better than my first one, and I'll switch them out when the time comes. But, the great thing is that IT WORKS WONDERFULLY!!!!

    THANKS & SMILES….Nancy
    http://www.ladybugwreaths.com

  • http://www.squidoo.com/auctionsecretprofitsreview Colin

    Hi Jim, thanks for a great video!I have seen a similar method before and I've been a bit apprehensive about using it.I wondered whether or not it violated ebay's policies but now you have cleared that up,I shall start using the method you have outlined straight away!

    Thanks again Jim,

    Colin

    Colm Butterley's Search Domination Challenge

  • yvonne

    wonderful video!i have yet to sell any iteam or even buy one.I am looking to gain any information that I can,free or low cost to help me in the near future.Your video and news letters are a great tool for new comers like me.I would love nothing more than to learn all I can about Ebay yhanks again,Yvonne

  • http://www.tipsmarketing.biz Heather Symons

    Hi Jim!

    Just wanted to thankyou for all the info

    you send me. I want you to know that I

    bought your three books,ssm,auction traffic and how to turn auction traffic into cash.

    Again, I thankyou, today I have joined

    DSW, I have signed up for the eCourse.

    Keep up the good work Jim!

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