What would you tell this eBay seller?
Monday, November 5th, 2007 - 9:50 am
I’ve just found an eBay seller that I think will inspire and challenge you!
- Here’s what they are doing RIGHT:
It’s a great example of a business using some of the “Silent Sales Machine” techniques I teach in my best seller sold only at SilentSalesMachine.com (a little plug can’t hurt)
I’ll give you a link so you can see this creative eBay seller in a moment…but before I do here’s my request:
This seller could still use a little help!
With a couple of simple tweaks to their business this seller could be making a lot more profit for NO LESS daily work. What simple improvements would you suggest to triple their results literally OVERNIGHT? Use the creative ideas you’ve learned from this newsletter and from the SilentSalesMachine.com book and share your thoughts with the rest of us!
I’ll reveal my answer in an upcoming newsletter, but first I want to know…what do you think?
To leave a comment or read the ideas others have submitted please click on the “comment” link just below this article.
JIM’s OFFICIAL RESPONSE IS COMMENT #64 but don’t skip the other fantastic contributions that left very little for me to say! Click the “comment” link below to read the replies or leave your own.
ONE thing I would tell them to do is to increase thier prices to about $12.99 per design auction, they are selling em too cheap and I would easily pay $12.99 for every auction they have. They should slowly but surely increase thier price, So that by 6 months from now, they are up at $12.99 a auction. I can almost guarentee you they will still sell as many auctions as they do now, only they will gain more $4-5 more per auction.
Also they need to spruce up thier about me page, make it a more welcomed place to be, maybe put pics of thier designs there, capture a mailing list, offer more of a about me.
I’ll add them to my new site at http://www.sewing-notions.com too…. under/with my ebay affiliate link…
Blessings Diana
Where is the newsletter sign-up? The free daily give-away reminder could be sent out to subscribers.
Store name is Designs by Sick. Maybe a new store name is in order.
About Me page is not used to drive traffic to the website.
I have noted a few things on the sales pages that I love, and will test on my eBay sales pages. What I don’t love… all text centered. Harder to read.
What a great niche market!
WOW…That blows my mind…
I’m trying to achive thoses
numbers…Guess like what you always say
” Find your niche, and auto-pilot it”
Been seaching but coming up dry, but
I’m not giving up…
They could allow me to or anybody do an
affliate program… If there is such a big market then they need to go on other auction sites too…
Just some Food for Though…
Great niche for seller. Recommend adding an “see my About Me for free patterns or sign’up for newsletter” and to make this at the top of the description page. On the About Me page add a link to sign up for a free newsletter concerning embrodery patterns or something to that idea. Also, a link to an affiliate to make some side money if that is of interest.
What would I say to him? CONGRATULATIONS!
Man, that’s really GREAT. I find that it
encourages me as does your whole newsletter.
Thanks Jim
Ralph L
The prices are way too low. They’re not capturing email addresses. I downloaded the pattern of the day expecting to have to opt in and there was nothing. Their about me page didn’t tell me to click on the link… I almost missed the membership site thing. A couple of good ideas for another project I’ve been kicking around… Thanks for making me look!
Great Job:
And the comments from the other readers are really on point about raising prices, sprucing up the About Me page and driving traffic to a website. A couple more comments:
1. I would write some descritive text. This may be a hard item to “romance,” but I am sure the seller can talk a little about it and also personalize the description a bit - People like to buy from people.
2. Some of the photos are slightly underexposed which is why the look a bit grey. The solution is to turn your digital camera auto-exposure setting to +1, or if using a scanned image, adjust the exposure in a photo editing program.
3. Another thing would be to create a free eBook as a bonus. It could be on some aspect of embroidery that the seller is obviously knowlegable about. The eBook would help sales (everyone likes something for free) and it could contain links to the seller’s website.
But hey -these are minor comments. This is a great job on finding a great niche and exploiting it and as the product is technically an “information product” it comfirms my strong opinion that the best information products are the ones that deliver real value to people. They don’t all have to be about ways to make money. My sister is working on a product to help parents teach struggling readers, and another guy I know is selling downloads of early folk music recordings. Yesterday I reviewed a book from a fellow who is an expert in helping veterans access benefits they are entitled to. There is just so much to do and so many ideas if people take the time to research and create them.
Skip
I would look at focusing more on the 1 year subscriptions, Jacobean Tote Bag Machine Embroidery Designs, Bear Paper Doll Machine Embroidery Designs, etc that generate higher sales. They are generating more bidders for more dollars. Combine several like item designs into one auction for a variety of choices for one money and raise to a starting of $9.99 instead on focusing on one design, one auction at a time for 99 cents. This will also make managing the number of auctions much easier. This eliminates the many 99 cent auctions that are either generating roughly a dollar or so in gross sales or no sales. This 99 cent business model is benefiting eBay more than seller. My initial thoughts. Rick
So how many better ideas will this generate Jim?
When you implement the email capture you get a better backend than the front end. These people already want what you are selling.
Also FREE is a good word too.
I would have to say if the person had a better designed
about me page with some affiliate links and more links in his auctions pointing to the about me page.
Second,he could put some affliate links in the bottom of the pages
he shows about there other designs from his website.
I love the ‘niche’ they have developed.
Quite a market and I aggree with the other comments about lack of info on the “About Me” page, Newsletter, site layout, readability and ease of ‘leading visitors to drink the water’ needs for new visitors.
About up front ‘price’ though, I am unsure. It depends on the backend. What I am unsure about is the ‘backend’ price of 99 cents. Is there coupons, discounts or somethnig in the newsletter that builds the back end?
I am glad that they are having success though, because at this point of my beginning, it is more that I have going, right now. I am learning more and more about how to do this business and am off of the diving board and in the air for a splash.
Thanks Jim.
Mike
[[reply from Jim]]: there is a membership site on the back end. Customers get one year of full access to all patterns for a set price etc. Nice back end that we have no way of knowing the full results of…they do sell a good number of one year memberships from right on their eBay account though (in the store).
Increadible business, could increase sales if they would capture visitors with email opt-in for specials or give-away.
She is doing a great job. I do have a fwe suggestions.
1. I would change the name of the store to something more decriptitve and get a logo.
2. The store should make use of the promotional pages and the custom pages.
3. Offer a free newsletter.
4. Write an eBook or several and sell the eBooks on eBay.
5. Make use of the My World page by including a blog.
6. Write several guides on her niche market.
7. Better descriptions on the listings. Romance the product. Can do this after the essentials.
Jim,
Thanks for the great find.
Here are a few things he could do to generate
more sales.
#1 Insert opt-in box prominently on the about
me page. #2. Add a video slide show of the designs and then create a link on the auction page with a picture of the video box that links to the about me page with the actual slide show video located there along with the opt-in box. Essentially luring vistors to the about me page and opt-in box. #3 Make the Membership more prominent.
All the best,
Greg - http://www.househub.com - Investment Property & Now How
Nice Niche and profitable. If they offer resell rights, they could charge more money. Also links within the auction description to their About Me Page, and Newsletter sign up could increase customer base. They seem to have a lot of employees. This could increase overhead costs. The free design and membership idea is definitely a plus!
I read most of the comments and I have to admit that the people that did comment really did know what they are talking about.I am not a power seller or anything even close to that level so I really couldn’t come up with anything any better.Especially the person who mentioned that he wished that he could just come up with a niche product.From all of my research this appears to be the toughest thing to achieve success on ebay.After a person achieves this only then will any of Jims fantastic information be of any value in my oppinion.
I am new to all this so forgive me if I seem stupid. Whatever “SICK” stands for, I wouldn’t put it on the store, and I didn’t find anything about the owner(s).
I’d group some of those designs (maybe 3 packs of animal designs and one free) for a non threatening price like $4.95 or $6.95. They really are too cheap right now.
People like getting a little bonus gift so they don’t feel all you are interested is how much money you can get out of them. The smart book sellers give scads of “bonuses”.
I’d run specials for holidays, perhaps highlighting one design. And use supergood photos.
I think people would like to know who they are dealing with…maybe a little antedote or something like that, so you become a person to them, not just a place to order.
But I’m a writer in my “other life” so I think that about everything.
I ditto everyone else’s thoughts (learned a few which was nice that I’ll try to implement myself!) - but here are few of my suggestions, some may duplicate others but these are what struck me right off, although they are basic… 1. Make use of the Store Categories option, which would be much easier for Buyer’s to shop by… 2. Include a link in listings to About Me Page… 3. Use the Promotion Boxes for a Newsletter Sign-Up & to promote Newly Listed Designs… 4. Perhaps change the store name - designsbysick is a bit depressing to read - their actual eBay ID is much more pleasant… 5. Use the Navigation Bar throughout their store, including in their listings - again, easier for Buyer’s to shop by… 6. Use a store header that showcases their products/designs… basically just take advantage of all the options eBay already offers for free to spruce up their store & make it more user-friendly!
Haveread comments and especially agree that a change of name would be in order! Like the eBay ID. People searching for designs would also need cottons, materials and tools so would suggest they forge links with other eBayers (or other web-sites) and earn affiliate commissions.
The “about me” page was a little muddled and cold. No feel of the people you are dealing with.
Great idea.
I ran an embroidery shop for three years, and these designs are way underpriced. I was paying $50/month for a 30-pack of designs. A 10-pack at $14.95 would be about right.
I would drop the annual subscription and go monthly instead, at around $29.95 per month for the 4 or 5 design packs released that month, not everything previously sold.
Previous years’ collections could be burned to CD’s (1 year’s worth per CD) and sold for around $295 each.
The store name should be changed. Who wants to order from someone who calls themself “Sick?” The store name should include the word “embroidery” and the word “designs” so that people searching by stores for embroidery designs will be able to find this store more easily.
Bethanny Davis
I concur on all the already posted ideas. Here’s one I had that I didn’t notice posted…I searched for new sewing machines (general category as well as embroidery category) on ebay and found tons of dealers and the machines aren’t cheap. Also lots of opportunity on fabric search. Probably alot more complimentary vendors. This seller could backend with those dealers and offer their designs to those customers and explode their list nearly immediately. They could also offer a trial free membership for all buyers as a gift for purchasing and get them hooked in and then get them to sign up for the paid membership.
Good suggestions so far. Here’s my 2 cents worth…
Their listing says you will receive your designs “by email attachment within 48 hours”.
Do they send out all of those separate emails BY HAND?
They could save a lot of time (and probably could lay off a few of those employees) if they automated delivery of their products. There are several download management software programs available that could handle that.
One other thought…
A lot of their auctions sell for more than the 99 cent opening bid. Do you suppose they send ‘Second Chance’ offers to ALL of the underbidders? That could add a lot more $$ to their bottom line.
Thanks for showing us this one, Jim. It’s always an education.
John R. Cumbow (jjjroy)
www.MisspelledBargains.com
Find the misspelled eBay auction bargains
that other bidder miss.
I came up with something I don’t think anyone else has mentioned. How about advertising the designs to people in other art media. Many of the patterns could easily be adapted to work in stained glass or as cartoons for kids to colour in or any of a whole bunch of other ideas
Hi, after reading the above comments, there isn’t much more to add. You’ve done a great job. SiCK needs to go go away as already noted. But the thing that bothered me about your site wasI had to go through all to find ones I might be interested in. They need some categorizing. Birds, Flowers, Trucks, Etc.
Hopefully you’ve gotten enough solid feedback to keep you busy with improvements for quit a while. Good luck, oldbarnwood
Good comments everyone
Looking at
The bunny auction
1) There’s no beginning to her auctions. She just plants you right into the middle. She needs an introduction explaining her business, her expertise and perhaps what the designs look like on clothes, purse etc.
2) I agree, too low of price. I thought she was selling 1 design at first, since I missed the title description. I think she should be able to command a higher price for the patterns by categorizing them i.e. bunny pattern ebook, summer time ebook, etc.
3) Title needs to have singular version of bunnies and maybe the most popular thing these things go on, which I have no idea. Children’s clothes?
4) She should make a video on how to professionally embroider and have it as an upsell and/or bonus for joining her membership site.
5) Proofread her auction and about me page. What is she offering exactly. Is she saying a year long membership is 99 cents or does she not say the price of membership?
First of all, it is not clear what this person is selling. Are they patches to be used on whatever..,or are they instructions/patterns for the designs?
Also, I would have to make a reference to more complete details at ???website.
There I would set up the site so that customers could purchase customers choice of package deals. That is just for starters!
Great stuff! I agree with pretty much most of the other comments above, but there a re two key things to do.
First, capture the names and email addresses of every buyer, so you can then offer other products time and time again.
Another way to get people to buy is to write and publish articles. I use ezinearticles.com to bring loads of visitors to my sites. You can direct customers to your about me page or ebay store in the bio at the bottom of each article.
Hope that helps.
Keith L. Jones
www.internet-business-toolkit.com
Their concept is working. Yes, thier about me page can use some improvement to get a mailing list and better direct people to their site. Most important they do not have a home made link on thier auction page to their about me page. They can give out some kind of related free info on their auction page to get people to their about me page so people can get to their site more effeciantly. T.
Hi Guys,
I love all the ideas that are being thrown around, it had given me some ideas as well. Below I have added some of my thoughts, some of these things will take some more work initially but will then be on auto pilot once setup:
1) EBay emails: On every email to a buyer you should include a signature with a link back to your eBay store, website, AboutMe page etc
a) Item Sold email (signature link to free bonus)
b) Shipping confirmation email (signature link to free bonus)
c) Thank you email (signature link to free bonus)
d) Email questions (signature link to free bonus)
2) EBay Classified Ads: List a 30 day ad to their website.
3) EBay About Me Page: Incorporate a squeeze page or a link to a squeeze page with for their newsletter.
4) Auction email address: Have a contact email address on every auction. This email address will be an auto responder that has a link to their website or squeeze page.
5) Auction Skype Link: use skype voicemail and have a msg directing the caller to a support form on their website.
6) Write an eBay guide: Write a guide about the niche with a link to your site or eBay store.
7) Write an eBay Blog: Write a blog about the niche with a link to your site or eBay store.
9) EBay Feedback: Place a thank you msg and also a few words about your company / products
a) Feedback when purchasing
b) Feedback when selling
c) Feedback response to other feedback
10) Auction Terms and Conditions: your auction terms and conditions should be on your AboutMe page. This drives the auction visitor to the About Me page which has a squeeze page incorporated.
11) EBay ID: should be the same as your business name
12) Image Trick “to see more images of this product Click Here”: have a external page with more product images and a link to your website.
13) Information links “For more information on this product click here”: have a external page with more product information and a link to your website on the external page.
14) Add a third party affiliate link from your auctions: You can list the software / services you used to build your auction (e.g. turbo lister, selling manager) so use ones that have an affiliate program and have your affiliate link embedded in the image.
These are some of the techniques that I have foud or come up with.
Regards,
Doug.
Hello,
Great niche, I think the “buy me now” should be used more, then one does not have to wait for the end of the auction to obtain the product.
They must be doing SOMETHING right from the number of sales, so these comments are - as we say in UK - “nit picking”
I thought the gallery images were a bit childish - until I realised it was the designs they were selling.
I’m also wondering what we’re supposed to do with the designs. Do you iron them on material and then needle the design? Are the colours printed? Needs a little more instructions on what to do with designs.
And less images per line. I use a 800 x 600 display, and have to keep scrolling side to side. Not a problem, but an annoyance.
Also, the free daily design invites you to visit their site. I believe that’s againsts eBay rules. Wonder if it would be possible to use an Aweber form to capture the email address.
I’m also a little wary about sending items via email attachments. What if the vendor is on holiday and unable to process orders for a week? What if the email goes astray? Plus, we all know viruses are sent via attachments, so would people be dubious about opening?
My “modus operandi” is to use the PayPal IPN program. When they pay, an email is sent out inviting them to download item from a secure area. After X downloads, they are locked out, preventing them passing access code to friends.
These are just my observations. Again, must be doing something right judging from their sales!!
The about me page really needs to be redone. I had no idea what to click. It looks like a good start but by just making some minor cosmetic changes they can really double or triple their sales and profits.
Some great ideas so far, I would also offer a hard copy on CD with a large range of varied styles. I would also offer 3 free designs in exchange for an email sign up, not just the one design for completely free.
I would also like some explanation in the description on how I would actually use these designs? what equipment do I need?
I have no experience and some guidance in this area may make me decide to give it a try, as it is I am completely in the dark as to how I would use the products, so no purchase from me!
With the above in mind maybe a simple little ebook and a set of 5 designs to get me started for $10 dollars, then backend the membership into the ebook in case I get hooked?
I know this has already noted many times but the Sick thing just has to go - urgh…..
Dnalor
One thing i have been reading about for a long time and tried to incorporate into my sites is an AboutMe page and have listed affilitate clicks or “leading” arrows to my other wares off ebay.
mrslinda
Well, I’m NOT eager to follow Skip McGrath and precede your Newsletter comments- tough acts to follow!
But I would say this;
1. Change the store name! Designsby SICK? Yuk!
2.State How many designs(max) one could access/download with a membership, and say that instead of “get everything you see here…”
“Get 500 sets free during our Membership Special!”
And what’s in a ‘Set’? 2, 12, 20? Brag!
I DO like what is said once you click open the membership listing:
-Online since 2002
-YEAR of Library
-5 new sets weekly
-Unlimited downloads
-Instant download
Thanks for the lessons,
Ed
Ok, I am going to agree with what is already said and add a bit.
1. Store name taylored to what is sold
2. About Me Page Link, and sign up form on about me page
3. Store logo
4. small price ebook/report with upsell to memberships
5. back catalogue CD by month
6. listing template for use in all auctions
7. information on all other products on website linked to auction as other or more information with backlinks
8. Membership offer on all listings linked to ebay item offering membership
9. encouragement of contact, skype, contact me, email etc, for free offer or report
10. partnership with other ebayers in same niche.
Regards Roger (scoobywow)
I agree with all the above comments. I think this is a really useful idea of yours Jim. Asking us to use the information in your book to make constructive criticism of a site helps get us to remember it and USE it and maybe spark some extra ideas for ourselves. One person said they didn’t understand how to use the patterns. They are ONLY for automated sewing machines and the downloads are provided in a special program that works on their sewing machine, however, they could also be provided some other way for people who hand sew?
I’m still trying to learn to “think outside the box,” so your highlighting this person’s niche market is a wonderful example of the endless possibilities and unlimited potential products floating around out there, just waiting to be harnessed! And this brainstorming session for ideas to improve that seller’s business is an even greater added value in our ongoing education. I love it! WOW, super ideas from your creative members.
Please keep exercises like this coming!!
Thank you, Jim. Your informative emails and blogs are a gratifying reminder for me that I did really “good” when I purchased your eBook, The Silent Sales Machine!!!
Ditto on everything said before.
They have over 400 sets of designs. Why don’t they have an internet store to offer stuff such as accessories, sewing machines, ebooks, demo videos, recommendations and reviews.
The About Me Page and Store design need some real help.
I was disappointed in that the store did not have any categories. What if I was looking for a font, I would have to go through over 500 listings to find all that is offered.
I liked the idea of selling a CD with things such as fonts, or holiday designs at a higher price point.
But then again, maybe these people are just designers and don’t want to ruin a what they think is a good thing.
I would tell him or her to at least up the price, I would love to know why they are selling them so cheap when they can at least sell them for $12.95
Everyone who clicks on one of her ads is obviously interested in embroidery designs, so I think she ought to show really good, really tantalizing pictures of other offerings from her eBay store. It’s a very targeted audience, so she can really capitalize on each click, essentially allowing her visitors to see a variety of her products instead of just one.
Well this is my second post, but its to tell you this….I am printing our everyones great replies! Lots of great ideas are here, thanks Diana
Hi Everyone,
I have only sold 2 items on eBay and I haven’t done anything else for a long time.
However I have to say this. Once I start listing on eBay, I wil make sure I use all your comments as a check list.
These ideas are just great!
Looking forward to read what Jim is going to come up with.
Thanks everyone.
The idea is great, I would like to know how to do it. My suggestion is this How-To-CDs with the instruction booklet is a great way to boost sales. Hope she does it so I can watch how to do it. Also, grouping of like designs might be a boost to the auctions.
The price definitely would have to be raised.
Viola Gary
Here is what I would do:
1) put-up an About Me page with Bonus eBook / embroidery offer to sign-up to Newsletter
2) Use auction’s “Second Chance” offers to Non-winning bidders - to increase a single auction’s yield (and build a bigger customer list)
3) list Fixed Price (3-day) with higher price (4-7 $) but including a bonus offer - listing on 3 days (as opposed to 7 currently) will allow more listings to be done over a week, as eBay limits the 3 of same listings per member per day
4) in the auctions, make the link to their Store more bold so it stands out, like “if you want to Buy the item NOW, go to my eBay Store…
5)Set-up a download page with a sign-up / opt-in form (use a bonus offer or discount on further items to entice buyers to sign-up)
6) Make Back-end offers to the growing list on a periodic timeline, including some newsletters WITHOUT any paying offer (like free ebook).
Voila. My 2 cents
Jim,
That is great. Congratulation Man I must say. What I really wonder is how you list so many of these items. Is it part of the Sales Machine and what it does? Seriously if one doesn’t have to list these items manually then it is worth every trouble to be part of this
I ditto Dan’s ditto. They have a great thing going, but it could be sooooo much better.
Their “digital delivery only” box just before the description claims their product delivery is fully automated, and instant as soon as you pay.
I wonder what the 4 full timers and 10 part timers do.
Reading The Silent Sales Machine would do them a world of good.
Thanks to Jim for coming up with this. We now have ideas for our own businesses that we may not have thought of on our own.
“Set A Goal - Make A Plan - Take Action” - OR “ACCOMPLISH NOTHING”!!!
Great Comments and hands on kind of training. I’m anxious for the final comment from Jim. That will really tie this all together then. Wonderful observations.
mmmm Very interesting Comments
But i think we have all forgotten something ?
This Person is making an income , and many of you may be not ?
They have a simple concept and it works with
out all the fancy tools every one is talking about.
is there something in keeping it simple ?
possibly there is.
money drips in , but over time it ends up being quite a nice income.
just my thoughts.
happy marketing
Theo :o)
I just have one little suggestion. I am a small-time seller on eBay and I noticed something that I didn’t see anyone else comment about (or maybe I didn’t read far enough) the seller only accepts PayPal. I read quite a few ebooks and they said basically that you should make it easy for a buyer to pay you. But, if you only take one form of payment then you maybe missing out of future sales.
But, I think that this seller is doing a great job when it comes to great customer service. I would keep this up that’s for sure!!!
They must be doing something right becoming a powerseller.
But I do feel they’re prices are low. Images are ok on acouple I looked at.
The About ME page could be updates, giving links and subscriptions.
Sure would like feedback on my eBay store to learn what I can improve.
I would like to say that they have a great start. I don’t know anything about the digital embroidery but do love to do crafty items with my hands. For those of us who might be interested if we knew exactly how they worked there needs to be an informational area. I love to sew and have embroidery built in, but I have never heard of these.
Everyone has made very good suggestions. Read yesterday, reply today. I will not be as tech. as others. Think page needs a little warmth “you know the warm fuzzy thing” or “people to people” thing. It felt robotic (guess it is auto pilot). Personal thought is people who work in crafts are generally warm hearted. Hey! just my opinion. Thanks for listening, first time ever commenting on newsletter!
Wow-
Jim YOU ARE THE MAN! I am going to do like Diana did and print out these comments to use as a checklist (whenever I do start selling) Some thoughts on improvements:
I agree about grouping several items into one auction and charge higher prices.
Also: eBay clearly states that you may link to a page that has a “further description” of the item and that page IS allowed to have links to items for sale OUTSIDE of eBay.
Having said that: She/He should create one page on their website that thououghly describes the company. That info would be applicable to each and every auction, so they only have to create just one page. EVERY auction should have a link to that page. Also on that page they should list some “recommended items” affiliate links. I.E. Amazon.com sells sewing and embriodery machines, eBay sells EVERYTHING related to their niche, Smartflix.com rents “how to” craft videos and commmissionjunction.com manages buy.com’s affiliate program. All 4 of these websites have affiliate programs. They could make a killing on just the affiliate links!
Hey Jim-
This question may be helpful to every one, so that’s why I am asking it here in the comments. (Besides you’re the expert!) Do you know eBay’s policy on putting a URL when leaving feedback? I.E. A seller I purchased from left the following feedback for me:
THANK YOU AWSOME EBAYER …DEFEAT AUTISM NOW GO TO WWW.AUTISMSPEAKS.ORG.
Do you know if this is expressly prohibited or is it one of eBay’s “grey areas”?
I didn’t mind him doing it, especially since it is a worthwile cause. I wonder if it IS ok to do that would hands of love be able to leave his/her website url in their buyer’s feedback?
Just to add my 2 cents…I never realized you could make so much money with something like this person is selling. It’s like a scotch tape store (remember SNL?). And then all these great ideas how to make MORE money… well, it makes my brain ache. It’s a real eye-opener on finding a profitable niche and going full tilt with the great ideas here. So, um, where do I start? Keep teaching us, Jim!
Wow! They have a lot going for them. Helps me see what I need to do on my site. The comments generated are great! My first observation was that more is needed on the About Me page.
A great helpful exercise!
Info for Linda Martin who said:(I just have one little suggestion. I am a small-time seller on eBay and I noticed something that I didn’t see anyone else comment about (or maybe I didn’t read far enough) the seller only accepts PayPal.)
For a downloadable digital item, you are required to offer Only Paypal as a method of payment. If the seller would offer their designs on a mailable CD, they could them accept any of the other forms of payment. A CD is considered media mail and is very inexpensive to package and mail.
For the most part the prices are way too low, why not do a “buy-it-now” instead of the auction format? The membership idea is great, why not give away some designs as an inducement to join? Need more links to website and could offer to sell from website instead of ebay. Also do an ebook for their craft.
This gets me excited to start doing the same. I have a few ideas but I don’t know how and where to begin. I need to keep learning. Thanks.
Synergism at it’s best with this exercise! Seems 90% of respondent’s agree on 4 or 5 primary points of emphasis and to the Brit gal this isn’t nitpicking…..it is constructive suggestions providing avenues of new thought for the eBayer.
Doing saleswork I want nothing of negative connotations mentioned regarding my company, product or myself. SICK is just that!
As for the About ME, if someone doesnt really like you they won’t buy no matter how good your deal is. Can’t ROMANCE the product? Bigtime Baloney! You easily romance any product you believe in and have a true passion for yourself.
All of the issues raised bear close scrutiny and I am saving the entire blog w/replies to further school myself regarding my own ventures. Yes, that will, of course, includes Jim’s comments.
Have spent an hour or more with this tonight…best allocated hour of my entire week!
Hi Jim,
I recently opened an eBay store and these are the things that I intend to do this week. I would suggest the same things to this seller:
Add a header to her store and add some color to her fonts and some variety of sizes to the fonts also. She should also tell a little bit about who she is and maybe even a picture of herself or her family on the about me page. People relate more to someone they know a little bit about, and it will also build up trust. Also, she can create a blog on eBay and have articles about embroidery and tips on how to make it easier or better.
She can also have various starting prices to make them more enticing to bid on and not so boring. Again, I’m new at this, but I feel that every little bit helps to keep people on your page and coming back. Thanks for allowing me to add my opinion.
Warm regards,
Mary Grant
JIM’S RESPONSE: You guys hit this one out of the park! Nice work! I loved seeing so many reader responses, but if I was passing out awards I’d have to give a prize to Doug (comment #29) for being very thorough and then to comment #62 for making the “host” look good. It was also very cool seeing fellow MySilentTeam.com expert Skip McGrath chime in (#7) - thanks Skip!
What else can be said here? Not much, but I do have a few things to throw in the mix.
Go watch the videos on my blog about using video and using a sales funnel. While these themes were mentioned in some other reader comments above I think a video speaks louder than words sometimes. Here are the two videos you should see:
TITLE: “Videos get clicks” posted on Tuesday, September 18th, 2007
TITLE: “Use a funnel…” posted on Saturday, September 8th, 2007
Use the “video” link on the top left hand side of this page to see links to each, or click either link.
Here’s my summary of the top ideas in order of importance (best idea on top).
o automate everything. One person can run this biz easily part-time.
o start your mailing list using aweber.com
o create video about your product and make the image of it link to your “about me” page (see video from Sept 18th above)
o make your “about me” page a lead capturing machine.
o sell a popular “loss leader” to attract leads. Sewing machines is a great idea.
o offer a free ebook as incentive to gain customers and grow your list
o mention your email prominently in your listings and get website exposure for it (support@YOUR-SITE.com)
o improve your images and your auction layout
…I could go on and on, but any of these ideas could revolutionize this business.
Please leave any additional thoughts by clicking the “comments” button!
Hi Jim & Everyone,
1st Thank you Jim
2nd Thank you everyone
3rd I am off to get your book
This exercise was perfect for me, as I have started selling. I sell craft patterns & am currently working on turning as many as possible into pdf I was meant to get your newsletter at this time
I can not add much, but one suggestion (my guess is that some of the employees may be helping to design or designing the patterns)
The design process is interesting & romantic for many people so it could be the starting point for the about me page
Hello Jim, They are power sellers.Beat me by a long shot.I agree with what has been said, And a