What would you tell this eBay seller?

Posted by in Creative Ideas, inspiration | 73 comments

I’ve just found an eBay seller that I think will inspire and challenge you!

    Here’s what they are doing RIGHT:

  • making a nice steady AUTO PILOT (hands free) income. 100% automated
  • the only product they sell is delivered via email to buying customers
  • they’ve been doing it for awhile! They have over 4,000 feedback comments since 2003
  • as an example, yesterday, Nov 4th I totaled up their FRONT END profits to be about $100 (about average)
  • BACK END profits (much higher recurring profit) from a membership site related to their product

    • 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?

  • HERE’S A LINK TO SEE THIS SELLERS ACCOUNT ON EBAY: CLICK HERE
  • HERE’S A LINK TO SEE ALL THE SALES FROM THE LAST 30 DAYS: CLICK HERE

    • 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.

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    • http://stores.ebay.com/eBooks-Delights Debbie

      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.

    • Marilena Monier

      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.

    • Roxann

      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!

    • http://luxurycardstore.com Eula

      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!

    • http://luxurycardstore.com Eula

      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 http://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?

    • Susie

      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!

    • Ila

      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.

    • Ila

      A great helpful exercise!

    • Mike

      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.

    • Jim

      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.

    • Lorna

      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.

    • Fiftysumthin

      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!

    • http://www.ebay.com/gimmie-your-paw Mary Grant

      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 :)

    • admin

      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!

    • Sandra Earle-Russo

      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

    • Priscilla

      Hello Jim, They are power sellers.Beat me by a long shot.I agree with what has been said, And all the ideals seem really great and helpful.I do not feel that I have anything to add to what has been said.

    • Want an online busin

      Wow , great great suggestions from everyone ! Good find Jim, and thanks for the exercise – makes everyone think and get involved ! and sounds like many of the responders like me got a kick in the backside to actually kick-start something of their own soon, its not that hard once you've got it off the ground – for myself, its just a matter of getting the ball rolling with my ideas! but not finding the time with work and kids .

    • Jerry

      Hey Jim this is great! I have learned more in the 35 minute that it took me to read most of the comments, from you guys than I could lean in a class.

      Good to see I am not the only dummy. I could not figure out what on earth one would do with the product they were selling. Therfore I did not buy. Anyway keep it coming guys, I love it.

    • Doug Renz

      Jim, this exercise was very helpful for me to understand how powerful eBay is to help generate income with your auctions. I have much to learn, but this is a great start. I hope that you will come up with more ideas like this to help a newbie like me. Thanks! Doug Renz

    • http://www.MoreThanJustBooks.com Natalie

      Just wondering if anyone has sent a link to this blog to the owners of the website? I'm sure they would love to read all the ideas and praise posted here.

      Jim I think you should do the honors.

      I love all the great ideas. I just opened my ebay store last week and hope to try a few new things.

    • Diane

      What great lessons are here. I attended a great ebay Seminar in Australia 2 weeks ago -most of these points I heard there too.

      Just looking for a product to be excited about. Thanks for the exercise Jim!

    • http://www.marylandseamstress.com Diana

      Thanks again for suach a insightful lesson. I have cpoied everything to notepad to print out everyones responses.

      Blessnigs Diana Adams
      http://www.sewing-notions.com

    • Deco tape

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