Entries from June 2007 ↓

As I've mentioned in a couple of my previous posts, I presented one of the last seminars at [tag]eBay Live![/tag] in Boston two weeks ago. Mikal Belicove (Doba) and I presented to several hundred people there and received a very nice reaction from the crowd. Many, many came up to us after we concluded with more questions, and positive comments. Most said they were going to go straight home and start a blog to talk about their [tag]eBay business[/tag].

A Blog "Kit"

Since I started this site about eight months ago, I've found many [tag]blogging resources[/tag] that I particularly like. I have put them together into a "kit" of sorts to help those [tag]new bloggers[/tag] get started. I'll include the basic components a person will need to get on the way to the blogosphere. It will not just be a discussion of what can be done and what's out there for you - but I'm going to suggest certain things to save you the trouble of figuring it all out yourself. I spent a lot of time up front trying to figure this stuff out, I wish someone I trusted would have just said, "Here, do this." So that's what I'm going to do.

I invite you now to my site called: MyBlogKit.com I sincerely hope you find it helpful. I do not claim to be a blogging expert, but I figure I can share what I've learned to save you and anyone you send here some time.

Popularity: 4% [?]

This article was pointed out to me by a friend at MissionFish. It contains some very good info for sellers who not only want to do some good, but it's also a way to draw attention to all of your listings on eBay.

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Cause Marketing for eBay Sellers: Put the Ribbon to Work for You
by David Yaskulka

Ever see that little blue and gold ribbon in your eBay search results? If not, you likely will soon. Why? Because consumers love what it represents: an eBay Giving Works listing with at least 10 percent of their purchase price helping a great cause.

eBay Giving Works was one of the hot topics at [tag]eBay Live[/tag], and not surprisingly, eBay, many of its most successful PowerSellers, and the top Certified Solutions Providers are ramping up their use of this little ribbon. That ribbon allows small and medium size businesses to run world-class cause marketing programs

How can you put the ribbon to work for your business?

Full article here: http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y07/m06/i26/s03

Continue reading →

Popularity: 5% [?]

After flying home from eBay Live! last week, I spent about two days home and then I was off to Salt Lake City. While there I presented to about 50 auto dealers for [tag]eBay Motors[/tag], and on Friday I was able to take a little time before my flight home to visit the offices of Doba.

In case you're not familiar with Doba, they are a regular exhibitor at eBay Live! and one of only 30 [tag]eBay Certified Service Provider[/tag]s. There members receive access to a very large catalog of products from suppliers who will drop ship the products on behalf of sellers. Members list the items on eBay or their own sites, sell them, and then process the order. The customer receives the product directly from the source. This enables sellers to sell a large number of items without the hassle of stocking inventory or spending a lot of money up front.

I have personally used [tag]Doba[/tag]'s services and found them to be outstanding. My products are split between some I have on hand, and a few that I have drop shipped. When ever I've used Doba, their suppliers have delivered items I've sold quicker than the items I ship myself. That is why I have also joined their affiliate program. I recommend them from personal experience.

In the past, some folks have looked at [tag]drop shipping[/tag] in a less-than-favorable light due to problems with suppliers, long delivery times, and shady practices by some sellers. It is not fair to lump Doba in with this group. In my opinion, they have made drop shipping respectable, and they have helped many people get started selling, or expand their product lines successfully.

In my opinion Doba is a great way to source product, but it should not be used as your sole source. Just as a business generally has multiple revenue streams a business on eBay should have multiple sourcing streams. You my buy product directly from some suppliers and stock it, you may manufacture products to sell, but for expanding an existing product line I believe Doba is a great resource.

The real reason I am writing about this is the people I met. While I know Doba's CEO, Jeremy Hanks from working together at eBay Live! in year's past, and Mikal Belicove from our weekly webinars, I met lots of other Doba employees Friday. Everyone I met was extremely nice, and my impression of them is that they sincerely want to help people succeed in their online selling endeavors. I was quite pleased at what I found there. They are a very nice group and their hospitality was outstanding.

The other thing that happened while I perused the Doba offices was this:

I knew it was a hot day in Orem, Utah - but never expected a melted handle on my laptop bag. This took a little over three hours. (The computer still works fine btw...) This is my most favorite top-loading Targus bag which I talk about to everyone! And now it's melted! I wonder if I can find a bag like this on Doba...?

As a side note to parents and pet owners: Can you imagine people leaving a child or pet in a car on a hot day? This is a really graphic reminder.
[tags]melted laptop bag,product sourcing[/tags]

Popularity: 4% [?]

On Saturday during our class "Blog to Boost Your eBay Business" Mikal Belicove of Doba and myself listed this item on eBay. It's a complete collector set of 2007 eBay Live! Gold pins, along with a full set of the special (and rare) coins spelling B-O-S-T-O-N. I've thrown in the limited edition eBay Education pin to round things out. In addition we wanted to highlight eBay's new To Go widget which allows you to feature an item or group of items on your blog or website. You can find out how to create an eBay To Go widget yourself at: http://togo.ebay.com.

100% of the proceeds from this auction benefit the Cottonwood Institute.

Popularity: 3% [?]

eBay Live! Boston is poised to begin tomorrow morning. Today was the end of the eBay Developers Conference and several other classes were held as well. Among them were Education Specialist who received additional training and had their annual dinner.

I'll be teaching several classes this year. If you're attending please join me for any of the following seminars:

Enhance Your Business with Skype - Friday, June 15th 9:00 AM

This seminar discusses the features and benefits of Skype. Skype is especially valuable to small businesses helping them save on phone charges and facilitating conference calls both domestically and internationally.

Design a Professional About Me Page - Friday, June 15th 4:30 PM

In this class we'll discuss the benefits of having a great eBay About Me page. Not only will it help your business by building trust with your customers, it can be a way to drive traffic to your listings on eBay as well as your off-eBay website.

Blog to Boost Your Business - Saturday, June 16th 3:00 PM

This seminar will be presented by my friend Mikal Belicove of Doba, and myself. It discusses many aspects of blogging and how it can help and even hurt your business. We'll discuss the various blogging platforms, as well as how to figure out what to write about. We give enough tips, tricks and strategies that even a beginner will have an idea of how to begin blogging.

Hope to see you over the next few days! Enjoy eBay Live!

Popularity: 4% [?]