In this issue:

In this issue: Get your eBay items to show up on your blog automatically, in less that five minutes! Considering new inventory for the holidays? Put it to the test with these five points. Charity Bra auctions and more!

As the rain falls today I’m reminded summer is over and fall is on the way…. where did the summer go? I hope you had a chance to spend a little leisure time with a loved one this past season. Now it’s time to turn our thoughts to the holiday selling season. This one has to be better than last years!

Getting Your eBay Items Into Your Blog In A Few Easy Steps

Building your online reputation is important. Using a blog to build relationships and find customers is an excellent idea.

The problem is how do you let your blog readers know about the great products in your eBay store? Or, how do you get them to click over?

One easy way to do that is by using an RSS feed. Don’t worry, just like the name suggests, it is really simple.

In this video I’ll show you how to find your eBay store RSS feed and use Feed2JS to create a simple cut and paste code for your blog. You’ll have it done in less than five minutes.

Here is the link to Feed2JS to get started: http://feed2js.org/index.php?s=build

BonanzleBatch Editor – The Best Tool With Possibly the Worst Name!

If you haven’t tried Bonanzle yet – here’s how simple it is to move your eBay inventory onto Bonanzle -it takes about 5 mouse clicks.

We had Phaedra Perkins Stockstill teach us how to use the Batch Editor – and I’m amazed how many things you can do with it and HOW EASY IT IS TO USE!

When I saw Phaedra’s demonstration, I couldn’t believe my eyes. This isn’t the kind of batch editing I expected. It’s visual, easy to use and includes a very simple, convenient ‘find and replace.’

Whether you are moving listings from eBay, cleaning up your Google Connector Information, or just managing your Bonanzle Booth – this tutorial will save you time, save wasted effort, and even increase your profits.

The Bonanzle Staff understands what sellers need. They made every effort to make this tool shine.

Once you start using it, you won’t be able to manage your booth without it.

Don’t miss the class. Buy the CD!

Thinking of trying a new product line this season?

Put it through these five points and see how it fairs before adding it to your inventory.

1) Supplier Power: How easy will it be for your supplier to drive prices up once you’ve agreed to sell their items? One key factor to this is how unique the product is and how many other suppliers carry the same item. If it is available through others – you have more power to choose – if they are the only supplier, they have more control over the wholesale price and who they discount to. (If you are a small retailer, chances are you won’t get the best deal).

2) Buyer Power: How easy will it be for the end buyer to drive the prices down? If the item is a strong brand name – with brand loyalty – chances are the price will remain high. But, if it is a product that can be easily imported without the designer tag, customers may quickly choose the less expensive no name brand. If you find the product falling into this trap – be careful not to over order.

3) Competitive Rivalry: Can you get an exclusive deal to be the only supplier of the product on eBay or Amazon? If not, you may find you have many competitors. If the competition offers the same product at a slightly lower price the buyer may choose to purchase from them. If you can’t control the turf you’ll have very little power!

4) Threat of Substitution: If substitution is easy and viable for the customer then your power is weakened. Let’s say you find a state of the art leaf blower that cleans leaves better than they ever have before. People may feel pinched by the recession and decide they can keep their old leaf blower or even use a rake and get a little exercise instead. Understanding how people may substitute your product can keep you grounded when pre-ordering the item for resale.

5) Threat of New Entry: Power is also affected by the ability of other people or suppliers entering the market. If it costs little money or time to enter the market and compete effectively new competitors will quickly join in. Especially if they see you are successful. Let’s say you discover you have a talent for creating luggage tags and and sales are skyrocking because they’re perfect for stocking stuffers. The cost of entry was a little talent, a few scraps of paper and a laminating machine. It won’t be long before you’ll have a competitive market and pricing will spiral down.

By thinking through how each point affects the item you are about to purchase for resale you can quickly assess the strength of the items retail position and your ability to make a sustained profit.

This post was modified by me from Porters Five Point Analyses. If you’d like to dig deeper and understand more about how they affect your business – here’s a great post:

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_08.htm

Bling My Bra EBay Breast Cancer Charity Auctions Are About To Start!

Beginning Sept. 24, 2009 the Online Sellers Group will be running an eBay auction per day of “Fantasy Bras”. Creative confections with themes that are funny, beautiful and inventive created by artists and crafts people celebrating the military, their favorite hobbies (offroading) and car racing, flowers and dozens of other themes. (pictures available upon request) Some notable eBay and internet celebrities are joining the action by donating Fantasy Bras including the original motivator, John “ColderIce” Lawson of 3rdPowerOutlet and the ColderIce Blog, and Marsha Collier, author of the eBay for Dummies series of books, Santa Shops at Ebay. Marsha is an eBay PowerSeller as well as the Co-host of Computer Technology on wsradio.com at http://www.marcandmarsha.com

All proceeds – 100% of the sale price of these auctions will go to Susan G. Komen For the Cure – Headquarters – Certified for eBay Giving Works since 2003. MissionFish nonprofit ID 939 through Giving Works. Special thanks goes to eBay seller VMKinnovation  – who is donating a special DoLife hat that will be included in each auction. The DoLife symbol celebrates Life and offers hope.

Please join us starting on the evening of September 24th when the first auction will launch at the Depression Glass Warehouse

Share Your eBay Stories For Your Chance To Win A Copy Of The eBay Marketing Bible

One thing that was mentioned at the eBay dinner was the demise of eBay Live. It made us all kind of sad… and got me to thinking.

It would be fun to reminisce a little about past eBay events, both official and unofficial.

So, let’s share our favorite photos and stories.

Here’s the deal:Post your favorite photo on the CloverCity FaceBook page, along with a quick blurb about why it was your favorite photo or event.

Was eBay Live your first chance to learn about the education program? Or was it your first chance to meet eBetsy, Griff, Meg, John, Janelle Elms, your true love or_____ face to face? Was the ‘eBay University’ coming to town the turning point in your career? Or was the eBay Radio Party the best party in Las Vegas? Was eBay Live the first shin-dig you ever attended with an ice sculpture or flowing chocolate fountain – or was it the music from ‘Mr. Lister’ never leaving your head – let us know your favorite story and share your photo.

Add your photo and blurb on the CloverCity Fan page – the photo/story with voted with the most ‘thumbs up’ votes by September 30th -wins the book, the eBay Marketing Bible.. (*photos must be taken by you – you may submit as many photos/stories as you wish)

Go NOW and look for those favorite eBay photos! Post them ASAP.

QuickBooks Help is here!

Are you like me – received the free copy of QuickBooks this year, and left it on the shelf unopened?

I couldn’t bring myself to open it up and struggle through the process of setting up the books – and the thought of learning one more thing seemed like too much.

Bookkeeping has always been one of those spots in my business where I just feel overwhelmed before I start.

And judging from the questions and comments I receive from my students and colleagues, I know I’m not alone.

So, I set out to find help – and I was fortunate to meet Sheryl Schuff, CPA.

We talked, we planned, we plotted and worked all summer to produce a product that I know will help eBay & Online sellers who struggle with the complex issues relating to keeping the books for their taxes.

We’re calling it the QuickBooks Rapid Up & Running Premium CD Set and you can find out more information here.

As we get closer to the end of the year those piles of papers need to get entered into a place where you can easily access them. You’ll need to pull out important information – not just for Uncle Sam – but for yourself.

I’m sure you want to know if all this hard work is resulting in a profit!

I’m amazed at Sheryl’s generosity – when we put the finishing touches on the lessons, Sheryl suggested a fantastic bonus for everyone who purchases – thirty days of follow up support. That means you’ll have a place to ask questions and receive answers quickly from a Certified Public Accountant with over 30 years experience helping small businesses like yours!

Order your copy today by clicking  QuickBooks Rapid Up & Running Premium CD

Grab your copy now (it’s tax deductible).

Congratulations To Darlene at lovetorv.com!

Darlene has been working very hard at filling her new blog @ http://www.lovetorv.com with solid information about the RV life and with daily posts about her travels as an eBay seller.  She just received word that she has been accepted into the eBay Partner Network!

The EPN has been especially picky about who they let into the network.

So, if you are wondering what it takes I recommend you check out her blog.

 

What’s Happening At The Web Sellers’ Circle

• Sheryl Shuff CPA continues to guide us through QuickBooks
• We’re starting a new ‘Selling On eBay” series next week – If you’ve been wondering,  here’s your chance to see how.
• We’re preparing for our second affiliate web site give away – join now, deadline for entry is Sept. 22nd
• The forums are lively – we’ve had a suggestion to start a series on webinars and go-to-meeting for education specialists – we think that’s a great idea and will start rolling out the videos and classes soon.

We just received this wonderful testimonial:

“Excellent Information and Very Timely

Any time I have a question, I can always find the answers here at WSC. As I am building my new adventure, the information I need is always here. I browsed all the affiliate programs you have listed here, and it saved me a large chunk of time versus google. I expect to make a decision soon and move forward. Thank you for consistently providing the information, tips, and tools needed to build our businesses. Phaedra Stockstill ”

We would love to have you join us, we are offering a $1.00 for 21 days trial so you can see if we are a fit.

One Last Word

Don’t forget to join me on FaceBook and show us your favorite eBay photos and share your stories for a chance to win a free copy of the eBay Marketing Bible.

That’s it for now,

Cindy Shebley

eBay Certified Business Consultant

author eBay Marketing Bible

www.websellerscircle.com