With Etsy moving along the way I had hoped, it is time to turn my attention to my eBay store and make some definite decisions as far as direction and goals.
It has been QUIET in my eBay store. After a week of crickets, it can be tough to not be discouraged. The roller coaster ride eBay can be is definitely not for the faint of heart!
This is where I tend to get bogged down with eBay and want to dump the whole thing, ESPECIALLY after running the numbers and realizing that, so far this month, I am not going to make enough to cover my fees. I am trying REALLY hard to not focus on that.
I am trying to change my mindset from one of "instant gratification" to "slow building" just like I am doing with Etsy. I don't know why I thought eBay would be any different, I just did. I have heard so many great stories about folks making big bucks and all the glorious traffic and sales, it is hard to NOT expect that for my store.
Thus, goals are needed for me to stay on track and give me something to aim for.
1. My first goal is to get my monthly listings over 250 between new and renewed listings. I am getting pretty close and should do this next month or in early April.
2. Call eBay and get my listings limit lifted from 250. This will be absolutely necessary if I am not going to stall out and get stuck.
3. Upgrade to the Premium store so my listing fees will be lower.
4. Keep researching products and items to sell. I love vintage but realize that vintage is a sssssllllllllllooooooooowwwwwwwwwww category on eBay anymore.
5. I am looking into selling some clothing *GASP*. I am starting out with skirts. I don't know why, skirts are just easy and don't make me want to curl up in a corner and cry. I live in a town where finding name brand skirts is super easy. I can walk into GW any day of the week and find 10 almost new or NWT skirts on the rack. Baby steps.
6. If I am going to be serious about selling some clothing, get a manni. I found some REALLY cool wire ones on Etsy, as well as some wood ones. My wall will do for now, but I know it doesn't exactly look professional.
7. My year goal is to have my eBay store up to 300 listings by 2013. More will be icing on the cake, but 300 is the firm goal.
8. Make Powerseller. I missed it this evaluation by 3 sales. :(
9. Make Top Rated Seller by 2013.
10. To keep putting one foot in front of the other by listing, listing, listing. AND take DH's advice to not look at the financial end of things by the month, but by the year, so I can get an OVERALL picture of what is really happening. Since I haven't been on eBay consistently, I really have no idea what to expect. I'm going to chill out and see what unfolds, just like I am doing on Etsy.
How do you stay on track with your online business?
I am thinking of branching into clothing as well. But like you starting with skirts. Jessica makes it look so easy and fast flips Im going to see what my gw has to offer. I have to get over my wanting to buy just things I could use if they dont sell and buy more stuff even if it wont work for me it might for someone
ReplyDeleteI know a store that sells high end vintage. Doing extremely well.
ReplyDeleteI've been away for a few months but am back catching up with my blogging buddies. First, I do want to thank you for all the great info about selling on Etsy. I know it was a lot of work and it is much appreciated. My goal for 2012 is to sell more on etsy! I think you are on the right track with eBay - need to lift the 250 limit. I try to list 100 items a week on eBay but I'm lucky if I do 50-75. I notice the more I list, the more I sell. From what I've read, it's a numbers game with eBay. Also, I too used to sell collectibles and knick-knacks when I started on eBay - but in 2010, I notice sales had dropped drastically. I was in the same boat as you are now. Then I found My
ReplyDeleteDear Trash and they inspired me to start selling clothes in 2011. Since then I have consistently sold between $1500-$2000 a month. Not so surprising as clothing is the #1 selling category on eBay. I do think etsy is a better venue for vintage and collectibles, so I hope I do as well as you do!