| The Online Seller | Vol. 4, Issue 11 |
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Dennis Prince explains the technique of cross-selling to boost sales … Brad and Debra Schepp discuss listing mistakes sellers still make … Miriam Otto shares her tactics for keeping sales hot during the lazy summer months … Plus, using video to spice up your listings, our new how-to video provides the keys to writing an enticing title, the latest industry news, and more! |
Special Features: Auctiva Blog Weird and Wacky Listings Ask Auctiva Auctiva User Profile Auctiva Commerce Spotlight Feedback Forum |
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Cross-sell related items to get more out of each transaction.
by Dennis Prince
Looking for a quick and easy way to increase your online sales without significantly increasing your sales efforts? Long-time sellers have learned how to propagate the momentum of one sale into multiple sales through the method of cross-selling.
Simply put, it's the technique of offering additional items related to what a customer is already buying from you. When you offer many items concurrently, you can increase your sales rates by simply calling attention to related goods your customer might like in addition to what they're currently purchasing. Read story.
5 Listing Mistakes You May Be Making
Overlooking these details can put your sales under a dark cloud.
by Brad and Debra Schepp
Make Your Summer Sales Sizzle
Try these tactics to keep buyers busy when the heat kicks in.
by Miriam Otto
Going Viral with Video, Part 1
How to use video to boost your sales and marketing efforts
Turn Online Sales into a Business, Part 2
Take your venture to the next level with these tips from the experts.
Video: How to Write an Enticing Title
Auctiva's expert eBay seller spells out the dos and don'ts of good listing titles.
Affordable Peace of Mind. Did you know that one in five products malfunctions within the first three years of purchase? BuyShield Extended Warranties offer great coverage at 30% less than retail shops. Insure a variety of items from electronics to tools to gardening equipment—and insure them longer. Get an instant quote.
News Stories
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Father's Day spending to reach $11.1 billion.
Americans are expected to spend an average of $106.49 on Father's Day gifts this year—up from last year's average of $94.32. In all, shoppers will spend an estimated $11.1 billion buying gifts for Dad. Read story.
Registration Opens for eBay 'Party'
Educational event is being called a must-attend for online sellers.
eBay Wins an 'Oscar'
Reusable shipping box earns a CLIO Award.
eBay Tests Search Preview Feature
Buyers can try new search results page to get quick snapshots of items, eBay says.
Auctiva Blog
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Last week I found several very nice pairs of high-heeled boots for $10. What a steal, I thought! But I wasn't exactly daydreaming about how the pointy-toed shoes would make my feet look. I was thinking about the potential profit I could make if I sold the shoes on eBay. Read more.
Win Every Auction. Auction Sniper automatically bids on the items you want during the listing's closing seconds to ensure you're the winning bidder. Don't get caught up in bidding wars; just tell Auction Sniper what you want and let it do the work for you. Sign up for an account today and get your first three snipes free. Learn more.
Weird and Wacky Listings
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Ever wonder what it's like to be like to be a celebrity? Certainly, the job comes with plenty of baggage—just ask the likes of Kelly Osbourne, Jessica Simpson and Dina Lohan. These and other celebrities are auctioning off some of theirs to share with you. The proceeds will help youth groups in the U.S., so at least some good can come of it!
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Two of the best things about summer are backyard cookouts and road trips. So why not have both at the same time? Take your barbecue party with you wherever you travel with this smoker trailer with a built-in smoking oven and table. While you're grillin' and chillin', you're sure to be the hit of every campground.
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Prove to your friends there is a good use for that wad of gum stuck to the pavement with this "gummy" stand. It will hold any personal mobile device so you don't have to exert yourself. We're sure it will change your friends' outlooks on life—and gum. And maybe the next time they take an unfortunate step and end up with gum on their shoe, they'll smile, instead of cringe.
Ask Auctiva
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Got a burning question about Auctiva, eBay or e-commerce in general? Through our Ask Auctiva program, you can speak directly to Auctiva's top managers. All you have to do is send an e-mail to "AskAuctiva" at the Auctiva dot com domain. Selected questions will be answered by Auctiva managers and published in an article on the Auctiva Education tab. Read some recent Auctiva Q&A articles here.
Please do not submit inquiries requiring an immediate response. Instead, please file a support request for technical or account-related issues.
Auctiva User Profile
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Lindy Donato, an eBay seller of about 10 years, knows a thing or two about taking good photos for her listings. But gaining that knowledge took time.
"The ins and outs of photographic lighting are, by far, the most difficult things I have ever had to learn in my life," says the owner of Gold Coast Beach, an eBay Store featuring beach gear, including sunglasses, hats and apparel.
However, with more than eight years as a PowerSeller under her belt, Donato has polished her photography skills and, today, her images shine. In fact, the PowerSeller was a recent winner of Auctiva's Best Shot Photo Contest. Read story.
Get Featured Here
Got a success story you want to share? What amazing garage sale finds have you turned into monster profits online? How has using Auctiva's templates and auction management tools improved your eBay business? Drop a line and tell us in 50 words or less about an outstanding e-sale experience, and perhaps we'll feature your story in an upcoming issue of The Online Seller newsletter. Submit your story.
Auctiva Commerce Store Spotlight
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When shoppers enter Sarah Nelson's store, they'll find "charming" products for their homes and gardens. At least that's her shop's official business motto. But Nelson's personal motto is "a little better every day," showing the seller's determination to keep improving her store.
The seller has been online for six years using four Es to guide her business practice: excellent products at excellent prices with excellent service produce excellent repeat business.
"I really do focus on those four Es," Nelson says. "I want customers to expect excellence and walk away satisfied. I want them to say, 'Wow, I love the products, the prices and the service. I'm with them from now on!'—and they tell their friends."
Nelson loves "old fashioned things," and focuses on providing quality products, she says. Some of the hottest items in the store are her 100-percent Egyptian cotton sheets and bedding sets, wrought iron garden trellises, vintage porcelain phones and Meyda Tiffany Lamps. Shoppers can also find kitchen accessories, wall art, window treatments and clocks, among many other items.
She spreads the word about her online shop through a mixture of search engine optimization, social-networking sites and word of mouth. The Charming Home Store is her second online venture using Auctiva Commerce, and while sales have been slow starting out, "Auctiva provides the tools and support for long-term success," Nelson says.
"We tried it out briefly when Auctiva Commerce was first offered," the seller notes. "In that first attempt, I realized I was not yet ready for an online venue outside eBay. Two years later, I felt I finally had the knowledge and experience to venture beyond eBay. I researched various e-commerce solutions available and came to the conclusion that Auctiva Commerce really was the best."
Visit The Charming Home Store.
Set up your own Auctiva Commerce Store and get complete freedom over your shop.
Feedback Forum
In response to "There's Still Gold in Garage Sales," one reader writes: "I try to hit yard sales when I can, and have been successful with several items… My advice spins a little differently than some, though. When buying, I look for the things I can turn over quickly. Inventory is dead money on the shelf. I look for what I know I can turn over within the first couple of weeks." Read the entire thread, and post your response.
If you'd like to comment on this newsletter, any article contained within, or on topics you'd like to see us cover in the future, Auctiva editors would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback.
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