Use Short Paragraphs, Short Sentences, Short Words and Short Segments

The universe likes speed. In our time-pressed society, nobody likes to read long passages unless it's written by a Steven King or John Grisham and those volumes are read purely for pleasure and relaxation.

Shopping on eBay is engaging and action-oriented and not a passive activity. Make it easy. Make it effortless for people to breeze through your listings.

Keep them moving. If they stumble or stall, they probably move right on past your listings.

Forget about using big words when small ones will do. Forget about using long passages in your eBay descriptions because it causes prospects to flee faster than a fly within range of a swatter.

Look at the most read publications - newspapers - and emulate their short, punchy, straight-to-the-point style.

Study the articles in USA Today or the Wall Street Journal and you'll invariably find short paragraphs - particularly at the beginning.

There's a very good reason for this. It keeps people reading. And that's exactly the effect you want to create.

Use These  Instead of These...

Tough   Difficult
Get   Receive
Tell   Inform
Use   Utilize
Show   Indicate
Place   Positioning
Now   Currently
End   Finalize, Terminate
Start   Initiate
Test   Experiment
Make   Manufacture
Stop   Prevent
Buy   Purchase
Giant   Enormous

So remember, the less words used, the better!!

Good Luck Everybody

Re: The Golden Formula For SUCCESSFUL Selling On eBay

Here's the Golden Formula you can use as you see fit in your eBay ads. You'll notice it's an evolutionary development of the AIDA formula that goes a few steps beyond the original version.

1. Capture Your Best Prospect's Attention

2. Reveal Why He or She Should Be VERY Interested In Your Listing (What do you have for your target prospect? What's in it for him?)

3. Tell Why Your Prospect Should Believe You (Who are you and how does your personal history, experience, or chance encounter make you someone he should listen to)

4. Prove It (Show pictures, share a story, cite examples, provide test results, or supply customer testimonials)

5. List the Benefits of your Item and Briefly Describe Each (Bullet Points really work here)

6. Declare All Relevant Facts and Features, Don't hide anything...100% Full Disclosure! (Brand, model, size, color, age, condition, packaging, previous owner, damages, etc.)

7. Emphasize Your Track Record of Exceptional Customer Service and Quick Shipping (Ease their fears about doing business with someone they don't yet know)

8. Nudge Prospects To ACTION Now (Remind them that it's in their best interest to do so. Give them a valid reason to act now rather than to put it off)

This Golden Formula is proven and works close to 100%....try it and see!!

Re: Use Stories To Sell Anything!!

Everyone loves a good story. Most of us hunger for them and have since
our earliest years. Author Elie Wiesel wrote "There is something in the
story which is almost eternal.

God created man because he loves stories..."

Stories help build a connection between buyer and seller.

Stories help clarify the value or use of something through verbal
illustrations and examples. Stories smooth the path by making something
more familiar when previously it was unknown to another.

And stories make your benefits more believable by putting them in a
context that can be better understood and appreciated. Who can argue
with a story?

Truth is... no one can. They might not willingly accept your selling
points, but they can't very well reject the story because they have no
basis to do so.

It's a story - nothing more, nothing less - and as such, it bypasses
critical analysis. Your story is accepted as true by association. So too
are your selling points.

When buyers stumble across your auction, yours is just one of many other
listings. Competition for the viewer's time and attention is unlimited
on eBay and at any given time you're only a split second away from
losing what could be a high-price bidder.

Without a good story accompanying your item, price becomes the primary
concern by default. A good story can warm up a cold audience fast and
make you a seller worth doing
business with.

A story helps bring your product to life. You can share some of its
history... or at least your knowledge of the industry at large.

Imagine that you're selling a cup and saucer set. If you've had it for
years, you might have some "inside" information you could share. If not,
you could do some research on the
piece and find out where it was made, when and what methods were used.

Doing so adds charm, interest and value to the item and it makes you a
more interesting and knowledgeable seller -- and that's never a bad
thing.

What kind of information can help you build a story?

Consider something that was done with the item... somewhere it's been...
something it's helped you accomplish.

How did you come upon the item? What impact did it have on you? What
gave it value in your eyes? Is there a big event that you can connect to
the item? Is there something unusual or rare about this piece?

There is a story that will help build interest, find out what the story
is and use it!!

Re: How To Turn IRON Into GOLD

One of the great things about selling on eBay is how you can quickly build a consistent income stream and I'm pretty sure that you read this blog because of all the specific information that teaches you how to find items you can resale for profits of 300% - 1000% and more!!

I'd like to share a wonderful eBay sales stream that puts CASH in your pocket over and over again from rusty old cast iron!!

I'm talking about selling antique & vintage cast iron cookware items. Vintage Cookware???

Yep, vintage cast iron cookware…it's a HOT seller now, always has been, and always will be and If you know what to look for and are willing to spend a little time and some minor occasional elbow grease, cast iron cookware items could be a nice monthly income stream.

Did you know that a Griswold #13 cast iron skillet recently sold on eBay for over $900, another Griswold #9 Skillet recently sold for more than $150, not to mention all the HUNDREDS of other more common items that sold between $50-$100!!

Do a quick completed auction search on eBay for Cast Iron Cookware and you'll see that the enameled cast iron LA CRUSET from France is the overall heavyweight, we'll discuss that market another time…today were only going to focus on the top American made items; GRISWOLD  from Erie PA, is the undisputed champion with some items selling for $1500 - $2000+; WAGNER  from Sidney OH is a not so close 2nd; with Lodge & other unmarked examples coming in a very distant 3rd

Now Griswold & Wagner made lots of different types of cast iron items but I only focus on the cast iron cookware…that's where all the high dollar sales are made

As with any item we add to our "look for list" we always do our research first, if the research shows an item has…

Strong collector demand

Favorable price points

Easily found inventory

…then it gets on our list, and cast iron cookware made it and gets a big…"Two Thumbs Up"

Here are some tips and flash points that should signal a buying opportunity…

Get To Know Your Potential Customers...Find the market first.

That in a nutshell is one of the most important keys to marketing success in any area.

Before listing even a single item, you'd be well-advised to find out if there's a market for it and where you can find that market on eBay. And before you buy any inventory for your eBay business, you need to know that you can resell it at a profit.

It just makes sense from a business point of view to conduct some basic market research before spending a dollar. This may be sound, logical advice. It's also a fundamental principle that I've violated on more that one occasion.

See, the problem arises when you assume that there's a huge market for an item you've just spotted. So you go ahead and buy it. It only hits home afterwards when you find several dozen of the exact same thing on eBay, selling for peanuts.

Knowing the market and what large numbers of people want in advance can save you from the mental anguish of stocking up on inventory that's difficult to barely break-even on. 

Your best bet is to specialize in one or more specific areas of interest. Get a feel for the kinds of things these buyers want and are willing to freely spend on.

Put yourself in your buyer's shoes and imagine what she might be thinking... feeling... and hoping for in her life. What most people want is the internal RESULT they get from
the transaction, rather than the item itself.

It's the benefits - the payoff - the buyer ultimately wants.

Your job as seller is to identify these major "wants" of the individual niche market and to cater to those wants specifically. Identify key features that help deliver the benefits people desire and provide proof in the form of customer testimonials.

Spot a hungry market and discover what it is that particular market really wants.

Do they want a trimmed-down figure.... or that gleaming finish on their car??

Once you've identified the end result they want -- all you have to do is deliver it!

Hello Group,

This is the last post for today, and I hope it helps somebody!

Re: The One Sales Secret That Can Explode Your Results...

People buy emotionally and justify their purchases logically -- after the fact.

This one truth holds up in any sales arena, including eBay, and for the vast majority of purchases. Accepting this as fact and learning how to apply it to your listings can make a huge difference in your results, not just today but for as long as you remain an active merchant of goods or services.

Emotions drive almost every buying decision!

If someone doesn't want a particular item, it doesn't matter how much they need it. They simply won't buy. Yet most of us tend to think we buy for logical reasons,
and we cling to any shred of evidence to prove it. With a strong desire for a particular item, sound reasoning to the contrary falls by the wayside.

When the "want" is strong enough, most people will move mountains to get it. Nothing can get in the way of the buyer who has set her sights on your item and is determined to not allow it to slip from her grasp.

Help your interested prospects to see themselves with the prize at the end of your auction.

It's not so much the new set of Calloway golf clubs... but what it will mean to their game and how that will make them feel about themselves as a result. The real reward is the emotional payoff that can only be theirs to experience if they win the item.

The greater the intensity and value of those feelings, the stronger the desire to attain them and the more money they'll happily spend to gain those deep-seated cravings.

Good Luck Everybody.

Re: 5 little-known profit streams...

Hello Group,

Here is something I thought might be of value to your online business
success. I plan to add the concept to my online presence and thought
some of you might be interested.

James Jones has just filmed 5 videos that show you 5 different ways
anyone can profit from little Under-the-Radar niche markets.

You can check them out on his website at:
http://tinyurl.com/2526oj

Look for more topics soon,

Stephen

Welcome Tammy,

I hope you find some benefits from becoming a member!!

We've been kindda slow for a while, but things will be picking up!!

--- In EbayTradingAssistantsConsignments-
101@yahoogroups.com, "tldrumheller2004" <tldrumheller2004@...> wrote:
>
> I am a new TA.
>
> Tammy
> http://stores.ebay.com/Unique-Specialty-Emporium
>

Hello Group Members,

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer and making lots of $$$!

We're sorry for the lack of content and activity recently, but I've
been in the hospital for a surgical procedure and then rehab, but I'm
back in the saddle again and ready to roll!!

I'll be posting some information that I hope will be helpful with
running your business and making more $$$!

Again, I'm sorry for the slowdown, but we're back in the saddle!!

Let's get ready to rumble!!

I am a new TA.

Tammy
http://stores.ebay.com/Unique-Specialty-Emporium

Well, on a down note, you probably won't have to worry about it.
Most engagement rings won't bring anywhere near what a consignor wants, and therefore probably won't sell... (in my experience).  There is WAY TOO MUCH Jewelry on eBay that sells for wholesale and less.
I probably would not offer it International due to the value and the possibility of fraud and you being out a lot of money.
Shipping in the US, probably the best way is REGISTERED.
That way it has to be signed for by each person that touchs the package.
And you can insure via Registered for up to $10K

On 4/3/07, Heather <ebay.head@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hi!  Can anyone give me advice for shipping an expensive piece of
jewelry please?  I have 2 engagement rings I am listing both of which
are worth around $5,000.  What is the best method of shipping something
like this in the U.S. and Internationally?  If anyone can help I would
really appreciate some advice.

I am used to using USPS but the shipping insurance is very very
expensive and they also don't offer shipping insurance to many other
countries.  What are any other options???

--
Bob Willey           http://LetMeSellOnEbay.com      http://myspace.com/consultnerd
http://bobsstuff.com       http://BobsNeatStuff.com    http://BobsNeatStore.com
http://www.internettaxhelper.com/g.o/bobwilley     Accounting Software for Internet Selling

I agree with Bob in that your items most likely won't sell unless you're willing to let the rings go for WAY BELOW retail, maybe even below wholesale!! 

As Bob stated, the jewelry market on eBay has such a glut of merchandise available (do a quick closed auction search for "engagement ring" and see how many DIDN'T sell), the chance of you having to actually ship them is minimal.

However, if you do sell them and need to send them, I also recommend the BEST way is USPS Registered mail with return signature reciept and insured for the FULL RETAIL REPLACEMENT VALUE, not any wholesale or below wholesale price that might be reached via an eBay auction! By that I mean, if they sell on eBay for $1500 each, but it would cost $5000 to go to a jewelry store and replace them then insure them for the full $5000!!

I'd also agree that you SHOULD NOT accept any international bids whatsoever!!

Good luck & Much Success!!!

--- In EbayTradingAssistantsConsignments-101@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Willey" <bobwilley@...> wrote:
>
> Well, on a down note, you probably won't have to worry about it.
> Most engagement rings won't bring anywhere near what a consignor wants, and
> therefore probably won't sell... (in my experience). There is WAY TOO MUCH
> Jewelry on eBay that sells for wholesale and less.
> I probably would not offer it International due to the value and the
> possibility of fraud and you being out a lot of money.
> Shipping in the US, probably the best way is REGISTERED.
> That way it has to be signed for by each person that touchs the package.
> And you can insure via Registered for up to $10K
>
> On 4/3/07, Heather ebay.head@... wrote:
> >
> > Hi! Can anyone give me advice for shipping an expensive piece of
> > jewelry please? I have 2 engagement rings I am listing both of which
> > are worth around $5,000. What is the best method of shipping something
> > like this in the U.S. and Internationally? If anyone can help I would
> > really appreciate some advice.
> >
> > I am used to using USPS but the shipping insurance is very very
> > expensive and they also don't offer shipping insurance to many other
> > countries. What are any other options???
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> Bob Willey http://LetMeSellOnEbay.com
> http://myspace.com/consultnerd
> http://bobsstuff.com http://BobsNeatStuff.com
> http://BobsNeatStore.com
> http://www.internettaxhelper.com/g.o/bobwilley Accounting Software for
> Internet Selling
>

Hi!  Can anyone give me advice for shipping an expensive piece of
jewelry please?  I have 2 engagement rings I am listing both of which
are worth around $5,000.  What is the best method of shipping something
like this in the U.S. and Internationally?  If anyone can help I would
really appreciate some advice.

I am used to using USPS but the shipping insurance is very very
expensive and they also don't offer shipping insurance to many other
countries.  What are any other options???

Thanks!  Heather

Hello,

I am starting a ebay consignment from my already existant business and
I could use any advice. Do I need to get a license to use to word ebay
on my forms??

Thanks in advance for any help.

C. Klinger

Hello,

I am starting a ebay consignment from my already existant business and
I could use any advice. Do I need to get a license to use to word ebay
on my forms??

Thanks in advance for any help.

C. Klinger

 Hello Group Members,

I like to share an email I recently received from one of our group members named Maria, I'm sure you've all read the continuing saga with the "Dog Kennel Dude" who keeps harassing her over some crap?!?

Well besides that mess Maria is dealing with, she is also dealing with some serious health issues as well.  I'm sharing this email not to solicit any sympathy for Maria, but to ask all of us to keep her in our prayers.

Her email reads as follows...

" Dear friends,

Last year, I was diagnosed with severe degenerative osteoarthritis. I spent the better part of 2006 in ever-increasing pain and in the fall I reached the point where I was forced to resort to using a cane to assist in walking.

My doctor has filled out the paperwork for me to obtain a handicapped parking permit, which I will be submitting to the Department of Licensing next week. I have undergone cortisone injections, synthetic joint fluid injections, various anti inflammatories, knee braces, all without success.

Even though I'm only 42, I am left with no alternative than to undergo a total knee replacement. I will be hospitalized for 3-5 days and will be out of work for a full two months, and when I return to work, the first month (at least) will be limited duty.

My surgery is scheduled for March 5, a week from Monday.

I'm not sure how often I will be on line during this time; I do know that for a minimum of a week, and quite likely two, I will not be on line at all.

When I am able to get back on line, it will probably be sporadic, depending on how quickly I recover. I hope you will refrain from emailing me at all between March 5 and 20.

I would love to hear from you during my recovery, so feel free to call. If you don't have my number, email me before March 5 and I'll gladly send it to you. If I can get to the phone I'll answer it, and if I'm napping or resting, I'll have the ringer turned off anyway.

I have a week to go before I'm sidelined, though, and I'm sure we will all have a lot to say before then!

Please excuse the mass email... I'm not one to send out form letters
normally, but under the circumstances, this is the most effective way to get the information out. If you receive this more than once, I apologize.

Maria "

Well as I stated, I'm passing along this email so that we, Maria's fellow group members will take a moment and say a prayer, that her procedure and recovery will be as quick and painless as possible.

Good Luck Maria, our best wishes are with you!!

Angie, wow, thanks so much!! This is so informative. I hope I never have to
use this but I'm filing it away just in case.

Maria



Visit my eBay store:

http://stores.ebay.com/Marias-Market

--- In EbayTradingAssistantsConsignments-101@yahoogroups.com, Stephen
A Banks <iebayforyou@...> wrote:
>
> Angie,
>
>   What keywords do you google??


I don't remember. I think it was "code of texas" and harassment.
Whatever it was though, I got a lot of sites concerning stalking and
cyberstalking.

Angie in AL

Maria, I think you said Kennel Man lives in Texas, is that correct? I
just googled (I couldn't rest without having at least tried...) and
found the harassment law for Texas. See especially under #7. This is
just so interesting! (All the ifs and buts, the way it's worded to
make sure nothing is left out -- I just looooove reading laws!)

§ 42.07. Harassment. Amended 2002.

(a) A person commits an offense if, with intent to harass, annoy,
alarm, abuse, torment, or embarrass another, he:

(1) initiates communication by telephone, in writing, or by electronic
communication and in the course of the communication makes a comment,
request, suggestion, or proposal that is obscene;

(2) threatens, by telephone, in writing, or by electronic
communication, in a manner reasonably likely to alarm the person
receiving the threat, to inflict bodily injury on the person or to
commit a felony against the person, a member of his family or
household, or his property;

(3) conveys, in a manner reasonably likely to alarm the person
receiving the report, a false report, which is known by the conveyor to
be false, that another person has suffered death or serious bodily
injury;

(4) causes the telephone of another to ring repeatedly or makes
repeated telephone communications anonymously or in a manner reasonably
likely to harass, annoy, alarm, abuse, torment, embarrass, or offend
another;

(5) makes a telephone call and intentionally fails to hang up or
disengage the connection;

(6) knowingly permits a telephone under the person's control to be used
by another to commit an offense under this section; or

(7) sends repeated electronic communications in a manner reasonably
likely to harass, annoy, alarm, abuse, torment, embarrass, or offend
another.

(b) In this section:

(1) "Electronic communication" means a transfer of signs, signals,
writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature
transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic,
photoelectronic, or photo-optical system. The term includes:

(A) a communication initiated by electronic mail, instant message,
network call, or facsimile machine; and

(B) a communication made to a pager.

(2) "Family" and "household" have the meaning assigned by Chapter 71,
Family Code.

(3) "Obscene" means containing a patently offensive description of or a
solicitation to commit an ultimate sex act, including sexual
intercourse, masturbation, cunnilingus, fellatio, or anilingus, or a
description of an excretory function.

(c) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor, except
that the offense is a Class A misdemeanor if the actor has previously
been convicted under this section.

Maria, I think you said Kennel Man lives in Texas, is that correct? I
just googled (I couldn't rest without having at least tried...) and
found the harassment law for Texas. See especially under #7. This is
just so interesting! (All the ifs and buts, the way it's worded to
make sure nothing is left out -- I just looooove reading laws!)


§ 42.07. Harassment. Amended 2002.

(a) A person commits an offense if, with intent to harass, annoy,
alarm, abuse, torment, or embarrass another, he:

(1) initiates communication by telephone, in writing, or by electronic
communication and in the course of the communication makes a comment,
request, suggestion, or proposal that is obscene;

(2) threatens, by telephone, in writing, or by electronic
communication, in a manner reasonably likely to alarm the person
receiving the threat, to inflict bodily injury on the person or to
commit a felony against the person, a member of his family or
household, or his property;

(3) conveys, in a manner reasonably likely to alarm the person
receiving the report, a false report, which is known by the conveyor to
be false, that another person has suffered death or serious bodily
injury;

(4) causes the telephone of another to ring repeatedly or makes
repeated telephone communications anonymously or in a manner reasonably
likely to harass, annoy, alarm, abuse, torment, embarrass, or offend
another;

(5) makes a telephone call and intentionally fails to hang up or
disengage the connection;

(6) knowingly permits a telephone under the person's control to be used
by another to commit an offense under this section; or

(7) sends repeated electronic communications in a manner reasonably
likely to harass, annoy, alarm, abuse, torment, embarrass, or offend
another.

(b) In this section:

(1) "Electronic communication" means a transfer of signs, signals,
writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature
transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic,
photoelectronic, or photo-optical system. The term includes:

(A) a communication initiated by electronic mail, instant message,
network call, or facsimile machine; and

(B) a communication made to a pager.

(2) "Family" and "household" have the meaning assigned by Chapter 71,
Family Code.

(3) "Obscene" means containing a patently offensive description of or a
solicitation to commit an ultimate sex act, including sexual
intercourse, masturbation, cunnilingus, fellatio, or anilingus, or a
description of an excretory function.

(c) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor, except
that the offense is a Class A misdemeanor if the actor has previously
been convicted under this section.

--- In EbayTradingAssistantsConsignments-101@yahoogroups.com, "Maria
Risener" <mariaelisa64@...> wrote:
>
> Thanks so much. If there is one more communication from Kennel Man,
I will
> certainly contact the police.


"Kennel Man".... I like that name :-)

I don't know which police department you'd have to contact, yours or
the one where Kennel Man lives. I would think it's the one where he
lives because your police department would have no jurisdiction over
him. That's why you would have to check the law in his state, if it's
a crime there also then it would probably make things less
complicated. But I really don't know, I have no idea how that works.

Since the e-mail crossed state lines, maybe it would even be a federal
thing?

I'm curious now, I'll have to check into this when I go back to work
Tuesday.

Angie

Thanks so much. If there is one more communication from Kennel Man, I will
certainly contact the police.

Much appreciated.

And thanks for the translation site as well!



Visit my eBay store:

http://stores.ebay.com/Marias-Market

part!! Some folks know, but don't take the time to "pay it forward"

Thanks for empowering us all!!

m35603 <m35603@...> wrote:

--- In EbayTradingAssistantsConsignments-101@yahoogroups.com, Stephen
A Banks <iebayforyou@...> wrote:
>
> Angie,
>
> You always provide information that is right on point, and
increses the overall knowledge
> of us all. The Specific code number and law's language is SOOOOO
helpful!!

**blush**

No, serious, we just had a client at work (I work for a lawyer) who
went to jail for this harassing communications stuff, that's why I
knew about it.

Angie

See what I mean Angie!?!?

I rest my case!!

m35603 <m35603@...> wrote:

--- In EbayTradingAssistantsConsignments-101@yahoogroups.com, Stephen
A Banks <iebayforyou@...> wrote:

> I'm gonna contact my county clerk and find out more about this in
my area!!

I forgot to mention that most states have their laws online on state
websites. Alabama's laws are on the Alabama Legislator website, for
example. You might be able to look yours up too. Googeling "code of
[your state]" will probably take you right to it.

Angie

See that's what I'm concerned about as well.
I mean my current company I own, well I do ship to Canada, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and Mexico and the order amounts are so small that if they claimed they didn't get it then i'd just ship another but still for bigger dollar items how does everyone confirm delivery?
Tara

On 2/10/07, m35603 <m35603@yahoo.com> wrote:

--- In EbayTradingAssistantsConsignments-101@yahoogroups.com , "Maria
Risener" <mariaelisa64@...> wrote:

> Additionally, payment can be tricky. Myself, I have chosen to accept
nothing
> but PayPal payments on international orders. Haven't had a bit of
trouble. I
> ship at least two to three items per week overseas.

I am originally from "overseas" myself, but am very hesitant when it
comes to selling to people overseas, and Canada for that matter. The
reason is, what if the buyer pays through PayPal and then claims he
did not receive the item? Delivery confirmation is not available on
shipments to other countries, so how would I be able to prove that the
item was delivered? If a buyer knows that I as a seller cannot prove
that the item was delivered, it would be an easy thing for him to
claim he didn't receive it even though he did and then get his money back.

Angie

--- In EbayTradingAssistantsConsignments-101@yahoogroups.com, Stephen
A Banks <iebayforyou@...> wrote:

>   I'm gonna contact my county clerk and find out more about this in
my area!!


I forgot to mention that most states have their laws online on state
websites. Alabama's laws are on the Alabama Legislator website, for
example. You might be able to look yours up too. Googeling "code of
[your state]" will probably take you right to it.

Angie