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Black Friday deals off eBay

In this newsletter:

 

·        Matty has the round-up for Black Friday sales

·        Ready to be ranked #1 on Google? – step-by-step process  you can do right now

·        Classes coming up: a new MINI, Success With Cindy is back, online security for the holidays, and Ask Janelle

 

 

 

Please don’t wait…

 

Writing this is a bit emotional for me.  We just wrapped up our 1% eBay Stores training and I have been receiving ‘thank yous’ and testimonials in my inbox like crazy.  These notes are more than something that simply arrives in my inbox, way more…they are a snapshot into a point of a person’s life where something happened, something changed, something shifted bringing them closer to their dreams becoming a reality – and they chose to share it with me.  WOW!  What an incredible honor!.  What an awesome blessing that they chose to share that part of their world with me. 

 

I safeguard these incredible emails with my heart and read them over and over again…and sometimes I choose to share my blessing of receiving them with you in this newsletter.  Hoping that you will realize how important your communications with others are – what a blessing they are to those who receive them.  The emails I receive mean the world to me and are just the start of all that I am so thankful for.

 

I recently received another of these emails:

 

I wanted to say thank you for an eBay Radio show that you did about 3 years ago on how to set up an eBay Store. The part of mine that’s right is all your fault.  I’ve learned at least one little morsel each time you’re on with Griff.  Thanks.

 

I look forward to learning a lot more from you.

Carol of www.AlphaBargains.com

Alpha Bargains eBay Store - http://stores.ebay.com/AlphaBargains

 

 

(We are honored that Carol is now a 1% member as well as an OSI Rock Stars!  She rocks!)

 

The_Bear_Blessing_(9)[1]I am blessed that Carol took the time out of her day to let me know this.  It is always so incredible how many touch points all of us have with others, yet we usually have no idea.  The time you opened the door for him, or the garbage cans you pulled in for them, or the car you let in ahead of you, or the time you took to answer the question for a new buyer…simple acts, but these can have a lifelong effect on another person.  Perhaps it was raining by the time your neighbor came home and they didn’t have to get soaking wet & risk catching a cold because you pulled in the trash cans.  Or the person was able to make it to the hospital in time because you let them cut ahead of you in on the road.  We usually have no idea how we have effected others.  I am so blessed that Carol took the time to write and let me know how an 8 minute radio show spoke to her.  What an incredible blessing it is to me when I wake-up to these incredible emails.

 

Please don’t wait…

 

We have a Pastor in our Church - Pastor Billy - who is awesome and hysterical and so amazing.  He just returned from Russia where they opened a Christian Church there - wow!  And as I listened to his tales from Russia (my favorite I think is that everyone wants him to bring back iPhones for them when he returns in January - lol)…I found I had tears in my eyes.  The people in Russia risked everything, including ostracization from friends and their families and even risked their lives - just for what they believed in.  Interestingly enough that even though they had just accomplished something profound, the main questions they had for Pastor Billy were about the US - our election, our economy, etc.  How amazing when we rarely give another country (or continent) a fleeting thought.

 

After seeing poverty conditions in South Africa that are unimaginable to anyone living in the US, I returned home and deleted all of the emails in my inbox.  Every last one of them.  I couldn’t bear listening to one more whiny email about ‘it’s eBay’s fault I failed’, or ‘I’m working 20 hours a week on this, why aren’t I rich yet?’, or ‘I can’t afford to learn this.’  I returned from a country where they believe in the American Dream more than we do.  They wake up in a 10×10 ’shack’ which is made up of pieces of scrap metal and cardboard.  Dirt floor, no electricity, no running water.  Rape occurs every 17 seconds.  They live on $120 a month.  And yet they truly believe if they work 18 hour days and passionately pursue their dream, that one day they will succeed.  And they get up again the next morning and believe in it even more.  I was floored at this inspiring perspective of their world.  There are a million examples like the ones I have provided.  We are SO blessed.  Why do other countries understand the power of what we have and yet we simply take it for granted?

 

We forget here in the US and other wealthy European countries…we forget our blessings, we forget what we have and what we have access to.  Unless it directly affects us, we forget that men and women put their lives on the line daily so that we can have all of these incredible opportunities.  We forget to count our blessings and be so thankful for them.  Seems a tad silly to have one day a year as a reminder to remember how blessed we are.

It doesn’t surprise me that some other countries perceive this attitude as arrogance.  We have so much, yet don’t appreciate it, and complain about wanting more. 

 

 

Please don’t wait…

Counting our blessings and being thankful for what we have are intricately tied to each other.

 

Don’t wait until we have a national holiday to be thankful for everything you have in your life.   Sit down, right now and write a list of all the things you have to be thankful for.  My list starts with YOU, of course, and internet access (in South Africa internet is up to $100 a day!), and our education system (being a girl in some of these other countries, I wouldn’t have the education I have been honored with), and I also added the ability to worship, play, think and SAY what I believe (I am even thankful that others have the right to disagree with me).  As you add people in your life to the list of what you are thankful for - the ones who deserve a thanks, pat on the back or a ‘you changed my life’ note, start a 2nd list for their names.  What about your 3rd grade teacher, or the person at Starbucks who always remembers your order, or your family who supports and believes in your dream.  Add them to a separate list.  Then once a day, start your day with one thank you email, phone call or note.  Thank them for what they did to change your life.  (believe me if someone could remember my coffee order in the morning, that would have a very positive effect on the rest of my day - lol!)  These morning ‘thank yous’ will turn into so many more blessings in your life…and have the most incredible chain reaction with the people receiving them.  Some of my favorite emails have been responses to my morning thank you notes.

 

Can you imagine if our whole nation actually was thankful for all of the blessings we have received and not just one day of the year?  Wow!!

 

Please don’t wait…

Do it now…don’t let it be too late to let others in your life’s path know what they did for you, how special they have been, and how they had an affect on where you are now in your life’s path.

 

I am very thankful for you…that you take the time to read this newsletter, and choose to put into place the nuggets of information that will help in your business.  Every morning you are included in the blessings I count.  Thank you for your support, your enthusiasm, your encouragement, your friendship, your ideas, and your passion.  Without it, I wouldn’t be blessed to have the business that I do.  You are an incredible blessing – thank you.

j

Share the Success with friends – forward this newsletter onto them or let them know they can get their own copy at www.TheBusinessSuccessKit.com (includes the Free 5 page report, “99% of eBay Stores are set up wrong, Learn how to be that 1%”)

Remember, you can read previous Success newsletters in the OSI Rock Star newsletter archives at http://osirockstars.com/?cat=5

For secret deals only….come TaTango with us!!  Register your phone HERE

For spur of the moment info, ideas, reminders or anything else I feel like Twittering about, follow us at http://twitter.com/osirockstars

 

Tips From The Top Podcast Series with Marlene Gavens of the Savvy Seller

Matty has the round-up for Black Friday sales

CowHi, It’s Matty – the More Moola Cow with your Black Friday deals…

Do you get up at 3am, grab your list of store/deals and maps, dress warm, and head out to stand in line for the first deal on your list the day after Thanksgiving – Black Friday?  Yeah…Janelle too.  She is crazy.  Although lately she has been finding some great online Black Friday sales too…I wonder if she will be grabbing her list and her bunny slippers and sitting in front of her computer at 3am this time – LOL. 

Janelle used to wait until the BIG newspaper came out on Thanksgiving with all the ads in it.  Now she usually knows 4-6 weeks ahead of time what deals everyone is having, as well as when they are open, their doorbuster sales, and anything else she needs to know.  Of course she got this information from me!  And I thought I would, in the week of blessings, share this valuable information with all of you.

Now you still have to do the work – I don’t know what deals you are looking for (kids, home, electronics, etc), but I can send you to where the information is at as well as learn from the people who are already talking about what deals are the true deals (they are brilliant and tips on getting the deals too!)  Janelle’s favorite deal so far is the FREE breakfast at Ikea on Friday morning (Ikea is just down the hill from her house and she LOVES their coffee & meatballs!).  I know she is planning on grabbing a few of their Black Friday deals

 

Super hot deals this year include Blu-Ray DVD players, mp3 players (not iPods though), $300 laptops, and digital frames (remember when these were $100’s of dollars?!  Black Friday sales have them for as low as $30!)).

 

Black Friday Ads http://www.bfads.net & http://blackfridayads.com/ & http://www.blackfriday.info/ - plus they will email you when new ads are posted

Local Deals - http://www.shoplocal.com – shop by your zip code and find the Black Friday deals specific to your area

Discussing with other Black Friday fans (this is where you learn about the tips and tricks for the best way of getting these deals) - http://www.cheapstingybargains.com/forums/black-friday-2008-discussion/

http://forums.gottadeal.com/forumdisplay.php?s=a1e51c31d7b6497e3020c760f77df41c&f=71

http://forums.slickdeals.net/forumdisplay.php?sduid=0&f=41

and my favorite - http://www.fatwallet.com/black-friday/ (they even have an excel spreadsheet of all the deals!)  I know this is the site Janelle mainly uses too.  This group has some great deal finders. 

Freebies on Black Friday - Fat Wallet even has a list of the freebies for Black Friday - http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/black-friday/881375/  (This list includes Free, free after rebates (FAR) and free with purchase items.

 

For those of you with Costco close by…I know Janelle is heading there for a few things.  She used Fat Wallet to find out the Bluetooth they are offering is patoohey, so that saved her some money.  She is grabbing the Costco cookbook they are giving out.  But I also know she is using the coupon she received to get $60 worth of iTune gift cards for $49.99. (the coupon was in the Costco Celebrate circular, inside front page).  Costco also has $100 worth of Starbucks cards for $80.  Fabulous stocking stuffers.

 

Don’t forget – some of these deals are already happening NOW…don’t wait to check out these resources.

 

And for those of you who are waiting for Cyber Monday deals check out this very all-inclusive site – www.CyberMonday.com

Good deal hunting – can’t wait to hear what you got!

Many Moovelous Blessings,

Matty

 

Choose Success today

 

Ready to be ranked #1 on Google? – step-by-step process  you can do right now

After watching this class…

·        Maryann made $100 commission overnight and acquired two new customers

·        Cindy has created a phenomenal business plan with an extra $1000 a week profit - http://websellerscircle.com/100000-week-potential-income-stream/

I’ve already used this information with 3 of my clients to easily take them to the #1 spot on Google.  Boy were they impressed!

YOU can do this too!

Disk over cover

Because of the power of this step-by-step class, I have chosen to release it as part of the OSI Success Library collection.  You can pre-order it right now before it is released and the pre-release price will be changed to full-retail (and before your competition gets wind of it!).

Pre-order Now!

According to Borrell Associates…

Local search advertising in the U.S. is predicted to grow more than 80% year over year between 2005 and 2009

Do YOU want your business there?

·         72% of ALL searches are happening on Google.com - do YOU want your business to be there?

·         Searchers are only looking at the top 5 results - do YOU want your business to be there?

·         Your buyers are looking for you on Google local - do YOU want your business to be there?

·         Google is showcasing local businesses to their searchers - do YOU want your business to be there?

·         20% of searchers are looking to purchase locally - do YOU want your business there?

·         Over 74% of your customers have searched for something locally - do YOU want your business there?

In this Success class you will learn:

·         What is local search

·         Why should YOU be on local search

·         Utilizing your Profitable Keywords sheet

·         Online steps to take

·         Real world steps to take

·         And much more

CD includes:

·         Over an hour of step-by-step Success training

·         Video screen shots of how it works

·         ‘Make It Happen’ Success Steps

·         And easy to use links to the sites discussed

“I already made a quick $100!” (And two new customers too)

Janelle, Just wanted to share - since you taught the Google Class a week ago, I am so excited to let you know that I am getting results and getting RECOGNIZED like you promised - it was so easy to set up (even for a crazy redhead LOL)

I received a phone call on Wednesday night jotted down her information regarding the item she wanted to sell - posted her item on eBay @ 6:00 PM that night and the item sold @ 10:00 AM by the next morning! 
A quick $100.00 commission for me (YAAY) and now this client wants to sell more stuff - I shipped the item today + sent the customer on her way with a nice profit + a handful of my business cards !!

I also received an email from a gentleman who wants me to sell Football/Soccer/Referee Jerseys - I’ll be meeting with him on Saturday.

I owe my Success to my HERO, you, Ms Janelle - to anyone who is a Doubting Thomas - this is my question to you ………..Do you want to talk about Success OR do want to Choose Success ??? JUST DO IT !!
Maryann of SellItBeforeYouMoveIt.com 

- Maryann of SellItBeforeYouMoveIt.com

 

Spring Clearance at VistaPrint! Save up to 90%!

 

 

New Classes coming up…

 

Hey…get registered ASAP for these classes. All OSI Live classes are fr-ee to attend and instructions are included during the registration process for both the podcasts and the webinars. When the class says, OSI RS Exclusive, only OSI Rock Stars are allowed to attend.

Remember, you can either ask a question for our special guest or simply put “I Choose Success” in the question box.

 

12/2/08, Tuesday at 5pm pst/8pm est – OSI Rock Star Exclusive

MINI - Tools - Type Pilot - Learn about one of my favorite tools that I use in my business for automation - Type Pilot.  Saves me a ton of time in my repetitive tasks. 

Your registration information is at http://osirockstars.com/topic.php?id=864&replies=1

 

 

12/3/08/08, Wednesday at Noon pst/3pm est

The “Success With Cindy” series is Back!!

2009: Year of the Video - Join Cindy Shebley as she shows you the opportunities that are emerging with video in your business.

Internet Video is becoming more and more important. eBay sellers have been including listings with video for about a year now, and now Amazon is going to open up Video to sellers in 2009. Meanwhile YouTube is the number two search engine on the Internet. (If you don’t have a video on YouTube - your chances of be found though search is increasingly slim). And, after the first of the year there are going to be changes in Search algorithms on Google that will make video even more important.

Save your spot at www.SuccessWithCindy.com

 

12/4/08, Thursday at 2pm pst/5pm est

Holiday Safety Tips with Michael Kaiser – Join Michael Kaiser, Executive Director for the National Cyber Security Alliance as he shares tips on being safe online this holiday season.

Save your spot at www.AskMichaelKaiser.com

 

 

12/9/08, Tuesday at Noon pst/3pm est - OSI Rock Star Exclusive

Ask Janelle your Success questions – December - LIVE - for 2 hours - answering all of YOUR questions.  
Want me to take a look at your eBay Store?
Have a new business idea that you need advice on?
Questions about sourcing, research, marketing?
I’ll be answering these Live during the show.  First come, first served!!  Get your questions in asap

Registration information is at http://osirockstars.com/topic.php?id=864&replies=1

 

 

 

 

Blessings,

j

 

 

Bluehost.com Web Hosting $6.95

 

Are you ready to sell on Amazon?

In this newsletter:

·      eBay Updates

  • OSI Classes – WebStore by Amazon, Advanced Facebook, ProPay, and our first MINI class!

 

Howdy,

I met with Julia and Zoltan today from Amazon and was totally blown away by what they are going to be teaching about tomorrow.  They have a new feature called WebStore by Amazon that is unbelievable.  You create, with some pretty easy tools, a free standing website.  You can fill it with your products, or your products mixed with their products, or just their products.  You get all the security, confidence and services of Amazon (including their shopping cart).  AND you get their A to Z guarantee for your customers, access to their customer service, and some great ‘how to’ training videos.  Simply hit publish, and you have a totally customized website that people can be shopping out of!! 

TwilightNow get this…their presentation looked slick (I think my mouth was open for most of it), but I needed to test if it really was as easy as they said.  You know me – LOL.  It almost took me longer to register as a seller for a WebStore by Amazon and get my custom domain at GoDaddy than it did to create the website – no joking.  It took me exactly 12 minutes to create this website in honor of the first (midnight) showing of THE vampire movie that all Tween girls are chatting about – www.TwilightAtMidnight.com  Now there is of course a ton more I could do to it including custom pages, reviews, more products, etc.  But in 12 minutes I had a website that people can shop from!  None of these products displayed were actually mine, but every time one sells I get a commission from it (this is similar to the BANS idea, but with Amazon products).  I’m working on another one that is all the things you need to throw a party for the holidays – lots of expensive Kitchen-aid stuff and high-end glassware, etc.  I was thinking this would be an incredible way to ‘fill-out’ your inventory too.  If you sold coffee beans, cups and napkins…you could open a cool java store and supplement your missing higher end products with Amazon products – like Italian espresso makers.  Are you seeing the possibilities here?

Ok, so if you are one of the few that hasn’t registered yet for the free class tomorrow, go…now… www.AskAboutTools.com

Please make sure you are there 5-10 minutes early as this will be a very busy class.  (already over 100 people signed up)

And yes, we will be recording this for those of you who may not be able to attend.  However, if you are on the Live show, you will have an opportunity to ask questions of Zoltan (I just like saying the name.)

 

Amazon101Also, if you need a refresher course about how selling on Amazon in general works, Cindy Shebley did an incredible 2-hour class for us just a while back.  This included all the opportunities you have for selling in this channel as well as how the customers differ, shipping details and even how you are paid.  You can still get your CD at http://www.janelleelms.com/ebay-success-tools/amazon/

I always enjoy the webinars on OSI Rock Stars.

I must say the class today with Cindy Shebley was absolutely INCREDIBLE!! It was worth spending the two hours to listen to all her insight about the ins and outs of an Amazon Store. I almost did not sign up for that class thinking it would not be something I would attempt right now but I have to say, I am sold!! Cindy did a great job of explaining not only the basics of having an Amazon store but she went in to detail, including a step by step walk through to list an item. Had it not been for the class, I would not have realized all the ways to sell on Amazon as well. My eBay store is being re-vamped right now as I make some changes and I am happy to say that I will now be able to make Amazon part of the new plan. Cindy, I can’t thank you enough. You could sell this on a CD and make a lot of money!! I loved it!!

Patti Massullo
Jazzy Brandz

Share the Success with friends – forward this newsletter onto them or let them know they can get their own copy at www.TheBusinessSuccessKit.com (includes the Free 5 page report, “99% of eBay Stores are set up wrong, Learn how to be that 1%”)

Remember, you can read previous Success newsletters in the OSI Rock Star newsletter archives at http://osirockstars.com/?cat=5

For spur of the moment info, ideas, reminders or anything else I feel like Twittering about, follow us at http://twitter.com/osirockstars

 

Tips From The Top Podcast Series with Marlene Gavens of the Savvy Seller

eBay Updates

·        Try additional Pictures for 10ยข — November 18 – December 18, 2008 - http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200811.shtml#2008-11-17162609

·        Update on Multiple Identical Listings - http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200811.shtml#2008-11-18153122

Choose Success today

 

New Classes for this week…

 

Hey…get registered ASAP for this week’s classes. All OSI Live classes are fr-ee to attend and instructions are included during the registration process for both the podcasts and the webinars. Remember, you can either ask a question for our special guest or simply put “I Choose Success” in the question box.

 

 

11/19/08, Wednesday at Noon pst/3pm est – WebStore by Amazon

Learn how WebStore by Amazon delivers the ecommerce technology and merchandising expertise to sell online successfully.  Businesses new to ecommerce will see how to build a WebStore in just 1-click and sell Amazon products to earn commission.  Experienced sellers will benefit from the co-branding and customization feature demos, plus a review of the integrations with Selling on Amazon and Fulfillment by Amazon.   And all sellers will discover the advantage of the Amazon powered checkout that provides anti-fraud, payment processing and millions of pre-registered shoppers.

Save your seat at www.AskAboutTools.com

Get your 30 day free trial at http://webstore.amazon.com/?ld=OSIWBN

 

11/20/08, Thursday at Noon pst/3pm est - More Facebook for business ideas

Join Kelsey of www.MySavvySpace.com as she walks through more information on one of the most powerful social networking sites, Facebook.

Your registration is at http://marketing4rockstars.com/

 

11/20/08, Thursday at 3pm pst/6pm est – MINI - SEO and Photos

Learn how to make sure your photos are set up correctly for SEO in your eBay Store, blogs, etc. 

Huge thanks to Rina of www.NicheMarketplace.com for requesting this MINI class

Save your spot by checking out the registration link in the forums at www.osiRockStars.com

 

 

11/21/08 - Friday at Noon pst/3pm est – Learn about ProPay and eBay – Join ProPay spokesperson Bryce Thacker, EVP Sales and Marketing as he shares what ProPay is and how it will help you in your business. 

Get registered and ask your questions at www.Ask-The-Entrepreneurs.com

 

 

 

Blessings,

j

 

 

Spring Clearance at VistaPrint! Save up to 90%!

 

 

Do you love comic books?

In this newsletter:

·        Quick reminders, tips and ideas – last day

·        Online Bargain Hunters Get Social

·        Internet Hoaxes, Spam and your Email - by Richard Kuipers

  • A Rock Star would like your help – do you love comic books, collectibles, and movie memorabilia?

·        eBay Live in 09 after all?

  • OSI Classes – Advanced Blogging, Amazon WebStores, Advanced Facebook, ProPay, and our first MINI class!

 

 

Hi,

 

I am thrilled and honored to announce…

We have Amazon!!

Yep, took some time, hard work and lots of extravagant gifts…ok, that last part isn’t true – Amazon was a delight to work with and incredibly generous with their time in making this happen.  But we do have Amazon coming on the OSI show THIS WEEK, Wednesday, November 19th, at Noon pst/3pm est!!  WooHoo!  LIVE!

Make sure you get registered for the free webinar immediately (and ask your questions) at www.AskAboutTools.com now! They are watching this first webinar on the OSI show as an opportunity to see if you would like even more education from them about utilizing Amazon as another sales channel in your business.  We definitely want to learn as much as possible about profitable sales channels, but the only way Amazon will know this is if we show them by attending this class that they have worked hard on putting together for us. Feel free to post this info to other eBayers on Twitter, your blogs, newsletters, Squidoo pages, etc. 

 

Here is some more incredible news I was honored to share with the OSI Rock Stars yesterday:

 

WOW…some very exciting things going on at Rock Stars lately!!

 

I am so blessed to have such an amazing group of multi-talented, success minded entrepreneurs from all over the US, Canada and the UK.  And now I am absolutely thrilled to introduce you to our First Rock Stars from Russia!

PipeAndrey & Marina Kolomiychenko

Andrey and Marina are in Kiev, Ukraine and have an eBay Store that sells pipes, cigarette holders and gifts - Ukrainian Handmade Pipes and Gifts (I love the Audrey Hepburn ones…wonder if my smaller cigars will fit in there…hhhmmm.)

We are thrilled that you are here Andrey and Marina.  We look forward to learning more about you and your business.

 

Coming on the heels of our one year anniversary, another incredible milestone occurred this week as well.  We just increased our server space by 50%!!  Yep, we are growing way faster than anyone had predicted.  We had planned on this 50% server increase to happen about 6-9 months from now, so the $1500 was a tad bit of a surprise – lol…but you guys are SO worth it! 

 

Besides Amazon, we were also able to snag an interview with ProPay – eBay’s newest merchant account for their new Paperless Payments checkout that is launching.   Our favorite Facebook expert is back this week with more tips and tricks AND we have our first Rock Star MINI class!

 

With blessings to a remarkable week,

j

 

 

Quick reminders, tips and ideas:

  • Blog4Last day to purchase the incredible step-by-step e-book, “How to Blog with Wordpress” by Dany Byrne if you want to be part of the exclusive Live BONUS class on Tuesday.  Get your book now and get your link to ask your questions LIVE for this blogging guru.  (glad to see that people are finally understanding the power and profit of having a blog – thanks for writing this incredible book Dany!)
  • eBay AdCommerce is live - http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200811.shtml#2008-11-12133441
  • Make sure that you are shipping internationally for the holidays – international sales, due to the dollar, have been increasing steadily.  Will YOU get that money or your competitors?  We have some great classes at OSI Rock Stars to help you with this:
  • In a recent comScore study, 72% of consumers said that if an e-commerce site eliminated free shipping, they would use another e-commerce site that did offer free shipping. Last week the LA Times reported that this year, nearly 80% of consumers said they were more likely to shop online with a retailer that offers free shipping, compared with 60% who said that last year.  Are YOU taking advantage of eBay’s free shipping opportunities?  Remember, from now until the end of the year you get a free subtitle and a bump in the best match search if you offer free shipping (if you are a PowerSeller your DSR discounts can be doubled!!)
  • Brilliant blog post by our brilliant writer, Rock Star Rina of NicheMarketplace, “Shopping Smart in a Recessionary Economy.”  - She says this is her first in a series of articles on shopping smart in this current economy!

 

Online Bargain Hunters Get Social

Are you using Facebook to it’s full advantage?  Don’t forget we have a Facebook class this week.  See registration information below to sign up for this free webinar!

From Marketing Charts:

Though email from retailers is still the best way for consumers to learn about discounts and deals online, nearly 30% of shoppers now say they look to links forwarded from friends, peer comments and social sites for the best bargains, according to a survey from Guidance, in association with Synovate.

When asked what they thought was the best way to find out about bargains and deals on the internet, the majority of the 1,000 respondents surveyed still cited traditional “top-down,” retailer-to-consumer channels. Nearly half (45%) said email is the best way to learn about deals, while 16% looked to messages from retailer websites and 10% cited banner ads.

But “Social actions” are increasingly gaining ground as a source of shopper influence. The second-most-popular way to find out about bargains is from “friends forwarding a link to the product,” cited by 16.5% of survey respondents. Nine percent say they learn about deals from other shoppers’ comments on retail sites through product reviews or other feedback mechanisms. And three percent say they learn about deals “from friends via Twitter, Facebook or other social networking site.”

 

Internet Hoaxes, Spam and your Email by Richard Kuipers

 

I can’t be the only one who thinks this way…

Ok, so when you send me emails with cute pictures of animals/babies/sunsets, or funny/inspiring/can’t believe stories, or the typical ‘I usually don’t forward these, but..’ emails – YOU DRIVE ME CRAZY.  I appreciate that you have taken a moment out of your day to think of me (and most of you truly haven’t even thought of me since I am in the middle of 100 other people from your address book that you have cc’d), but I get a good dozen of these a day, sometimes more.  I don’t read them.  So I was delighted when one of our Rock Stars wrote this great article about exactly this!!  Most people think they are harmlessly forwarded something, but as Richard points out that is not the case at all.  Thanks Richard for taking the time to let us know what really goes on behind the scenes with these emails.  I especially agree with his point about using the BCC box if you are going to insist on forwarding me these things.  PLUS, I just found this great site - http://www.stopforwarding.us/   Perhaps I will be using it in the near future – LOL.

 

Internet Hoaxes, Spam and your Email by Richard Kuipers of Windmill Trading

Richard Kuipers MugBill Gates will pay my favorite charity $1 for every email sent!
Yeah, right…

If you’re using email with any regularity, you’re sure to get more than a few messages forwarded from well-meaning friends who are genuinely convinced that if you forward it yourself to your entire address book, it will deliver great wealth to you and them or that Bill Gates and his wife will donate a million dollars to some worthy cause. While the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is indeed the world’s largest philanthropic institution, I assure you… they don’t operate like that. Another popular one is the case of Amy Jones who is “7 years old, has severe lung cancer and a brain tumor due to beatings [sic]”. For every email forwarded, the Make a Wish Foundation will donate 7 cents towards her medical bills. Very compelling, but (a) the Foundation has no way to track your email and (b) they don’t support their causes in that way. In other words, if you forward that email you’ve been duped. Your friend has been duped as well and spammers all other world will rejoice. These forwarded hoaxes are actually like a gold mine for spammers. Confirmed email addresses from actual human beings. The Holy Grail of Spamming.

So how do you tell if the forwarded email you just received is real or a hoax?
There are several sites dedicated to helping you with that. The one I use mostly is
snopes.com. Just type in the subject of the email on their home page and chances are very good they have information about it. They’ll tell you if it’s False, True or Partly True. Even the history and origins of the hoax are revealed. Quite entertaining and educational at times. Another good site is truthorfiction.com plus there are plenty of others. (see end of article for links) (click to read more)

 

A Rock Star would like your help

 

LogoI just received this heart-tugging email from one of our Rock Stars, Marc of Alter Ego Comics.  He is putting on a very special raffle/silent auction featuring some incredible comic related prizes (just in time to cross some people off your gift list!)

Please email him at marc@alteregocomics.com if you are interested in participating.

 

Holiday Fundraiser Announcement - Win Cool Stuff and Help a Family in Need

 

Every holiday season, Alter Ego Comics raises funds for a worthwhile cause or organization. Some of our past recipients include Toys for Tots, The Hero Initiative, and Samaritan House, a local homeless shelter for women and children. This year, we are holding a raffle and silent auction to raise money for a local family with a very sick young lady.

Her name is Allissa, and she has endured more pain in her short life than most of us will in a lifetime. Allissa has been a babysitter for my children and my wife was her academic tutor for 4 years. She has been so ill recently that she only attended 30 days of school last year and has not even been to school yet this year.

 

The medical bills for Allissa’s family are staggering.

 

We normally promote our fundraisers in our retail store, but this year, I want to raise as much money as possible to help Allissa and her family, so we’re opening it up to our online customers as well.

 

http://www.alteregocomics.com/store/customer/pages.php?pageid=16

Allissa is 16 years old and has been diagnosed with Elhers Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disease. She also suffers from Dysautonomia, dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, and Syringomyelia, a fluid filled cyst on the spine. We are raising funds this year to help Allissa’s family with her medical bills. To learn more about Allissa, please visit
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/allissarower.

We are raffling off nearly 30 packages, along with a number of silent auction items. Raffle tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10. You may apply your raffle tickets to the prize package(s) of your choice. All proceeds will go to the Rower family.

Winners will be drawn at the first ever Alter Ego Comics Holiday Party, Sunday, December 7, from 5-7pm at Alter Ego Comics. *You do not have to be present to win, but we’d love to see you at the party. The Silent Auction will end that day at 6:00pm. You may bid on Silent Auction items from now until that time. Food and beverages provided.

Plan on joining your fellow comic book fans for fun and a great cause on December 7th.

 If you are interested in buying raffle tickets or bidding on any of the silent auction items, please email me at marc@alteregocomics.com for more information.

 

Thank you.

 

eBay Live after all?

 

Ann grannie annieVery interesting email I just received from our fabulous Grannie-Annie - Ann Timbreza.  Looks like we potentially may have an unofficial eBay Live after all!  I am thrilled and OSI Rock Stars will definitely be participating (already talking to Lee about it).  Here is how you can too:

 

Hi  Have been thinking about talking to you about a get together for Rock Stars in Washington but Griff and Lee from wsradio have started something that maybe we should look at and see if the Rock Stars should get involved.. I have a lot more ideas like classes, sponsors and the list goes on. I have talked to Janieruth and she said to tell you that she and I will, can’t remember what she said but I am sure we will do what ever needs done.

Griff seems to feel that eBay will get involved if we can sign up 100 people and there are all ready 19 names on the list. Check this out  www.wsradio.com/RADIOGROUPJUNE

Let me know

 

Aloha Ann

PS -  Be sure to tell everyone to add rock star after their name when they sign up on the wsradio list. The way I did when I put grannie annie after my name. I am going to get Lee to change mine to rock star Monday. We want everybody to know that the rock stars are on their way. Aloha Ann

 

New Classes for this week…

 

Hey…get registered ASAP for this week’s classes. All OSI Live classes are fr-ee to attend and instructions are included during the registration process for both the podcasts and the webinars. Remember, you can either ask a question for our special guest or simply put “I Choose Success” in the question box.

 

11/18/08, Tuesday at Noon pst/3pm est – BONUS CLASS (for everyone who purchased “How to Blog with Wordpress” by Dany Byrne  - Answers to your Wordpress questions 

Join Wordpress and blogging expert Dany Byrne for this BONUS class on using a blog in your business.  If you haven’t purchased your book on blogging yet, you can still do so at HERE.  Just make sure you do it before Tuesday so you can take her BONUS class

 

11/19/08, Wednesday at Noon pst/3pm est – WebStores by Amazon

Learn how WebStore by Amazon delivers the ecommerce technology and merchandising expertise to sell online successfully.  Businesses new to ecommerce will see how to build a WebStore in just 1-click and sell Amazon products to earn commission.  Experienced sellers will benefit from the co-branding and customization feature demos, plus a review of the integrations with Selling on Amazon and Fulfillment by Amazon.   And all sellers will discover the advantage of the Amazon powered checkout that provides anti-fraud, payment processing and millions of pre-registered shoppers.

Save your seat at www.AskAboutTools.com

 

11/20/08, Thursday at Noon pst/3pm est - More Facebook for business ideas

Join Kelsey of www.MySavvySpace.com as she walks through more information on one of the most powerful social networking sites, Facebook.

Your registration is at http://marketing4rockstars.com/

 

11/20/08, Thursday at 3pm pst/6pm est – MINI - SEO and Photos (OSI RS exclusive class)

Learn how to make sure your photos are set up correctly for SEO in your eBay Store, blogs, etc. 

Huge thanks to Rina of www.NicheMarketplace.com for requesting this MINI class

Save your spot by checking out the registration link in the forums at www.osiRockStars.com

 

 

11/21/08 - Friday at Noon pst/3pm est – Learn about ProPay and eBay – Join ProPay spokesperson Bryce Thacker, EVP Sales and Marketing as he shares what ProPay is and how it will help you in your business. 

Get registered and ask your questions at www.Ask-The-Entrepreneurs.com

 

 

 

Blessings,

j

 

 

 

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