eBay Best in Stores announced
In this Success Newsletter:
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New Google AdSense book out
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Best In Stores voting now open
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New Rock Star forum – check out the ‘Rock Stars’ we have in the forums!!
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New Class replays are up – “Marketing with eBay’s Classified Ads - Part 2” and “Understanding the manufacturing process with Peter Zapf of Global Sources”
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Classes this week
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Remember, you can read previous Success newsletters in the OSI Rock Star newsletter archives at http://osirockstars.com/?cat=5
Hhhmmm, eBay Best in Stores results were just announced this week. The final 16 Stores out of over 12,000 were chosen to be voted on by the eBay public. (you can read the details below). As always, I am a bit surprised at who made it, and very surprised at who didn’t. Now, don’t get me wrong – there are eBay Stores in the final running who definitely deserve to be there and I wish them huge Success – they rock!! Plus, how the heck do you pick just 16 out of THAT many!! But, apparently I am not alone in my surprise – the eBay Stores boards are a bit shocked too. Many of the finalist have glaring eBay policy violations (keyword spamming, java script, outside linking), and some have incredibly low DSR’s. (one has a 3.9 – how do you even GET a 3.9??) But as one poster said, “this is eBay Best in Stores…not Best Seller”. Which got me thinking…why can’t it be both? And shouldn’t it be both? eBay Stores are one of the most powerful e-commerce tools you can own on the internet – shouldn’t they be judged on how well an eBay seller optimizes the tools in an eBay Store to achieve Success?
We have many readers who have incredible eBay Stores (who definitely fall into the top 1%) that look great, have fabulous marketing, are easy to shop from, provide amazing customer service AND (probably the most important I would say…) THEY MAKE MONEY!! Gosh, guess I have a different set of criteria – lol!!
Take Worldwide Traders Online for example. Beautiful site – great niche colors, typography and style. BUT, after her eBay Store design was completed, her sales went up 25%!! Even during her slower months, her eBay Store sales were up 65% over her auction sales!! As the owner Diane says, “My new store design has ramped up my recognition in the marketplace and differentiated me amongst my competition. Things are selling briskly and I’m getting many new repeat buyers so I’m very happy.”
Same is true for Nathan and Bryan of Flightline Fabrications. Their new eBay Store design was just completed the first part of March. In that short first month with their new design they had their “highest sales month to date. 30-40% higher in number terms and that is only 1 MONTH!!!”
I love the note that
“I personally wanted to thank you both for the hard work, suggestions, direction, counseling, and friendship that you have given us. Flightline Fabrications is a passion for Nathan and I, to have such great people to help us grow helps me sleep at night.
Thank you again for everything you’ve done! and of course will do in the future!”
Bryan Heim - Co-Owner
www.FlightlineFabrications.com
To me it’s not enough to have a cool looking Store – I want you to make MONEY too!! As you can see both of these eBay businesses had the sense to hire a designer who not only understands great eBay Store design, but who also understands how to convert lookers into buyers! The amazing designer of these two eBay Stores (as well as many more including Janieruth’s Fabulous to Funky Finds, Le Petit Garage, and Lady Linda’s Loft to name a few) is Jennifer of Sitting Boo designs. We applaud her for her “Best in Fabulous looking eBay Stores that make Profits for her Customers” category!! (PS – obviously, due to her amazing talents, Jennifer has a waiting list – so I would get in line quick if I were you!!)
You Rock Jennifer!! So do Bryan and Nathan and Diane and Janieruth and Cara and Linda and all of the other amazing eBay Store owners who make their Stores look fabulous AND know how to delight customers AND can convert them into buyers!! If you can do that – then you definitely WIN in my book!
(Huge congrats to Karla – two years running – that rocks! I had the honor of interviewing her last year on the Best in Stores panel – she is a sweetheart)
New Google AdSense book out
You guys keep asking for a Google AdSense class…and I don’t blame you. Figuring out Profitable Keywords is one thing, but putting them to use in your business is a whole other ballgame. My favoritest SEO genius has retired, but I will keep bribing Cat Seda with Spa trips to see if I can get her to come out of retirement. In the meantime, I did find this book by New York Best Seller Joel Comm, one of the leading experts in using Google AdSense for profits:
What Google Never Told You About Making Money Using AdSense”
I bought the book earlier this week (like I need one more e-book to read), but I have been tempted to buy his previous books (at $97 a piece) and couldn’t pass up his $9.95 offer for this one. He of course tries to sell you other products throughout the buying process of this book (like any smart marketer would do – lol), which is why he is willing to get you in the door at the less than $10 price.
I have to say I was a bit floored at how much information is in this 230+ page book. I am filling up a notebook with all the new profit ideas I have from reading this $10 gem.
Not only does he cover AdSense having to do with:
- What AdSense is
- Marketing techniques
- Tools to use
- Analysis techniques
- Heck, he even covers some of the information we taught you at Rock Stars about Profitable Keywords - LOL
But I also loved that EVEN if you don’t have any interest in AdSense, he also covers:
- Getting traffic to your website/blog
- Search engine optimization
- Adding content to your site
- Marketing that produces traffic
- He even has a section about eBay!!
Head over to www.JanelleElms.com/adsense to get your copy today – eGads, for $10 I think you will be thrilled with how much you will learn from this powerful e-book. (I also have been impressed with the 2 additional freebies that he snuck in there too. I have already applied a few of the techniques to one of my websites!)
Best in Stores voting now open
Voting is now open until April 30th for the 2008 eBay Best in Stores contest. Submit your votes here: http://ebay.promotionexpert.com/bestinstores2008/vote/index.html
Best Shopping Experience:
Le Loft Jewelry
A-Fortunate-Dog
Minor Details
Woodland Direct Outlet
Best Store Marketing:
Perfect Timing
Thumb Monkey Video Games
Fun4Pets
Sleepy Time Bedding and Linen
Best Looking Store:
My Antique Boutique
Romance With Silver
The Copper Depot
The Wallpaper and Border Store
Best Simple Store:
Next Shelf Music
Msss Kels Place
Best of luck to all finalists!
New forum ‘Rock Stars’
THE Denise of our favorite research tool Terapeak – a definite Rock Star if there ever was one – is now an amazing part of our Rock Star forums. She is answering your research questions, listening to your feedback for the NEW release of the Terapeak research tool, and is rockin’ the Rock Stars world.
· You can say hi here: http://osirockstars.com/topic.php?id=327&replies=5
· Ask questions about the new Terapeak tool here: http://osirockstars.com/topic.php?id=338&replies=7
· As well as ask your research questions here: http://osirockstars.com/forum.php?id=31
We are thrilled and Star struck at having Denise join us on the Tour of Success!! Remember, you can get your 30-day free trial to this powerful tool (and see what all the excitement is about) by going to www.JanelleElms.com/terapeak
We also are blessed to have Kelsey of www.MySavvySpace.com on our new social networking forums (along with the amazing Giant Squid Stephanie and writer extraordinaire Melanie Grimes!) Kelsey, a true Rock Star and diva in the social networking arenas of MySpace and Facebook is now answering all of your questions about these powerful sites over at the Social Networking forums: http://osirockstars.com/topic.php?id=340&replies=1
At Rock Stars we have MANY brilliant people on the forums who are ready 24/7 to assist with your Tour of Success. If you have been thinking about joining the OSI Rock Stars member’s site, now would be the week to do so! We have an exclusive Rock Star 2-part training session that starts this week about using one of the best kept eBay marketing secrets – the Classified Ads. If you sell your own products, are an eBay Education Specialist, and/or a Trading Assistant – this is a MUST ATTEND class. Not only will you be able to participate live in this powerful training as a member of Rock Stars, but you will also have access to:
· 24/7 replays of this class
· OVER a 120 hours of training on eBay Stores, legal & taxes, research, sourcing, motivation, SEO, additional revenue channels and much more
· All 9 hours of the Profitable eBay Fee and Site Changes class (Plus the information filled forums that go along with the classes)
· An all access-pass to the Profitable Keywords Training classes that are dramatically changing businesses
· A backstage pass to our monthly coaching sessions – LIVE with me (check out the comments from our most recent one below)
· Exclusive Rock Star discounts on many products
· Active discussion boards – filled with TONS of information, support, advice, tips, and insider info.
· AND the best eBay success-minded, amazing, supportive community that absolutely rocks!
Come join us Backstage for your Tour of Success today – www.osiRockStars.com
“How do you spell GENIUS - J-A-N-E-L-L-E
THANK YOU for your Sage advice and for taking time to look at my store. YOU are a GENIUS - I changed those keywords + sold 4 Jessica Simpson Hair Extensions in 1 day WOO HOO !! You are a godsend and the gift you have is phenomenal!!
Tickets to Mariners vs. Yankees are on me!!!”
Maryann - GOOD BUYS ALL THE TIME eBay Store
New Class replays are up
Marketing with eBay’s Classified Ads - Part 2
This is the second in a 2-part series covering eBay’s secret marketing tool - the Classified Ads.
In this second class we covered:
- Updates on the Classified Ads
- Marketing them with your business
- Outside website tools
- E-book tools
This is an exclusive Rock Star training class – Part 1 and 2 can be viewed on the OSI Rock Star site
Understanding the manufacturing process with Peter Zapf of Global Sources
“Hi Janelle & Peter,
WOW! Thank you!
This was an extraordinary interview outlining the foreign manufacturing process and importation of products to the
Thank you both for taking the time to share your knowledge.”
All the Best,
Melissa Guernsey :-)
Join the very knowledgeable Peter Zapf of Global Sources as he walks you through the intricate manufacturing process.
He shares:
- An excellent overview of the manufacturing process
- The legal checkpoints to be aware of
- What details MUST be included in your
- Areas that you should be knowledgeable of before finalizing the
- How to handle inspections
- Opportunities for additional importing/manufacturing education
- The different prices we should expect to pay for the various people involved
- What to do prior to paying the final payment for the product
- Tips for Successful importing/manufacturing
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.
4/18/08, Friday at Noon pst/3pm est – Using Best Practices for a Profitable Website - Join Wendy of website creation business www.bwyse.com as she walks you through key components of a profitable website for your business. Get registration info at the bottom of this section.
You can find out more about these classes, as well as register at: www.osiRockStars.com (scroll to the bottom of that webpage for upcoming classes, details and registration information).
[…] Janelle wrote an interesting post today on eBay Best in Stores announcedHere’s a quick excerptBest in Stores voting now open. Voting is now open until April 30th for the 2008 eBay Best in Stores contest. Submit your votes here: http://ebay.promotionexpert.com/bestinstores2008/vote/index.html. Best Shopping Experience: … […]