ebay and Beyond : Basics to Business » David White

Fair And Balanced News? Use Several Sources To Gather Internet Marketing News!

admin — Sun, 09 May 2010 18:50:38 +0000

Today’s information highway is very very crowded! There are literally millions of sources online for ecommerce news. Most of us have websites or blogs that we follow regularly to learn of the latest breaking news we are interested in. The idea of having our (the website owners or bloggers) information concisely and relatively instantaneously available to our readers, listeners, followers or friends to be consumed at their convenience has created a vast number of “reporters” via websites and blogs.

It’s On The Internet

Is your news source keeping things from you?

So it must be true! Well, ok it may be true, or it may not be, but many times it is being delivered with the author’s slant or opinion. Certainly this author is no exception, but I can not think of one single newsworthy ecommerce event or news report that I have not brought to my readers because I don’t like the source.

Recently, I submitted a press release regarding the combined ECMTA Chicago Chapter/Chicagoland eBay Sellers Meetup dinner meeting coinciding with Internet Retailer Conference and Exhibition to Auctionbytes.com free service for Press Releases. The event is open to all internet marketers, and will feature John ColderIce Lawson, CEO of 3Rd Power Outlet, Randy K. Smythe, Merchant Advocate for Buy.com, Richard Brewer-Hay editior of eBayInkBlog.com, and Scot Wingo, CEO of Channeladvisor and editor of ebaystratagies blog as guest panelists in a roundtable townhall discussion format. As an event for ecommerce marketers, I feel this dinner will offer a tremendous amount of information to the attendees. This is of course my personal opinion.

Imagine my surprise when I received an email from David Steiner President of Auctionbytes denying my submission. As there was no reason for the denial given I decided to seek an answer. I emailed David requesting a reason for the denial and this is the response I received:

It’s our policy not to accept PESA/ECMTA press releases.

Now I understand that Auctionbytes is a privately owned company. It is certainly within their perogative to accept or deny nearly anything. I also believe that the editors/owners of Auctionbytes seem to have issues with the corporate structure of ECMTA.org, but is that reason not to publish an event such as this that could possibly benefit ecommerce sellers?

Does not reporting on something make it not happen?

If a news source is selectively chosing what they publish and therefore what their readers see is Auctionbytes truly “the independent trade publication for online merchants”? Do you wonder as I do what else they chose not to tell their readers about?

Disclosure: I am a member of ECMTA.org and Chicago Chapter President as well as a member of the Chicagoland eBay Sellers Meetup Group.

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Selling Online,,,,Wait, I Don’t Want To Own A Business!

admin — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:11:34 +0000

Much has been written and discussed about online marketplace eBay seemingly seperating itself from the small seller. I define the small seller as someone who sells a few items to maybe enjoy a night out or pay an extra bill or just because they like the challenge. They aren’t relying on their online sales to stay solvent. Truth is, many of these sellers who I have talked to say they just flat find it fun!

Now, many, including this author have decried the way that eBay has changed it’s policies seemingly to accomodate the plethura of huge, volume marketers that have found that eBay is not a “fad” and that this thing called the internet is real. I do still feel that eBay has made it very difficult for a small seller to start selling on the site and compete successfully.

There are many sellers on the site that found their hobby became their voaction, sometimes quite by accident. There are those small sellers who have left the site due to the policies set forth. This group of ecommerce marketers make up a very necessary part of the product chain, providing internet buyers with items that the “big box” etailers and retailers do not supply. One of a kind items, either new or used, collectibles and antiques are all included in this product line.

These small sellers are finding it difficult to meet the changing and challenging marketplace by selling with free shipping, at the lowest possible price, and with the flare and flavor of the “professional” seller.

What eBay needs to realize is that in their effort to become the leader in the secondary marketplace, is that not everyone wants to be in business!

Now, eBay is not the only online marketplace venue to cater to the volume sellers, but it does seem to be the most visible. Amazon certainly does not make it easy for the small seller to market on the site either. The biggest difference I see is that Amazon doesn’t make any pretense of trying to. These venues are not out to squash small sellers.They are doing what will make them money. They are afterall still in business to make money, just like you and me!

I still like the idea of an eBay Classic! But hey, call me old-fashioned!

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Live eCommerce Summit 2010 Podcasts from Las Vegas April 13-15

admin — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:48:56 +0000

It’s Vegas Baby!

One week from today we (Nicole and I) will be leaving for ECMTA’s eCommerce Summit 2010 in Las Vegas which begins April 13th. We will spend a few days seeing the sites and then the work begins!

With the event promising to provide attendees with a fantastic opportunity to learn the latest information regarding all aspects of ecommerce, the presentations are sure to be filled! Along with the presentations, the networking will surely be in high gear! Many of the attending internet marketers have not yet met each other face to face and they will be meeting and greeting for the entire conference!

I will be broadcasting for at least 16 hours Wednesday and Thursday, and you might even get some early bird stuff on Tuesday night from the meet and greet. My intent is to bring not only my listeners the news from vendors, but also live interviews with those conducting workshops and of course we will be speaking with those attending the presentations to get their reactions! Of course as always, listeners can join us in the chat room and submit questions or call and ask them live on the air. Our podcasts can be found from this website or directly from Talkshoe.com. Just enter 30067 in the search box to find my show directly!

Broadcasts will begin at 8:30 AM PDT, 10:30 AM CDT. A large number of interviews with top executives of ecommerce platforms and a few surprises for sure! Remember that if you can’t listen live you can also review the archives at your leisure!

I would like to thank our sponsors for making these broadcasts possible and look forward to seeing you all in the chat room! Remember there is still time to register so if you can attend sign up now!

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Ramping Up For eBay ESR Changes May Be Costing More Than You Think

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:52:58 +0000

The Announcement

Back on January 26th 2010 eBay released the latest round of ESR’s (eBay Seller Release) changes due to take effect on March 31st. While many of the changes seem to be geared toward improving the buyer and seller experience (OK, mostly buyer) there were some good things for sellers as well.

Getting Your Business Ready

While the ESR’s have been announced well in advance, sellers are not waiting to get their eBay Stores ready. Many of these sellers have hundreds if not thousands of items to change to the new Fixed Price format instead of the soon to be defunct Store Inventory Format listing. While doing this, some merchants are making the changes active now. Fromthe information I have received, this has caused these new items in Fixed Price format not to be found in Google search. This has caused what some merchants are calling a significant drop in sales.

While preparing your items for the format change on March 31st, it is recommended that sellers do NOT convert the listings to Fixed Price until the effective date of the change because their items will not appear in core search or be submitted to Google until that date.

If you have had experience with this situation, please comment!

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eCommerce Conference Season Is Upon Us

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:47:29 +0000

I kind of anticipate spring like I do the Nascar season which just happens to be in the spring too, but they are for totally different reasons. Of course I anticipate the Nascar season for the hard fought racing (who am I kidding???) . I also anticipate the spring for the beginning of conference season! Finally something I can sink my teeth into!

So Many Choices

There are always so many choices when the confernece season starts.

eBay: eBay On Location: March 19-20, 2010 in Atlanta GA, Dallas TX May 7-8, 2010, Chicago IL July 9-10, 2010 and San Jose September 1-2, 2010

eBay: On Location will kick off in downtown Atlanta at the Omni Hotel on March 19-20, 2010, and continue on to Dallas and Chicago and wrap-up in San Jose to celebrate eBay’s 15th anniversary!

Each event is jam-packed with practical information to build and grow an eBay business. Learn new strategies in large and small classes, live demonstrations and a Top-rated seller panel discussion. Plus, you’ll have plenty of chances for one-on-one interaction with eBay experts, business gurus and other small business and part-time sellers like you!

Along with the eBay sponsored event in Atlanta, there are a couple of Pre & After events you should consider putting on your calendar!

Danna Crawford The PowerSellingMom is co-hosting a Pre-Event Lunch Friday the 19th.

John ColderIce Lawson will be hosting an AfterParty at 8:00 PM on Friday the 19th.

eCommerce Merchants: eCommerce Summit 2010 Las Vegas April 13-15, 2010

This is one of the most targeted conferences for internet marketers regardless of the venue they sell on. See the agenda on the link above to see the star studded lineup of presenters.

Channeladvisor Catalyst Conference May 3-5, 2010

Internet Retailer Conference & Expo July 8-11, 2010 Chicago IL

Just One Question????

Why don’t they have these things in the winter so us nothern tier of states people can get out to the warmer parts of the country?

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Congratulations To Our eCommerce Summit 2010 Contest Winner

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:03:33 +0000

My 3rd anniversary podcast was everything I could have hoped for and more! As part of this event, I offered to send one ecommprenuer to the ECMTA eCommerce Summit 2010 in Las Vegas. 7 wonderful entries were submitted to the contest, and after difficult judging Tommy Day who sells on multiple venues along with commenting on his business on his blog http://edayindulgence.blogspot.com/ was chosen as the winner.

Brandon Dupsky announced Paul Greenberg the Co-Founder and Managing Director for one of the largest online retailers in Australia, Deals Direct will be the Keynote Speaker at the Summit. This should be a very exciting presentation and I truly look forward to covering it.

Congratulations to Tommy and all of those that submitted entries to our contest!

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eBay Releases On Location Dates And Locations

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:00:37 +0000

eBay On Location Events Scaled Back:

eBay has released the dates and locations for the eBayLive replacement events known as eBay On Location. Back in July of 2009 Lorrie Norrington announced that eBayLive was being replaced by the eBay On Location events, designed to be less costly for attendees by being held in major cities less than a day’s drive to as many members as possible. Originally I was under the impression there were supposed to be 10 of these events. Further research indicates eBay stated they would be conducting UP TO seven On Location events according to the Wall Street Journal.

The above image shows the areas covered by a 500 mile radius of the 3 chosen cities. It depicts the large portion of the country that is being left out of the “days drive” range eBay was initially striving for.

In yesterday’s announcement 3 cities. Atlanta GA, Dallas TX, and Chicago IL have been chosen along with a 4th event coinciding with eBay’s 15th anniversary in San Jose CA for September 1-2, 2010. This cuts the number of events to 4 instead of the possible 7 earlier reported. eBay previously announced the first On Location event was to be held in Orlando, however that event was canceled without explanation in December 2009.

One interesting note is that the 3 On Location events other than San Jose happen to be in cities that have recently established Ecommerce Merchants Trade Association local chapters. Purely coincidental? I don’t think so. I feel that eBay chose these locations recognizing that many ECMTA members are eBay sellers, and that by holding the On Location events in cities with local ECMTA chapters it may provide a built in base of promoters. This, if true makes perfect sense, go where you know you have supporters.

Just my thoughts.

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And The Winner Is??? eCommerce Summit 2010 In Las Vegas Contest Winner Is In Here!

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:51:53 +0000

And Then There Were 7, Really Thats The Last One!

When I decided to hold this contest in conjunction with our 3rd Anniversary podcast, I really didn’t know what to expect. What I got was a surprise! Seven very genuine, hardworking ecommpreneurs (my new word) that truly want to grow their businesses and learn strategies from the best of the best. That is why they took the time to enter our contest. They believe in their businesses and know that the information they can gather and networking they can accomplish at the ECMTA eCommerce Summit in Las Vegas April 13-15 is unmatched.

So, one by one they brought out their cameras and submitted their entries proclaiming to the world why they should be the one winner that will be chosen to win an all expense trip to Las Vegas!

Bobbi Miller

Bobbi was the first to submit her video entry to the contest. Bobbi is working hard to create and build her online business and really wants to win!

Mark Chatham

Mark was next with his video entry. Can’t you tell he is really excited?

Bev England

Bev submitted the next video entry. Though she works for a video distributor she really wants to do it for herself!

Christy Librizzi

Christy owns KayCee Designs. She really wants to network with other sellers to learn what she knows she doesn’t know!

Bryan Goodman

Bryan was our next video entry, and judging from the clutter behind him in his video, he really needs to start selling stuff!

Tommy Day

Tommy submitted the final video entry to this year’s contest. Juding by the sonogram, he and his wife really need to get good at selling online!

Gary Overton

Gary is concerned the AARP group will be lonely!

Ok, there are the seven entries! Post here and tell us which one you think should win! It really won’t be the deciding factor, but hey it can’t hurt their chances!

Thanks to all that entered, and remember….. someone is going to Vegas on MY DIME! If you had entered it could have been you!

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1st Entry Received For eCommerce Summit Las Vegas 2010 Contest by ebay & Beyond: Basics To Business

admin — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:07:18 +0000

Here We Go

With just under a month left to submit entries, the first of what we hope are many videos has been received.

Bobbi Miller of Seacoastbargains.com submitted her entry to compete for the BasicsToBusiness Pay My Way To Ecommerce Summit Las Vegas 2010 contest Grand Prize.

ebay & Beyond: Basics To Business weekly live podcasts for internet marketers is sponsoring the BasicsToBusiness Pay My Way to eCommerce Summit Las Vegas 2010 as part of our 3rd anniversary celebration. The Grand Prize winner will receive round trip airfare, 3 days and 2 nights hotel accommodations and registration to the ECMTA eCommerce Summit 2010 in Las Vegas plus a one on one meeting with John “ColderIce” Lawson and more!

Friendly Competition

As part of the eCommerce Summit, there is a friendly competition amongst 3 of the new ECMTA Local Chapters, Chicago, hosted by yours truly, Dallas-FW, hosted by The Melinda Jackson, and the Atlanta Chapter hosted by none other than John ColderIce Lawson.

The competition is to see which local chapter can bring the most chapter members to the Las Vegas event. The attending members of the winning local chapter will receive $100 from ECMTA, according to Managing Director Brandon Dupsky.

To learn more about the ECMTA eCommerce Summit 2010 click here.

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Paying For Information? Are You Getting Your Money’s Worth?

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:30:29 +0000

In today’s world of technology there are many many ways for those looking for information. Certainly search engines such as Google and Bing provide us with a plethora of opportunities, but are not the only ways to gain knowledge. Over the past several years there seems to have been an explosion in the number of experts creating websites offering information, for a price of course.

Let me make one thing perfectly clear: I have no problem paying for information if it is valuable and useful! What I am trying to point out is that paying for this information must be worthwhile for the user. I have heard many ecommerce marketers say that they signed up for this seminar or that podcast, and felt they got what they paid for. Unfortunately, I have also heard those that say they felt cheated or ripped off.

One of the most important characteristics of purchasing information is that it must save me time. I am willing to pay for services that provide useful content at a fair price, but what is a fair price? I have seen sites that charge from $50 to $100 per MONTH for membership. Now I have to say that at these prices, there better be a HUGE amount of information, and it must be fresh content! Our ecommerce world is changing EVERYDAY and sites that charge for membership must update their content everyday to be useful to me.

If you considering paying for information or membership to a site, my advice is do your research first. Contact current users or members and get their input as to the value and relevancy of content. Sites that do not offer a trial membership should not be considered.

Research the owner of the site. Do they have the experience in the field they claim? Do they have the same business philosophy as you do? Does it fit with your business plan? Do you fully understand what it is you are looking for?

Without these items in place your experience and pocket book may be sadly left wanting.

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