How Do You Get Through the Tough Parts of YOUR Business?
Today, I'm going to be talking about leveling up as an eBay seller (replace eBay with any other job/activity that you do on your own). Starting as an eBay merchant involves a steep learning curve and, truth be told, it's hard work. You're going to find out why it's not enough to just set up shop and expect the sales to roll in automatically; success on eBay is anything but a given.
I've been selling on eBay for 25 years! It's been both a pleasure AND a real drag!
Running an eBay business (fill in your biz here) requires ample doses of self-motivation. There's a lot of opportunity to recognize the power of your mindset. Choose something that resonates with you, whether it's the vision of your eBay store as a thriving marketplace or the personal satisfaction of building something from scratch. Let's get real: motivation here is key because nobody else is going to push you to achieve your goals.
One of the selling points of being your boss is the ability to set your schedule. This is a perk that can't be overstated, but with great freedom comes great responsibility. It's crucial to find a rhythm that works for you, balancing personal life and business demands. In my opinion, getting this balance right is essential for both your mental health and business success.
Facing RealitySo my question to you today is, how do you handle the less enjoyable aspects of your business? Perhaps listing (or editing if you are a writer) isn't your favorite activity, but it's a fundamental part of the process. Don't worry too much about the monotony; you can always refine your approach to make it more engaging. Remember, it's not just listing items, it's curating an experience for your customers, and there's creativity in that.
Putting on some lively, upbeat music helps me find a new energy!
Shipping is more than a daily activity; it's the heartbeat of your eBay store. When a customer purchases an item, they're placing their trust in you to deliver. I've found that viewing shipping as an opportunity to add a personal touch to the buying experience transforms it into something more than a task - it becomes a ritual that signifies growth and progress.
Money Money MoneyAnd here's something I'd bet you've felt too: getting paid is way more fun than listing eBay items. Receiving the notification that money has been deposited into your account is awesome. It is the reward of hard work! It might even be just a small amount for selling a less expensive item, but those amounts do add up in the end. Getting paid is fun!
Balancing ActIf you want to thrive on eBay (or whatever you are doing), recognizing the two sides of the coin - hard work and enjoyment - is vital. Embrace the process, be strategic, and find fulfillment in the nuances of eCommerce. That's going to include facing the tasks at hand with determination and seeing opportunities for joy and creativity along the way.
How do you get through the difficult parts of your business? I'd love to hear from you!
Recent Comments
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Great motivational read Anne! It's so true that when one is their own boss there are perks, but... if things aren't going as planned, it can be difficult to stay motivated and push on!
But at the end of the day that is what we must do as no one else will do it for us! :-)
Been ebayer since 2008
It’s a lot of work, just great now Ai can help you describe your item
Sold only 400 items since 2008 can never be my passive income but able to pay some of our bills.
Now yo promote an item is like 11 to 13% on top of store fees like nothing is left on my cost .
So true! And I have found when I don't promote or put on sale, the items sit there. eBay isn't the only game in town anymore. Thanks for your perspective.
I used to sell on eBay, but not anymore. I couldn't tolerate them stealing 75 dollars in fees. That was a horrific loss.
Brenda,
the fees are awful! But for now, certain items are continuing to sell and make a bit of money: coins and memorabilia are main stays. And I sell dead, used tennis balls every day. Not big money makers but over time, tens of thousands of balls equalling tens of thousands of dollars, all while keeping those balls out of the landfill a little longer . ANNE
Wow! Thanks for sharing that. Most of what I sold were high-end electronic laptops and computer desktops. I used to build custom-made PCs and then turn them around and sell them. That is why those fees were hefty. The higher the cost of the item, the more fees they take out.
It was the same with Amazon. I also used to sell college textbooks for students at discounted prices while in graduate school in 2005. It made me a lot of money, and at the time, Amazon bounty fees were not that bad, a few pennies at the most.
Just before I finished the master's program, Amazon changed, adding more fees. Then, they forced us sellers to pay a monthly fee of around $50 to continue to be booksellers for them.
That is when I have had it! I was just so done. The fees ate up the profits on both sides with Amazon and eBay. My late husband told me to stop and call it quits. He explained if you can't break even, it's not worth it; you must get your profit margins above the break-even to make it profitable, which he called "free and clear," no money out of your pocket. He was right. Good thing I stopped when I did.
Fast forward to now. I swore I would never be an Amazon Associate or even be an affiliate for eBay for that reason; the commission sucks even at high ends. I started trying high-end kitchen appliances for small apartments five years ago with Amazon. This was around when they announced they cut the commission, and then they cut it again; I had enough, so I left. I will not affiliate with them ever again. They kept adding so many rules; one was the stripes, and then they removed that. Honestly, they didn't care for their affiliates. That's why Im not doing it. I thought about trying again; every time I thought about it, I became more resistant, and I decided to follow my gut and not do it.
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Thank you for your inspiring post. I've been on eBay for years but only this last year have a sold a lot there. But that's because my business has undertaken some major changes since joining WA, including the introduction of a new product I've been selling, (you may have seen some of my posts about my screens).
I've had some problems, to be sure, but nothing I wasn't able to eventually handle. Knowing the WA community has my back when I have questions is reassuring.
Good luck going forward, and thanks again for sharing!
Kevin
Thanks for sharing Kevin. WA definitely helps all our business ventures in the online world. Learning and growing is the key! Way to go on your selling! ANNE