August is right around the corner. We welcome back guest blogger Chris Taylor with more selling tips:
One of the keys to becoming a successful eBay merchant is marketing the products at the right time. August kicks off parents favorite and kids least favorite time of year: heading back to school. What’s great about this time of year for eBay sellers is just how versatile this event really is. From kids going to college to those just heading off to kindergarten, there should be no end to the type of inventory you’re able to move.
And let’s not forget that “back to school” related keywords get searched for hundreds of thousands of times each year, thanks in part to how heavily major corporations are pushing the marketing message (all to your benefit). Let’s take a look at some of the ways we can leverage this time of year.
School Supplies
School supplies are ridiculously expensive. There isn’t a cheap way to buy your kids notebooks, binders, pens/pencils, scientific calculators – you name it. You should consider putting together back to school “kits” that include all of the basic items kids need to start the school year. By putting together kits you’ll be increasing how much money you make, and you’ll cut down on shipping costs by shipping in bulk. It’s a great way to move low-cost items out in large quantities.
College Essentials
The big spenders this time of year are freshman college students. Parents are over-spending on their kids who are leaving the nest for the first time. You’ll be able to move a large variety of items: small refrigerators, lamps, rugs, bedding, small couches and chairs, laptops, TVs – the list really does go on and on. The key here will be crafting a listing title to catch their attention and competitively pricing your products.
Clothing
A new school year brings the need for kids to have new clothes (whether they actually need them or not). Every kid wants to be up with the latest in fashion trends, and as a result, you’ll be moving everything from shirts to shoes to belts and hats. And let’s not forget about their accessories like their backpack and jewelry.
Making Your Listing Stand Out
Don’t forget about the importance of making your listing stand out from the competition. Other eBay sellers will be trying to capitalize on these seasonal events as well, and you can enhance your listing by using a custom eBay listing template. A custom template will help give you the professional and trusted appearance buyers are looking for when spending money online.
Want more ideas on what you to sell this month? Checkout the eBay Retail Marketing Calendar from Page Mage to see a complete list of monthly events and trends that you should be leveraging.
Chris Taylor is VP of Marketing at Page Mage. Page Mage, a recipient of eBay's 2011 Ecosystem Champion Award, offers Billboards, a "Top 10 Most Popular" application for free custom eBay listing templates for eBay sellers looking to stand out from the competition.
Related posts:
Back to School Means Selling Box Tops for Education on eBay
eBay Marketing Calendar July 2012
Is Branding on eBay Important?
