Christmas Listing in July

Christmas Listing in July

My sales are slow.

Partly it's due to the fact that I'm working part time since I have the children home for the summer. It's also summer and typically sales can be slower during this time of the year. Some of my motivation drive comes from things selling. I list, an item sells, I list more. It's a wonderful cycle of energy that can bring more sales. I will admit that I find it harder to list when it's slow. I start to think too much about why something isn't selling rather than focusing my energy on listing more items in order to create sales.

This week I realized that Christmas is just 5 months away with holiday sales really starting to pick up in October. There is also the back to school purchases that begin in August. I'm trying to hold close to the memory that the autumn is an incredibly busy time and in order to fill my store I need to get listing now.

Although I'll have more time to list once the children head back in school, it also means more things will be selling and I'll be spending more time packing and shipping.

Listed for $85 in my store. Sweet Book Set by Hilary Knight

Now is the time to really get listing if you can make the time. Sure, these items may sit for a few months but at 20¢ listing fee a month (for eBay store owners), it's a real bargain.

Here's what I do to make listing easier in the summer.

• I try to list simple items. Both simple to list and simple to ship in case they do sell. I don't have a lot of extra time to spend packaging up breakable inventory.
• I list most of my items directly in my store as buy it now items. I also don't have as much time to nurse auctions like I do the rest of the year.
• I take photos in the best light which is usually mid afternoon.
• I'll edit them first thing in the morning (which for me is around 5 a.m. when everyone else is asleep)
• I'll also use the morning time to write the listings.
• I try to list items in the same genre to make listing them on Inkfrog quicker. I use profiles there which makes listing a breeze.

With all of this said, I'm terribly behind. I only have 114 items in my store. But as many of you know, my mind has been on my mother and we just moved in April. I have a lot of catch up to do in order to have my store ready for Christmas.

I feel that I'm almost organized enough and ready to begin this listing push for the holidays. My goal is to have around 300 items in my store by October 1st. I'd actually prefer 500 but after having experienced three ATG Listing Challenges, I know this is much harder to achieve than I originally thought.

What's your best tip for listing in July in preparation for Christmas?

Comments

[sraik]

My sales have been slow as well. I have been shopping hard and trying to get listings up. 246 items woohoo.
I am going for 300 before school starts and 500 by year end.(what else will I do during the winter blizzards)

Good luck with your listings.

[Megan]

Wow ladies, I wonder now if I can get to 300. I'm at 250, and it's been lovely. But the push needed to get to 300 makes me tired to think about. You'd think that staying inside all day escaping the oppressive hellish heat would make a person more productive, but alas, 'tis not true.

On an entirely different note (maybe not quite), it is so important to give yourself grace when you're tired, or grieving, or hungry, or frustrated, or whatever. Being human means needing rest and recuperation. It also means that we are not automatons, and we cannot bounce back easily from big hits (football metaphor-yikes!).

So everyone, be kind to yourself. You're awesome just as you are, and your best today is good enough :)

[Selena Cate]

very well said Megan! I think we all need to remember this.
xoxo
Selena

[Van]

I appreciate the tips and reminders. I can't wait to launch my online stores, but want my merchandise pedantically organized into bins before I take the leap. Gotta hurry!

Good luck Selena!

[Janet]

You were quoted in an article in my paper ( The News Journal in Wilmington, Delaware). It was a USA Today article by Jessica Tully about the recession and thrift stores. I was excited when I read your name. You're famous !!

[Vicki K]

Selena, with all that's been going on in your life, I was wondering how you are adjusting to and living in your new home. Do you use the spaces differently that you originally thought? Do you have more space for your store items and a good flow for other home activities?

The last time I moved I didn't get things on the wall until about 6 - 8 months. Have you gotten everything settled? I was just excited for you and your family when you posted about it!

[Selena Cate]

Vicki, the house is much smaller than our rental with very little storage room. Ive had to really look at my business model and make some drastic changes. Ill be writing about them very soon. Lots of exciting news to share. This is by far the most difficult move weve ever done. What didnt help is having 2 1/2 years of thrifted inventory in the house and garage.
xoxo
Selena

[Elaine]

Hi Selena,
I have been using this down time to thrift shop and clean out more of my downsizing items and getting them listed or ready to list. I work outside my home so shipping can be stressful after work. What I found easier for me to do was to pack everything for shipping once it's listed. This way all I have to do is take it off the shelf and add the invoice, weigh it and print the shipping label. I use simple peel and stick labels and sometimes a little tape to hold them on the boxes with the etsy item number and/or ebay number and a description of the item. I organize them on shelves and it has proven to be much easier for me. It also makes it easier to have a folded down stash of good boxes on hand. I make one trip to my grocery store to pick different size boxes and then I don't have to scramble when something sells. I've also learned that in small storage spaces I'm only purchasing items that I want to store for a year. I review items and move them out if they don't sell or get a significant amount of views. I love reselling but it had to work in my small space or it wasn't happening at all.
Elaine

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[maria]

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