From collectibles to cars, buy and sell all kinds of items on eBay
Site Map
aAdvanced Search
BuySellMy eBayCommunityHelp

Home

  » 

Community

  » 

eBay Discussion Boards

  » 

Community Help Boards

  » 

Workshops

  » 

Member Workshop: Trending: Put Last Year's Slam-Dunks to Work for You-Dec 5
Attention small business or part-time sellers near Atlanta:
Learn from experts and network with sellers at
eBay: On Location in Atlanta, March 19-20
SPACE IS LIMITED! REGISTER NOW
Topic Locked This topic is locked - uploads are not allowed.
Last Post Dec 5, 2006 11:00 AM by: deirdre@ebay.com
Replies: 56
View Listings
deirdre@ebay.com
Posts: 3,846

Member Workshop: Trending: Put Last Year's Slam-Dunks to Work for You-Dec 5

Nov 28, 2006 9:21 PM
Topic: Member Workshop: Trending: Put Last Year's Slam-Dunks to Work for You

Host: htdeepanalysis
Date: Tuesday 12/05
Time: 10:00 am to 11:00 am PT
Location: Workshop Board

Description: Please join Jen Cano of HammerTap market research, a Certified Solution Provider, as she shows you how last year's top-selling products can help you predict how and when to list this year's hot sellers. As an added bonus and back by popular demand, Jen will use HammerTap to do some live, free research for you during the workshop hour. Take this rare opportunity to put Jen to work for you.

Cheers,

Deirdre
eBay Community Development
Reply
Reply
Name:
Email:
 
Click for emoticon Click for bold Click for italics Click for underline Click for pre tag Click for url tag Spell Check
Tip: To create a link - type the desired text, highlight it with your mouse and click[Click for url tag]
Tags:
 
)
View Listings
htdeepanalysis
Posts: 747
(1 of 56)

Member Workshop: Trending: Put Last Year's Slam-Dunks to Work for You-Dec 5

Dec 5, 2006 9:51 AM

Put Last Year’s Slam Dunks to Work for You


Did you know that 30% of annual online sales dollars are made during December? What's more, a majority of the money will be made on a few really high-selling days. I know what you're thinking—when are those top-dollar days?

It depends on what you're selling.

Hi, eBay sellers! I'm Jen Cano with HammerTap, an eBay Certified Solution Provider. Today I'll help you predict the top selling days for your products.

If you're here live during the workshop, we'll even give away free research. Put us to work for the next hour or so to find the most profitable way to sell your products on eBay. Instructions for submitting your research requests are at the end of my workshop content. I'd like to thank our HammerTap research team, who are standing by to take your requests. Give them a round of applause! We really appreciate them.
Reply
Reply
Name:
Email:
 
Click for emoticon Click for bold Click for italics Click for underline Click for pre tag Click for url tag Spell Check
Tip: To create a link - type the desired text, highlight it with your mouse and click[Click for url tag]
Tags:
 
)
View Listings
htdeepanalysis
Posts: 747
(2 of 56)

Member Workshop: Trending: Put Last Year's Slam-Dunks to Work for You-Dec 5

Dec 5, 2006 9:52 AM
A few weekends ago I wanted to see a really popular movie on the day it released into the theater. Could I just show up at any theater at any old time and expect a seat? Of course not. So I did some research and made a plan.

Early in the day, I went online to see where and when the movie was playing. I called a babysitter for the kids to make sure everything was in order before I committed to seeing the movie. I went back online and bought my tickets so I'd be sure to get a seat.

But that wasn't enough. My husband and I also had to get to the movies early enough so that we could actually sit next to each other--and I don't mean on the very front row in a corner where I can hardly see the other side of the screen.

You may have had a similar experience, right? I've learned from frustrating experience that if I don't do all those things, I'll either miss the movie or sit there wishing I'd done things differently.
Reply
Reply
Name:
Email:
 
Click for emoticon Click for bold Click for italics Click for underline Click for pre tag Click for url tag Spell Check
Tip: To create a link - type the desired text, highlight it with your mouse and click[Click for url tag]
Tags:
 
)
View Listings
htdeepanalysis
Posts: 747
(3 of 56)

Member Workshop: Trending: Put Last Year's Slam-Dunks to Work for You-Dec 5

Dec 5, 2006 9:53 AM

Making Preparations for the Big Event

Selling your products online is similar to preparing for the big movie, particularly when it comes to big sales days. You can't just show up with what you want to sell and expect buyers to come in droves. And there's nothing more frustrating to me that finding out about a huge money-making day... the day after it happened.

Today we're going to talk about how you can predict those days for your own products.

When I want to see a movie, I want to know which one is the one everyone will be talking about. With eBay, I need to know which products will be huge this year.

At the movies, I need to know when the one I want is playing. On eBay, you've got to know when your buyers are looking for your product.

You want the best seating to enjoy your movie. On eBay, you want to make the most profits possible with your product. That's the big payoff. It's the real reason to do your homework before selling. That's what trending is all about.
Reply
Reply
Name:
Email:
 
Click for emoticon Click for bold Click for italics Click for underline Click for pre tag Click for url tag Spell Check
Tip: To create a link - type the desired text, highlight it with your mouse and click[Click for url tag]
Tags:
 
)
View Listings
htdeepanalysis
Posts: 747
(4 of 56)

Member Workshop: Trending: Put Last Year's Slam-Dunks to Work for You-Dec 5

Dec 5, 2006 9:54 AM

Seasonal eBay Buying

Many products sold on eBay follow seasonal patterns. That's why HammerTap Auction Research software gives results for last year's listings. It gives the data we need to predict patterns in buying behavior based on the time of year.

We might think about how Christmas trees and decorations might become more of a hot item as the holidays approach. But less obvious products related to the season also show seasonal buying trends.

Let's start with an example of a product with seasonal appeal. In most parts of the country, during the winter months, the air gets drier. Your skin dries out and gets rough. If you catch a cold, the drier air is harder on your lungs.
Reply
Reply
Name:
Email:
 
Click for emoticon Click for bold Click for italics Click for underline Click for pre tag Click for url tag Spell Check
Tip: To create a link - type the desired text, highlight it with your mouse and click[Click for url tag]
Tags:
 
)
View Listings
htdeepanalysis
Posts: 747
(5 of 56)

Member Workshop: Trending: Put Last Year's Slam-Dunks to Work for You-Dec 5

Dec 5, 2006 9:54 AM
A humidifier puts moisture in the air. So as the weather cools, we'd expect sales of humidifiers to heat up. Let's see if that's what we find. I researched the weeks leading up to and just after Christmas, a time when the air gets drier and cold and flu more frequent.

I'd also expect lotions to get more popular during the winter months. With colder weather, people open their windows less, so the air gets more stale. Scented candles and oils may get more profitable in the winter.
Reply
Reply
Name:
Email:
 
Click for emoticon Click for bold Click for italics Click for underline Click for pre tag Click for url tag Spell Check
Tip: To create a link - type the desired text, highlight it with your mouse and click[Click for url tag]
Tags:
 
)
View Listings
htdeepanalysis
Posts: 747
(6 of 56)

Member Workshop: Trending: Put Last Year's Slam-Dunks to Work for You-Dec 5

Dec 5, 2006 9:55 AM

Get in Their Heads

In selling, there's a concept called "mindset marketing." You've got to get into the heads of your customers. Understand their wants, needs, and fears and you'll find what makes them buy. And here's another key to understanding those who buy your products: "People buy based on emotion and justify it with facts."

They buy what they want and typically not just what they need. So when you're looking for good items to sell, it's key to understand what they want. The time of year is one factor which influences what they want to buy.

Let's go back to the humidifier example. I tried to go beyond the obvious things people look for as the holidays approach. It will surprise no one to find that Christmas decorations get more profitable as the holidays approach. Since your competition will see the obvious as easily as you do, reach a little further as you look for seasonal products.
Reply
Reply
Name:
Email:
 
Click for emoticon Click for bold Click for italics Click for underline Click for pre tag Click for url tag Spell Check
Tip: To create a link - type the desired text, highlight it with your mouse and click[Click for url tag]
Tags:
 
)
View Listings
htdeepanalysis
Posts: 747
(7 of 56)

Member Workshop: Trending: Put Last Year's Slam-Dunks to Work for You-Dec 5

Dec 5, 2006 9:55 AM

Determining the Best Time to Sell

To determine the best time to sell, we used HammerTap's "YearAgo" research. This uses data from last year's listings to help us predict seasonal trends we can use to get the most of our eBay listings.

Take a look at the results below. Pay special attention to the changes in Listing Success Rates (how likely you are to sell) and Average Sales Prices.
Reply
Reply
Name:
Email:
 
Click for emoticon Click for bold Click for italics Click for underline Click for pre tag Click for url tag Spell Check
Tip: To create a link - type the desired text, highlight it with your mouse and click[Click for url tag]
Tags:
 
)
View Listings
htdeepanalysis
Posts: 747
(8 of 56)

Member Workshop: Trending: Put Last Year's Slam-Dunks to Work for You-Dec 5

Dec 5, 2006 9:55 AM

Humidifier Sales

humidifier hammertap


Figure 1 - Humidifier sales on eBay December 4 - 10 (2005)

humidifier


Figure 2 - Humidifier sales on eBay December 11 - 17 (2005)

humidifier


Figure 3 - Humidifier sales on eBay December 18 - 24 (2005)

humidifier


Figure 4 - Humidifier sales on eBay December 25 - 31(2005)
Reply
Reply
Name:
Email:
 
Click for emoticon Click for bold Click for italics Click for underline Click for pre tag Click for url tag Spell Check
Tip: To create a link - type the desired text, highlight it with your mouse and click[Click for url tag]
Tags:
 
)
View Listings
htdeepanalysis
Posts: 747
(9 of 56)

Member Workshop: Trending: Put Last Year's Slam-Dunks to Work for You-Dec 5

Dec 5, 2006 9:56 AM

Best Time to Sell

Looking at the graphs above, we can determine the best time to sell humidifiers. December 11-17 proved the week you'd have the highest chance to sell (63%). You'd make the most money if your listing closed the week of December 4-10 ($44.37).

It took me all of about 2 minutes to do this research. Yet the difference in price between the most and least profitable weeks to sell was $7.79. Taking it to the ridiculous, that's $3.90 per minute or $233.70 per hour. Would you work at that rate? I sure would.
Reply
Reply
Name:
Email:
 
Click for emoticon Click for bold Click for italics Click for underline Click for pre tag Click for url tag Spell Check
Tip: To create a link - type the desired text, highlight it with your mouse and click[Click for url tag]
Tags:
 
)
View Listings
htdeepanalysis
Posts: 747
(10 of 56)

Member Workshop: Trending: Put Last Year's Slam-Dunks to Work for You-Dec 5

Dec 5, 2006 9:56 AM

Actionable Real-World Knowledge

eBay research lets you make decisions based on predictable trends. You may not even care about the "why" behind it. If you find a source for inexpensive humidifiers, what you most need to know is if you can consistently sell them at a profit.

Knowing last year's trends help you go beyond what's selling now. It gives you the tools and knowledge to predict eBay buying patterns over the coming weeks. You'll quickly determine when demand for seasonal product will peak. You'll know when it may fall, helping you better determine the right amount of inventory to buy so you're not stuck with a garage full of product you can no longer sell.

Research gives you the power to determine future profits based on past findings. It helps you avoid risk by anticipating drops in demand for a product.
Reply
Reply
Name:
Email:
 
Click for emoticon Click for bold Click for italics Click for underline Click for pre tag Click for url tag Spell Check
Tip: To create a link - type the desired text, highlight it with your mouse and click[Click for url tag]
Tags:
 
)
View Listings
htdeepanalysis
Posts: 747
(11 of 56)

Member Workshop: Trending: Put Last Year's Slam-Dunks to Work for You-Dec 5

Dec 5, 2006 9:56 AM

Where Do I Start?

It’s one thing to take a theoretical look at someone else’s research. It’s another thing entirely when you’re ready to begin your own look at trending.

So where do you start? It’s a big world with lots of products?

When it comes to finding your slam dunk based on last year’s sales, don’t just think about what new great, fantastic product you can offer that no one can resist. It’s getting to be a little late to source new products. The real power of having a knowledge of what performed well last year is in knowing how to make the products you’ve got right now perform well for you this year.

Those are your slam-dunks! Start with what you’ve already got easy access to.
Reply
Reply
Name:
Email:
 
Click for emoticon Click for bold Click for italics Click for underline Click for pre tag Click for url tag Spell Check
Tip: To create a link - type the desired text, highlight it with your mouse and click[Click for url tag]
Tags:
 
)
View Listings
htdeepanalysis
Posts: 747
(12 of 56)

Member Workshop: Trending: Put Last Year's Slam-Dunks to Work for You-Dec 5

Dec 5, 2006 9:57 AM

Find Your Slam-Dunk Day for Closing More Sales

Since this month represents the busiest selling season of the year, your greatest opportunities may be waiting for you on a specific day.

Look up specific listings matching your product from last year, and do a day-by-day analysis. What you are looking for, initially, is which days had the best close rate. On days that had a better close rate, you can take an educated guess that you’ll be able to list more product on that day this year without over-saturating the market.

Again, I want to stress that you need to look for information matching your product as closely as possible. A category-level search for last year’s listings isn’t enough to help you find your slam-dunks.
Reply
Reply
Name:
Email:
 
Click for emoticon Click for bold Click for italics Click for underline Click for pre tag Click for url tag Spell Check
Tip: To create a link - type the desired text, highlight it with your mouse and click[Click for url tag]
Tags:
 
)
View Listings
htdeepanalysis
Posts: 747
(13 of 56)

Member Workshop: Trending: Put Last Year's Slam-Dunks to Work for You-Dec 5

Dec 5, 2006 9:57 AM

Find Your Slam Dunk Days for Increased Profits

Next, you’ll want to look at research from this month last year, day-over-day, to identify the days that will give you the best profitability. The days will be different, depending on the product you’re researching.

Of course, once you’ve identified the best days, you should also take a look at exactly how you should list the item. Maybe listings with the “gift” feature worked really well on those days last year. Perhaps Buy It Now worked better that at other times of the year.
Reply
Reply
Name:
Email:
 
Click for emoticon Click for bold Click for italics Click for underline Click for pre tag Click for url tag Spell Check
Tip: To create a link - type the desired text, highlight it with your mouse and click[Click for url tag]
Tags:
 
)
View Listings
htdeepanalysis
Posts: 747
(14 of 56)

Member Workshop: Trending: Put Last Year's Slam-Dunks to Work for You-Dec 5

Dec 5, 2006 9:57 AM
What Else Can eBay Market Research Tell Me

I hope you’ve learned a lot about how to decide which listing features will work for you. In addition to helping you figure out features, HammerTap can also give you the Power to Profit by helping you make educated decisions about:

- What Sells and for How Much
- Successful Title
- Best Listing Type For Your Products
- Best Listing
- Which Listing Features Improve Your Chance to Sell and Which Increase the Closing Price
- Optimal Start Price to Use
- Best Day of the Week to Start and End Your
- Seasonal Trends
Reply
Reply
Name:
Email:
 
Click for emoticon Click for bold Click for italics Click for underline Click for pre tag Click for url tag Spell Check
Tip: To create a link - type the desired text, highlight it with your mouse and click[Click for url tag]
Tags:
 
Page: of 4
Back to Top

New to eBay Boards? Try a visit to our Community Discussion Boards Help and Welcome Center .

Want to visit another board? You can view our Community Overview Page or select from these lists:

Community Help Boards:

eBay Tools Boards:

Category-Specific Boards:

General Discussion Boards:


Feedback Forum | Discussion Boards | Groups | Answer Center | Chat Rooms | Community Values

About eBay | Announcements | Security Center | Policies | Government Relations | Site Map | Help | Contact us
Copyright © 1995-2010 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the eBay User Agreement and Privacy Policy.
eBay official time
hosted by LiveWorld