Well…I took time off last week from updating this blog (actually, I was so busy, I didn’t get to it). So now in this weeks edition, I will cover all the things (as best as I can remember) of what I have been doing.
The site has now been running for about 3 months or so, and to my dismay, I have not had any customers. I know that people are visiting the site, but still no purchases or even listings. I guess that I have to be my own best customer…at least for the time being. I have been adding affiliates/sponsors to my site, and trying to keep it looking, well…not too busy. As I think I have said before (and will probably will say again): I believe in providing my visitors and customers with the best experience possible. If I don’t have what someone is looking for, then either I will find it, or try to refer them to someone who can. That is the main reason why I have affiliate relationships. Of course, I would be crazy not to try and get paid for my hard work. One of the best examples I have of this happened just today. I had added a Dish Network affiliate button link on my main (home) page a couple of days ago. Today I decided to check out the Dish Network site: as my wife and I had talked about switching to a satellite system (there is a particular station that is not available on cable that we want to get). So I placed my order for a two room package. This evening, when I had checked my stats…I had already been credited my “commission” for the sale/referral. Now let me make one thing perfectly clear: I am not trying to scam anybody. I truly do want the satellite system: in fact…I had to pay money up front to get it: but why not use my own site and be my own best customer. And hey…I get paid for it too. What can be better? Of course, I need to have other people use the site. I have told my family and friends to use my site and get the program as well.
I have also added the ability for my site visitors and customers to purchase gift certificates directly from my site. This is a promotion that is being offered by PayPal, and I jumped at the chance to offer this on my site. Denominations start at $5.00, and go all they way up to $1,000. The best thing is that they don’t expire. So the recipient doesn’t have to feel that they have to “use them up” by a certain date. I currently only have one link on my site (home page) where people can get these, but I will be adding them to select other pages in the next couple of days.
I noticed (just in case you are wondering), that when I moved my affiliate line from the top of the page, to the bottom; everything that was below is not a big white space. I will be looking into that as well…hopefully tonight. And thank you Rob, I have made the changes (hopefully all of them) that we discussed last night. I would also like to take this time to thank everybody (family and friends) who has helped, supported and encouraged me as I work to get have Grandma’s Attic making money.
On the brighter front: I have placed my first listing with eBay as of 11/12 (it expires at about 3am tomorrow). I had a ATI TV Wonder Pro that has been sitting around the house just collecting dust. I had never opened the box until I placed my listing (just to see what it looked like). I started the bidding out at $1…and now it is up to $26. I sure hope that it increases in the next few hours (only 9 hours to go). Thee purpose of this “experiment” was two fold: first, well…I NEED THE MONEY…Second: I wanted to see how this was going to work. I want to start selling more items on eBay…and I need to get to know it inside and out. I want to learn the best times to place listings; the best starting prices etc etc etc. I downloaded several free templates that I can use in Excel and Word for Invoices and Packing Slips. Once the listing expires, I will grab the winning bidders information, and shoot out an invoice to them immediately. Once payment has been made, I will immediately send it out via the shipping method chosen by the buyer.
Even though I am new to this…I want to be as professional as I can in helping my customers make the right buying decision. I even had an inquiry the other day. It was kind of funny (to me), but I answered the customers question quickly and efficiently. The question was: what will it cost to ship my product to Milan, Italy? I did the research via UPS and FedEx, and found that it would cost (at minimum) about $105.00. Before I could even get that information, I had to find the postal code for Milan. Thanks to the Internet and Google…within a minute, I found it to be 20100. I guess I found this funny (in a strange way and not comical), is because I never thought I would have to deal with international issues…at least not quite yet. I have always had aspirations to build an international business though…and perhaps this is the start.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Update 051121
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In the beginning there was the Plan And then came the Assumptions And the Assumptions were without form And the Plan was completely without substance And the darkness was upon the face of the Workers And they spoke amongst themselves, saying "It is a crock of shit, and it stinketh" And the Workers went unto their Supervisors and sayeth "It is a pail of dung and none may abide the odor thereof" And the Supervisors went unto their Managers and sayeth "It is a container of excrement, and it is very strong such that none may abide it" And the Managers went unto their Directors and sayeth "It is a vessel of fertilizer and none may abide its strength" And the Directors spoke amongst themselves, saying to one another "It contains that which aids plant growth, and it is very strong" And the Directors went unto the Vice Presidents and sayeth "It promotes growth and it is very powerful" And the Vice Presidents went unto the President and sayeth "This new Plan will actively promote the growth and efficiency of the Company, and these areas in particular" And the President looked upon the Plan and saw that it was good And the Plan became Policy. THAT is how shit happens.
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