January 2007

Greetings / Editor's Note

Happy New Year! At Doba, we're wishing you a new year that's more profitable than ever, and the folks in Doba's Community & Education department would like to share their new year's resolution with you: In 2007 we resolve to help you—our customers—strive towards and achieve your online business-related goals.

From last October through the end of December, Doba published an unprecedented number of articles aimed at helping small, online retailers find marketplace success sooner rather than later, and we offered live web seminars which many of you chose to participate in. In 2007, we resolve to do more of the same but to do it even better. In the weeks to come, we will publish a user manual covering everything there is to know about using our services, and we will continue to produce articles and web seminars designed to help you grow your business and boost your sales and profits.

To get you started, this month's issue of the eNewsletter features an excellent article on how Blogs and Blogging can greatly impact your business. Without a blog, online retailers remain nameless, faceless sellers clamoring for buyers' attention and money. After reading this article, you should start to see the value in adding the personal touch that's missing from a majority of buyer-seller transactions, be able to boost your credibility, and give yourself the competitive edge you need to take your business to the next level.

We're also pleased to announce the first of many new web seminars we will offer in 2007. Our new four-part series, eBay 101, is aimed at helping new sellers set up and manage their eBay accounts. For more information on this exciting four-part series, check out the descriptions below.

Here's wishing you a successful and prosperous 2007. If we can do anything to help, you know where to find us—simply contact us at education@doba.com.

—Doba's Community & Education Staff


Table of Contents


New Article Series: Blogging to Support Your Auctions or Webstore

To remain competitive on eBay, you need to do much more than simply list products at low prices. With comparison-shopping tools and eCommerce websites readily available, there's always someone who's selling the same item for less. To compete, you must choose a niche market, position yourself as a passionate expert or aficionado, and instill in prospective customers a sense of community and trust.

Blogging is the perfect tool to achieve all of those goals, build a loyal customer base, and boost your bottom line. Blogging provides you with an advertising medium like no other—a stage on which you can demonstrate your passion for products and commitment to your customers. It fosters the development of a virtual community that encourages visitors to interact and improves your credibility.

Want to know more? Read our latest article series, Blogging to Support Your Auctions or Webstore.

Featured Partner

Dynamic Payment Solutions

Dynamic Payment Solutions

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Upcoming Educational Events

Tuesday, January 9, 2006
Time: 10:00 AM PST / 1:00 PM EST
eBay 101: Part I - Let's Get Started!
Cost: $25.00

Every year, more than 1.2 million full- and part-time merchants earn part or all of their annual income selling on eBay. You can join the ranks of these successful online retailers by setting up shop on eBay, crafting listings that sell products for top dollar, processing payments efficiently, and streamlining your operations.

This 60-minute webinar, which is the first in a four-part series on starting and managing an eBay business, shows you how to:

  • Set up an eBay account
  • Research the eBay marketplace
  • Price the items you wish to sell
  • Create an eBay listing


Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Time: 10:00 AM PST / 1:00 PM EST
eBay 101: Part II - Decisions, Decisions, Exploring the SYI (Sell Your Item) Form
Cost: $25.00

In this webinar, eBay PowerSeller Steve Lindhorst divulges the secrets of crafting a winning listing.

This 60-minute webinar, which is the second in a four-part series on starting and managing an eBay business, shows you how to:

  • Optimize keyword use to create high-profile listings
  • Decide whether to use a Reserve Price, Buy It Now, or Best Offer
  • Choose a duration and decide on a start time
  • Set shipping charges and decide whether to ship internationally


Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Time: 10:00 AM PST / 1:00 PM EST
eBay 101: Part III - Streamlining for Success: Post-Sale Processes
Cost: $25.00

In this webinar, eBay PowerSeller Steve Lindhorst focuses on the importance of post-sales activities and reveals strategies for improving post-sales customer service affordably and efficiently.

This 60-minute webinar, which is the third in a four-part series on starting and managing an eBay business, shows you how to:

  • Monitor your listing to increase sale prices and minimize problems
  • Evaluate packing and shipping options and the difference in major carriers
  • Leave feedback for many customers at once with a click of the mouse


Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Time: 10:00 AM PST / 1:00 PM EST
eBay 101: Part IV - Handling the Money: Payments, PayPal, and Business Tips
Cost: $25.00

In this webinar, eBay PowerSeller Steve Lindhorst, discusses the back end of running an eBay business and reveals money management basics and tips to help you process payments and manage your revenue flow and more efficiently.

This 60-minute webinar, which is the fourth in a four-part series on starting and managing an eBay business, shows you how to:

  • Decide on which payment methods to accept
  • Set up your PayPal account
  • Optimize the power of PayPal
  • Track of your sales and expenses for tax time


For more information about upcoming events, visit the Live Events Calendar.


Ask the Expert: Member Q&A

If you have a question related to eBay, drop shipping, or running an online business, email your question to education@doba.com. If your question is highlighted in an upcoming issue of the eNewsletter, you will receive two free months worth of all your Doba-related services!

This Month's Question: Can you give me some general tips about photography? Also, is there ever a way to enhance, improve or add to photos provided by your suppliers?

Answer: Excellent question! Having quality images is very important. And while Doba's suppliers provide a product image, they aren't always particularly the best looking images. Furthermore, we encourage you to utilize multiple product sources. You'll still want to have nice looking pictures of the products that you're selling which aren't from the Doba catalog.

The most important part of taking a good photograph is having the proper equipment. Cheap digital cameras tend to take horrible product photos. Trying to take close ups can be a very frustrating practice in futility, as the images often result in blurry masses that are barely identifiable.

Another problem is reflections and shadows caused by your camera's flash bulb. This can be solved by using an alternative light source, and placing a translucent fabric between the light source and the product to "soften" the lighting. Prevent shadows by using multiple light sources from different angles.

Photo tents are a great resolution to the shadow and reflection problems. Professional photo tents can be very expensive, but smaller, simpler tents that are perfect for product photos can be found at your local photography shop or even on eBay.

For more photography tips, check out the article, "Pumping Up Sales with Product Photos" in our Education section.

As to the second part of your question regarding adding to Doba's product images, the answer is a resounding yes!

There are two main methods of adding photos and images to Doba-supplied items. The first is to browse the manufacturer website for additional and higher-resolution images. Be careful about using copyrighted images however. Some manufacturers will have "retailer's kits" with multiple images of a product that retailers are allowed to use for their own benefit. Others provide online brochures that you can use for promotional purposes.

The second method is a bit more obvious: Purchase the product and take your own photos. This method is recommended particularly if you sell a lot of a specific product. Having your own photos can help put a buyer at ease, as your photos show that you actually have the item in your possession. It also helps you stand out significantly from sellers that are all using stock images.

Furthermore, it will allow you to take close-up and very detailed photos, as well as provide additional photos at the request of a buyer (buyers occasionally, though rarely, will ask for additional photos just to test and see if you actually have the product).

Thanks to Dick Mitchell who submitted this month's question.

Don't forget to submit your questions to education@doba.com for your chance to win two free months of free service! (Please note: If you need help right away, contact our support team at support@doba.com. You may still submit your question to the eNewsletter separately for your chance to win, but questions submitted to education@doba.com will be answered only if selected for the Ask the Expert column.)