Full-Time Sellers: How do you stay motivated during a slow month?

[sfc_auto_parts]

I've been selling full-time on ebay for over 3 years and have been pretty successful (not bragging).  

January is normally slow, but Jan 2019 so far has been the slowest out of the 3 years.  How do you all stay motivated when sales are slow?  Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[brun-1228]

I look in the fridge, notice how empty it is, and get to listing so I can eat

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

My biggest incentive is to reclaim my house. I have inventory everywhere. Since I have now stopped buying, the next step is to sell what I already have. Thank you to the Marie Kondo thing, I started thanking my inventory and listing it to go a few months ago.

I also had a 25% off sale that moved a lot of already listed inventory.

[turquoisetulips]

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@sfc_auto_parts wrote:

I've been selling full-time on ebay for over 3 years and have been pretty successful (not bragging).  

January is normally slow, but Jan 2019 so far has been the slowest out of the 3 years.  How do you all stay motivated when sales are slow?  Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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I make and sell themed  jewelry here  on e bay . When sales begin to slow down  I go back and take a review   on some of my best selling  sold items . If I don't currently  have much  for sale like them  then it motivates me to create more . Research based on the  new coming trends  is another good way to light the fire . 🙂  Tulips 

[tamaralea]

I'll do things like change my titles, try some auctions, or change shipping to free and add the cost into the price of the item.  You just never know what will get a buyer's attention.

[jennieaa]

slow times offer an opportunity:

1.  to take a physical inventory.  What has been listed, what needs to be listed. 

2. along with #1, it is time to check conditions, descriptions etc of the newly inventory items to be sure they match the listings.  (and it helps find any listings that have poofed as some sellers have reported)

3.  it's time to review all titles and descriptions - do they meet mobility, searchability?

4.  it's time to develop a plan for growth, a time to research new items, a time to research new sources.

[18704d]

"How do you all stay motivated when sales are slow?"

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I go to a fast food restaurant and listen to how many burger flippers are complaining they have a college degree but can't find adequate employment.

I read these boards and study the successes others mention here.

That means, I look at their current listings, and their feedback 'Sold'  to see what they sell, and how much they sell it for.

Odds are, I have those items, or can easily get them myself, in my local area due to it's poor economy.

I then list a few things at a lower profit margin to stimulate sales.. and hopefully visibility.

I celebrate even the littlest of victories...

And I remind myself, that people who have jobs that pay them 500 dollars a week, can Only make 500 a week.

I have the possibilty to make 700 or a thousand or much more.....

Keep the faith,

Lynn

[div_style]

I wish I had a slow day now and then.

[doubledz-a2z]

I head to the flea market.  I am in Nor Cal so weather remains decent..... I list mid-week normally on 5 day auction then take what does not sell here and sell it at the Saturday flea.  Folks are usually waiting for me and I usually sell out in a couple of hours.   Then Sunday morning I go to a different market where storage buyers are and I buy up or wait for the free stuff and do it all over again.   

[ekmadonna]

DIVERSIFY!

[ekmadonna]

Nice score on the JAPAN Movie Programs

[turquoisetulips]

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@ekmadonna wrote:

DIVERSIFY!

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Yep ! I used to make only  necklaces  but I got bored  with it  because I was running  out of ideas . So I started adding on purse clips and bracelets  to my inventory . Just doing that helped to increase my sales . Once in awhile I'll do a '' junk drawer'' finds  auction . I'll sell  off  a lot of excess crafting supplies this way and make a few bucks at the same time.  Actually I find those the most fun . 🙂  Tulips 

[ironcrosshunter]

i will just do some revise. every time I do some revise the item will sell. don't know why.

[turquoisetulips]

I celebrate even the littlest of victories...

And I remind myself, that people who have jobs that pay them 500 dollars a week, can Only make 500 a week.

I have the possibilty to make 700 or a thousand or much more.....

Keep the faith, Lynn 

Wow , obviously I sell the wrong type of stuff   😞    Tulips  

[mochacatsvintageshop]

Since this is my 22nd year selling here,I know the ups & downs of retail so no worries.Just keep plugging away listing and things start selling once again.Sellers need to be self-motivated during the slow times.