Got an “About Me” Page?  Check Out Why You Should Have One!

I drop by from time to time to share experience and knowledge.  I recently received a comment on one of my teaching blogs that “Power Sellers never blog -- why do YOU do it.”  Here it is in a nutshell -- many helped me when I got started, several colleagues at my day job and many people I have never met online knew a lot more than I did and were gracious enough to share.  They offered advice, encouragement or would point out a missing picture or an inconsistency in the ad itself. 

When I couldn’t afford to pay help, I bartered for it.  I once had a lady trade some of her spare time doing “quality control” reading my ads and letting me know what needed to be corrected (so I could make corrections and eliminate duplicate adds).  She did this in exchange for some of my merchandise.  In addition to what eBay is well known for, it is also an opportunity to put your best ideas to work for you.  The best ideas are a “WIN-WIN” for all involved.

Today, I’m here to share some information concerning “About Me” pages.  I consider “About Me” pages to be an important marketing tool, as well as a valuable overall asset to sellers.  A good About Me page reaches your customer on many levels.  Here are some facts about “About Me” pages”:

- If you have an eBay account you also have a free “about me” page available to use.  If you’re not using it, you have wasted a powerful marketing tool.

- “About Me” pages are the least understood and one of the lesser used features on eBay.  However, they happen to be one of eBays  most powerful marketing features -- simply because they provide an opportunity for a practical, professional and emotional connection to your prospective buyers and additional “exposure” for your merchandise

Although you cannot offer items directly for sale on your “About Me” page -- you may offer any or all of the following:

 -  more info on your items, your sources or collecting items you sell
 -  a recommendation to a web site you like (yours or someone else’s).  This is particularly important if you have your own web site to offer goods or services off eBay.
 -  free tips on how to do something or on the items you collect
 -  links to your other auctions selling ‘impulse items’ (items typically purchased on the spur of the moment)
 -  links to your other eBay accounts if you have them
 -  a place to offer sign up for your free newsletter (a tool for marketing, capturing and retaining customer base)

What should you put in your about me Page?

- No idea where to start?  Check out the “About Me” Pages of others including your favorite sellers and (especially) the competition.

- When you are ready to draft your own page, the first order of business is to be yourself.  The folksy part of the “About Me” page allows your prospective customers and fellow collectors to get to “know you.”  One primary element of good salesmanship is that the salesman or woman is selling themselves as credible, trustworthy -- nice folks prospective buyers want to do business with.  As you write your “About Me Page,” keep that over-arching goal in mind.  People find it much easier to buy from people they like.  So, your page content should be nice, positive and upbeat.

- If writing is not your forte’, hire some help!  You can buy, trade or barter for an “About Me” page.  In fact, check out my store, I will be offering several written products to eBay sellers guaranteed to save you time and enhance your customer base.  I will also be offering an About Me Page written especially for you.

- Make sure you add a nice photo of yourself.  Pictures posted on eBay run from that “just got out of bed” look (person staring blankly into a web cam), all the way to the “come hither” or “hot” photos.  Personal opinion here, but I believe your picture ought to reflect your “Professional” or “business” persona.  Therefore, it should be polished and professional. Your photo should never advertise your worst look or appear to offer what you are probably NOT selling.  In addition to bolstering your credibility as a business person, I believe professional pictures to be far less likely to attract people you do NOT want in your business or personal life.

Your About Me page should contain some or all of the following:

  Who are you?  Begin with some general biographical material that includes the area in which you live (I think specifics are dangerous – period.  Never use specific addresses or telephone numbers, state or metro area is specific enough). 

  Are you a family person or not?  Share a bit of general information about your family.  As adorable as they are (and as proud as parents can be), I am dead set against posting pictures of your children or grandchildren on the web anywhere, including eBay.  The web is the chosen hunting ground for paedophiles.  I am not saying that posting your children’s pictures will result in a problem, but I am saying that by NOT posting pictures of your children, you are assured that they cannot become the target of a web trolling predator.  Les you think it impossible for a predator to find your children… think again…  Today, bad people with too much time on their hands can put the puzzle of who you are and where you are together very quickly (simply making a purchase from you makes locating you instant. 

  What interests you ?  What are you passionate about?
  
  How did you come to be an eBayer? 

  If you sell collectibles, what do you collect and talk a bit about your passion for collecting.

  If you have an independent web site or a site that you rely on for your collecting information – add it in.  Make sure your external web site links to your eBay Store, Guides, Reviews and Auctions too.  Remember, you get reduced listing prices for those items that bring others into eBay from outside.

OK, So You Are Ready to Begin, How Do You Find My “About Me” Page?

-  Visit eBay and sign in.
-  Click on the “services” link at the top of the page.
-  Find the “About Me” page link on the next page.
-  For additional “About Me” page resources visit eBay’s resource page or search the Guides to see if someone has provided an outline to follow or a list of questions that might guide you in this process.
- If you can’t find the about me page just look for an eBay seller that has an about me page (indicated by a "ME" in red by their seller name).  Visit that sellers page by clicking the red and blue “me” that appears near their user ID.  There is a link to create your own “About Me” page at the bottom of all existing “About Me” pages.  Note that you are able to work on it over a period of time and keep it saved without posting it until you are ready to post it.
- Once your “About Me” page is completed and you have posted it, a blue and red “me” will appear next to your eBay user ID. 

The “About Me” page, and the benefits it can provide, have been around awhile.  If you were previously unaware, it may be indication that you need to stay on top of the ever-changing eBay opportunities to bring more business your way. 

While on the Subject of Increasing Your Sales…Here are a few More Suggestions to Increase Exposure:

 -  Run auctions for the maximum number of days (currently 10) instead of 3, 5 or 7. You’ll get more exposure for your product and often a higher price – the longer time also brings more people to your store too.

 -  Start the item price as low as you can – higher prices will limit the exposure your ad gets because some folks search for inexpensive items on eBay rather than specific items.  For instance, you could run a popular item as a “loss leader” in which you don’t worry about the profit on it and focus on the number of people it will bring to your store and auctions instead.  If you start it at .01 cent you will get more lookers, probably more bids and if the auction ends at a peak time you will get at least market value for your item anyway. 

 -  Don’t use eBay’s "Buy It Now" feature because items purchased  outright cut the exposure time you purchased with the entire length  of the listing.

 -  Open your sales to the World – never limit potential bidders and  hits by only shipping to your own country.  Ship worldwide and  you’ll have a MUCH larger audience and often, you will get higher  bids too.

 -  Learn as you go and adapt quickly.  Keep track of what sells well  and what doesn’t.  Focus on popular items!  Even if others are  selling the same items, it’s a great product if it’s bringing you lots of
 hits!

 -  Don’t forget to buy things on eBay too (or at least place bids)!  Sellers will check you out when you bid on their items.  When they  like what they see in your “About Me” page, you’ll get more traffic  too! 

 -  Use penny auctions to increase exposure.  Some folks actually  scour eBay looking for penny auctions and place bids on all of them.   If they have a good feedback record, it is the absolute best FREE  exposure possible.

-  Use customer questions to your advantage.  Answer the question while not forgetting to add information about your store, your customer satisfaction policy AND your GREAT (and fast) combined shipping deals. 

-  Hope this information helps!  Please drop by my store (The Write Place Ladies Clothing) where YOU name the price you pay -- every day.   Check out my daily auctions where you will find old fashioned bargains every day!  Thanks so much for dropping by!

Pepper