Hello everyone. In this episode, I talk about email marketing and the top 10 tools you can use to increase your sales. While some of them are cost prohibitive, this episode should get you thinking on what you can do to make eBay customers your customers. Happy listening.By Mike Clapperton Chief Product Officer Sparkler

Hey, we are fine after Hurricane Ian; no loss of life nor INVENTORY! In this episode, I talk about Naysayers, what they are and why they don't matter. I then go into methods to nurture existing customers to make them fanatics. I hope all are well, and as always, if you want to reach me you can do so at https://reseller.sparklercrm.com/ Mike…

In this episode, I talk about the habits you need to have to improve your success in reselling. Although these habits were originally written for traditional entrepreneurs, I tie them into habits needed for resellers. I also apologize for being too slow on this episode; as you can imagine, running two separate businesses has its downside...time man…

In today's episode, I connect with Jessica Macera from Business Dynamix Solutions in Naples Florida, and talk about their services for resellers. Many bookkeeping agencies provide resellers with services, but coupled with fulfillment services, I see this as a game changer for my business. The website for BDS is https://businessconsultinghelp.com/. …

We had to rearrange a few things since our special guest had a last-minute issue she had to deal with. So I recorded next week's podcast this week. Today I talk about 9 challenges resellers struggle with and how to fix them. It is adapted from a talk I attended where the speaker was speaking about ALL small businesses, but I think it applies to us …

Hello to you all. Today I talk about the levers in your reselling business. Now I've talked about these before but I want to offer a summation for many of you because I receive many questions about the levers in your business. Running a successful reselling business requires you to master these levers. While there are many more, I focus on the foll…

Hello all, it has been 3 months since we last spoke. I am relaunching this podcast because I realized that I missed it! Funny enough, many new listeners didn't realize that I stopped recording. I still get emails almost daily from you asking questions and seeking advice. Keep the questions coming but my new email (well my old-new email) is mike@spa…

All OFM listeners. If you've been listening for any length of time, you probably are aware that I also have another business where I develop software for others. What I have not talked about too much is my software brainchild, SparklerCRM (https://sparklercrm.com), which is an email marketing platform. UPDATE: I think I just need a breather. I have…

In this episode I talk about taxes and what you need to do during this time to improve your business. Thank you for all of your support!By Old Fashioned Mike

In this episode, I go over updates with me and eBay. I've also decided that I won't be promoting any sponsors for this podcast, no reason other than I am really focusing on other areas for this show. Thanks and hope to hear from you.By Old Fashioned Mike

In this episode, I go over how to look at your numbers. They can be deceiving and often will work against you psychologically. In the end, there is only one important number, the other are just levers. Listen to this episode and find out which one. As always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Sof…

In this episode, I go over end-of-year activities that all resellers need to focus on to close out 2021, what I am planning on in 2022 and I go over the questions you have sent me over the last month or so. As always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month u…

In this short but entertaining episode I go over a recent bad experience I had with another eBay seller. It's quick but packed with good advice. Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month using our referral code https://listperfectly.com/?ref=322 Ha…

In this episode I go over the results of my store review with a veteran reseller, the Auction Professor, on his Patreon site. It was not all good either! I need to check my ego at the door for this episode but his feedback was good and I'm implementing new things because of it. If you don't follow him on YouTube, you should. You can find him at htt…

There is a lot of things changing in the reselling world and change is hard. In this episode, I talk about change and why being negative is not helping. I love this episode! Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month using our referral code https://…

eBay has released their seller update and it was a disaster. In this episode I give some tips to get back on track. Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month using our referral code https://listperfectly.com/?ref=322 Hammoq Virtual Assistants: $50 …

This move has been an eye opener. There is an algorithm and I felt the effects. In this short and panicked episode, you can hear the stress in my voice. But I'm up and running and things will hopefully get back to normal. Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of y…

It's moving week! In this episode I go over what I've been doing before my move, specifically around reducing recurring expenses and a new experiment that increased my profitability drastically by killing an old eBay myth...listen and try it. See you in two weeks. Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly…

This episode is a store update and I go over a few more experiments that I do to boost sales during this summer slowdown. It worked! Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month using our referral code https://listperfectly.com/?ref=322 Hammoq Virtual…

In this episode I get a question from a listener about paying off debt vs. growing their business. It's the first week we have moved to the bi-weekly schedule so please send me your questions and I'll pick one for the next episode. Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30…

In this episode I get a few questions from audience members and I go through the process of analyzing a new product line not discussed on this podcast before. I also announce that this podcast will go on a new schedule starting next week. I will be going down to 2 podcasts a month so I can focus on a new "to be announced" YouTube channel focusing o…

In this episode I go through examples on sellers that scaled their business. I focus on what they are doing vs. the YouTube crowd. Not trying to disparage either, but I note that they are DIFFERENT. I illustrate the difference. The link to the people's stories I talk about: https://community.ebay.com/t5/Announcements/bg-p/Announcements I am recordi…

I closed out July and a big SUCK. I sold 10% of what I would normally have on a weekend. How do I motivate myself in the summer slowdown? I talk about that today. Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month using our referral code https://listperfect…

In this episode I talk about some of the things you need to do before you quit your job. Both financially and psychologically. Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month using our referral code https://listperfectly.com/?ref=322 Hammoq Virtual Assis…

In today's episode I talk about my account becoming restricted because of some of my items being against eBay policy. My fault for sure, but seeing how this was not uniformly applied to all sellers irritated me.By Old Fashioned Mike

In this episode I talk about how I explain what I do for a living and essentially it doesn't matter. Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month using our referral code https://listperfectly.com/?ref=322 Hammoq Virtual Assistants: $50 Credit off your…

This is a very short episode since I needed to record it before leaving for the long weekend. Of course it releases after the weekend...whatever. I talk today about store updates, I give an update on some of the things I'm doing to liquidate inventory and I talk a little about the upcoming eBay Open. Like always, please take advantage of the discou…

In this episode I continue to talk about the summer slowdown and what I have been experiencing. Most importantly about the psychological things that start to bother you during the slowdown. Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month using our referr…

In this episode I talk about the summer slowdown and some things you can do to soften the blow. I also make corrections to last episode (minor). Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month using our referral code https://listperfectly.com/?ref=322 Ha…

In this episode I talk about what I am going through in selling off my clothing inventory. It isn't easy. CORRECTIONS: In the episode I talk about $3300 in income from clothing monthly, I meant to say $3300 in PROFIT. Also I was just made aware that you CAN'T sell your eBay account, or more accurately you can't without express permission. This does…

In this episode I talk about how I set up my Seller Hub on eBay and make it a centralized part of my day. Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month using our referral code https://listperfectly.com/?ref=322 Hammoq Virtual Assistants: $50 Credit off…

In this episode I talk about how much Poshmark sucks and why. It's a bit of a rant...sorry. Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month using our referral code https://listperfectly.com/?ref=322 Hammoq Virtual Assistants: $50 Credit off your first or…

In this episode I talk about Promoted Listings and your options of promotions. Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month using our referral code https://listperfectly.com/?ref=322 Hammoq Virtual Assistants: $50 Credit off your first order using our…

In this episode I talk about the need to get resources to help you identify items before you list. Don't list items using filler words rather than the actual correct identification of the item. I go through why and how to use this to make money on items source even on eBay itself. Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsor…

Today I talk about a recent hiccup that negatively impacted my income and what I am going to do about it. Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month using our referral code https://listperfectly.com/?ref=322 Hammoq Virtual Assistants: $50 Credit off…

Today I talk about tools that eBay has to get buyers to come to your store rather than competitors. Search, Promoted Listings, Sales and Coupons specifically. Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month using our referral code https://listperfectly.c…

Today I talk about working things that meet the criteria that I've established as being a good product, including some of the odd items. Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month using our referral code https://listperfectly.com/?ref=322 Hammoq Vir…

Today I talk about working ON your business not IN it. It's time for Strategy. Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month using our referral code https://listperfectly.com/?ref=322 Hammoq Virtual Assistants: $50 Credit off your first order using our…

Today I talk about implementing the information we've been talking about over the past few months and choosing a product to sell. It's a bit of a rehash of a few episodes but applying it to a new product line. Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first mo…

I have received a lot of communications from people wanting to stick with clothing and asked me for how I scaled my business. In this episode I go over how to scale a clothing business. Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month using our referral c…

In this episode we talk about the new Ebay fees and why the recent changes I view as a good thing. Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month using our referral code https://listperfectly.com/?ref=322 Hammoq Virtual Assistants: $50 Credit off your f…

In this episode we talk about Growth; both in inventory and profit and what levers you have to help you do this. By the time you hear this I will have been vaccinated. Go get vaccinated and let's stop this virus! Like always, please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first…

In this episode I go over the factors you need to consider when picking a new product to sell. WRITE THE FACTORS DOWN, you'll need them later. I don't want to dissuade anyone from going down the clothes route that you are on but I found it to be scalable ONLY when I hire a bunch of people to help me and a large space to store inventory. Don't worry…

In this episode I go over a rule that helps me manage my sales projections: The Law of Large Numbers and how it applies to sell through rate. Please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month using our referral code https://listperfectly.com/?ref=322 Hammoq Virtual Ass…

In this episode I answer some listener questions. Please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month using our referral code https://listperfectly.com/?ref=322 Hammoq Virtual Assistants: $50 Credit off your first order using our referral link https://hammoqpartners.my.s…

In this episode I give an update to my moving to the Collectibles Market and some of the things I have found. Please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month using our referral code https://listperfectly.com/?ref=322 Hammoq Virtual Assistants: $50 Credit off your fir…

In this episode I talk about sell through rate, how to calculate it, how to track it and how to compare it to the overall market rate. I also give a few ways to improve your sell through rate against the competition. Please take advantage of the discounts with our sponsors. List Perfectly Cross Listing Software- Enjoy 30% off of your first month us…

In this episode I talk about a recent (very recent) decision to stop listing clothing. Don't get me wrong, I will continue to sell what I have till it's gone, but I am no longer going to thrift stores to get inventory. I have 50 clothing items to list then I'm done. Just another part of the journey. Please take advantage of the discounts with our s…

In this episode I talk about scaling your business and some of the surprising things that I need to do in order to scale. Scaling back my clothing business in favor of smaller items, hiring employees and a few other things. Just another part of the journey. I also encourage sellers to reach out to me that recently lost their "Top Seller" status on …

Don't do this is about a recent interaction I had with a needlessly angry customer who accused me of a "fraudulent listing". It happens, but my response to them was what you SHOULD NOT do. Too late...I did. I also encourage sellers to reach out to me that recently lost their "Top Seller" status on eBay because of the US Post Office not scanning. I'…