How to drive traffic to your eBay listings: go from zero to sixty in sixty seconds!

If a listing goes up on eBay but no-one sees it does it exist?  Kind of like, "If a tree falls in the forest, but no-one hears it, does it make a sound?"  These days it's getting harder to be seen on ebay.  Cassini (the new search engine) makes it harder to be seen along with competition from other sellers.

One way to drive instant traffic to your listing is with Twitter.  This morning I listed an old school hip hop shirt.  Seconds after I listed it, I tweeted the listing and my views popped up to 25.  I tweeted it again a few seconds later and my views climbed to 45. A third tweet bumped it up to 60 views!  

Eazy-E Tee Shirt (Note:  this is not the shirt I listed - photo shown for concept only)

Now for the burning question!   Does it result in sales?  Yes, I have been seeing increased sales since using Twitter consistently, especially for items that have been lingering for a while with no sales.  

Don't forget the hash tags!  #HipHop #NWA #EazyE #Compton #TShirt #EricWright

Use words your customers will actually seek out.  For example - no one is really looking for #Graphic or #Silkscreen but they will look for #Skull #Concert #Tour #Metallica.

Want to make a splash on eBay?  We have a special deal on wholesale closeout Hot Topic rock tees. At just $4 / each you can't go wrong.  Click here to order!  

Wholesale vs. Closeouts / Liquidation: Selling on eBay and Amazon

I have heard a lot of buzz about wholesale and where to find it to sell on eBay and Amazon.  When you think about true "wholesale" it is still relatively expensive and a large monetary investment if you plan to sell on eBay and Amazon.  It is more affordable if you plan to sell your items at full retail price but often on eBay and Amazon you can't always command full price.  For example you may be able to purchase something at wholesale for $10 and the MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price) is $20.  In general eBay customers are looking to buy at about one half of retail.  So this is not an effective method for making money - you will end up breaking even or losing money waiting to move your products.

The better approach is buying closeouts and liquidation items for resale.  These items are a small fraction of wholesale!  For example we currently have this Leg Avenue lingerie outfit as one of our closeout deals.

Retail price is $22.  Our closeout price is only $3!  If you were to sell at 1/2 of retail you could sell it for $11.  Multiply that by a case (yes, we have boxes / cases available!) of 50 pieces and your sales total will be $605.  Your profit will be $455 (before any fees).  Add even more products to the mix and watch your sales soar!  

About the author:

Anna Hartzog is a Los Angeles fashion industry veteran.  She has been working in the industry for over 15 years from showrooms and retail to design for swimwear and sportswear manufacturers.  If you need help finding designer apparel products for eBay and Amazon please contact her for custom lots at:  CustomerService@ShopBellaAnya.com  or www.ShopBellaAnya.com

How to create your own private label products to sell on Amazon: secret shortcut!

The buzz on the street is creating private label products for Amazon.  The idea is that once you have your own product you will not be in competition with other sellers for the same product, thus having much more successful sales.

Of course this takes work to find suppliers, taking time and money to re-package / re-brand etc.

Here's my secret shortcut:  find a brand / product that is in high demand that no-one else is selling on Amazon!  I have a new one for you at wholesale pricing.  The product is a compression medical support sock.  They can be very expensive (Google Jobst).  This one has no competition for this brand on Amazon so it can be your own "private label!"  Our wholesale price is $1 / each with a minimum of 200 pieces.  These will be gone within a day or two so please contact us at customerservice@ShopBellaAnya.com to reserve your order!  My supplier has approx 200-400 pieces total.

Click to order wholesale

Please contact us for custom wholesale lots, hand selected to meet your needs.

How to be a #GirlBoss - Start your own fashion boutique on Ebay, Instagram or your own website!

Inspired by the book #GirlBoss?  Let me show you how to do it!  I've been successfully earning a full time living selling clothing on ebay and my own website.  I am a former swimwear designer and I match my previous salary!  Sophia Amoruso started off selling hand-picked vintage items on ebay.  I see lots of ebay sellers doing this (buying from thrift stores) but it's extremely time consuming and if you get a great seller it's non-repeatable as everything is one of a kind.

The new way to make it happen, be it Ebay, Instagram or your own site is to buy designer closeouts and liquidations to sell.  (Many sellers are posting photos to instagram and buyers and shopping right from instagram using messaging to confirm the sale!) The prices are often the same or slightly higher / lower than thrift store vintage pieces!  Often you can re-order what is working for you or get multiples so all you need is one photo listing and you can sell 20-100 of the same item.  You can buy find name brand items from Hot Topic, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Neiman Marcus and more.  If you need special items let us know and we can put together custom lots for you! 

Stop spinning your wheels and make it happen today!

Start your business by buying wholesale liquidation apparel at www.ShopBellaAnya.com

Retail arbitrage for Ebay and Amazon: how to make more money using "below wholesale aribitrage"

What is retail arbitrage?
The basic concept is you go around to retail stores looking for items that are on sale or possibly discontinued so you can buy it at a good price to re-sell on Ebay, Amazon, a flea market or your own boutique.

What is the reality?

• The "sale" price is still fairly high, you will be lucky to get it at a wholesale price but rarely below wholesale.  
• Because of this high price your investment risk is greater and you must turn your items very fast to make a profit.
• Let's say you find a great item.  The store you find it at may just have a few, so to really make money you end of driving to 10 other Target, Walmart, K Mart, CVS, Rite Aid stores etc.  Time is money and gas is not cheap either!
• There are lots of online groups focusing on retail arbitrage and they will post "BOLOs" meaning "be on the lookout". What it means to you is everyone and their mother will be buying the same items you are trying to re-sell, driving the price down on Ebay and Amazon!  

The secret formula:

Find a place where you can buy better high end, designer items at below wholesale prices to re-sell.  They must be desirable items that have relatively little competition in the market.

Let me give you an example:

PrAna yoga tee, Retail:  $55

Photo:  Natalee Outz

This tee is the "Renee" butterfly tee by PrAna (Yes, there is a capitol A in the middle).  PrAna is a highly sought after yoga clothing company.  Retail on this tee is $55.00. Currently there are no Renee tees on Amazon.  Zero competition!  

The burning question..........................

What's the price?  Below wholesale closeout price is $5 each!

Ready to make some money?  Check out our exclusive wholesale closeout deals here.

Click here to buy wholesale PrAna tees.

How to make money selling Hot Topic and Bravado Licensed Rock Tees on Ebay and Amazon

Looking for new selling niche?  Officially licensed rock tees will always have an audience as long as there are music fans. Today we will share a source with you to buy closeout officially licensed tees from Hot Topic at $4 / per piece.

Photo by Dutch Benendez  

DutchBenendezGallery on Facebook

Who are your customers?
Do you want to buy tees to create DIY reconstructed looks?  You can tie dye, dip dye, cut, rip, bleach, add lacing, ribbons and more.

Are they into old school punk: Ramones, The Clash, Social Distortion?

Lovers of Classic Rock:  The Rolling Stones, The Doors, Queen, Led Zeppelin, etc.

Love metal:  Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, HIM, Bullet for My Valentine, As I Lie Dying, Kill Switch Ignite, etc?

Photo:  Natalee Outz for Bella Anya

Need women's baby tees or classic or slim fit tees for men?

If you go direct to purchase wholesale tees from the manufacture wholesale is still fairly pricy.  We were able to find this ultra low price since these are all closeouts (overstocks, canceled orders etc.)  We have access to 15,000 pcs so getting your wholesale rock tee fix is no problem!

Photos:  Natalee Ouzts for Bella Anya

Get your Ebay store, boutique or Amazon store stocked up and ready for fall.  Click for more wholesale ordering info here.  If you need a custom tee shirt order please contact us at: CustomerService@ShopBellaAnya.com

How to compete with apparel sellers from China on ebay: Niche marketing to subcultures

So many people I speak to feel the only way to compete with sellers from China is to sell "name brand" apparel.  There's a ton of trendy and fashionable clothing coming in to ebay from China based sellers at rock bottom prices making it hard for US sellers to compete.

Punk rock girl - NYC street style.  Photo:  Dutch Benendez

Find him on facebook

One way to stand apart from the crowd is to market to niche subcultures.  Keywords are all important as well as knowing who you are targeting and what subcultures you might be able to cater to.
If you just focus on the average "fashion" customer your sales will be "average" as well!  Why not take top dollar for your items by working smarter, not harder using niche category keywords and better photos?

The author and her fashion illustrations. 

I've always been a creative type, designing clothes for my Barbies as a child and moving to NY to study fashion at FIT. I was heavy into the goth scene with a touch of punk rock spirit as well.  I moved to LA and became a clothing designer, designing swimwear but my heart has always been in alternative fashion.  This is where the niche marketing comes into play.  Know your subcultures!
Who are your customers?  Are they into:

Punk
Goth
Steampunk
Ravers
NuGoths
Victorian
Gothic Lolitas
Rockabilly
Swing
Psychobilly
Metal Heads
Cyber or Cyber Goths
Industrial
Emo
Dance
Screamo
Hardcore
Glam Rock

EBM
Scene Kids
Cosplay kids
Into Reggae
Ska / Rude Boys
Vampires
90's style club kids
Visual Kei (Japanese gothic scene)
90's fashion revival such as grunge looks


Vive Le Rock!  May all your sales be rockin' and customers
will come a knockin'!

About the author:
Anna Hartzog is the buyer for Bella Anya.  She is on the road up to three days a week pounding the streets of LA from Sunset and Robertson to downtown LA.  Rock and roll dreams become your store's reality from Hot Topic rock tees and body jewelry to black "liquid leather" pvc lace-up leggings.  Ten points bonus if you can guess her age!

Need help with custom buying for your ebay store or boutique?  Contact us for all your designer apparel closeout and liquidation needs at www.ShopBellaAnya.com