Holiday Posting Contest

[DiMoraGifts]

Okay folks,
It's time to put on our thinking caps, and get ready for a prosperous Holiday Season.
I thought a great way to kick us all into action would be a


http://i26.tinypic.com/m9bmuf.jpg

Holiday Posting Contest.

This contest starts now and runs until September 30th, 2009 11:59 PM (PST)

Time for some brain storming.

For Sellers:
Come up with some of your best Selling Tips, Special Ideas, Cost Saving tips, Advertizing,
Helpful Information on promoting your auctions for the Holidays
Make these ideas helpful and constructive to other members.
ie: Do you use Blogging, Adsense, adwords, mailing lists, other marketing statagies.
Tell your Pros and Cons.
What times/days do you like to list, close ect and why

For Buyers:
Tell the Webidz Sellers things you would like to see offered,
suggestions for the site,
insights into what you the Customer expect.

One Rule:
Do not just post random stuff or copy/paste things.
ie: Free Shipping: Tell us why, experiences, ect.

Each comment equals one entry into the contest, so the more you comment – the bigger chance for you to win.
Comments which do not follow quality guidelines will not count.
Some of those comments are:
1.Spammy comments
2.Comments just saying “ok” or “great article” "Ditto" and similar
3.Off-topic comments
4.Offensive comments


Now to the Good Stuff - Prizes

Grand Prize Winner - 5000 Webex Points
Who ever has the most Constructive Posts

Plus your choice of


http://i26.tinypic.com/r8i3hh.jpg





Best Cost Saving Post- 2500 Webex Points
Best Money Saving Tip
plus
a $15 Gift Certificate to RnR Gifts & More

http://i27.tinypic.com/2v31rn4.jpg



Most Creative Post- 1500 Webex Points
Best Original Post
plus
a $10 Gift Certificate to DiMora Gifts & Home Accents

http://i27.tinypic.com/2v31rn4.jpg



Best Promo Idea Post- 1000 Webex Points
Best Advertizing/ Holiday Special Post


Honorable Mention - 300 Webex Points
Honorable Mention - 300 Webex Points

Plus we will have some other great prizes to offer also along the way.


At the end of the Contest, members will vote on their favs. for
Best Cost Saving
Most Creative
Best Promo
Honorable Mentions

This contest starts now and runs until September 30th, 2009 11:59 PM (PST)

If you would like to take part in this contest please post your best tips and suggestions below in this thread.
Any questions? Just PM me

Together We All Benefit & Prosper
So let's make this a lucrative year for all at Webidz

[DiMoraGifts]

This is a great tip to help Save money on packaging & shipping supplies.

If you send your items via USPS priority mail the Post Office will give you free envelopes, tape, and boxes.
They will even deliver the boxes to your home.
If you think this through, this can really add up in savings over a years time.
If you pay the priority mail fee, and get free boxes, that is often close to what UPS/FedEx charges with out the additional cost of a box.
And your not spending the extra time and gas to drive your local UPS/FedEx Store
Another source for free shipping supplies is your local gift shops or specialty shops ect.
Get to know them.
These merchants receive merchandise in good boxes (repack) with plenty of bubble-pak and
Styrofoam peanuts that they simply throw away or pay to have recycled.
( I have several who save boxes and peanuts for me that I pick up once a week.
I also have a jewelry store that saves the little gold foil boxes that he has left over.
These are great if your selling jewelry as they look much better than a plastic bag.)
Get friendly with your local specialty shops and you can have access to tons of free shipping supplies
plus it may turn into another source you can sell to.
If you're creative, and re-sourceful you can find cheap or free sources of packaging materials.
Many times all it takes is to just ask.

[rnrgiftsnmore]

Here is a tip that I have used many times...


Donate an item or a gift certificate to your store as a prize for an activity or contest. I have done this with my local church's, the elementary school halloween party, even here on WeBidz. Heck I have a gift certificate being offered for this contest.

It may cost me a couple of bucks, but I know it works. I did this sometime ago, and that person has since bought from me two additional times. Yes, I gave her a reason to come into my store, she had $$ to spend. Another winner spent well over the amount of the gift certificate. So now I have 2 happy customers.


I ahave also made baskets of items from my store, but is some pretty shredded paper, wrapped it in cellophane, and incuded my business card with my WeBidz store name and addy. Makes a nice prize and it is advertising your store.


At the end of the year, I can claim it as a tax write-off against my business income, advertising.


So I hope that you will think about this, and the next time your church or organization is doing a fund-raiser, donate something.


Hope that you will feel inspired,
Roz

[DiMoraGifts]

Thanks Roz,
I hadn't thought about the school,
thats a great idea,:D
they're always having a parties, school carnivals, and fund raisers.
The more we can get people to visit, the more likely they are to return.

[DiMoraGifts]

Just a few more hours for the

http://www.webidz.com/img/freeforlife.gif (http://www.webidz.com/site_fees.php)

this is a great way to save on your listings,
and pass the savings on to your buyers.
Admin says you won't see this great of an offer again.
So get it while there's still time.

[rnrgiftsnmore]

It has been my observation for quite some time, the spiders have been very busy crawling the posts and blogs here at WeBidz. I have been watching the "Currently Online" or "Who's Online" area here at WeBidz. I have a tab of my IE open there whenever I am online.

Reload this Page (http://community.webidz.com/online.php) 6 members and 9 guests
Most users ever online was 174, 07-22-2007 at 02:19 PM.
Last Activity (http://community.webidz.com/online.php?&order=desc&sort=time&pp=20&page=1)......... User Name (http://community.webidz.com/online.php?&order=asc&sort=username&pp=20&page=1) .................................... Location (http://community.webidz.com/online.php?&order=asc&sort=location&pp=20&page=1)
08:41 PM....... bamachic54 (http://community.webidz.com/member.php?u=27084)........... Viewing Thread... NAME A TUNE--Song-Repeat..another (http://community.webidz.com/showthread.php?t=27696)
08:39 PM....... brad50 (http://community.webidz.com/member.php?u=32484) ..................Private Messaging

08:41 PM........DiMoraGifts (http://community.webidz.com/member.php?u=11301) ............Viewing Thread NAME A TUNE--Song-Repeat..another (http://community.webidz.com/showthread.php?t=27696)
08:41 PM .......Lanascountry (http://community.webidz.com/member.php?u=2254) .........Replying to Thread NAME A TUNE--Song- Repeat..another (http://community.webidz.com/showthread.php?t=27696)
08:41 PM........rnrgiftsnmore (http://community.webidz.com/member.php?u=13921) ..........Viewing Who's Online
08:41 PM........thisnthatguy (http://community.webidz.com/member.php?u=33251) ...........Viewing Forum ........New Members Introduction (http://community.webidz.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20)
08:34 PM........MSNBot Spider..........Viewing Forum........ New Members Introduction (http://community.webidz.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20)
08:41 PM .......Yahoo! Slurp Spider....Viewing Thread......... Mn Tuff! (http://community.webidz.com/showthread.php?t=18949)
08:36 PM........MSNBot Spider..........Viewing Thread ...Web X Points????? (http://community.webidz.com/showthread.php?t=20995)
08:41 PM .......Google Spider ...........Viewing Blog Entry...... samiamsxa (http://community.webidz.com/blog.php?u=22109) - what are webex points? (http://community.webidz.com/blog.php?b=162)
08:21 PM........MSNBot Spider...........Viewing Thread ......Additions to category's (http://community.webidz.com/showthread.php?t=2162)
08:13 PM .......Guest ......................Viewing Index...... WeBidz Auctions Community (http://community.webidz.com/index.php)
08:21 PM .......MSNBot Spider............Viewing Thread Scavenger Hunt.....Now!!! (http://community.webidz.com/showthread.php?t=24873)
08:14 PM .......MSNBot Spider............Viewing Thread ......Hangman 7/23 Song (http://community.webidz.com/showthread.php?t=26065)
08:41 PM........Google AdSense Spider... Viewing Thread gelap1807 (http://community.webidz.com/showthread.php?t=27679)~ A WARM WEBIDZ WELCOME
This is what I see...

I can see if a new member is in the community, possibly looking for help. So I send them a welcome PM, and also give them a few points, just to get them started.

What I have observed it the spiders follow the humans and the other spiders. So now what I am doing is instead of having my second tab open to the community homepage or forum index, I go and open a promotion thread. Yes, I have to admit, I do open mine quite a bit when it is current. But lately it has not been, my bad. So I have been opening the thread of anyone else, or whatever thread is in need of exposure, ie: the tread about the sale on the "Free for Life" membership.

So my suggestion is that you start a promo thread, and even if you only promote items in your store, new arrival, 10% off, free shipping, whatever. Another way is to start a blog, do write up about your store, your merchandise. Then when you are online, come to the community and open that thread or blog. Watch the spiders crawl through, get your store name and specials onto the search engines. Cheap and easy advertisement.

link to Blogs http://community.webidz.com/blog.php
link to Seller's Promotions http://community.webidz.com/forumdisplay.php?f=41

Bidding you all great success,
Roz

[Lanascountry]

Hi Shari~!!
This is a wonderful idea and really happy you came up
with it..I have to get my thinking cap on~! :p

[CNS14Fans]

We sell a lot of clothing. Packaging for clothing can get expensive over the year, so we buy a couple of packages of Tyvek envelopes to package them in. Once weighed they don't even register on the scale so you are just paying for the weight of the actual item. The envelopes are a little high but we did the math and over the course of a year, it saves at least $100. Even with the cost.

[deevajay]

I am a firm believer in networking, where ever possible, you can add your link in your siggy ect..,

The best is to join groups that have interest in the type of items you sell
e.g. if you sell home decor items well join groups who are in that subject ect..

Also starting your own blog is a good idea ,And make sure that you use keywords in your titles so they show up in search engines,

In your blog add pictures of your items talk about how they can be useful ect...
there are many good free blogs you can use, like bloogers , ect.

Yes this can be time consuming but it also can be fun!
Hope these ideas can be of some help to you all!
__________________

[DiMoraGifts]

Hi Shari~!!
This is a wonderful idea and really happy you came up
with it..I have to get my thinking cap on~! :p



Thanks Lana :D

[DiMoraGifts]

Okay folks,
It's time to put on our thinking caps, and get ready for a prosperous Holiday Season.
I thought a great way to kick us all into action would be a

http://i26.tinypic.com/m9bmuf.jpg

Holiday Posting Contest.

This contest starts now and runs until September 30th, 2009 11:59 PM (PST)

Time for some brain storming.

For Sellers:
Come up with some of your best Selling Tips, Special Ideas, Cost Saving tips, Advertizing,
Helpful Information on promoting your auctions for the Holidays
Make these ideas helpful and constructive to other members.
ie: Do you use Blogging, Adsense, adwords, mailing lists, other marketing statagies.
Tell your Pros and Cons.
What times/days do you like to list, close ect and why

For Buyers:
Tell the Webidz Sellers things you would like to see offered,
suggestions for the site,
insights into what you the Customer expect.

One Rule:
Do not just post random stuff or copy/paste things.
ie: Free Shipping: Tell us why, experiences, ect.

Each comment equals one entry into the contest, so the more you comment – the bigger chance for you to win.
Comments which do not follow quality guidelines will not count.
Some of those comments are:
1.Spammy comments
2.Comments just saying “ok” or “great article” "Ditto" and similar
3.Off-topic comments
4.Offensive comments

Now to the Good Stuff - Prizes

Grand Prize Winner - 5000 Webex Points
Who ever has the most Constructive Posts

Plus your choice of

http://i26.tinypic.com/r8i3hh.jpg

Best Cost Saving Post- 2500 Webex Points
Best Money Saving Tip
plus
a $15 Gift Certificate to RnR Gifts & More

http://i27.tinypic.com/2v31rn4.jpg

Most Creative Post- 1500 Webex Points
Best Original Post
plus
a $10 Gift Certificate to DiMora Gifts & Home Accents

http://i27.tinypic.com/2v31rn4.jpg

Best Promo Idea Post- 1000 Webex Points
Best Advertizing/ Holiday Special Post

Honorable Mention - 300 Webex Points
Honorable Mention - 300 Webex Points

Plus we will have some other great prizes to offer also along the way.

At the end of the Contest, members will vote on their favs. for
Best Cost Saving
Most Creative
Best Promo
Honorable Mentions

This contest starts now and runs until September 30th, 2009 11:59 PM (PST)

If you would like to take part in this contest please post your best tips and suggestions below in this thread.
Any questions? Just PM me

Together We All Benefit & Prosper
So let's make this a lucrative year for all at Webidz

[DiMoraGifts]

We have some nice post so far,
Come on Folks,
lets get our thinking caps on and post some of those
Great Tips

I'm adding another couple of great prizes for
1) most posts

http://i30.tinypic.com/j9oigj.jpg
6 pc Steak Knife Set

&
2) most creative

http://i30.tinypic.com/2rfbkph.jpg
Sterling Silver Piggy Bank

[DiMoraGifts]

As Roz showed earlier,
The search engine spiders are visiting our auctions all the time
So Optimizing Your Listings is Key,
and when buyers are looking, the easier your item is to find the more visits your going to receive.
More visits, equals more chances of a sale.

Maximize Your Item Title:
Be sure to include key words that buyers will search for, unique or descriptive attributes,
and always check your spelling.
Your item title is critical in helping users find your items,
so use each character wisely and check your spelling.

Use Keywords:
Pick three to five keywords that relate closely to your item.
Ask yourself what words people are likely to use in a search engine when looking for what you're selling.
Once you have these keywords, use them appropriately in your listing title and item description.

Take Care with Your Titles:
Your listing title is a key factor in natural search.
Include the most important keywords or keyword phrases in your listing title.
Use all of your available characters wisely.
Remember, users and spiders don’t search for words such as "wow or w@w" and "look or l@@k."

[DiMoraGifts]

Todays the last day on the Holiday Posting Contest
Get your posts in before midnight (11:59 pm ~pst) to be eligible
We have some great prizes

[DiMoraGifts]

http://i34.tinypic.com/vwvl9k.jpg

To our Holiday Posting Contest Winners

Roz ~ rnrgiftsnmore
Grand Prize Winner
Most Constructive Post
5000 Webex Points
plus
6 pc Steak Knife Set
plus
Choice of Leather Gloves

Shannon ~ CNS14Fans
Best Cost Saving Post
2500 Webex Points
plus
$15.00 Gift Certifcate To rnrgiftsnmore
plus
6 pc Steak Knife Set


Debbie ~ deevajay
Most Creative Post
1500 Webex Points
plus
Sterling Silver Piggy Bank
plus
$10.00 Gift Certificate To DiMoraGifts

Thanks to Roz, Shannon, and Deeva Deb
for participating
and a big Thanks to Sandra (Inspirations Plus)
for her donation of 1000 Webex Points
&
Roz Thank You for a donation of a
$15.00 Git Certifcate
&
Admin for the donation of the
Leather Gloves

http://i28.tinypic.com/2wcg111.jpg