BUSTING IT

 I have been giving extra effort to the Reselling platforms I sell on. If I put it up on Merc first I then move on to Ebay and FBMKT. Things have picked up nicely with three sales yesterday and four today. I have moved two Barbie's in two day. Who said if you post it it will sell? It makes sense that if you don't post you won't sell.

I've also ventured into understanding SEO and Keywords, long tail keywords. There is a wealth of infor out there but wading through it is difficult. ESTY seems to have cornered the market when you type in jewelry keyword search.

I ran across my Dale Carnegie work book this morning. As I picked it up I realized it was 30 years ago I took this course and it absolutely changed my life. Who I am today stems from the lessons I took away from this series and the work I put into it. Somewhere around her I have  one of the "major awards" from that class, a pen stating what incident/talk I excelled in. I believe the class votes on who achieved the best talk/presentation. I remember one was about Faye and the other about Bridget. 

What do I remember most? There was an exercise where we sat in a circle and said nice good things about each other. I was stunned when it came to be my turn and (I just saw his name but can't remember it now) sais something to the order of, "you are engaging, enchanting, memorable, likable, smart, charming, beautiful and everyone in this room knows it except you". 

I also found out I could stand in front of people and not pass out, throw up, or make a fool of myself. It set me free of a lot of inhibitions and self esteem issues I carry with me. It helped me be a better sales person and in the end it helped me find love. Because its a fact, you have to love yourself first. or al least accept yourself.

So I need to make a plan. 

Find a niche

Define my goals

then....

Make a list of relevant topics

Find the right keywords

Study the internet

find the correct research tools

Find out about the competition

On to good and better and greater things.

Oh The Places You'll Go

 I'm trying to keep up with this documentation of what I'm doing and where it is going. When I was deep into blogging I would have themes and subjects just pop into my head. Back i those days I was working and traveling a lot, alone in a vehicle with only the radio, (Diane Rehm) sometimes CD's. My mind would wander and when in this stage between semi conscious and semi dreaming highway star, the most interesting thought would bubble up.

Don't drive like that anymore and unfortunately have lost that  source of inspiration. Life in retirement is uninspiring. I thoroughly enjoy not having to get up at 530am any longer.  When that career ended and I began my part time work life, driving home at 11pm with 50+ eyes was the pits! I can't stress enough how I make coffee in the morning, practically every morning and thank God I have the leisure time to sit in front of the TV and get my daily dose of indignation. Even that is behind me now as 45 has been voted out of the White House and sanity and decency prevail once again.

I'm not much of a joiner so I so not do volunteer work or dedicate myself to some worthy cause. My style is more quiet. Post cards to Voters verses canvassing door to door. 

Reselling is perfect for me. In 2019 I read over 100 books. That is all I did, read and .... postcards to voters. Do you know how many books I read last year? About 14. I have been reading Catharine Grahams autobiography for about 6 weeks now. I like it. I pivoted from fiction to non-fiction in 2019. I am looking forward to the library opening and checking out 1968. Or perhaps finding an used copy  because I feel no pressure to read as many books as I possibly can. 

I was going to spring into the inspiration I experienced this morning. While laying in bed counting my blessings I thought about all the beautiful houses I have visited while picking up my auction winnings. I was going to share a few. But here I am, under no stress, no pressure, other than I need to go take more pictures and make up for a lack of listings I should have 5 a day. HA HA HA. I have posted about 45 so far this month. 2 a day? If even.

Here are two I did manage to get up day. This is Catherine Parr, the 6th and last wife of King Henry XIII. Can you imagine knowing the fate of the 5 that proceeded you? She survived old mean fatso Henry only to die in childbirth to yet another King she was married off to. Why couldn't they all be like Catherine the Great and shun the consequences of marriage? (I read o lot of Tudor books written by that wonderful writer...whose name I can conjure up at the moment) This is a diminutive jug only 4 inches high by Royal Doulton. The prices range from 70 to 225. I listed her at 129. 

Next up this beautiful belt buckle. I bought 22 buckles this week and last week. I should make my money back. Hell, I'm hoping to triple or quadruple my money. On my way with one sale for 25$ (less commish) so on my way, 21 more to go.

This one is a pewter (maybe) with the Eagle Dance. Some of the paint, inlay, is gone but it still is a stunning piece. I'd wear it if I  wore belts. I haven't worn a belt in 8 years! 

Want it? It's 35$

Look under Dancing Eagle Belt Buckle.

Lost Mojo. Anyone seen it?

 It's been a month since I have posted anything. I think I have a pretty good December. Not as good as November and absolutely better than this month! Horrors!

I sourced some good stuff that has not really sold yet. the Marx train set. I got an offer but I would have lost money. I got an offer on the GI Joe clothes and locker but I would have lost money also. Tells me I paid too much for both.

The Barbie's so far are a bust too. The Marilyn I have up for $115. The 35th Anniversary I put up for $36 (I think) and the Wedding Barbie I have up for probably 36$

I'm not really discouraged. I just had a slow down around Christmas in listing and just dragged my heels for while and now I am into it again. I bought 20 Belt Buckles for 90$ 4.50/per. Haven't sold any yet, but I am certain I will. They saved the really good stuff for this weeks auction which goes off tonight. Smith and Wesson buckles and some extraordinary coffee cups, that if I should win, I know I can flip those.

Put her up today. I have a lot of pictures to take today and not a lot of time. I have lollygagged around this morning and now its after 2. 

I think it's important for me to document these endeavors to make some side money. Number one, its good for me to be engaged. I use to read books all day long. I can't go to the gym until we have this covid thing under control and I receive my covid vaccine. Should be in the next month or so.

And I am having eye surgery next week on my right eye. The cataract is so large that I may be doomed. But then I will wear a black patch over my eye like Marie. 

So, off to mail a package. I'll make 6 bucks towards my goal of 430. Ive got about 100 going towards it . This amount will cover my eye surgery. And I need to net 750 each month from now on as I am trying to pay off my debt and this will be the "extra" amount I need to put Chase to bed in 10 months. My 48 month plan will be about 38 months now. Hooray.

So I need to be a better source hound. I am cutting myself off from buying anything until Fed 1st. That is Hay's first auction of the year. I always have done well with Hay's stuff. 

Happy 2021. I am so happy that trump is out of the Whitehouse. I am not accustomed to pending disaster not imminent every morning. I may be able to wean myself off the 2 hour news feed each morning that goes with my coffee.