OLA Radio Challenge!

One of the reasons I am such a loyal member of OnlineAuction.com is because of our members! We have a team of outstanding sellers who are committed to the success of all. You will regularly reap the benefits of various members who have organized site-wide sales, envisioned new ways to advertise, shared their knowledge with others, and created avenues to have fun while doing business. They know who they are, so I'll just say thanks for all you do!

The latest news is a challenge issued by OLA-Radio.

Dave White, our OLA-Radio broadcaster, and MetzyMom, his co-host, have challenged every OLA member to the following, (copied from the OLA Chat Forums):

LIST ONE ODD OR UNUSUAL ITEM THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE IN YOUR HOME.

Do not go out and buy something from the store.
Do not go looking for it at a garage sale or flea market.
It should be something you already have.
Unusual or Odd are relative terms... what may be odd and/or unusual for you, may not be odd and/or unusual for someone else. So to qualify as odd/unusual, IT SHOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT YOU NORMALLY OR REGULARLY SELL.

For instance, I make and sell soap, so I wouldn't list a health and beauty product. (That's Metzy!) Get out of your comfort zone and category!!!

List as many items as you like, but choose only one auction for this challenge. List it as a 7 day auction. There is no price minimum or maximum. Be sure to use the 72/50 SEO/SEM formula (no more than 72 characters in the title, no more than 50 characters in the subtitle, be sure to use words from the title so they form the first part of the trio, and be sure that all the words from your title are used in your listing). Be sure to include a link in your auction back to your storefront.

Need some incentive? Check this listing out... http://www.onlineauction.com/index.php?page=auction:view_item&auction_id=970363
That item is REALLY unusual... and because it's already listed, it can't compete... lol...
List the link here so that we can all see it and vote on it at the next Thursday Night LIVE OLA RADIO Show!!!

Oh Yeah... There is a prize!!! The winner of this contest will receive:
1. Your advertising banner or logo on the OLA RADIO site and on MetzyMoms.com. Both of these sites are Google Ranked and part of the Knockout Software family. Your banner or logo will appear for 30 days.
2. Dave White will help you make a 30 second commercial and it will run for 30 days on the OLA Radio Program (not just the LIVE show, but it will be in the archived shows as well).

So look around your house, yard, and garage... find something unusual or odd... list it for a 7 day auction... put the link here in this thread... and then attend the LIVE OLA RADIO Show to vote and see who wins!!!

**Winner does need to be present at the show to win**
**OLA Radio Host/CoHost Not Eligible for prize package**

This contest is for OLA Members Only.

Great offer, eh? I thought so! So here is my submission...
(I'll be watching and waiting to see yours!)

Parrothead Expandable Hat in Colorful Honeycomb Style Parrot Features

This fun hat has parrot features!
It is unisex, bowler shaped,
and will expand to fit almost any head.
Composed of durable paper, in honeycomb style,
this headwear is multi colored, in a stripe pattern.
The front reveals a bird's eyes and beak.
(I think this is definitely a parrot!)
The back reveals tail feathers in yellow, purple and blue.
A must for any Parrothead!
Be the life of the party in this unisex design hat!

And don't forget to visit me at:

House-Cleaning at OLA!

I've been checking out all the great bargains at OnlineAuction.com!

There's a nice variety of used and new products, in every price range, and offered from some of the friendliest and most knowledgeable sellers online.

While the majority of OLA members are located across the entire breadth of the USA, I've recently noticed that more international folks are joining the ranks. That is wonderful... welcome! I am experienced in both buying and selling internationally, and would encourage every member to learn more about reaping the benefits of international trade. A good place to start is the USPS, where you will find a wealth of topics detailing shipping instructions, requirements and restrictions to each and every country.

Did you listen to OLA-Radio last week? OnlineAuction.com owner Chris Fain was the guest speaker! He spoke at length about his vision for building the #1 online marketplace, the successes we've already enjoyed and the continual improvement plans that he has set for the future. Although he did not expound in great detail on some of the upcoming surprises that members can expect, he did mention an advertising campaign and other enhancements that are in the works to benefit all members. You can hear the archived OLA-Radio program by clicking here.

Since we are growing, isn't this a good time to ensure that you are up-to-date on all the features at OnlineAuction.com? It is time to put our best face forward! By effectively using the tools that are available to you, from both the OLA staff and other OLA members, you may increase the efficiency of your own business operation and leave a positive impression upon people who are visiting the site for the first time.

Let's face reality... if a new buyer visits you, and can't find what they are looking for in your store, (or your individual listings), they are less likely to come back. If you don't have good photographs, they will look for someone who does. And if you don't list your shipping charges, they might not take the time to write you and ask.

Here is a list of HELP topics that you can find in the OLA Chat Forum:

• Setting up your OLA Store, by Renee, OLA Support
  
  
• Setting up your House Categories, by StubsInc, OLA member



• Using Auctiva, by Dragonmum2 & Aesthetics48, OLA members



• Shipping Calculator and Services, by Renee, OLA Support



• Resizing Your Pictures, by Ragmop, OLA Support



• Picture Tutorial for Chat Set-up, by Aesthetics48, OLA member



• HTML Help, a collaboration between OLA Staff and members



• Seaching OnlineAuction.com, by Fleapirates, OLA member
  

Now, these suggestions are just a cross-section of all the HELP topics available! Please take some time to peruse all the aids, and let's do some house-cleaning... we've got guests on the way!

I am on a kick about category organization right now. Yes, it is a chore, especially when you are adding new items and selling existing ones. Remember this... who wants to sort through a bunch of category selections and receive numerous No Auctions Found results? Not me! I try to re-set my category list at least once a week, to minimize the chance of seeing that notice in my store.

Anyone who needs help or tips on this task may contact me! It is not difficult, once you have walked through the steps a time or two. You may also contact either Renee or Rowen in OLA Support, by calling the toll-free phone number, 800-900-2828.

Let's all work together to create a welcoming site for new buyers and sellers, one that is easy to navigate, fun to shop, and encourages repeat business!

Thanks for reading! Be sure to stop by Fleapirates Plunder the next time you are browsing OLA!

Check out Seller's Arena!

Today's OLA Tuesday Tidbit

comes from MetzyMom!



Metzy and I had a nice talk the other day
about the different kinds of ways OLA sellers
can promote their stores and their items.
There's quite a few options, actually,
and I wonder how many people are taking advantage of them?

One of my favorites is Oodle.
You've all heard me tout the benefits of
copying and pasting your items to Oodle!
And I am often posting a variety of places
to add your store links, such as:
EveryPlaceISell,
FreeWebSubmission,
and INeedHits.

But today, let's take a look at Seller's Arena!
I admit, I became a member there some time ago,
and I have not, to date, used it to it's potential.
Just this week, I made my first blog there.
Yes! They offer blogs!
And according to Metzy, the blogs she has posted
have had very good search engine results!

In addition, Seller's Arena offers a forum,
where you can meet & chat with other sellers,
from a variety of venues.

They have an Arcade,
which is filled with fun games!

They just upgraded their Link Directory,
where you can place a link to your store.
(THIS IS GOOD SEO!)

And they showcase a place to offer your wares,
directly to other Seller's Arena members.

It's time for me to put a little more time
into this valuable site...
won't you join me?



And I'd like to remind everyone
of all the great things that are
happening at OLA!

The QA Sale is ongoing.
Enter the letters QA into the search engine at OLA,
to find pages of items, starting at bids of only .25 cents!

The Scavenger Hunt is now taking sign-ups!
First Prize is $100 in Auction Credits,
courtesy of OnlineAuction.com.

The Wednesday Wave is tomorrow night.
Bargains abound!

And don't forget to tune into
OLA-RADIO
Thursday night, at 8pm CST!


Fleapirates Tuesday Treasure:

YOU ARE SPECIAL TODAY
Decorative Plate - Made in Japan
Only $1.29 on Classic Auction!
Click HERE to view the details.
Or click HERE to visit my store!

OLA Tuesday Tidbit for 2/17/2009

Well, we had a bit of a melt down
on the OLA servers last Thursday!

Did any of you try to visit the homepage
& receive the Down For Maintenance message?
Grrrr....!

What did you do?
Me... I went to the OLA-Radio show,
which is now broadcasted on ustream.tv !

Thankfully, our dedicated staff had the site
back up & running before the night was through!

Our users, however, have had a few issues since the episode,
with auction information disappearing / reverting.
I have a fix... straight from Rowen, in OLA's Support Dept!

There are possibilites of edited information not retaining.
To avoid this, cancel the auction.
Then go to canceled folder & do a sell similar,
edit that page accordingly,
and then start it.

Rowen & I have also had discussions about
topics such as SEO and Keywords.
Here's an example of how to create a listing,
using the title/subtitle/description to your advantage!

The title & the first part of the sub title should match.
Tthen the description should start with the same wording.
Example:
Title: 1969 Ford Mustang Fastback

Subtitle: 1969 Ford Mustang Fastback
:351 Clevland engine with four bolt mains

Description: 1969 Ford Mustang Fastback
:351 Clevland engine with four bolt mains, plus after market
stereo system and factory original interior, in mint condition.

They all start the same,
though end differently,
so the search engines will index them together,
(as being all pertinent),
achieving a better index to add to your back link indexes.

All your blogs pertaining to individual listings
should match what is in the listing to get better indexing.

If any OLA members have questions about this,
or other OLA activities,
there are a host of people ready & waiting to help you!

Here are some help lines:

1-800-900-2828
This is the OLA telephone number,
and YES, you'll be able to talk to a live person!

http://www.onlineauction.com/chat/
This is a link to the OLA Chat Forum,
where you'll find many users who are knowledgeable
& willing to help on a variety of topics!
Like me!
(You can contact me anytime & I'll do what I can!)

BeverlyJ
This valued OLA member offers
live help via talkshoe!
Contact James, at BeverlyJ, to find out when the next
OLA Help Line will be available!
(Personalized help is available by special request.)
NOTE: Please sign up for a Talkshoe account
and not login as a guest.
Here is the link to the OLA Help Line:
http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/33401

Thank you, Rowen, for all the
"words of wisdom" for this week!

NOW FOR THE FLEAPIRATES
TUESDAY TREASURE!

Artesania Rinconada # 253F Baby Unicorn Figurine,
in yellow, a vintage find from Montevideo, Uruguay!
On Classic Auction format,
with a starting bid of only $18.99!
Isn't he cute???