I Tried LISTING ON EBAY 50 Items a Day for 31 Days to INCREASE SALES and Here's What Happened

[@backfromburnout]

If you missed my RANT video for context then you can watch it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/roi3l35sipZ6r80

[@clarethomas4638]

Well done, Mel. You gave yourself permission to take a few days to recover and now you're reassessing your plans for the future. I've listed 15 books a day for the past 4 weeks. My sales are up 25% so far. It's been totally worth it!

[@backfromburnout]

Amazing!! Consistency is the key and 25% increase is awesome!! Yes, taking some time off has been good for me to get more clarity as I know I need to re-evaluate things. I actually can't wait to share with everyone some of my new plans :)

[@cheriea.6195]

Well done Mel, that was a great effort. I was listing consistently everyday, 10-20 items per week, even scheduled them when I knew I had other commitments on certain days, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to list. And I was getting the Sales. Consistency is the key - no doubt about it.

[@ShopFoxburrow]

I’d you like working in batches, you should do draft listings so that you can publish some daily. I have 25 items in draft but only publish 3 a day. It makes sure I stay consistent every day even if I don’t work every day.

[@backfromburnout]

That is a great idea and I definitely will schedule weekend listings going forward. I 100% the daily listing made a big impact. I need to find the balance of how many I can comfortably manage every day. 50 on a continuous basis is a lot of work.

[@MrPaulMorris]

I was going to make exactly the same point.

[@peachion2]

I do a lot of drafts too. They save a lot of time. I create the draft then I photograph everything.

[@MrPaulMorris]

@@peachion2 I tend to work the other way around: photograph 50+ items then list or draft. The advantage being that I can work on listings any time I have a few minutes free while I need to have the stock to hand and my photography setup in order to take the photos. Part of this is driven by the fact that my stock is all stored off-site. I like to always have 50 or so sets of photos available so I don't have any excuses to slack off. I'm writing this in a coffee shop where I've stopped of from picking up some stationery but have completed a couple more drafts over my americano and sandwich.

[@frankcrumley5473]

Mel thank you for your transparency in this challenge.....It's best to list at your own pace.......The Truth will set you free...from stress!!!!!!!!!! Take a break and enjoy life.

[@backfromburnout]

Thanks Frank. I think I am absolutely fine with the daily listing and I know that 100% helps the sales increase, it’s just finding that balance of how many I can manage while running a family and staying sane and 50 was too many for me consistently everyday. Thank you for watching

[@sandrabentley8111]

You are so refreshing Mel, I really enjoy watching. No idea how you do it all! I mean running a home is a lot in itself, kids, food, laundry, bills, appointments plus you run a full time business, unbelievable. I agree totally with the 'slave to ebay' part, it is a grind when you try to outrun what you can feasibly do in a day. 50 a day is crazy plus all the other things in your life. I do believe in having drafts in the bank all through the week, It's helped me a lot and now I take weekends off and just activate my drafts to go live. I love that. Looking forward to the next video.

[@backfromburnout]

Yes! The days I had drafts ready by the virtual assistant it all went smooth. The days I was slower getting her more photos were the days that killed me. Having some drafts always in the bank is a fantastic idea.

[@davestarr7112]

Great news. Thanks for the report and all the best for the future. Big congratulations for sticking it out.

[@backfromburnout]

Thanks Dave, I appreciate the support

[@kep8971]

Im a lego reseller in Canada. I want to say thank you. I have really enjoyed your video. It has helped with keeping me accountable for getting lego listed in my store. My goal was 20k pieces by end of May and should hit it. Thanks a bunch and keep up the great work, your a inspiration.

[@backfromburnout]

This is so amazing. I’m so glad it motivated you to list and stay accountable. I hope you found a better balance then me but definitely the consistency is so important. Well done! Did your sales increase by listing more consistently?

[@kep8971]

@@backfromburnout ya its starting to. I'm on vacation this week so I'm working hard on getting more online. It can be a lengthy process with sorting and listed. More you add more sales is my new motto. Keep up the great work!

[@backfromburnout]

@@kep8971 I have one small bucket of lego in my deathpile and that’s enough for me ha ha I once bought some large lego Star Wars ships that were already built and I flipped them on Facebook as I was paranoid about shipping them lol. I still made great profit.

[@LauraBellaX]

So happy to see you back Mel. Wow that really was a hard challenge, not only did you succeed, it made you really think about what you want your work / life balance to look like going forward, so it was all worth it! take care x

[@backfromburnout]

Yes it sure did. I learnt a lot and got lots of clarity.

[@bookwormescapades2779]

Thanks for being so real Mel. I appreciate it. Much needed!!

[@backfromburnout]

I go through all the same ups and downs as everyone else. I just choose to share all my dramas with the world ha ha. Thank you for watching and I hope it helps x

[@liannehill748]

Congratulations. Mel on achieving that challenge - the month went quickly for me! Good luck in your new house I’m looking forward to seeing the renovations on the other channel

[@backfromburnout]

Thank you Lianne! I’m hoping to have the first video out next week on that channel. It’s the first video I’m finding the hardest! I just need to get one up and start!! Thank you for watching :)

[@thetreasurehuntingboomer]

I'm.exhausted just imagining doing 50 a day and moving too ..rest up we need you and your fun advise and videos

[@backfromburnout]

Thanks Nelly. Although I feel I can list consistently daily, listing 50 was definitely too much for me lol.

[@zekb6382]

That’s an epic achievement. Now you know your limitations. Always work to your limitations so you enjoy it and not feel it’s a burden.

[@backfromburnout]

Yes!!! And I thought I would be ok with this level and I wasn’t so I’m actually so glad I did the challenge because things are so much clearer for me now! Thanks for watching

[@cherrytreeblossom8475]

Congratulations on getting through the challenge for a start. I can't imagine how you could do it for just one month, let alone as an ongoing thing, and maintaining the family life as well as moving house! Sheesh! Even if you can't maintain that flow, you've learned a lot about yourself in the process and that can never be a bad thing. Hope you find the sweet spot 😘🤞

[@backfromburnout]

I learned sooooo much. I like to think I’ve always been pretty good at listing but 50 for 31 days straight killed me ha ha

[@shelleyocallaghan6260]

Well done on the challenge. Great questions it raised, we find the life work balance is soooo important for us. Take it a bit easy on yourself, moving as well as the challenge was a HUGE load.

[@backfromburnout]

So true! I think I often think I can do more than I can. It's now forced me to step back and reflect for going forward which is a good thing. More clarity will bring more balance.

[@RadRelics]

They way I beat the monotony of listing is hangout is private video chats with other sellers. Makes it so much easier!

[@backfromburnout]

I don’t mind the actual daily listing and I 100% believe the daily listing helps sales. It’s finding the balance for me of how many I can maintain a day on a ongoing basis while trying to run a family and stay sane lol. I love private streaming chats but I often don’t find I’m very productive in them as I like the chit chat more lol

[@lisacooper516]

Thank you Mel, this was great! Congrats, job well done! Isn't it funny how we set out to resolve an issue, then learn so much more at the end. Love it........ Thanks for keeping it real! Our Ebay store is very small, so keeping up with it would seem easy. However it's all the other stuff waiting in the wings that need attention that keeps me running in different directions. I finally said I can't do it all on my own and succeed. So I have two friends that help me for about 15 hours a week total. We buy and sell antiques, tools, furniture etc.... We sell on Ebay and at local store booths. Thanks for saying building a listing from scratch takes awhile........ I thought it was just me!! Take care and enjoy your new home!! :)

[@backfromburnout]

It’s so good you were able to reach out and ask for help from your friends. There is so much more behind the scenes stuff to do that often gets forgotten.

[@ianjresells]

Congrats Mel, well done on completing your challenge, that's pretty heavy going 50 every day for a month, what an achievement! I managed myself to list a couple of items each day for the same period which is the longest duration of days i've ever consecutively listed for. Great video, looking forward to the next one!

[@backfromburnout]

Ian I’m so proud of you. You set the intention and you followed through and you had a huge sales growth for the month. I think you also learnt your limits over this month challenge and going forward I think you will be able to maintain the daily and adjust numbers as you go. Just like Megan says below, she lists daily even if it’s just 1 thing :) Thanks for keeping me accountable during this challenge (and listening to me vent some days ha ha) and the messages of support.

[@DanDiffy]

Wonderful content! I just started listing 10 items per day on eBay. I’m currently at the end of week one. You’re amazing!

[@backfromburnout]

10 is amazing, if you can stay consistent your sales will grow! Stay patient and keep listing!

[@marksandland208]

Fantastic effort , Mel. Only you know if it was worth it. I started the challenge along side you but on a much smaller scale. Unfortunately the weather turned bad and car boot sales have been cancelled for the last two weeks due to waterlogged ground. Still not comfortable with regular visits to Charity shops, COVID is still about in the UK, so stock dried up. No listing slowed sales right down, and all motivation went. Hopefully a decent car boot sale this weekend will reverse that, but in awe of your 50 per day. Fantastic.

[@backfromburnout]

Thanks Mark. Hopefully soon UK will find some normality for you guys again. And we can always start our own personal challenges anytime of the year we just have to set the intention and start :) The hardest part of doing something is just starting.

[@lifestylereseller4398]

This challenge has given you clarity (plus the lovely sales, thanks eBay). That’s worth it for sure!

[@backfromburnout]

Sooooo much clarity Sam! You have known me 21 years and you know me well. I needed to do this to see what’s really working for me and what’s not. Thanks for your support through this, I appreciate it x

[@twotwinningcavs]

Welcome back Mel!!! Hope the move went well and we are all here to cheer you on!!

[@backfromburnout]

Thank you, finally feeling a little settled but still lot's of boxes to unpack :)

[@Oldmonstrosityshop]

I think the sales increase is all about having more hooks in the water. eBay definitely likes their sellers to be active on their stores though. Moving a house is one of the most stressful things you can do so I’d put it out there that if you did this again it would be easier. Maybe instead of giving yourself a daily target, give yourself a weekly target - if you get ahead in the week you could even have a bunch of drafts ready to activate on the weekend so you almost get the weekends back for you. Keep up the amazing work!!

[@backfromburnout]

Some great ideas Nolan. And doing KZbin is also like another full time job which adds to my workload. I have pondered this question the entire month wondering if it’s the consistency or the amount of listings. I can handle daily listing going forward but not in this quantity. Lots to think about!!!

[@Oldmonstrosityshop]

@@backfromburnout Yup, but first, put your feet up and look back at a job well done. It’s lit a fire under me that’s for damn sure

[@backfromburnout]

Yes, I love that. Go get it!!!

[@johnnyfortycoats2219]

For churning lower-priced items, try replenishing the same titles. Compile a buying list and only pick those items. You pay more for stock, but cut the work down by a lot. You cut out the research, listing time and bad buys. You can do like the mega sellers in UK and use a stock image with whatever quantity you have in stock. I do it differently, I keep multiples in stock, but list a quantity of 1 with the actual photos of the book. When it sells, I photograph the next one and put the quantity back to 1. Creep the price up by $1 if the profit on the last sale was too low to be worthwhile. When I'm down to my last copy, I raise the price by 25%, but allow offers. Doing this, you get to understand supply and demand on each title and find out what you have been underselling. If you keep a simple sales record for each title, it becomes easy to phase out the low-profit items and add higher value titles. You can progressivley lower your workload while earning more.

[@backfromburnout]

I do but a lot of the same books and sets that I can replenish where possible. But it’s against eBay policy to use stock photos on second hand items so I will never use stock photos. But your way is similar to how I do it as I use the out of stock function so I can use the same listings just change photos. :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/jp_IpJ6beZ5pf8k

[@a.robbins882]

Recent subscriber here, found you from your live with Joey. You're such an inspiration & so relatable. Keep rocking it Mel.

[@backfromburnout]

Welcome to my channel! Joey is awesome!! Thanks so much, I'm just here trying to navigate life and sharing the ups and downs as I go :) Thanks for watching and subscribing to my channel!

[@CarnageXtreme]

You never know what you're capable of unless you push yourself to your limits or beyond. I think everyone should give it a try!

[@SC_Resells]

Hey Mel! Really enjoy and find helpful all you do. Thank you for sharing your journey!

[@backfromburnout]

Thanks so much for watching and the support x

[@j.l.shenstone]

Congrats!! And thanks for sharing your journey and everything you’re learning as you go. Your videos always pop up when I need an answer to something 😊

[@backfromburnout]

Thanks so much for that. I’m just here trying to navigate my own way like everyone else in this crazy eBay world of reselling :) I have my ups and downs like everyone else :)

[@karriesouza79]

So THAT rant a month ago was you really bad? Mel you are such a sweet person... probably why I watch you...and your really informative and motivating. Thank you Mel...

[@backfromburnout]

The rant made me take action and I am so grateful for that. I learnt I can push myself to list daily and it will increase sales but I need to work on finding the balance of how many a day is achievable for me on a consistent basis long term. Thank you for watching me and the support x

[@duncanvr7567]

I try for 15 a day and cut off at 4pm and I take Sunday off. I tried what you did years ago and also burned out. So I run at a slower pace these days. Take it easy as long as your getting sales 50 maybe a bit much of a challenge.

[@backfromburnout]

Great balance you have Duncan. 50 was way too many for me while I juggle family life and KZbin (which is also like a full time job). But each time I do things like this I learn more about what I do and don’t want and this challenge certainly taught me a lot :)

[@donnaanasse5177]

What you said was so spot on. The exact same things I have been thinking.

[@justineh4792]

Such a great video, definitely food for thought! Can’t wait for your next one to see what you have decided. All the best xx

[@backfromburnout]

Thanks Justine. I’m so pleased I did the challenge (even though I found it so hard) as I feel so much clearer on what I do and don’t want from this business now. :) sometimes it’s good to challenge ourselves to know if we’re on the right path.

[@thetatdoctor3806]

Wow... Huge well done!! I'm glad you achieved your goal but I know there was a cost physically and mentally. I don't think the additional pressure of the house move helped!! Looking forward to hearing your plans in the next video, time to regroup and gain focus you'll soon be smashing it again in the direction you want to take your business 👍. Take care 🙂

[@backfromburnout]

Thanks Iain, mentally it was tough. I do 100% believe the daily listing helps increase sales but the harder part is finding a balance of what one can maintain everyday long term. And 50 wasn't for me lol It's given me a lot of food for thought and although difficult it's been an interesting challenge and I have learn a lot from doing it. I know you had success with listing more yourself over the month so well done to you.

[@shaneomack5018]

This is such a great vid ms Mel... totally understand why your burned out... something we do daily is 5 to 10 listings daily... and on Friday I will go to the “set listing start time” under the pricing and set 5 listings at 5 different times on sat and sun and I’ve notice this keeps my store very active....

[@backfromburnout]

This is a great idea! No actual weekend listing but you still have listings scheduled. I'm going to be doing this on weekends also!

[@shaneomack5018]

@@backfromburnout stuff gets listed and you don’t miss time with the family.. brilliance all around ms Mel

[@meganjordon]

This was an epic challenge and I’m proud of you for sticking it out even though it was a very hard slog. I’m continuing my own version of this challenge where I have committed to listing everyday without breaking my streak- even if it is only one listing. I just list as many as I feel, sometimes 1 sometimes 30 sometimes 100. No pressure on myself is the key, only rule is to list at least something everyday.

[@backfromburnout]

I love that Megan. Having the set number for me was really hard and 50 is a lot of work - especially with all the new item specifics. I love that you maintain that daily listing habit even if it’s just one. Thanks for all your support through this, you really helped motivate me and your support checking in with me daily really helped me. XXX

[@sellingthisandthat5160]

Great video Mel keep up all your hard work, I’m doing 5 daily listings dosent seem much I’m struggling to get stock in at the moment

[@backfromburnout]

It's really a matter of just doing however many works for your store and balance. Id love to cut mine back to 15-20 a day so I get more balance back in my life. So if your doing 5 consistently, I think thats amazing! Consistency is the key! Keep up the great work!

[@kayepoolethebooklady]

Well done on the challenge, I think you are going to decide to downsize and go for higher price books 😀, I'm listing consistently every day and try to do 10, but soon when eBay is my main income I'll be listing more, I want to grow but still store stuff at home and not employ anyone else, keeping it smallish and manageable!

[@backfromburnout]

Yes. The bigger the store gets for me the more I wish it was smaller and back at home ha ha. I just need to be 100% sure before I make any rash decisions :)

[@JohnJones-oy3md]

I try these x-number-of-listings-per-day self challenges once in a while, but I'll miss a day, then try to double up the listings for the next day to catch up. Inevitably I fall behind and abandon the challenge. Working for myself is never going to be all fun, and goals are very important, but if it's going to be an endless trudge that I despise, I might as well just go out and work for someone else. Balance is the key to all things in life, IMO.

[@backfromburnout]

Yes absolutely agree. Sometimes I think though when we challenge ourselves it brings clarity to what we really need or want. This challenge sure did that with me, it has ben reevaluating my whole business model so I can find more of that happy balance. Thank you for watching

[@unclewaynosworld1708]

So impressive Mel well done! Can totally see how this would burn you out. Will be interesting to see if eBay hates on you for dropping your totals down now

[@backfromburnout]

Yes, someone else just commented similar “now don’t list for 31 days to see how much it drops”. I could do that because I haven’t listed again yet ha ha. That might be a good test to see if it was the consistency or the amount.

[@unclewaynosworld1708]

@@backfromburnout Lol would be nice if you could live off those listings for a month but I suspect eBay will get snotty if you don't list at all lol

[@backfromburnout]

I know. And I don’t want to undo all the hard work I just did

[@CherryRed1972]

Hi Mel, I watched one of your videos that showed us how to search for the most sold items in a particular category on EBay - for instance the top brands that sold in women’s jumpers. but I can’t remember which video it was! To save you from having to explain it all again here which video was it! It was so good! I can’t find any self help guides out there that shows how to search in this way.

[@backfromburnout]

It may have been this one :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmaomoynrcyWj5I

[@backfromburnout]

If that’s not it, let me know but I think that’s the one. :)

[@martindiviny4155]

@@backfromburnout YES That's the one!!! Oh THANK YOU so much Mel :)

[@RadRelics]

Hello Mel! Can't wait to watch!

[@backfromburnout]

Hi John, thank you and I hope you enjoy :)

[@mrslehman3]

Great job Mel I don't know how you did it. I think a consistent pattern daily is the most beneficial but 50 is just so extreme. Why don't you cut it in half to find that balance at 25 a day. Or perhaps it's just the consistency that you need every morning for a certain amount of time you do what you can Life is no fun when you're burnt out all the time. Seek balance

[@backfromburnout]

Yes 50 was too many. I thought that was the right number for me with a volume store but nope lol. I do wonder if I had only listed 25 a day if I would have had the same result. I’m on the path to find the elusive home/work balance. I’ll get there one day ha ha

[@MrPaulMorris]

As you and a number of commenters have said, working seven days a week is neither sustainable nor sensible. I've been there and simply couldn't keep it up indefinitely. When I started reselling in 2001, I jumped in full time immediately with no prior experience. Things ran pretty well and within a month or so my income was close to what I had been earning in my previous job. The business expanded rapidly; inside six months I was renting offices, vehicles, paying staff. . . and working over a hundred hours a week. We specialised in computer and network equipment and all the 'expert' input to the business was all coming from me--finding stock, testing, refurbishing etc. My wife, who was still working full-time, started coming in to help. Then I found myself sleeping in the office as I wasn't finishing until 10 or 11pm and was due out at 5am to drive to auctions and didn't want to disturb my wife. Weekends were the chance to catch up on paperwork and try to build up a reserve of tested stock--while also fitting in selling at a couple of car boot sales (again with 5am starts). No matter how many hours I worked, there was always the temptation, "If I just do a bit more I can earn enough to get a new label printer/camera/van, hire another assistant etc etc." It couldn't continue because there just weren't any hours left to work! Of course I couldn't keep this up and after a couple of years was forced to stand back and evaluate what I wanted and work out a better balance. For a long time now I've run the reselling business part-time, fitting it around other jobs. Doing enough to keep my accounts in good standing--I've maintained TRS since the programme was first launched--but not looking to expand. Things are changing again as my current employers are in their final death throes and we are almost certainly facing redundancy before the end of the year (ironically, the same reason I started reselling 20 years ago). Realistically, I know that I will be unlikely to find paid employment again so, as I'm not yet ready to hang up my spurs, I'm starting to ramp up the business to a position where it can support my family. This time around I am setting realistic targets from the outset based on my experience and financial needs. Basically, I just need to double my previous sales and, with the support of my various pensions, I should be about where I need to be. I took advantage of a week's holiday to go back to working the business full-time (well 6 hours a day anyway!) and my month on month sales showed a 30% increase just from a little more listing. Translated to a full month of work that suggests I should be able to easily meet my targets. Incidentally, when looking at how much to list each day I prefer to look at value rather than volume; if I aim to sell £100 per day then I need to list £100--well actually a bit more to cover discounts and unsold stock etc but you get the idea. I don't care if that's one item or a hundred--although I'd rather avoid selling 100 x £1 items! Too long? Executive summary: set reasonable and sustainable targets to avoid burnout!

[@backfromburnout]

Love it, thanks for sharing Paul. I appreciate that comment. I can totally see how you got to the point you were at. I was up to almost midnight a few nights in this challenge just trying to finish listing. Sometimes I think we need to push ourselves to know where that limit is and I certainly learnt mine isn’t what I thought it could be. I’m sure if I wasn’t doing KZbin (which is also like a full time job) then I would have managed better (but I love KZbin more then eBay so don’t want to give that up). Definitely a lot of food for thought in somehow finding that elusive work/home balance I am searching for. Sharing my journey trying to find that balance on KZbin really helps clarify it all for me as it really makes me address the issues and struggles I have. Thank you for watching and supporting and following along as I try and navigate life and reselling :)

[@MrPaulMorris]

@@backfromburnout However much advice we get from others and however much we plan, it is through experience that we truly learn about priorities and limits. I have a pretty good grasp now on what I can do on a sustained basis and how that translates into potential income. If and when I need or want more income then I know I will need to look at how I work and what I sell rather than falling back into the 'just a few more hours' trap. The 50 listing challenge was probably a worthwhile learning exercise both in demonstrating the effectiveness of regular listing habits on eBay's search algorithms and in highlighting the limits of your endurance and the importance of striking a reasonable balance. I'm sure you don't need me to tell you to "keep on going" as your positive attitude shines through your videos (if that doesn't sound too patronising). Even your rants brighten my days! Incidentally, despite the difficulty in book selling here in the UK--which I've mentioned in comments on other videos, I've had a bit of success in recent weeks which I'll attribute to your good influence. On the other hand, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment on the book front as an auction lot described as "some vintage children's annuals with a number of other hardback books" with an accompanying photo of about 30 books turned out to be over 200 volumes that have completely blocked the aisle in one of my storage units (that took me 2 weeks to clear in the first place). The annuals are easy, although not big money they sell quickly. There are also over a hundred Ladybird children's books, some dating back to the 50s and 60s, which have a decent collector's market so shouldn't be too bad. That just leaves a hundred miscellaneous volumes to work through! This lot cost me £10...

[@tdl555able]

Congrats Mel. Happy for you but take care ok. Look after your health, that's more important to you

[@backfromburnout]

Thank you. Yes I agree. I’m on the path to find a better balance. :)

[@ButterflyHustles]

Awesome Job Mel !!! I was listing 10 or more a day and is definitely exhausting 😴

[@backfromburnout]

I've always listed regularly but I don't think I realised the toll it would take on me doing so many daily for that period. Combined with everything else in life it was too many for me. Thank you for watching and well done for maintaining 10 a day, thats awesome!

[@ButterflyHustles]

@@backfromburnout Thank You Mel ! Seems like I get a migraine if I List all day I have to Break it up in spurts thru out the day ! I think that you are definitely making the right decision bringing your inventory home you'll be happier 😊

[@jrfergus65]

You're preaching to the choir here Mel. As Mr. Myagi said "you must have balance in whole life Danilsan"

[@backfromburnout]

Yes!! I love that so much!

[@pleasantvalleypickerca7681]

Hi Mel! Very inspiring challenge. Sorry it's been awhile since I left a comment, but with my job it takes awhile to catch up on things. Will be interesting to see where you go from here.

[@backfromburnout]

Welcome back! Hope you are well PVP

[@pleasantvalleypickerca7681]

@@backfromburnout I'm doing ok Mel. Just a bit tired as I never seem to get enough sleep. Had insomnia a few nights ago and tossed and turned 4 hours out of 8! Looking forward to the weekend. Had some interesting developments on a personal level lately though. Won't go into details here though, LOL.

[@mischalikes6408]

Good for you, absolutely don’t be a slave to eBay! I wondered why we hadn’t heard from at yr normal consistency... actually I thought you may have been caught in updating listing with the new item specifics on books. A long overdue update by eBay especially in non-fiction BUT having to go through and re-enter specifics already there...urrrgh

[@backfromburnout]

Yes I needed a week break last week. I was not in the emotional headspace for anything lol.

[@ebonywaru160]

Congratulations girlfriend what an epic effort either way. Now you know what you won't do!

[@backfromburnout]

Yes! So much clarity going forward! I learnt a lot and have no regrets :)

[@nosa9046]

You are a hero keep up the challenge But I did not understand Is your store better now? Did you increase the number of sales?

[@backfromburnout]

Yes, I increased the sales in my store and got many more sales but it was exhausting and made me feel burnout.

[@teresawebster3498]

Can’t wait to hear what your plans are.

[@backfromburnout]

Thank you. I’m thinking about things very carefully ❤️

[@DesiresPleasures]

You did it Mel congratulations!!!

[@backfromburnout]

Thank you so much!!! It was a struggle but I learnt so much :)

[@homeandjewels6901]

Hi Mel, until we move as have so much going on. Kudos to you doing it as this time but I am listing 15 each day every day but only list 3 days a week and just schedule the rest. Not sure if scheduling free in Australia at your shop level

[@backfromburnout]

15 a day is great and if your doing it at a level with a good happy balance thats the most important thing. My balance was totally out of wack which left me tired and burned out. Thankfully it has forced me to step back and find some clarity for what I want going forward

[@Lobster619]

Keep it up Mel! Congrats my friend!

[@backfromburnout]

Thanks so much Lobster!! I'm enjoying your instagram posts :)

[@WayIntoAdventures]

Congrats on achieving your goal!

[@backfromburnout]

Thanks so much. Goal met with lots of new clarity to move forward. :)

[@CraigsExpertTips]

50 listings a day is tough !!

[@backfromburnout]

So tough to do on a continuous basis without a break. Thanks for watching Craig

[@derekjohnston2780]

Wearing a boiler suit and having to sweat 12 hours a day is tough.Listing on eBay isn't.And I've done both....

[@LetGetGaming]

Amazing Video!!

[@backfromburnout]

Thanks for watching

[@waynesworld6446]

Smart move. Save on travel time/cost and those storage cost savings will be huge. Can work less and make the same profit. Will you be keeping your virtual assistant or cut that cost out too.

[@backfromburnout]

Thank you. I will keep the VA and try and do a bulk load to her once a week that I can then list smaller amounts easily each day :)

[@richteabiscuit4667]

Here’s one.....I had a joint Ebay account with my wife....buying items only....the moment they found my wife had died they suspended our account!....heartless or what!

[@backfromburnout]

Oh my goodness. I'm so very sorry to hear about your wife. That does sound very heartless. Sending virtual hugs

[@dinahwade3962]

U go girl proud of u . Lol my son just ask if u was still on the show young and restless lol he thought u was sharon

[@backfromburnout]

Ba ha ha ha that’s hilarious.

[@sheilas52]

Well done Mel for achieving your goal. Now breath xx

[@backfromburnout]

Thanks Sheila, I'm trying :)

[@fmyouthdev]

When you were counting to 50 did you start from 1? I wonder psychology if you start from 50 and count down to 1 whether that feels easier than counting up to 50. Maybe feels like you have a long way to go if you start at 1, rather than counting down may feel like you get closer with every listing done!

[@backfromburnout]

I don't think I counted in that way when I think about it. I was just listing a whole heap at once without counting, then I would take a breather and count the chunk I had done and then keep going until I was done with the 50. So I guess I counted down more than up. If the virtual assistant had drafted 50 for me I just knew I had to keep going until all those drafts were empty.

[@wendyrichardson7701]

Maybe you could list a certain number each week. That way you can work whenever you want that week. Don't let listing your shit overwhelm you. :) Everything is going to be OKAY! :)

[@backfromburnout]

Thanks Wendy. Yes, I know I can list daily. I found that daily habit easy to maintain. It was the amount I struggled with (expectations vs reality). It was a good lesson to work out my limits and to be so self aware of what I can manage daily.

[@aaqibazeez6753]

Thank you so much for you input here . I am a new ebay reseller and for someone like me everything from sourcing items like thrift stores and stuff to taking pic and all is very new. Also not to forget Since I am new to ebay reselling I do not have a lot of cash in hand . So how would you advise someone like me because I do not have a lot of money to purchase all these items, secondly dont have a lot of space to keep these items. How can I slowly build this up?

[@carrieowens4907]

Kudos to you for finishing a challenge you placed for yourself. However, I understand the feeling of burnout. In the future may I suggest for yourself a set number of listings per week and allow the amount per day to fluctuate to better fit your lifestyle. I think expecting ourselves to work 7 days a week is too much. (Even God rested on the 7th day and He created the world.)

[@theretiredmillennial]

Wow, did you already have your inventory or did you also source this month?

[@backfromburnout]

I sources a few times yes to make sure I was putting quality listings in the store as I didn’t want to just fill it with low end items and a lot of the deathpile had been cherry picked and is lower end items.

[@susanweeres5584]

Did you have the item specifics requirements in Australia? I lost all my item specifics on all my book listings. Working on them now to get them visible...

[@backfromburnout]

Yes 😩😩😩 They certainly added to my stress in the last week.

[@DesiresPleasures]

What was your best sales day? Mind sharing how much you made that day and how many sales you made please?

[@backfromburnout]

I’d have to look that up next time I’m at the computer

[@stefan8303]

How many listings were you doing before you upped to 50 listings per day? Great achievement by the way, tough to do.

[@backfromburnout]

I was often doing them in chunks of 25-50 but I wasn’t being consistent daily. So I would list for a couple days and then get busy and not list for a few that followed. So I wanted to push myself to build a daily habit and I thought 50 was a good number to keep building my store (because I sell a mix of low, med, high priced books I need volume). If I wasn’t trying to do KZbin also I could probably manage 50 a day but KZbin is like a second full time job and combined with four kids and running a a family it was a lot to do each and every day. I can definitely handle listing daily but I’ve learnt I can’t handle 50 every day lol

[@davidnorton7464]

Wow - great results.

[@backfromburnout]

Thanks David. Sales were great but it was a hard slog some days lol.

[@davidnorton7464]

Our shop will be in lockdown until Friday. Will have to spend more time on ebay store trying to get managed payments at up with the partnership

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Time block your work. Take 140 photos on one specific day of the week and send them to your VA to draft. Then set another time block that week to turn all those 140 drafts into listings but schedule them to go live 20 a day instead of making them instantly live. Two big chunks of time a week on eBay that you can schedule rather than bits here and there every day.

[@backfromburnout]

Yes I was trying to batch in lot's of 100 (often when I do books it's bundles so much more then 100 individual books) so it's a lot of stock each week to maintain sourcing and storage for. Even with the help of a VA, it's still a lot of preparation with the items, the photos, sorting them to send correctly to the VA, then still the pricing and listing. So it's a lot to maintain all the time on top of other business duties (which includes my time spent on KZbin) and running a family. 15-20 a day with higher ASP sounds much more maintainable :)

[@ArtJourneyUK]

@@backfromburnout sure does. I list 3-5 items a day, have about 300 items in my store at any one point. £20 min profit on each item. This gives me time to work in a paid employment and look after house duties 😊

[@karriesouza79]

One word.... Vacation...😊❤️

[@backfromburnout]

Ha ha. Yes I wish. I do have a weekend away planned with a girlfriend in a couple weeks time :)

[@funkoholic1952]

It was a combination. Congratulations

[@backfromburnout]

I think so. But life doesn’t always go smoothly so it’s finding that balance that works when things are good and things are hard. 50 isn’t the right balance for me but daily listing is definitely a win win.

[@kristenalmonte1110]

Are you allowed to list the same items again & again? That is my question. A girl wants to charge me 1k-2k to learn this.

[@mrsresell2519]

I wonder how you would go with your own website and spend just quarter of that same amount of time optimising it..🤔. I reckon you would do well.

[@backfromburnout]

I’ve built my own websites in the past when I owned an online kids party business and it’s hard work building up a website to compete in google SEO results. eBay takes a fee but gives me that platform and less work to do as such.

[@sissie44]

Wow you are amazing proud of you

[@backfromburnout]

Thank you for the support

[@melissahetrick2942]

It’s interesting I’ve been doing just 10 a day is it the number or just consistency

[@backfromburnout]

Have you seen an increase being consistent with 10 a day?

[@melissahetrick2942]

@@backfromburnout I haven’t I’ve actually seen slower sales all of this month I do sell HBA this is my first year on EBay and first summer I keep hearing it’s slow but I’m still going

[@vintagemoth]

It sounds like your current listing situation is not working too well for you you may have to change the way you do your listings and maybe hire a semi virtual assistant meaning that someone actually comes to wherever your destination of your books are to take pictures themselves and list in person for you maybe that might work better for you period having someone to assist you in person versus online may free up some time for you

[@backfromburnout]

I definitely don’t have the right work/life balance but I’m on the path to find and create it :)

[@peppytheecky1703]

It's a good way to make quick money when you need it but it's not a way to live. The worst part is if you stop listing then your sales drop almost instantly.

[@backfromburnout]

They certainly drop. It's a constant grind when doing it full time because it's 24/7 every single day.

[@trishi1322]

I can list 50 a day 😁😁 trouble is I just can't source that many items in my area to maintain the momentum 🤒

[@backfromburnout]

I think I would be ok listing 50 if I wasn’t trying to do KZbin also. Doing KZbin and eBay is like having two full time jobs. But I enjoy KZbin so much more then actually doing eBay so I don’t want to give that up :) I just have to find a balance that works for me. It’s hard if you can’t source enough where you live. That’s tough.

[@trishi1322]

@@backfromburnout oh absolutely, and looking after the family! Plus packing and posting! I was employed 15hrs a week by a charity to sell their books on ebay for a few years, it took nearly all my time to pack and post the orders (I ended up doing the listing at home, which basically doubled my workload for no extra pay) but I loved it.

[@backfromburnout]

Wow that’s awesome and interesting!!

[@rhondasmith7250]

Have missed you

[@backfromburnout]

Thanks Rhonda. I’ve missed KZbin. It’s actually my favourite thing to do to make the videos. I’d there is something in particular you would like to see a video about them message me to let me know :)

[@tacsshacktomcurrie1491]

Well done 👏 ✔, would like to see you do 20 a day for 31 days and see the results 😀

[@backfromburnout]

Yes. I’m keen for that also but I might wait until I’ve moved in the shed

[@tacsshacktomcurrie1491]

@@backfromburnout awesome, im moving house this month as well so I feel your pain... new place has a basement so no more storage containers:)

[@backfromburnout]

I’m almost up to a month of no listing now so that might make a good follow up ha ha

[@jeffdorris5321]

Hit the like button 👍

[@backfromburnout]

Thanks Jeff x

[@fantasmasnolaboratorio]

I'm glad for you you didn't keepted that crazy rhytme. good on you health first

[@gared287]

A suggestion.... You said in a previous video you started your business because you were previously 'Burned Out' in another occupation. Now, you have pushed yourself to a point where you are once again 'Burned Out". You have a home, four kids, are moving and are working seven days a week...... This is probably very different advice than others will offer..... It might be wise to sit back and try to determine why you push yourself this hard. I mentioned to you previously that working seven days a week is unhealthy for anyone. You just proved it by working for 31 days straight and are having difficulty. Just looking at what you are listing, etc. does not get to the root of the difficulty. Please listen to an old guy.... Life goes by very quickly. We need to strike a balance in our lives or we suffer if we do not. Best of luck!

[@backfromburnout]

Gary, this is one of my favourite comments. And you are very right. I am very self aware of the deep rooted reasons why I’m like this. I know the reasons why I push myself so hard but it’s also hard for me to change those patterns. But I am aware it’s a vicious circle for me. One thing that’s come with age is I can now recognise it and I 100% know that I don’t want to push myself listing like a crazy woman going forward like this. I’ve taken this entire week off using holiday mode on my store to spend quiet time really evaluating how I want my business. I think I almost needed this challenge to push me to the this limit so I can move forward with a better balance. :)

[@gared287]

@@backfromburnout It is a plus that you recognize the pattern that has a hold of you. Change is never easy, but when you recognize it and correct it, that is a big plus. None of us can completely change our behavior as it is imprinted in our brains at an early age. That said, you only have one life. Enjoy your kids (unless they are teenagers....) while you can because one day they will walk out the front door and your Mom job will be pretty much accomplished. Enjoy all the other aspects of your life as they come for just a moment and then pass into your personal history and live only in your memory. As I mentioned, this is offered to you by an old guy who is a bunch of years ahead of you. Peace and Love from the Boomer Generation. Good luck!

[@sharonduran1619]

You need work life balance.

[@backfromburnout]

Yes I sure do lol. I haven’t quite found that yet but I’m on the road to trying.

[@therobinmasterstheory1636]

Now do the opposite... and list nothing for 31 days... and see what happens. :)

[@backfromburnout]

I might and could just do that ha ha. I’ve got my store in holiday mode while I am trying to reevaluate business and life so haven’t listed lol

[@SuperRashead]

Sorry but it's not a good picture, at used to be in your vids.

[@backfromburnout]

Do you mean the camera quality?

[@SuperRashead]

@@backfromburnout I'm sorry, yes i mean the quality :-D

[@backfromburnout]

I just use my phone (always have). I’m not too fancy or high tech.

[@SuperRashead]

@@backfromburnout I'm sorry you broke down. Tryed my self. Not funny. I worked 18 hours, 7 days a week for 6 month. With computers. Downturn.

[@storageinvaders7029]

TO MUCH TALKING