Essay Contest "How eCommerce Helps Feed My Family" Blog About Your Business & Win!

We have started a new contest for readers of the Trading Assistant Journal and listeners of the eBay & Beyond Basics to Business Internet Radio broadcast. 

This is a very short lived contest so you need to get your entries in fast!

Why are we running a contest that ends this Friday?  Basically Dave White and I were presented with a nifty prize on very short notice (free admission to the entire PESA ECMTA Summit in New Orleans for 1 lucky winner) and we had to come up with a way to give this prize away. 

The PESA/ECMTA conference is being held April 22nd through the 25th at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans so we had to act fast!

Since we are always on the lookout for guest bloggers and great content we decided the best way to find both a deserving winner, and a possible future contributor, is to hold a short essay contest. If you ever wanted to contribute to one or more blogs as a writer, this is your chance to introduce yourself to us and the rest of the world.

The rules are simple:

  • Write 200 - 750 words (ideal blog post length) with the title in mind.
  • The title does not have to be "How I feed my Family with eCommerce" or "How eCommerce helps feed my family" but the subject of the post should be focused on these topics.  Judging will be heavily focused upon how you relate your experience as an ecommerce merchant to your income making capability and how that relates to your life.
  • The Article must be submitted by Noon Friday April 18th, 2008 EST
  • Only submissions from non-members of the ECMTA or PESA (eCommerce Merchants Trade Association or Professional eBay Sellers Alliance will be considered to win the prize. (Actually, anyone may submit but you can only win the free registration if your not already a member of PESA or ECMTA - Sorry) -
  • If you have already paid for your registration and win this contest, the registration fee will be refunded!

Thats it - easy rules...

The Prize:

Free Admission / Registration to the PESA/ECMTA Summit in New Orleans a $399 Value.

Guest Blogger Exposure - The Article will be published in the following publications:

As an added bonus, the winning article will be read aloud on the eBay & Beyond Radio show next Saturday April 19th, 2008 and live from a streaming broadcast at the PESA/ECMTA Summit. 

Value - Incalculable

If you have always thought you could write your own blog, or if you just want to share your own story about how eCommerce effects your life and your families life on a daily basis, now it the time to give it a shot!

Submit your entry through the special link found on the "Essay Contest" Tab at the top of this page.

PeSA ECMTA DSRs Conference Call – Final Analysis – What Sellers Should Know

Brandon Dupsky of ECMTA hosted today's special invitation conference call for PeSA/ECMTA members and selected invitees of the Trading Assistant Journal and eBay & Beyond Internet Radio Show.

The call, focusing on the reality of DSRs (Detailed Seller Ratings) and how they effect eBay sellers' businesses, was held at 5PM Eastern time on Thursday, April 10th, 2008.

The intention was not to complain or commiserate about the eBay DSR situation. The goal of this call-in session was to help members of PeSA/ECMTA find a clear path through the eBay DSR minefield and to find a way to move forward into profitability. Some members have found sales levels diminishing because of the new buyer feedback system.

All eBay sellers are obviously worried about being disadvantaged in the new Best Match search, which is tied to the detailed seller ratings left by buyers.

DSRs - Detailed Seller Ratings - What did we learn? Continue reading “PeSA ECMTA DSRs Conference Call – Final Analysis – What Sellers Should Know” »

eBay Ink – New Blog or Same ole eBay? Usher Lieberman Thanks for Trying!

After posting my most recent article about eBay North American GM Stephanie Tilenius and her answers to my Digital Download questions at Catalyst 2008...

I wanted to be sure I was not too harsh and had presented the case from a sellers perspective fairly.  I am not an eBay basher and would prefer to work towards positive change if change is needed.  Change is not always needed, but change usually comes in any case. In an effort to confirm my thoughts as they were presented in my previous post, I went surfing the web looking for blog posts and news articles... Continue reading “eBay Ink – New Blog or Same ole eBay? Usher Lieberman Thanks for Trying!” »

HooRay for Mary Jo Pletz! PA Trading Assistant Charges Dropped!

Great news!

The case against Mary Jo Pletz detailed in the Trading Assistant Journal has been dropped! Mary Jo (Known by her eBay trading name JoJoDoug on the eBay discussion forums) has reported on the ebay forums that she has received a reprieve in the mail -

All charges are dropped by the State of Pennsylvania vs. Mary Jo Pletz - eBay Trading Assistant

GOOD NEWS!!
I received a letter last night. They are dropping the charges filed against me. Why?? It states that what I did MAY constitute a violation of the auctioneering act - and they MAY REOPEN the complaint for any reason they deem appropriate. BUT for now - since I took my name out of the directory "TA", and because I stopped selling for others they are letting me go. I haven't heard back from Barry as of yet to see what his news is. BUT it dosn't mean all of PA is out of the woods yet. I think they are running from the bad press... any thoughts? JoJo

I think we all can feel better for Mary Jo because she certainly did not deserve this persecution ... oops prosecution. Continue reading “HooRay for Mary Jo Pletz! PA Trading Assistant Charges Dropped!” »