Friday, December 17, 2010

More Plans for 2011

I am really looking forward to 2011 and am thinking about the things I would like to accomplish. I have lots of little things in mind that I want to work on.

I posted about organizing my recipes and working on menu planning HERE.

I also want to work on some ways to make extra money in 2011. I enjoyed being able to shop on line this year using my Paypal account and also Swagbucks Amazon Gift Cards. When I sell anything on EBay, Etsy, or earn money doing surveys, the money goes into my Paypal account. It adds up slowly, but by the end of the year it does make a difference. Taking a Pine Cone Research survey only earns me $3.00, but look at it this way. I average 2 surveys a month, so $6.00 a month would be $72.00 a year that goes into the Paypal account.

Right now my Etsy Shop is empty and I'm definitely not a power seller on EBay. But I have high hopes that in 2011 I can be more successful in these endeavors. As soon as my busy life slows down I plan to sew some projects for the Etsy Shop and dabble a bit in selling on EBay.

I couldn't help sharing with you THIS POST , on the EBay Selling Coach's blog that shows one item that is selling well on EBay right now. This just goes to show that you never know what people will buy. I guess I just don't understand the dynamics of what the public wants! Imagine paying more than $40.00 for an "Ugly Christmas Sweater". Amazing!

One tip I have learned from my limited experience in selling on EBay is that timing is everything. I sold several exercise dvds in January a couple of years ago. I doubt they would have sold very well in December, but as soon as January 1st gets here, everyone will be trying to keep their New Year's resolution to exercise! The same thing goes for the Ugly Christmas Sweater. After December 25th, I doubt anyone will be interested.

As for Swagbucks, this is the tip I have for you. I don't spend a lot of time worrying about earning these. I just use the Swagbucks search engine every time I do a search. I have come to the conclusion that you only earn swagbucks a couple of times a day. I always earn some Swagbucks the first or second search of the day. Then several hours will go by before I earn any more. So I think the best way to routinely add Swagbucks to your account is to do searches first thing in the morning and then again at the end of the day. Also there are 4 Swagbucks that are free each day. These add up VERY slowly, but they will make a difference over time.

I've heard from many blog readers that are turned off by blogs that are full of money making ads and the like. I am limiting any ads to the Swagbucks Widget and Etsy Shop Widget on my side bar Other than those my blog doesn't have any advertisements on it and I don't consider it a money making blog. I am reluctant to push my Etsy Shop too much on here. But, I was thinking that I will do a weekly post that shows any new items listed in my Etsy Shop. It will be titled something like this: Weekly Etsy Shop Update. This way anyone who isn't interested will see the title and just skip it.

I hope you'll join me in preparing for 2011!

12 comments:

Terri said...

Your plans sound good, Debbie! I think once Christmas is over and things slow down (I have the week after off), I'll begin to be able to think about the New Year.

Mary Ann said...

I do Pinecone surveys too and average about 3 a month. That pretty much paid for our extended family Christmas gifts this year. $3 do add up over time!

I'm all about not despising the small things. God uses them and can multiply them!

We do swagbucks but it has been a slow process. My husband has started doing a few of the surveys each day to earn a few more. I just do not have time for an extra thing!

I struggle a little with pushing my Etsy shop too much on my blog. I say a lot about frugality but then I say, "Please buy my stuff!" :-) But I also realize I have to start somewhere and my blog is a good place to start spreading the word about what I have available. I do want to be more successful in 2011 with it and I like your idea of doing a weekly update and then those interested can read it and the others can go on to something else!

I enjoy reading about your planning for the new year!

Suzanne A. Wells said...

Thanks for the mention in your post! Yes, ugly sells on eBay. That is one of my buying criteria, the uglier the better!

Happy Holidays,

Suzanne

Denise said...

Some food for thought for the new year, I will have to check into Swagbucks and figure out Paypal.

Granny said...

Debbie, the items you put in your Etsy shop are so cute and the prices are great. I hope you continue to put your Etsy things on your blog. With the new trend of line drying clothes your clothespin holders should be a great seller.

I'd love to get started taking pinecone surveys. How do you sign up? Every little bit helps.

Anonymous said...

I agree that lots of blogs are over the top with advertising. It takes away from the content.

Nothing wrong to mention your shop. Etsy is great and I think it's wonderful to purchase from a small business, something that I like to do when possible. The economy is still so tough in many areas - it sure is here (in spite of what they keep telling us in the national news). I think some people are still cautious in their spending - but you never know. I hope it goes great for you.

Yes, so glad for a new year upon us. Swirling with hopes and goals here too. Fresh starts are refreshing, and sometimes we need that! Lyn :)

Anonymous said...

I don't feel like you should be reluctant in showing your etsy shop items at all. I enjoy seeing them!

Melinda

Anonymous said...

Hi Debbie,
Sounds like you are on your way to a wonderful new year. I have been plugging away here. Getting my plans for 2011 all in order.
Have a Very Merry Christmas.
Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

I agree with others, it's your blog and nothing wrong with showing your etsy shoppe, I do, and it has brought in some sales from my blog(currently on vacation).

Some tips with Swagbucks. It is just me on my account(no others signed up), but I have learned that if you misspell a word and Swagbucks ask "did you mean.." click their spelling. You should get bucks that way. And if you go through most of the pages and hit previous, you should get some also. Not sure when I signed up, but have gotten Paypal $$, 2 gc for resturants, and currently have 910 Swagbucks. Also Friday is like double Swagbuck day.

blessings,
jilly

Ruth said...

Sounds like you have a plan! Don't you just love how all those little things add up? I have almost $100 in Amazon credit just from swagbucks...and I "do" swagbucks much the same way you do. Also, like you, I hope to build up my Etsy this year....

Anonymous said...

Hi Debbie,
Just wanted to pop in and say have a Wonder Christmas and a Joyous New Year!!!

Coleen

Deanna said...

Your etsy updates don't sound obtrusive. People can read or not read depending on their interest. You inspire me to consider branching out. Making money sewing seems like such a novel idea. But lately I have had a few opportunities and can see that a little extra really adds up. Thanks for the suggestions.

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