Wholesale This week I thought I’d have a quick look at good use of social media and ask, ‘can social media make or break your business?’ I was intrigued to see the furore caused yesterday, 16th April 2018, when the pub chain JD Wetherspoon announced it was quitting its social media accounts. Ironically the vehicle it […]
marketing
LinkedIn for SME’s: Useful or not?
It was announced yesterday (13/06.2016) that Microsoft is to purchase LinkedIn, the professional networking website, for $26bn (£18bn), which equates to $196 a share. That’s a lot of money. Apparently the deal will enable Microsoft to boost sales of its business and email software, although to be fair, it doesn’t sound as though they’re failing […]
Worth every penny! 6 products that unexpectedly went viral
It was drawn to my attention this week, that media coverage of certain items can pique interest and ensure that prices rise. You have to be on your toes to catch the wave, blink and you’ve missed it. So I had a look at products that unexpectedly went viral and here’s my top six. The […]
5 Funniest eBay Listings That Went Viral – Wholesale Clearance Blog
Have you ever wondered just how to ensure that your eBay auctions attract a great deal of interest? Perhaps you can take a look at these five auctions that went viral and get some tips on how to write yours! 2005 Renault Clio Dynamique 16V Blue This Renault Clio scored a magnificent 470,000 hits in […]
Planning your week? Best days to buy and sell
Another weekend has disappeared in a puff of smoke. I failed miserably to list some things on eBay that I wanted to, although I did go online to buy myself a new raincoat after mine fell apart during a ‘light shower’ (it was practically ripped from my body by the violence of the rain). This […]
Cool hunter? Meet the new eBay Collections!
If you’re a fan of Pinterest then you’ll be pleased to discover that eBay is revamping its UK website so that it includes a range of new features that will compete with other websites such as Pinterest and Etsy. If you’ve never heard of Pinterest you may be wondering what I’m on about. Pinterest is […]
What’s in a name? Tips for naming your new business
Naming your business can be both stressful and fun. If you like being creative then finding just the right name for your business is part of the exciting process of starting up. On the other hand if you don’t have a creative or reflective bone in your body you’ll end up just using your initials […]
Brands are incredibly powerful
Consider the Pepsi Challenge. According to a series of blind taste-tests, Pepsi is more popular than Coca-Cola. Despite this, Coca-Cola always proves more popular than Pepsi when people are asked to choose between them. The reason for this? The power of the brand. A brand is a carefully crafted personality, designed to be memorable, attract […]
Build a bonfire, build a bonfire: discounting items for sale on eBay, the how, when and why.
So that might be the longest title I have ever used in this blog but I wanted somehow to get a link in to bonfire night given that it’s November the 5th, however tenuous it might be. But in my mind the link is that instead of burning unwanted stock – let’s sell it for […]
Giving something back: raising the profile of your business through good works
For many people who are working in small businesses the idea of ‘giving back’ or working with ‘corporate social responsibility’ as large businesses call it, is something that comes perfectly naturally. Small businesses tend be more generous and more socially and culturally aware simply because they are such an integral part of the community and […]
In for a penny, in for a pound: the rise and rise of the Pound shop
I was having a conversation with a friend of mine the other day who owns a sweet seaside gift shop that sells a wide range of mid-priced gifts. She mentioned that without the cheaper pound shop lines that she offers, she would be in serious trouble some days. She has to work hard to take […]
Build a Brand on a Budget, Not a Budget Brand
If you are looking for ways to build your public profile you may be wondering how to do that when you don’t actually have much in the way of cash to spare. Marketing has become a complex beast over the years. There are now literally dozens of ways to get in touch with your customers […]
Why do small businesses fail?
A friend of mine is just opening a new shop in East Devon. It’s a massive gamble for her and her partner and while she is hugely excited she is also very concerned. She has been picking my brains about how to make her business successful. While I have been trying to be very positive, […]
Diversifying your stock offer
In these difficult economic times, running a small business can be extremely hard work. In spite of news items suggesting that online retail sales have rocketed (Retail Gazette for example, reports that ‘online retail sales rose 16 per cent year-on-year last month (March 2013), driven by clothing sales despite the freezing weather’) you may be […]
Life’s a Pitch
As an entrepreneur you are almost certainly going to need to make a pitch on occasion. It is a really useful skill to have if you are in the business of selling services and products, or if you ever need some investment or a loan for your business from a bank or other financial provider. […]
VAT! Value added …. thoughts
I’m feeling a little philosophical this morning and I’ve seen two quotes on my Facebook feed that I really like. The first was written by a freelance designer who said ‘the more I charge you, the more pressure I put on myself to perform for you’ and the second by American business magnate, investor, and […]