• If You Sell Your Stamps on eBay 

• Direct Sales Facts & Figures (Part 4)  

• Book Now for 2005 Live Appearances

• What You Need to Know About 'Check 21'

• Stamping Business Coaching Group Has Openings

• Book Recommendation of the Month

• Finally, Don't Forget to Vote

If You Sell Your Stamps on eBay...

Many of you sell your retired stamp sets on eBay.  It's a great way to generate extra revenue.  Like anything else, though, there are things you can do to increase your sales.

Entrepreneur magazine and eBay recently published a fantastic guide for people who want to start an eBay-related business.  Here are some of their tips to help increase your bids: 

 - Do not use all capital letters in the listing's title

Many people think all caps is eye-catching.  The truth is study after study show that all caps is much harder to read and less appealing to the eye than a combination of capital and lowercase letters. 

 - Do start with a low opening bid

A low opening bid encourages more people to step into the bidding process.  Once they're in, they're likely to stick around.  This increases your chances of a bidding war when the auction is close to closing - thereby driving up the final sale price.

 - Do not set a reserve price

Even though nobody sees the actual reserve price, studies have shown that people are less likely to place an initial bid on listings that have a reserve.

 - Do use the 'Buy It Now' feature

BIN allows buyers to avoid the auction process altogether.  Set your BIN price at or just under where you would like to see the auction close. 

Finally, remember that most stamping companies prohibit the sale of active stamp sets.  You're only permitted to sell retired ones.

Book Now for 2005 Live Appearances!

The calendar is already filling up for live appearances in 2005!  

John's presentations are designed to inform, motivate and inspire your downline or group to define their goals and build their business.  

Unlike many other speakers, however, John's presentations are designed exclusively for stamping professionals - not the entire direct sales industry.  John understands the unique challenges stamping business owners face, and is able to address them specifically.  

John also shares concrete steps everyone can take to make their business a success - whether they just want a self-supporting hobby, or a full-fledged stamping business!

If you're in charge of planning events for your downline or group, we'd love to speak with you about having John present at your event.  

For more information about booking John for an appearance in front of your group, send us an e-mail, or click here for more information.

What You Need To Know About 'Check 21'

Beginning October 28th, the Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act, or Check 21, will go into effect.

Check 21 was signed into law in October of last year, and is designed to take advantage of innovations in technology to help banks speed up the processing of checks.

What does that mean for you?  Two things:

1. No more cancelled checks - If you're used to receiving your cashed and cancelled checks with your bank statement, you'll see a change over the next year.  Banks will begin sending out reduced reproductions instead.

2. No more 'float' - Because the new law allows banks to transmit images of checks electronically, rather than provide the actual document, checks will clear in one day, instead of the usual three or more.  This means you'll receive money paid to you faster.  It also means you should only write checks for money you have in your account.  You won't be able to count on the extra day or two to get the money in there. 

To learn more about Check 21, go to http://www.federalreserve.gov/paymentsystems/truncation/

Stamping Business Coaching Group

Has Openings 

Beginning November 4th, we will have a handful of openings in our Thursday

evening Stamping Business Coaching Group.  The Group meets, via conference call, every Thursday night at 10:00 p.m. (Eastern).  We limit the number of people in the Group to 10 - taken on a first-come, first-served basis.  When we fill up the Group, your name can be added to a waiting list.

If you're looking to make 2005 the year you take your stamping business to the next level, this is the perfect time to start Group Coaching.  You'll have the next two months to get your plan together and get up to speed, so you can hit the ground running in the New Year.

For more information, or to sign up, go to www.stampingismybusiness.com/GroupCoaching.htm. 

Book Recommendation of the Month

Finally, Don't Forget To Vote!