To me, rainy days are normally great days to thrift. Less traffic. Less number of people resourcing, nice and quiet! But this weekend was different. Time to do some much needing cleaning.
· Cleaning out storage areas.
· Cleaning out death piles.
· Cleaning stale listings.
First big tackle was the storage areas. Not just the bins but the organization areas. Revamping the system to refresh and make it easier to track the different platforms and even cross-posting bins. My stores are still small enough to keep track but as my goal is to double in listings in size by the end of the year, I need to update my system for ease in managing and locating items in the most convenient and efficient way possible that fits my needs. I’m not trying to show you how to sort, there are plenty of people online able to show you different methods. I’m just saying find a way that works for you and the sooner the better.
I also needed to clean out my death piles. I need to be realistic. Some items seemed great ideas in the store but once I got home, I took out those that would make me a higher ROI and listed those first and worked my way from there on down. I’d list until I got tired and the rest get sent to my storage area bins for “later”. Well today is the day of reckoning. Pull the items that I think still fit my store model. List what I can today. If I still think it has value but don’t think I will get to it just yet, I may hold onto it for a while longer. After all, with more rainy days in the forecast and change in season just around the corner, I will still hold onto some items for days when I cannot go out to source. Remember, fourth quarter will be here sooner than you think so plan now. Don’t wait until it’s too late. I also made a nice pile of items of items to donate. Sometimes you just have to know when to let go. If it doesn’t feel right for my store but could still have value to someone else, clear the space and move on. And get that tax receipt!
And finally, clean stale listings. You probably know which ones are in your store that have just been sitting there far too long. Look it over. Does it need a new pic? How about your keywords? Can rewording be what is needed? If nothing else, for an old listing, END it, and then SELL SIMILAR with a few key changes to clean it up could possibly give it the boost needed in the algorithm.
This simple cleaning day (or weekend in my case!) may be boring but should still be a step everyone takes. Just like housework, most people don’t like doing it, but you have to admit, once it’s done, you feel better. You feel like a big task was accomplished and you get that positive feeling that you are moving in the right direction.
Good luck and keep on listing!