Can I have your attention?
I've been working on putting my hooks in.
My goal is to grow my email list. To do that, I have a brand new Instagram strategy. Both require hooks. I need to get people to want to know more, see more, click more.
October was a great start. I only asked my closest friends and Instagram followers a few times this month, and I already have 24 email subscribers! But the work is never done. I need to keep them interested. And I have an opportunity to do that every week, as long as I stay clear with what I offer, present the goods with a strong subject line, and over-deliver on the inside.
I heard Mr. Beast (the mega-successful YouTuber) say he works on a thumbnail before creating a video. I'm doing the same for compelling subject lines. If someone isn't enticed to open the email, who cares what's inside?
Plus, I realized I've been doing Instagram all wrong. It's all about Reels nowadays. Instagram is competing with TikTok for short-form video. Instagram doesn't want my once-weekly thrifting Stories, they want original video. I've gone down a rabbit hole researching and I hope to keep putting the hooks in for people to watch along.
By the numbers
Spend: $241.62
Net profit: $552.53 (vs. $791.53 last month)
Listed on eBay: 41 (vs. 52 last month)
eBay rating: 100%
What Sold
Highlights
Follow along
I just missed my goal. I wanted 30 subscribers in one month, I ended with 24. Not bad for the first go! I can't help but be grateful for anyone at all who would sign up to read what a stranger knows about toys.
I've also learned quickly that you need to remind people about what you offer. It's right there on this website and in my Instagram bio, but that's never enough. You need to keep proving and providing yourself.
Climbing the charts
Most newsletter emails have dogshit open rates. It's probably because most are tricking people into signing up for them. No trickery here. And my open rates have been consistently hovering around 70%!
Pillowfort fun
I need to remember to share my wins and my inventory. I was thrilled to sell a Pillowfort octopus throw pillow this past month. I offhandedly shared the sale with a friend, and she was so enamored she wished out loud she could have one. Good news - I had another! Two sales for the price of one.
Fails
C’mon Kelly
Returns are rare for me. But they happen. I was wrong this time. I used a similar listing for a Funko Exclusive figure. Except I didn't notice the exclusive figure was a very specific shade of pink while the original figure was purple. It was too close to realize and I paid for it. Oh well.
Going forward
I haven't had this kind of clarity in quite a while. If you're a loyal reader, you'd know I've had a number of months where I was just selling like normal. Now, the game has changed.
IG Strategy
There are a number of disciplines I can begin to boost my Instagram audience:
- Create more, specifically more Reels and more regular posts
- Use 5 minutes every day to search hashtags and try to connect with fellow resellers
Blog it up
I want to beef up my emails. A few bolos might be enough for some, but I want links to more. I want ot really over-deliver.
I'd like to write two blogs this month to entice my readers. Let's see if it's worth the squeeze.
Let’s get back to work!
