eBay’s Parent Panel Program
Last week eBay kicked off their Parent Panel program with an opportunity for members to attend eBay On Location in Orlando, Florida.
eBay Parent Panel members attend eBay On Location Photo by Tonja Deegan of Airfoil PR
12 of the 22 ambassadors participated in a kick-off summit that included a day of programming specifically designed for Parent Panel members. Sessions provided the opportunity to learn about the brand-blogger relationship, resources such as the eBay mobile, initiatives like eBay green, and receive expert tips on topics including SEO from eBay experts.
Parent Panel member Kim Grenon of Mommycosm was impressed that eBay took the time to provide education for the Parent Panel with sessions on PR and SEO and finds it “exciting to partner with a company willing to invest in our education and training.”
“I particularly enjoyed what I’d call the SEO/SEM immersion hosted by eBay SEO specialist Robert Chatwani,” recalled Eric Payne from Makes Me Wanna Holler. “I never anticipated learning a little bit more than I already knew about social media from an eBay convention.” Payne said that what he appreciated most about eBay experience is that “eBay wasn’t rammed down our throats.” Topics covered during the Parent Panel sessions will “serve us both in our efforts with the eBay Parent Panel as well as our other multiple blogging pursuits.”
Robert Chatwani's SEO session was popular among both bloggers and sellers
The following day Parent Panel members joined 1000 experienced sellers to attend eBay On Location. Differentiated course tracks provided instruction on eBay selling basics, beyond the basics, and business. Sessions featuring industry leaders and coaches provided best practices and included information on topics like creating listings to attract buyers, maximizing effectiveness as a seller, marketing your business using Web 2.0 tools and social media, and legal and tax aspects for sellers as small business owners.
As casual eBay sellers, Parent Panel ambassadors found the sessions to be “chock full of information for newbies to Top Sellers and everyone in between” according to Emily Hill of Is This Really My Life? “Though I’ve casually bought and sold on eBay for over 15 years, I took pages of notes I can’t wait to implement when I start listing again. And with the state of my closets, drawers, garage and basement, I’ll be listing items very, very soon!”
Alica Harper (aka Mommy Delicious) loved the “ demonstration to show just how easy peasy it is to use the eBay mobile app.” Some beginners tips she found helpful included posting photos of clothing that feature people wearing the item to show the fit, starting slow when first listing items, and offer free shipping. “Since we are cleaning out our closets to make room for fall items, I was inspired to sell a few of my son’s outgrown clothing,” Harper said. “It’s amazing how many little treasures in my home I can monetize off of.”
@eBayInkBlog's Richard Brewer-Hay, Mike Johnson, and Eric Payne in the Social Media Lounge
“As a blogger, I loved that so many of the eBay on Location sessions were relevant to not just selling on eBay, but blogging too! Social Media, SEO, and Legal/Tax Aspects were all very valuable topics,” said Sara Wellensiek of Mom Endeavors.
The two day event provided a wealth of content that Parent Panel members look forward to sharing with readers and putting into practice as they try to grow their eBay businesses.
“eBay on Location and eBay Parent were awesome,” exclaimed Kris Cain (aka Little Tech Girl). “The programming was rich and very well organized. I’ve been an eBay junkie for a long time and I am very much looking forward to continuing my addiction to eBay in a different way! I’m looking forward to sharing what I learn with my readers so that they can use eBay to their full advantage.
Caroline Murphy, a Florida based blogger who is the founder of Smarty Pants Mama said, “eBay on Location was a fantastic experience. To be able to hear tips for successful eBay-ing first hand from eBay staff and Power Sellers who have “been there, done that” was priceless. I walked away motivated to sell and motivated to share how to sell!
Jacqui Stewart from Single Parent Retreat was inspired to start listing items to fund the purchase of a new iPhone. “I listed a lot of 14 books, instead of selling individually. This was suggested because buyers like to feel they are getting more bang for their buck.”
Carolina Mama Blog Malise Terrell summarized the sentiment of her co-panelists by saying, “It was inspirational to meet the eBay Parent Panel. What a dynamic group! I look forward to sharing how we can repurpose items and save money successfully in the next year!”
Parent Panel members Emily Hill, Kris Cain, and Caroline Murphy
The 22 eBay Parent Panel members include:
- Alicia Harper, Mommy Delicious @MommyDelicious
- Kris Cain, Little Tech Girl @LittleTechGirl
- Jacqui Stewart, Single Parent Retreat @SnglPrntRetreat
- Heather Buen, Dallas Single Mom @DallasSingleMom
- Mike Johnson, Playground Dad @PlaygroundDad
- Josh Becker, DadStreet @DadStreet
- Kim Grenon, Mommycosm @Mommycosm
- Eric Payne, Makes Me Wanna Holler @EPayneTheDad
- Leticia Barr, Tech Savvy Mama @TechSavvyMama
- Frederick Goodall, Mocha Dad @MochaDad
- Jenn Padgett, Five Dollar Shake @5_Dollarshake
- Sara Wellensiek, Mom Endeavors @MomEndeavors
- Jenny Ingram, Jenny on the Spot @JennyOnTheSpot
- Caroline Murphy, Smarty Pants Mama @SmartyPantsMama
- Jill Bender, Single Mom on a Budget @SingleMomOnABgt
- Melanie Edwards, Modern Mami @ModernMami
- Kristen Lesney-Ruiz, Our Ordinary Life @OurOrdinaryLife
- Beth Davis, The Plus Size Mommy @PlusSizeMommy
- Malise Terrell, Carolina Mama Blog @CarolinaMama
- Emily Hill, Is This Really My Life @EmiHill
- Sommer Poquette, Green and Clean Mom @GreenMom
Malise Terrell and Kim Grenon after the eBay Dinner
All photos by Leticia Barr unless noted otherwise.
I’m a parent panel mom too but I’m not on your list! So excited to get started!
How exciting! I’m an Ebay seller and I have never heard of the Ebay Parent Panel.
How exciting! I’ve never heard of an Ebay Parent Panel and I’ve been selling on Ebay for awhile now.
It’s great to be a part of this program and I’m happy to be a part of such a wonderful team! Thanks for the recap and showcasing the panel.
Leticia! Awesome article and great recap! Thank you for sharing all these great memories! Look forward to doing it again sometime.
Fabulous recap! Makes me want to hop on a plane and head back to Orlando…of course, only if you come with me! :) And how did I miss the social media lounge?!?!
Great article, Leticia! It was a pleasure meeting you & the other panel members last week! :) I’m thrilled to be working with everyone!
Leticia, I agree with Alicia. You definitely covered different aspects between the eBay Parent Panel Program and the eBay on Location. Looking forward to working with you this next year!
Great article, Leticia! (And I’m not just saying that because I’m quoted here). You really did a nice job of capturing many angles of the conference. I’m so excited to be working with all of you this year. Cheers!