eBay (Original #1)

eBay is a great example of social media.  It brings people together in an online person-to-person trading company.  People on ebay participate in many ways, including buying, selling, and surfing.

ebay 1995-2012

When I opened my ebay.com account in 1997, Sellers needed their own web sites to post photos of items they were selling. The photos were then linked to the items listed on eBay.  The process of listing items and posting photos was very cumbersome and time consuming.  Sending invoices and getting paid was also very cumbersome.  For the most part, buyers paid for items with money orders and personal checks.  Keeping track of what was paid for and what was shipped was also very time consuming.

Over the years, eBay has streamlined the entire process making the process of selling, and buying, a very seamless task.  Now, among other things, as you can see below, eBay tracks my total sales for the month, what's been paid for, shipped (and provides the tracking number), and whether feedback has been given or received.

As I have been a participant on eBay since 1997, I have seen the transformation.  eBay stays in tune with all participants by sending monthly newsletters and updates about new policies to buyers and sellers.  They constantly ask for feedback regarding transactions and customer service is available online or by phone--almost instantly. There are also discussion forums and groups for eBay members to join.  They also have mobile phone apps, RSS and twitter feeds.

They provide informational videos, such as this how to sell with eBay mobile video:

In September, eBay introduced a new logo to coincide with the 'new' ebay:  "the changes we're making reflect the new eBay and our evolution as a marketplace that connects the world to the things they need and love.  Technology is enabling a revolution in how people shop, and eBay is enabling the future of commerce.  In the future of commerce, shopping is personal, driven by data.  We want to make moments of inspiration instantly shoppable."

ebay 2012-

Learn more about the new eBay:  http://www.ebay.com/new.

You can also join eBay radio http://player.liquidcompass.net/VMRNIR

eBay is not only a great example of social media, but also a great example of a company who changes with the ever-evolving technologies to create and keep the best possible service/s for its customers/participants.

Why is this so Difficult?

I am very excited about taking this course and learning all about social media marketing and communication. But for some reason, I find myself struggling with creating and posting to my first blog account.  It shouldn't be that hard. I consider myself computer literate.  I am proud of the fact that I taught myself almost all of what I know about computers.  I am fluent in both PC and Mac operating systems and have excellent Microsoft Office Suite skills (Word, Powerpoint, Publisher, Access, Excel, Frontpage). I can manage my way through Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. I use Quickbooks and many other software programs.  I created a Facebook account and am an active participant, and I have been selling merchandise on ebay since 1997.

Why is this so difficult?  I have never had trouble teaching myself before.  Maybe it's the hesitancy of learning something new.  More likely, it's the fact that this is PUBLIC.  Everything else I taught myself was not being done in the public eye.  Everyone will see what I know/don't know.  Please be patient with me as I edit and change my blog format and add to my information.  I do have confidence this will be a good blog, I just need a little time to learn the ins and outs of blogging and to become comfortable with knowing I'm on public display.