The Hub Challenge is a Great Way to Prepare for Christmas Selling

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   Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years ago

   For those of you who haven't been selling online before, you won't believe how things explode during the Christmas selling season. If you don't have some hubs up and ready, I'm afraid you'll feel a little left out.
   
   I've done this for over 10 years now, and I remember almost passing out my first Christmas when I saw what sales were like. (I had started in early January, so I did have a year's worth of work.)
   
   Generally the feeling is that webpages should be up by Sept 1 to have time to cure in Google. But I really believe that Hubs are picked up so fast by G, that if they're up by Oct 31, you'll be seeing some sales for the Christmas Season.
   
   So I've decided to make at least 50 hubpages during this next challenge geared toward Christmas sales. But if you do 30 in 30, I think you'll be amazed at what you see in November and December.

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      viryaboposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Great advice Nellie. Been procastinating. Thinking about taking part in the next one, i think starting tomorrow. Not sure.

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      cosetteposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      really?
      
      wow.
      
      thanks so much for this info. i'm psyched!

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   stefferposted 13 years ago

   hey thanks for the great tip, you gave.
   do we need to sign up for the hubchallenge or something?

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   Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years ago

   No you don't. Just write your 30 hubs in 30 days and you can post them in the topic in this forum.
   
   There are some sticky topics at the beginning of the forum to help you get started. And Darkside and Ryan hav posted some great info.

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      RedElfposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Sorry, I am confused - I confuse easily some days -Do we post our links in this thread or in the challenge forum - cause I am def in for this!
      Red

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   stefferposted 13 years ago

   thanks

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   lrohnerposted 13 years ago

   Nelle -- As always, you are a fountain of wisdom. Thanks for this!

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   Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years ago

   You're very welcome. Does this mean you're joining us?

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   Aquaposted 13 years ago

   I really, really want to participate but I'm afraid with going to school full time, I just won't be able to keep up. At some point, something's got to give.
   
   I will definitely write as many as I can though. Here's to the challenge!

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   KCC Big Countryposted 13 years ago

   You are so right, Nelle!  I missed out last year. I was just too new and too green.  I'm really excited about this year!  I've started my 4th HubChallenge yesterday and have invited everyone to join me.  It's nothing you have to officially sign up for, but if you want people to know you have it would be nice to speak up....LOL  As Nelle said, there is lots of info that Ryan and Darkside have put in the forums and there is a thread to post your links as you publish your hubs.

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      Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      With over 200 hubs I think you'll be having a very merry Christmas this year!

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   Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years ago

   Hi RedElf I'm glad you're joining us.
   
   Post your challenge hubs in the topic at the beginning of the 30 Hubs in 30 Days Forum. It's right at the top. You can't miss it and you'll see everyone elses' hubs.
   
   Don't worry I have those days when I confuse easily too, everyone does.

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    NaomiRposted 13 years ago

    Thanks for the tip, Nelle. I'm in!
    
    ... off to brainstorm Christmas hubs....

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    KCC Big Countryposted 13 years ago

    Welcome aboard RedElf & Naomi!

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    emievilposted 13 years ago

    Hey Nelle, how did I miss this post of yours? I was actually thinking of putting one hub (only one for now) for Amazon. If I do, may I ask you to look at it and give me feedback?

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       Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Let me know when it's up. I'll be glad to give it the once over.

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          emievilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Woohhooo, thanks Nelle *hugz*.

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    girly_girl09posted 13 years ago

    Good idea, Nelle. I am definitely going to try to get in a few. I have been a bit disappointed with adsense earnings this month so far, so hopefully some product hubs will translate into more amazon sales for the 4th quarter.

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    Dale Mazurekposted 13 years ago

    Nelle is so right,  My one particuliar niche is geared towards adsense and I am already seeing the numbers go up.
    
    Every year through October, November and December my adsense earnings go from consistent three figures to quite high 4 figures
    
    You gotta love Christmas

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    lynnechandlerposted 13 years ago

    I'm looking forward to this year and seeing what happens. Kinda getting in a little late cause I was posting stuff elsewhere when I should have been here since I joined. I'm trying to make up for the lost time though with this months postings.

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    Flightkeeperposted 13 years ago

    Thank you Nellie, you inspired me to complete one hub about toys. You're great to give us a nudge so that we can prepare for the Christmas season.

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    Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years ago

    It is taking a bit longer for Google to get to our hubs - about a week or so - so it is important to work on Christmas hubs now.
    
    Merchandising and marketing is such a strange world. You always have to be 3 to 6 months ahead to stay on course. I made list for Christmas hub ideas in July. Now I'm already making lists for Valentine's Day and St. Patricks. And trying to think about less obvious niche plays as well.

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       Flightkeeperposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Wow you really prepare ahead, it's great to give us a heads up. Most of us don't really think about merchandising and marketing but I know that you've been really successful at it so I'm taking your advice.

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       Lily Roseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Just wanted to say thanks, Nelle, for posting this.  I knew about having to let your hubs "age" before they get ranked, but it didn't click until I read your thread that I better get off by ass and get writing some more!
       
       You probably noticed, I got out 6 hubs yesterday, only one today so far.  Hopefully I'll get in a couple over the weekend.
       
       Google is picking up for me lately and last I checked earlier today I was about $2.55 from my first payout!
       
       Amazon is not doing well for me - made about 14 sales over the last 3 months and not very much commission.  Hopefully it'll pick up soon.

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    earnerposted 13 years ago

    I am in the UK, it's annoying that I the ebay and amazon are US-based ones as I feel it limits a lot of opportunities for writing about the local area and goings  on because any ebay/amazon items would be for the US versions.
    
    I find often the stuff just isn't available on the US ebay at all, or if it is then a UK clicker would find themselves on the .com ebay and switch off, also prices are in $.  So I have to either write for the American market (with your crazy spellings and different words for things), or just accept that earnings are less in the UK when writing about local things.

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       Julie-Ann Amosposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       It's really not that big a barrier.  I'm in the Uk and make 3 figures a month from Amazon with no real effort and very few hubs specifically aimed at Amazon (maybe 6 or so?).  Writing for UK readers would reduce your potential readership by a factor of what - 100 times?  I have no problem writing for the US/global market and it's huge readership and therefore huge click potential!
       
       I do have local pages too and choose specific amazon products available from .com if I WANT to have amazon on there.
       
       I got over the spellings issue VERY early on in my writing career.  A client is a client and they get what they pay for.  So if I want hubtraffic the US spellings win search traffic on google every time - so that's where I aim the bulk of effort.

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       KevCCposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       It's the World Wide Web! I always go for the biggest market. I live in the UK but I've been using the internet for so long I guess I just naturally assume that the USA is the main market. I've always been an affiliate for Amazon.com. Never co.uk. I don't think many people in the UK can spell anyway these days LOL.

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    Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years ago

    Some results so far.
    
    I really started my Christmas Ebay hubs on September 28. A few days befor KCC started her October Challenge. After she announced her challenge, I decided that I'd do 50 hubs in October and that they would all be geared toward Ebay Christmas sales.
    
    That first September 28 hub is already getting Christmas traffic from google. In the last 24 hours I've gotten 12 Google hits and they've all been from keywords of people looking for Christmas stuff.
    
    So it's definitely not too late (or too early) to be thinking about Christmas. And from what I'm seeing Hubpages is a great place to set up shop for the holidays.
    
    I'm really psyched to get up 50 of these sales hubs before 11/1.
    
    Are you guys with existing Christmas stuff hubs up - already seeing Christmas traffic starting up?

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       earnerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Just a reminder for people reading this - don't feel you've missed out if you weren't ready, aren't ready, are new and still looking around ... once a hub is built it's built - it'll still be there next year and this time next year you could be simply updating and promoting what you write now (whether you're reading this in October 2009, August 2010 ... or even September 2012).
       
       Good luck everybody!

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       girly_girl09posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks for sharing your results, Nelle. I am definitely inspired to try writing more 'Christmas' hubs by the first of next month because of you! Now, if only I can find the time.
       
       I don't really have Christmas oriented hubs (well, I didn't write them with that intention). But I do have a few gadget and product hubs that would make great Christmas gifts and that traffic has been rising.
       
       I made $42 yesterday on Amazon alone - my highest day yet! The products sold just might have been for Christmas gifts, who knows. If only everyday was like yesterday on Amazon and Adsense, I'd be making over 3k a month in passive income! (A girl can dream!)

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          Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          GG, you're starting to get amazing Amazon results! All that work this summer is really paying off! Don't worry there's school vacation. You'll still sell stuff this Christmas from your hubs. This is really great news.

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             girly_girl09posted 13 years agoin reply to this

             Thanks, Nelle! It is super exciting to see residual income months later! Even though I don't have as much time to hub right now, the income continues with little effort as my hubs start to increase in google's and other se's engines. (Still not having any luck with bing lol...any tips?) I get maybe 5 views from Bing a day, out of an average 850 views. According to analytics, those bing visits convert well for adsense. So, I'd love more bing traffic!

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    wrenfrost56posted 13 years ago

    Thank's Nelle! I hadn't really thought about how christmas would influence my hubs, (but of course it will.) I am going to start brainstorming today!

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    waynetposted 13 years ago

    That's great Nelle!
    
    I've done a few christmas hubs in the past, but if we can increase them each year, the old ones can be updated and if related linked to the new and old ones that we do.
    
    I like to write product hubpages, especially review type ones on products I've already bought online or offline and this new Ebay quality click pricing is turning out ok for my earnings too

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       Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I don't really know what to make of the Ebay changes and what to expect. My ebay sales were so low prior to the change, I have nothing to compare them too.

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    Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years ago

    I only get 3 or 4 Bing visitors a a day. Relache has posted that she's getting some good Bing traffic. Yahoo has really been picking up lately, so maybe Bing will be next.

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    Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years ago

    You're hubs are looking great. I did look at the ones you published yesterday, I ranked them up, didn't have time to comment. Sounds like you'll be getting a great paycheck from Google.
    
    Are you signed up for Ebay. They are paying for clicks just like adsense now. It's quite amazing.

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       Lily Roseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       No I'm not - I tried to sign up when I first joined, but Ebay rejected me.  Should I try again?  Is it not difficult to do ebay-focused hubs when the ebay inventory is constantly changing?

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    Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years ago

    You're welcome. The Christmas season can be a real financial boost if you prepare for it.

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    Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years ago

    Take a look at mine. It's pretty easy, once you get the hang of it. Just look for broad groupings of things, so something is always in stock.

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       lrohnerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Nelle, I usually pick specific products (and have been doing very well, thank goodness!). Are you saying that I shouldn't be doing that? Do you choose keywords instead of products?

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          Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Lily Rose and I were talking about Ebay Hubs, where the product inventory changes so much. I usually pick specific products on Amazon Hubs.

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    Ladybird33posted 13 years ago

    Nelle, this is wonderful news, I am working on the hub challange,I have several hubs I am working on and will publish during this much for the challange.  So I am thrilled to hear what you just told us.  Thank you.

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    Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years ago

    You're welcome Ladybird33. I'm glad all this is helpful - looking forward to reading your hubs.

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    livewithrichardposted 13 years ago

    I just finished my 15th hub of KCC's October challenge.  All but 3 of them are product hubs.  I'm devoting all the remainder hubs in this challenge to products too.
    
    I was doing an even split between Amazon and Ebay but I'm not getting nearly as many Ebay clicks so now I'm going to do mostly Amazon.  I know the cookie is better with Ebay but no clicks means no money anyway.

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       Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       This is true. You gotta go with what's working for you! Regardless, 25 or so new product hubs, are all to the good for the hottest sales season of the year.

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    Jane@CMposted 13 years ago

    I just did my first Christmas hub.  I sent you an email Nelle!!

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    Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years ago

    Jane@CM the Christmas hub looks great.

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