What to do if eBay says No?

I posted the following article on the WPMage forum but, as forum posts go, it soon goes to the bottom and you might not have seen it. If you’ve been rejected by ebay, Amazon, CJ or Overstock, here’s a guide to follow to get accepted. Here’s the post:

I once knew a dad who always said “no” when his child asked for something. At first, the child was hurt, took it personally and went away crying. But within a few months the child learned the dad was easy to win over by persistence … the “no” always turned into a “yes” because the child had learned the secret … no is just the first step on the way to yes.

That’s the way a lot of affiliate companies are. They say no … but it’s really just a step on the way to yes; you just have to be astute enough and brave enough to keep going back.

Take eBay’s partner network, for example. They usually always say “no” first. Most people will tuck tail between legs and run away. The persistent ones who follow the steps below  – unless blatantly in violation of the ePN terms of service – will win in the end.

This how-to assumes you have already purchased a good domain that is 2+ years old and that you have registered it for a minimum of 2 years. (NOTE: It is not necessary to have a 2 year old domain as was once thought. I have clients who have had 2 month old domains approved. However, it is vital to have 2+ years registration).

Okay … Here’s how to get a site accepted by eBay.

Step 1. Find a good niche and create a nice looking blog. Spend some time on it … don’t just throw it up quickly and expect it to be accepted.

Step 2. Add 20 – 30 pages of good quality UNIQUE and relevant content. Do NOT use articles from any article directory and do NOT use PLR unless you re-write it to at least 60% difference.

Step 3. Add pages for your contact details, a privacy policy, a TOS and even the new FTC regulation disclaimer – it can’t hurt and may help (no I don’t have an example, so please don’t pm asking for one. You can see mine here.).

Step 4. Do NOT Monetize your blog in any way.

Step 5. Look at your site with a critical eye. Ask yourself, If I am a reviewer from ePN would I want a site like this to represent eBay?

Step 6. Do NOT use domain privacy; eBay will want to see your contact details when they do a WHOIS check. Make sure the personal information listed on the WHOIS is the same as the one you use in applying to ePN.

Step 7. Submit your application and expect to get rejected the first time. When you do get rejected send a polite reply asking why. You will get a “cut and paste” answer. That’s okay.

Step 8. If the previous step has happened, email them back and politely show how your site does not fall into any of the categories mentioned. Make sure it doesn’t!

You may get another cut and paste response … but I doubt it. What you want to eventually happen is for a real person to look at your site and give you a real answer.

If you DO get another cut and paste response, study the response carefully. Look at your site critically. Then write them again, and do Step 8 … UNTIL THEY SAY YES! If you have followed the guide above you will get stand a better chance of getting accepted than most.

NOW HERE’S THE SECRET: Never quit asking until Dad puts the foot down and says, “I said, ‘no’ and I mean ‘no’ so don’t ask again!”

Learn from the child.

From the Pen of the sage ….

Linda