Time is your most valuable resource. The difference between profitable and struggling resellers often comes down to how efficiently they spend their hours.
The Batching Principle
Context-switching kills productivity. Group similar tasks together:
- Photo days: Set up lighting once, photograph everything
- Listing days: Write all descriptions in one session
- Ship days: Pack and drop off all orders at once
- Source days: Dedicated time for finding inventory
💡 Pro Tip: A 30-item photo session is more efficient than 30 separate single-item shoots. Set up time is the killer.
Weekly Schedule Template
| Day | Focus | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Shipping | Pack, print labels, post office run |
| Tuesday | Sourcing | Thrift stores, estate sales research |
| Wednesday | Photography | Prep, shoot, edit all new items |
| Thursday | Listing | Write descriptions, optimize titles |
| Friday | Shipping + Admin | Ship, respond to messages, bookkeeping |
| Weekend | Sourcing | Estate sales, flea markets, auctions |
Time Tracking
You can't optimize what you don't measure. Track time by activity:
- Sourcing (including travel)
- Cleaning/prepping items
- Photography
- Listing/writing
- Customer service
- Packaging/shipping
- Administration
Calculate Your Hourly Rate
Monthly profit ÷ Monthly hours = Your true hourly rate
If you made $2,000 profit in 100 hours, you earned $20/hour. Now you can make better decisions about what's worth your time.
Automation Opportunities
- Crossposting software: List once, post everywhere (List Perfectly, Vendoo)
- Shipping automation: Pirate Ship, auto-import orders
- Inventory management: Track across platforms automatically
- Bookkeeping: Auto-import transactions to accounting software
- Scheduling tools: Auto-relist, scheduled promotions
Delegation & Outsourcing
When your hourly rate exceeds $15-20/hour, consider outsourcing:
- Photography assistance
- Packaging and shipping prep
- Listing creation (with your templates)
- Customer service responses
- Bookkeeping and taxes
The 80/20 Rule
80% of your profits likely come from 20% of your activities. Identify and double down on:
- Your best sourcing locations
- Your most profitable categories
- Your fastest-selling items
- Your highest ROI activities
Time Wasters to Eliminate
- Responding to lowballers (auto-decline)
- Sourcing in unproductive places
- Overcomplicating photography
- Perfectionist listing writing
- Checking sales obsessively
- Social media rabbit holes
Energy Management
Schedule high-focus tasks when you're sharpest:
- High energy: Sourcing decisions, pricing strategy
- Medium energy: Photography, listing
- Low energy: Packing, organizing, easy admin
Systems Beat Willpower
- Create templates for listings, messages, processes
- Set up dedicated workspaces
- Use checklists for repetitive tasks
- Build habits with consistent schedules
- Remove friction from common activities
Scaling Your Time
As you grow, your focus should shift:
- Starting: Do everything yourself
- Growing: Systemize and template
- Scaling: Delegate low-value tasks
- Established: Focus only on highest-value activities