⏰ Time Management for Resellers
Time Management Guide for Resellers
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