The fact is not lost on the crack team of Creating Wealth staffers that not everyone out there wants to write an ebook and sell it on their own website. While, to us, this seems like a perfect way to bypass the details of packaging physical products for shipment, maybe this style of business is exactly what floats your boat. But there is a way to supercharge what is basically a brick and mortar retail arrangement and begin selling to the entire world without ever having to write a single ebook.
What we’re talking about is a little business called eBay that helped revolutionize the process of selling. Maybe you’ve heard of this online auctioneer for the masses? Most people have. The interesting thing is you can combine your love of selling real world widgets with the awesome reach of the Internet to create quite a lucrative little capitalistic enterprise.
First, what do you want to sell? Narrow it down a bit because the world already has a candidate for the title, “Wal-mart of the Internet.” It’s called Wal-mart. Or maybe Amazon. The point is that you need to pick a category that you want to become known for. It can be a broad category like toys or something as narrow as carved wooden soldiers from 18th century Belize, though we’d suggest you check the end listings before choosing that second one. Ebay’s end listings are how you do market research. These are auctions which have already closed with the product sold, and a great way to keep tabs on what sells well and at what price.
Assuming you’re not making your products from scratch, you’re going to need a source. There are plenty of drop-shippers and wholesalers around the world willing and eager to be your business partner. Don’t expect your competitors to tell you which are the best ones. It’s going to take research to find them but don’t get discouraged – they’re out there. Sometimes it helps to check product packaging. Visit the company’s website and nose around.
Lastly, buyer feedback is critical to eBay seller success. You’re goal is to become a Powerseller. To do this you need to communicate with customers effectively, process payments and ship products quickly, and do your best to resolve any issues that arise during the transaction. Good feedback is like gold for the eBay store, and bad feedback can kill your business dead.
The Creating Wealth Team
Flickr / liewcf
