Well, Since You Asked…The Easy Way To Sell Online

I receive a few emails a week from people asking me to “help” them sell online. I don’t mind these emails, but …there is no easy way to sell online. Sorry. So I decided to write up a small basic plan that anyone who ever wanted to sell online can use to get started.

 

First things first-what do you want to sell? I always say choose things you are familiar with and enjoy. Why sell hot wheel cars if you hate them? Antiques are fab, but if you know nothing about them then you are going to waste a majority of your time learning about them rather then selling them.

 

2-Start small. Sell items from around your house. Don’t put yourself in debt over inventory if your not even sure you’ll be doing this 1 week from not.Get a feel for it. I have talked to so many people that tell me, “Oh, you sell on line? Wow, I’m going to do that-it looks so easy.”  Uh huh, you keep thinking that.

 

3-Finding a venue. There are 3 ways to sell online. On a venue (Ebay, Amazon, Ruby Lane, ect…), your own website, or through a third party (consignors).

Using an established venue is easy peasy and garners you max exposure for minimum price. However there are pros and cons to this deal. The number 1 pro- You have a company that has millions of dollars to spend on advertising for you. The number 1 con-you have to follow all THEIR rules. Yup. And trust me, most venues have more rules then a Catholic all girls school for the sexually promiscuous.

Working up your own website is great, but I advise this for experienced sellers. You will have to do EVERYTHING. And keep in mind that you are competing against MILLIONS of other sellers online. I spend about 2 hrs total a day just in advertising my stand alone web store.

 

4-RESEARCH!!!!
   RESEARCH!!!!
   RESEARCH!!!!

I cannot stress that enough. You can ask me or any other seller a million times a day but what works for us may not work for you.  I know sellers who can push no name brands all day long while I couldn’t sell one to a naked man in the dead of winter. Also, we’ve all spent years doing just this- RESEARCH. You need to know what is hot and what is not. Budgeting. Laws in your state. Accounting. Taxes. Shipping and handling. Finding suppliers. Getting the best prices. Horning your fake VS real eye. HTML. Submitting to search engines. Ect…

 

5-If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is. I’m sorry but if everyone could buy the, “Make a Million Dollars in just 3 Days” cds and actually MAKE a million dollars well, then we would all be doing it wouldn’t we? What we have here is a seller who has found their nich. Selling information that you have to ….wait for it….RESEARCH. And the so called “secret lists”?  Ummm, no. All your paying for is someone else to do your research. the to write and beg for product. Plus, designers do not sell wholesale to small sellers.

 

Working from home is one of the best but hardest jobs I’ve ever had. I have to budget my time accordingly. I have to be VERY committed and structured through out the day. I also do not get the same respect or privacy that one working from an office might get.  But I wouldn’t trade it for the world as I get to spend more time with my family and I am my own boss.

 

Got any tips to add? I’d love to hear them. :)

Well, Since You Asked...

I am moving Stimulation Fridays to Saturdays. I can't afford Fridays to be anymore stimulating then they already are. *sigh* So I've decided to post ASQ's (ask a seller a question) that I receive from my store on Ebay. Yes, I sell on Ebay also. I don't advertise it like my store here becuase 1. I pay Ebay a lot of money to sell there and they can dang well use some of it to advertise for me. and 2. I want you to shop my other store.>>>>>>> over there. I get a ton of ASQ's from potential buyers that ask very good questions concerning on line purchases. So every Friday I will post one or two and maybe we can all learn something. Question: Hi. I see a pair of jean son your site i want to buy but unsure if they will fit me? If they don't, can I return? Answer: Good question. In fact, a GREAT question to ask before you buy. Most online sellers include measurements in their listings to help make your purchase easier. If the seller does not include measurements...email and ask them. The usual measurements are the waist, hips, rise, inseam, and length. Here is a great site to help you measure jeans. LINK When buying jeans you HAVE to know your own measurements. Meaning....you need to measure your own natural waist, hips, inseam, rise, and length. You also need to adjust your measurements to reflect the rise. The rise is the measurement from v of legs to top of waistband-front & back. The length of the rise will determine where the jeans will sit on you. Remember, the fabric of the jeans will affect fit also. I like cotton/spandex blend as it fits better and retains it shape well. As for returns. Most Ebay sellers (used clothing) and consignment stores do not accept returns. I accept returns but I charge a 15% restocking fee and do not refund s&h unless I make a mistake. So remember....know your measurements. Go to the mall and try on things you like then come buy them from me. :) Or who ever is selling them. Remember, use code first10off to receive 10% off purchases.