|
By By Chris Malta & Robin Cowie
You may have already discovered that selling on eBay can be
fun
and profitable. But after you’ve cleared out your garage and
attic, and auctioned off everything your husband owns, where
can you go to get new product ideas?
Tapping into EBay’s Resources
Most people don’t realize that eBay itself is actually a
terrific place to find product sourcing ideas. Besides being
an
easy selling venue with built-in traffic, it also contains a
goldmine of useful data about what that traffic wants to buy.
One of eBay’s best-kept secrets is their Seller Central page
(www.EBay.com/SellerCentral). Very few people, even
PowerSellers, are aware of this valuable resource.
Consequently, very few people are taking advantage of the
tools
available there:
• The merchandising calendar—this is a great spot to get
sourcing leads because it shows you specifically what products
eBay will be promoting over the next few months. It gives you
dates and tells you which item categories you need to list
your
product in for it to be displayed on eBay’s homepage. When a
user clicks on that item, your auction will pop right up.
• The hot items section—this is basically a monthly
trend-watching report. It tells you what items are moving,
producing more bids, and getting higher final prices. It lets
you get a feel for where the demand is.
Whether you’re searching for products at a tradeshow or a
rummage sale, Janelle Elms (JanelleElms.com), of eBay
University, recommends, “Print this report and keep it with
[you] at all times,” She explains, “People don’t know what to
look for… This will really help direct and keep your mind
focused to what’s moving on eBay.”
• The hot categories section—this resource takes the top
categories and gives you tips on how to sell in those
categories, insider secrets about your buyers, and trending
info. For each category, there’s a section called ‘In Demand’
that tells you not only the top-selling items in that
category,
but also the top keywords that buyers are using to find these
items. Use those keywords in your listing titles. If you have
any left over, put them in your description. Basically, eBay
tells you what to sell and then tells you how best to list it.
Catering to Your Customers
Advises Elms, “Don’t ever try to sell to the buyer what you
think they need to own.” Users are already telling you what
they want to buy—you just have to listen. These tools show you
what consumers are saying they want and how they’re saying
they
want to find it. EBay users are ready to spend money with
you—all you need to do is give them what they’re looking for.
About The Author: Chris Malta and Robin Cowie of
WorldwideBrands.com are the Writers and Hosts of The
Entrepreneur Magazine EBiz and Product Sourcing Radio Shows.
www.worldwidebrands.com/EMRinfo for more FREE eBiz info
from Entrepreneur Magazine Radio!
|