Through sites like Etsy, Folksy, and eBay, many are achieving the dream of owning their own business. But as more and more people are drawn to these sites, it’s easy to get trampled by a herd of competitors. Owning your own online business can be fun and rewarding; it frees you to explore your creativity and sell your products in a global marketplace. But being self-employed is a lot of work.
Unlike the usual 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. grind, freelancing in an e-commerce world doesn’t have a quit time. For all its benefits, the Internet has also produced a world of consumers who are spoiled for “instant gratification.” We want what we want, and we want it now! If you can’t or aren’t willing to fill that need, there are other competitors who are. If you want to be successful, always keep that in mind.
With that being said, here are some tips from my personal experience as an online marketer:
1.) Research.
Before you open your business, do as much research as you can. Research the fees and requirements of various sites and compare the demographics of each site. Where do you fall in that mix? Are you a creative artist who wants to explore your craft? Or, are you a discount hound who thrives on finding and reselling a bargain for a little profit?
Look at the differences between sites like Etsy vs. eBay. eBay is known to be the world’s largest garage sale, while Etsy is a hot artsy site. One necklace can sell for $30.00 or more on Etsy, while eBay customers expect five of those same “handmade” necklaces for half that price. It can take ten days to sell on Etsy, whereas you could sell every day on eBay. Know your market.
2.) Network.
Most online trading sites have forums full of experts, who have been in the business for a while, and newbies (like you), who need a guiding hand. Be helpful where you can, answer questions, and be proactive in learning about the online community you join. These friendships (even with competitors) can do more to help you than hurt you.
Becoming friends with a community of sellers helps you become a well-known and respected seller. Friends will help you do business your way, as long as you do the same for them. No one can scratch their back without a little help.
3.) Advertising.
This is your business. Take pride in it and make it as professional as possible. Print business cards and letterhead stationery. Send small thank you cards or notes with every sale.
Meet the YouTube and Blogger community. Use keyword searches to find those who have shown an interest in the types of products you sell. Offer a few samples of your products for review and/or giveaways in high-traffic areas. In turn, they will advertise and attract customers to your store.
Visit their channels and blogs frequently and read the comments. Get an idea of what viewers think of your product. It’s free market research that big corporations have paid tons of cash for. If there are questions, even if they are asking the blogger or video host, be proactive and answer their questions. Show that you care about your product and how it is perceived. It also shows that you are excellent at customer service for the prospect. Also, write your own blogs. Give tutorials on how to use or carry your products.
High-end stores and dollar stores label their shopping bags for a reason; it’s advertising! When people order by mail, they like to feel like they’ve received something special. Wrap your package in colored tissue paper with a ribbon and a fancy label naming your store on the OUTSIDE of the wrapped package, include your email and web address. Essentially, you are announcing each and everyone who has handled that package. If it’s pretty enough, the customer will keep it. By doing that, they are advertising to their friends.
4.) PHOTOS.
I have listed it in all caps, because photos are critical to the success of your online business. Invest in a good quality camera that works well in all kinds of lighting and can focus well on small items like jewelry. Practice with him and learn photography techniques. Review photos of competitors selling similar products. Look at their sales and see how well they do.
If you offer a wide variety of “one-of-a-kind” products, you’ll spend most of your day setting up and taking photos. To save time, it’s best to keep a large amount of stock, so you don’t have to constantly update and edit your store site.
Always keep in mind that people are easily distracted by the variety of supplies at their disposal. When a potential customer asks a question, be available and respond quickly before they get distracted by another seller’s product.
To save time, set up a “Frequently Asked Questions” page on your store site, with quick-reference answers on shipping requirements, return and exchange policies, custom orders, and more. Try to anticipate and answer as many potential questions as possible on that page. Then let them know the hours they can contact you directly for a quick response.
I am simply offering helpful advice, based on my history of selling on said sites. Feel free to add to these, or remove from them. That is the best advantage of having your own business, you can make all the decisions.
I wish you the best of luck!