So you want to start an online business but are confused as to what you should be selling. The easiest thing to sell would be a product or service of your own. But what if you don't have one what can one do? Well here are a few places one can search to find a product for their dream business.
Joint Venture Deals - Contact other business owners and ask them if you can sell their products or services. The products or services should be related to your target audience. You could set up a deal to just market them and receive a percentage of the profits.
Affiliate Programs - Join another businesses affiliate program. You just sign-up at their web site and they give you a link that tracks all your sales. Every time someone orders or clicks through your link you receive a commission.
Wholesalers - You can buy products at a large discount through a wholesaler. Just order the products from your wholesaler of choice. When you receive the products mark-up the price to the amount you want to sell them for.
Reprint/Duplication Rights - Some businesses offer you the right to buy licenses to reprint or duplicate their products. You pay for the license and then you can reproduce the product and keep all the profits. The license stipulations may vary from business to business.
Drop Shippers - You can sign-up to a drop shipper program from another business or wholesaler. When someone orders the product, you keep a percentage of the sale and send the rest of the order to the drop shipper. The drop shipper will then ship the product to your customer.
These are just five suggestions. Look around, both online and off to find opportunities that excite you. The sky's the limit and it all depends upon your attitude.
Come back next time for more tips, tricks and techniques to assist you in your marketing and sales efforts. Remember we're all in this together and I'm pulling for you.
Mahalo.
********************************************************************
For environmentally smart resources to help you with your Online Business check out
http://www.renspubhouse.cz.cc/products.html
Fast easy resources to help you with your marketing, save a tree by not wasting paper, be environmentally correct and have some fun and learn something to boot!
********************************************************************
Showing posts with label Business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Business. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
How To Successfully Joint Venture Your Online Business With Offline Businesses
Too many times we in the online world forget there is a whole other world just outside our domains. Yes I am talking about the old style brick and mortar “Offline Businesses”. Believe it or not they can be very useful partner in a joint venture with you and your online business.
There are many advantages joint venturing with offline businesses. You could increase your target market by reaching audiences you couldn't advertise to before. You could get referrals from the offline businesses you joint venture with.
The key to joint venturing with offline businesses is to find ones that have the same target audience. If you're selling business software, you wouldn't want to joint venture with a store that sells candy. You won't be very successful. You would want to joint venture with an office supply or computer store.
Below are three possible joint venture deals you could set up:
1. Write a tip booklet that is related to your business. Make a deal with an offline store where they giveaway your tip booklet to their shoppers with each purchase. The store you pick should attract your target audience. The store could have something free to giveaway to attract shoppers and you could have your web site ad in the tip booklet.
2. Design a printed flyer for your online business. The flyer should include a description of your web site, e-mail address, web address and any other important information. Make a deal with an offline store to have them include the flyer in each bag of products they sell in exchange for free advertising on your web site.
3. Make a deal with a computer store to have them display your web site on the computers they display in their store in exchange for free advertising on your web site or in your e-mail newsletter.
Once you find a targeted offline business, contact them and present your joint venture proposal. Tell the business owner the benefits of the joint venture. Tell him or her why it would be a win/win situation for both of your businesses. Give them a lot of compliments about their business, products and services. Using all three methods above will greater your chance of having a profitable and successful offline joint venture.
Come back next time for more tips, tricks and techniques to assist you in your marketing and sales efforts. Remember we're all in this together and I'm pulling for you.
Mahalo.
********************************************************************
For environmentally smart resources to help you with your Online Business check out
http://www.renspubhouse.cz.cc/products.html
Fast easy resources to help you with your marketing, save a tree by not wasting paper, be environmentally correct and have some fun and learn something to boot!
********************************************************************
There are many advantages joint venturing with offline businesses. You could increase your target market by reaching audiences you couldn't advertise to before. You could get referrals from the offline businesses you joint venture with.
The key to joint venturing with offline businesses is to find ones that have the same target audience. If you're selling business software, you wouldn't want to joint venture with a store that sells candy. You won't be very successful. You would want to joint venture with an office supply or computer store.
Below are three possible joint venture deals you could set up:
1. Write a tip booklet that is related to your business. Make a deal with an offline store where they giveaway your tip booklet to their shoppers with each purchase. The store you pick should attract your target audience. The store could have something free to giveaway to attract shoppers and you could have your web site ad in the tip booklet.
2. Design a printed flyer for your online business. The flyer should include a description of your web site, e-mail address, web address and any other important information. Make a deal with an offline store to have them include the flyer in each bag of products they sell in exchange for free advertising on your web site.
3. Make a deal with a computer store to have them display your web site on the computers they display in their store in exchange for free advertising on your web site or in your e-mail newsletter.
Once you find a targeted offline business, contact them and present your joint venture proposal. Tell the business owner the benefits of the joint venture. Tell him or her why it would be a win/win situation for both of your businesses. Give them a lot of compliments about their business, products and services. Using all three methods above will greater your chance of having a profitable and successful offline joint venture.
Come back next time for more tips, tricks and techniques to assist you in your marketing and sales efforts. Remember we're all in this together and I'm pulling for you.
Mahalo.
********************************************************************
For environmentally smart resources to help you with your Online Business check out
http://www.renspubhouse.cz.cc/products.html
Fast easy resources to help you with your marketing, save a tree by not wasting paper, be environmentally correct and have some fun and learn something to boot!
********************************************************************
Monday, September 15, 2008
Increase Your Profits By Increasing Your Target Markets
Are your products or services geared towards only one target market? You can increase sales and profits by increasing your target markets. Below are some creative ways to increase your target markets by using your existing products and services you're selling right now.
REDESIGN
You can increase your target markets by redesigning your products and services. For example: you're selling a book called "Internet Marketing Tips For Accountants" You could rewrite part of your book and call it "Internet Marketing Tips For Lawyers". You've now increased your target markets by redesigning your book.
ADD-ON
You can increase your target markets by adding on other product or service with your main one. For example: if you're selling a football magazine you could add a free football when someone buys a subscription. You're now targeting people who want the football magazine and those that want to play football out in the yard. Sometimes they buy stuff just to get the freebies.
TEAM-UP
You can increase your target markets by doing a cross promotion with a similar non-competeing businesses. For example: your business sells tennis rackets and you find another business to cross promote with that sells tennis balls. You could combine your racket and their balls in one package. You are now targeting people that need tennis rackets and balls.
These are just a few ideas that can help cross-promote your products and increase the number of target markets and increase your exposure and customer base.
Mahalo.
********************************************************************
STOP SEARCHING. YOU'VE FOUND IT.
Discover your web site's true potential.
Show you the way to online profits. Your choice. Do nothing or visit
Pick up your copy of
“Inquisitive Explorer's Internet Marketing Primer”,
http://www.renspubhouse.com/ieimp.html
For the next step:
“Inquisitive Explorer's Advanced Marketing Techniques”
http://www.renspubhouse.com/inexpadv.html
Or Go to Amazon and order the whole set of Inquisitive Explorer Marketing Books.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Michael+Rener&x=0&y=0
********************************************************************
For more resources to help you with your Online Marketing check out
http://www.renspubhouse.com/business.html
Fast easy resources to help you with your marketing and have some fun to boot!
********************************************************************
REDESIGN
You can increase your target markets by redesigning your products and services. For example: you're selling a book called "Internet Marketing Tips For Accountants" You could rewrite part of your book and call it "Internet Marketing Tips For Lawyers". You've now increased your target markets by redesigning your book.
ADD-ON
You can increase your target markets by adding on other product or service with your main one. For example: if you're selling a football magazine you could add a free football when someone buys a subscription. You're now targeting people who want the football magazine and those that want to play football out in the yard. Sometimes they buy stuff just to get the freebies.
TEAM-UP
You can increase your target markets by doing a cross promotion with a similar non-competeing businesses. For example: your business sells tennis rackets and you find another business to cross promote with that sells tennis balls. You could combine your racket and their balls in one package. You are now targeting people that need tennis rackets and balls.
These are just a few ideas that can help cross-promote your products and increase the number of target markets and increase your exposure and customer base.
Mahalo.
********************************************************************
STOP SEARCHING. YOU'VE FOUND IT.
Discover your web site's true potential.
Show you the way to online profits. Your choice. Do nothing or visit
Pick up your copy of
“Inquisitive Explorer's Internet Marketing Primer”,
http://www.renspubhouse.com/ieimp.html
For the next step:
“Inquisitive Explorer's Advanced Marketing Techniques”
http://www.renspubhouse.com/inexpadv.html
Or Go to Amazon and order the whole set of Inquisitive Explorer Marketing Books.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Michael+Rener&x=0&y=0
********************************************************************
For more resources to help you with your Online Marketing check out
http://www.renspubhouse.com/business.html
Fast easy resources to help you with your marketing and have some fun to boot!
********************************************************************
Monday, May 12, 2008
Want To Get To The Top Of Search Engines? Here Are 10 Indirect Ways
There are millions of web sites trying to get listed in the top 20 spots of the major search engines. That amounts to a lot of competition! I say if you can't get listed at the top, indirectly get to the top.
How do you do this? Look up the top 20 web sites on the major search engines under the keywords and phrases people would find your web site. The key would be to then advertise on those web sites.
The most expensive way would be to buy ad space on those web sites. If you don't want to spend any
money, you could use the ten strategies below. These strategies may not apply to every web site.
1. Participate on their discussion boards. You could post questions, answer other peoples questions, and
join in on conversations. Just include your signature file and link at the end of your messages.
2. Ask the web site owner if they would like a free ebook to giveaway to their visitors. You could have
them link to your web site or include your ad in the free ebook.
3. Submit content to their web site. You could write articles for their web site and include your resource
box and link at the end of the article. If they publish it, you'll indirectly be at the top of the search engines.
4. Write an excellent article review of their web site, products or services. Then publish the review on your web site. E-mail the web site owner and tell him or her about it. They may link to your web site so their visitors read it.
5. Ask the owner of the web site if they would want to trade advertising. If you don't get as much traffic
as they do, you could throw in some extra incentives.
6. Propose a cross promotion deal with the web site. You both could promote each others products or
services together in one package deal. This means a mention and link back to your web site.
7. Give the web site a testimonial for their product or service. Include a little text link for your web site with the testimonial. You never know; it could end up on their ad copy.
8. Post your advertisement on their free classified ad section on their web site. You want to be sure you
have an attractive headline so they will read your ad.
9. Post your text link on their free-for-all links page. You want to go back and post your link regularly so it stays towards the top.
10. Sign their guest books. You could leave a short compliment about their web site on their guest book. Just include your signature file and link at the end of your message.
These are just a few ways to help you get your marketing on track.
********************************************************************
For more resources to help you with your Online Marketing check out
http://www.renspubhouse.com/business.html
********************************************************************
How do you do this? Look up the top 20 web sites on the major search engines under the keywords and phrases people would find your web site. The key would be to then advertise on those web sites.
The most expensive way would be to buy ad space on those web sites. If you don't want to spend any
money, you could use the ten strategies below. These strategies may not apply to every web site.
1. Participate on their discussion boards. You could post questions, answer other peoples questions, and
join in on conversations. Just include your signature file and link at the end of your messages.
2. Ask the web site owner if they would like a free ebook to giveaway to their visitors. You could have
them link to your web site or include your ad in the free ebook.
3. Submit content to their web site. You could write articles for their web site and include your resource
box and link at the end of the article. If they publish it, you'll indirectly be at the top of the search engines.
4. Write an excellent article review of their web site, products or services. Then publish the review on your web site. E-mail the web site owner and tell him or her about it. They may link to your web site so their visitors read it.
5. Ask the owner of the web site if they would want to trade advertising. If you don't get as much traffic
as they do, you could throw in some extra incentives.
6. Propose a cross promotion deal with the web site. You both could promote each others products or
services together in one package deal. This means a mention and link back to your web site.
7. Give the web site a testimonial for their product or service. Include a little text link for your web site with the testimonial. You never know; it could end up on their ad copy.
8. Post your advertisement on their free classified ad section on their web site. You want to be sure you
have an attractive headline so they will read your ad.
9. Post your text link on their free-for-all links page. You want to go back and post your link regularly so it stays towards the top.
10. Sign their guest books. You could leave a short compliment about their web site on their guest book. Just include your signature file and link at the end of your message.
These are just a few ways to help you get your marketing on track.
********************************************************************
For more resources to help you with your Online Marketing check out
http://www.renspubhouse.com/business.html
********************************************************************
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
10 Ways To Increase Sales By Promoting Yourself
People will feel more comfortable purchasing your products if you give them a little information about
yourself or business. The information could be your profile, employee profiles, overall business history, education credentials, awards you've won, etc.
Below are 10 ways you can use to promote yourself.
1. Hold a free chat room class on a subject related to your business. You could install a chat room on
your web site or use a free one from another web site. Before the class starts tell them a little about yourself.
2. Publish a free e-zine. Use some of the extra space in your e-zine to write about yourself or business. This could be called "A Note From the Editor".
3. Publish a section on your web site called "About Us". With your information you could also include
pictures. This shows people your not hiding behind your business.
4. Write an article on your area of expertise. Include a resource box at the end of the article. You can add information about yourself in the resource box. E-mail the article to web sites or e-zines that accept article submissions.
5. Create and giveaway a free ebook. In the ebook include a section called "About The Author". Also,
include an advertisement for your business.
6. Participate in online communities like newsgroups, discussion boards, e-mail discussion lists and chat rooms. You will meet many people and in return they will get to know you.
7. Donate your time, products, or services to charities. You can list the charities you've contributed to on your web site. This will show visitors that you and your business care about others.
8. Promote yourself offline; teach a free class offline, speak at business seminars, join a business club or association. Assemble fundraisers for charity. These are just few ideas to promote yourself offline.
9. Offer free consulting to your visitors. You could do it via e-mail or phone. They will get to know you and feel more comfortable buying your products.
10. Publish information about yourself and business history in your ad copy. While people are reading it they begin to trust you and your business. Don't over do it though, you want to keep them interested in your product.
Mahalo.
********************************************************************
For more resources to help you with your Online Marketing check out
http://www.renspubhouse.com/business.html
********************************************************************
yourself or business. The information could be your profile, employee profiles, overall business history, education credentials, awards you've won, etc.
Below are 10 ways you can use to promote yourself.
1. Hold a free chat room class on a subject related to your business. You could install a chat room on
your web site or use a free one from another web site. Before the class starts tell them a little about yourself.
2. Publish a free e-zine. Use some of the extra space in your e-zine to write about yourself or business. This could be called "A Note From the Editor".
3. Publish a section on your web site called "About Us". With your information you could also include
pictures. This shows people your not hiding behind your business.
4. Write an article on your area of expertise. Include a resource box at the end of the article. You can add information about yourself in the resource box. E-mail the article to web sites or e-zines that accept article submissions.
5. Create and giveaway a free ebook. In the ebook include a section called "About The Author". Also,
include an advertisement for your business.
6. Participate in online communities like newsgroups, discussion boards, e-mail discussion lists and chat rooms. You will meet many people and in return they will get to know you.
7. Donate your time, products, or services to charities. You can list the charities you've contributed to on your web site. This will show visitors that you and your business care about others.
8. Promote yourself offline; teach a free class offline, speak at business seminars, join a business club or association. Assemble fundraisers for charity. These are just few ideas to promote yourself offline.
9. Offer free consulting to your visitors. You could do it via e-mail or phone. They will get to know you and feel more comfortable buying your products.
10. Publish information about yourself and business history in your ad copy. While people are reading it they begin to trust you and your business. Don't over do it though, you want to keep them interested in your product.
Mahalo.
********************************************************************
For more resources to help you with your Online Marketing check out
http://www.renspubhouse.com/business.html
********************************************************************
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Going, Going, Gone to My Site! Using Online Auctions To Generate Web Traffic
There is a very sneaky, yet totally legal and ethical way to increase traffic to your web site. Using an online auction site to sell your products. As you may know, there are numerous online auction sites all the internet. Just go to your favorite search engine and type in "Online Auction" and you would be surprised at the results. People love these sites because they feel that they can usually find great bargains. For others it is just the thrill of the hunt and chase. The good news is if you have an online business, you can use them to increase traffic to your web site.
One way is that you could create an electronic book or report that relates to your online business, then auction it off at an online auction. This way you could increase traffic to your web site by placing an ad for your web site in the electronic publication. Some online auctions will even allow you to link directly to your web site if you enroll in their extended plans, usually for a monthly or annual fee. Once you get rolling, this can be an option you should explore. After you see what kind of traffic the site sends your way.
Electronic publications don't cost you anything to ship, as they are virtual assets. You send them via e-mail or allow people to download them directly from your web site. If you send it via email, make sure you have your web site address in your signature and direct them there if they need to contact you. Also if you have a newsletter, this is a good time to mention it in the email. If you have them download the item, make sure you have a way for them to sign up for your newsletter/announcement sheet on the download page. One way some people set up their auctions is to offer their products for a lower price. When they visit the web site you could offer them a higher priced product or a related back end product.
Did you know you could also get traffic from people who don't bid or don't get the winning bid? You could offer them what is known as a "Second Chance Offer" and then direct them to your web site after they have agree to purchase the item. You could also direct potential bidders to your site and allow them to download and read a free sample of the ebook or report before they bid. If they want more detailed information about the ebook or report, and they didn't bid/won, you could also direct them to your web site for a purchase.
You don't have a digital product? Well don't worry as you can also get traffic to your web site by auctioning a physical product, such as whatever widget your company sells. Print out your web site advertisement on a flyer or brochure then insert it into each product package you ship. You should also place your web address on the packing slip/receipt. Make sure you draw attention to it by asking for comments, or to contact you if they have any questions or complaints. Of course direct them to your site's "Contact Us" page for contact info.
It is very important that before you start auctioning any product on an online auction site, you should read the terms and conditions of the site usage. There are some auction sites that may not allow the auctioning of electronic products or directly linking to your web site where you have other products for sale. It does you no good to generate bad publicity by being banned from a popular auction site just because you didn't understand the rules.
All in all this is a great way to augment your other marketing methods. After all they have just bought from you in a trusted environment, so why wouldn't they trust you in the future? It may be a sneaky way to get people to visit your site, but if you take care of your customers, they won't mind at all.
So find something and list today!
Mahalo.
********************************************************************
For more resources to help you with your Online Marketing check out
http://www.renspubhouse.com/business.html
********************************************************************
One way is that you could create an electronic book or report that relates to your online business, then auction it off at an online auction. This way you could increase traffic to your web site by placing an ad for your web site in the electronic publication. Some online auctions will even allow you to link directly to your web site if you enroll in their extended plans, usually for a monthly or annual fee. Once you get rolling, this can be an option you should explore. After you see what kind of traffic the site sends your way.
Electronic publications don't cost you anything to ship, as they are virtual assets. You send them via e-mail or allow people to download them directly from your web site. If you send it via email, make sure you have your web site address in your signature and direct them there if they need to contact you. Also if you have a newsletter, this is a good time to mention it in the email. If you have them download the item, make sure you have a way for them to sign up for your newsletter/announcement sheet on the download page. One way some people set up their auctions is to offer their products for a lower price. When they visit the web site you could offer them a higher priced product or a related back end product.
Did you know you could also get traffic from people who don't bid or don't get the winning bid? You could offer them what is known as a "Second Chance Offer" and then direct them to your web site after they have agree to purchase the item. You could also direct potential bidders to your site and allow them to download and read a free sample of the ebook or report before they bid. If they want more detailed information about the ebook or report, and they didn't bid/won, you could also direct them to your web site for a purchase.
You don't have a digital product? Well don't worry as you can also get traffic to your web site by auctioning a physical product, such as whatever widget your company sells. Print out your web site advertisement on a flyer or brochure then insert it into each product package you ship. You should also place your web address on the packing slip/receipt. Make sure you draw attention to it by asking for comments, or to contact you if they have any questions or complaints. Of course direct them to your site's "Contact Us" page for contact info.
It is very important that before you start auctioning any product on an online auction site, you should read the terms and conditions of the site usage. There are some auction sites that may not allow the auctioning of electronic products or directly linking to your web site where you have other products for sale. It does you no good to generate bad publicity by being banned from a popular auction site just because you didn't understand the rules.
All in all this is a great way to augment your other marketing methods. After all they have just bought from you in a trusted environment, so why wouldn't they trust you in the future? It may be a sneaky way to get people to visit your site, but if you take care of your customers, they won't mind at all.
So find something and list today!
Mahalo.
********************************************************************
For more resources to help you with your Online Marketing check out
http://www.renspubhouse.com/business.html
********************************************************************
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
How to Buy Business Items From Online Auction Sites
- 10 Things You Should Know Before You Bid
So you have decided to enter the domain of Online Auctions to supplement your business supplies or there are items that are just too unique to find them in the local strip mall. Well the good news is that Online Auction Sites have matured enough as marketplaces that one can find business items along side the consumer products that made them famous. To protect yourself there is a few things that you need to know so you don't end up a victim of scammers, or overpay for items.
Here are your 10 Tips to help you have a pleasant successful auction experience:
1. Know the going price and value of the item before you bid. If the item is new to you or brand new, check to see what price others are charging for it. This can be done online by a quick check of your favorite search engine, look into catalogs, and/or a visit to your favorite store/merchant if convenient. If the product is used or reconditioned, of course you will want, and expect to pay way less than the retail value. This will give you a leg up and make sure you don't overpay, a common malady on these sites.
2. If the item's description or picture isn't detailed enough for you, contact the seller to get more
information or a better picture before you bid. You don't want to take a chance to waste your hard earned money on the wrong item, or something different than what you wanted. Yes this does happen often where bids are placed and items won, only to have the buyer realize that what they got wasn't what they thought they were getting. Ask before you bid.
3. Know the highest price you will bid for the item and stick with it. Don't get caught up in a bidding war; you may end up paying more than the item's worth. Don't forget to add in the shipping price when determining how much you are going to bid. Of course if you are looking at other Online sites to compare prices, you need to consider their rates for shipping and handling as well. Naturally if comparing prices from offline sites, factor in your travel time fuel costs, and if the item needs to be delivered or you can carry it out yourself.
4. Visit a few online auctions before bidding because some sellers auction the same or similar items in many auctions. Also if the seller has more than one of the items in stock, they might have more than one listing. Look at all the listings you might find a better price from the same seller if you are patient and do your homework. You usually can purchase the item for a lower price in a unpopular auction because there are less bidders.
5. Be knowledgeable about the time the auction ends. You also want to know how long it will take to ship the item to you. A lot of times sellers will specify that they may take a certain number of days before the can ship the item. If you need the item by a certain date, you'll want to estimate the time it will take to receive it. Of course you can always contact the seller during the auction to see if they offer different shipping rates for overnight service. The worse they can say is no, but many times they will accommodate you.
6. Read the payment options the seller accepts before you bid on their item. If they only accept
checks or money orders, it may take even longer to get the item because the payment has to clear. Steer clear if the only payment option is International Money Order and the seller is overseas. This is usually an indication of a possible scam. Try to protect yourself with either credit card orders through secure servers or other online payment services like PayPal. This way you are protected against fraud.
7. Look to see if the seller offers a warranty or money back guarantee before bidding on a product. You don't want to get stuck with a item that does not work, is broken or you're not satisfied with for other reasons (the old bait and switch is not as common, but does happen from time to time). Most have time frames for returns, and other conditions, but generally most will allow returns for legitimate reasons.
8. Online auctions will, sometimes, allow you to check the sellers' auction history. Check to see what other people's experience has been with the seller. Have other people complained about the their items, services or business practices? How have the complaints been resolved? You do have a right to know before you decide to bid. Also of those that have complained, what is their history, are they chronic whiners?
9. It's important to place a bid early in the auction to show other bidders you are interested in the item. If someone does out bid you, don't be afraid to out bid them. Remember not to go over your maximum
bid price. Of course almost all the auction sites do allow for what they call “Proxy Bids” which allow you to place your maximum bid up front, then the bid is incremented up as others join in the bidding. It is a tool that allows you to set your max bid, but sees that you pay the lowest possible winning bid. This way you don't have to continuously look at the auctions to see how you are doing.
10.Another reason to know when the auction ends; you can place a last minute bid. There is software that allows you to place last minute bids. This is discouraged, but not illegal. It is a process called “Sniping”. So if the item has more watchers than bidders, then perhaps a few “snipers” are lurking to come in at the last minute and grab the item. There may however be other bidders that may not be keeping track of when the auction ends or may not have the time to bid again. These are the best type of competition if you must have any.
Following these tips will help ease you through the process and hopefully keep you from being a victim of overpaying or worse. It is amazing how many items are actually up for auction, and who knows maybe you will start putting your products or services up for bis as well (yes it is being done, but that is the subject for another article).
Mahalo.
********************************************************************
For more resources to help you with your Online Marketing check out
http://www.renspubhouse.com/marketing.html
********************************************************************
So you have decided to enter the domain of Online Auctions to supplement your business supplies or there are items that are just too unique to find them in the local strip mall. Well the good news is that Online Auction Sites have matured enough as marketplaces that one can find business items along side the consumer products that made them famous. To protect yourself there is a few things that you need to know so you don't end up a victim of scammers, or overpay for items.
Here are your 10 Tips to help you have a pleasant successful auction experience:
1. Know the going price and value of the item before you bid. If the item is new to you or brand new, check to see what price others are charging for it. This can be done online by a quick check of your favorite search engine, look into catalogs, and/or a visit to your favorite store/merchant if convenient. If the product is used or reconditioned, of course you will want, and expect to pay way less than the retail value. This will give you a leg up and make sure you don't overpay, a common malady on these sites.
2. If the item's description or picture isn't detailed enough for you, contact the seller to get more
information or a better picture before you bid. You don't want to take a chance to waste your hard earned money on the wrong item, or something different than what you wanted. Yes this does happen often where bids are placed and items won, only to have the buyer realize that what they got wasn't what they thought they were getting. Ask before you bid.
3. Know the highest price you will bid for the item and stick with it. Don't get caught up in a bidding war; you may end up paying more than the item's worth. Don't forget to add in the shipping price when determining how much you are going to bid. Of course if you are looking at other Online sites to compare prices, you need to consider their rates for shipping and handling as well. Naturally if comparing prices from offline sites, factor in your travel time fuel costs, and if the item needs to be delivered or you can carry it out yourself.
4. Visit a few online auctions before bidding because some sellers auction the same or similar items in many auctions. Also if the seller has more than one of the items in stock, they might have more than one listing. Look at all the listings you might find a better price from the same seller if you are patient and do your homework. You usually can purchase the item for a lower price in a unpopular auction because there are less bidders.
5. Be knowledgeable about the time the auction ends. You also want to know how long it will take to ship the item to you. A lot of times sellers will specify that they may take a certain number of days before the can ship the item. If you need the item by a certain date, you'll want to estimate the time it will take to receive it. Of course you can always contact the seller during the auction to see if they offer different shipping rates for overnight service. The worse they can say is no, but many times they will accommodate you.
6. Read the payment options the seller accepts before you bid on their item. If they only accept
checks or money orders, it may take even longer to get the item because the payment has to clear. Steer clear if the only payment option is International Money Order and the seller is overseas. This is usually an indication of a possible scam. Try to protect yourself with either credit card orders through secure servers or other online payment services like PayPal. This way you are protected against fraud.
7. Look to see if the seller offers a warranty or money back guarantee before bidding on a product. You don't want to get stuck with a item that does not work, is broken or you're not satisfied with for other reasons (the old bait and switch is not as common, but does happen from time to time). Most have time frames for returns, and other conditions, but generally most will allow returns for legitimate reasons.
8. Online auctions will, sometimes, allow you to check the sellers' auction history. Check to see what other people's experience has been with the seller. Have other people complained about the their items, services or business practices? How have the complaints been resolved? You do have a right to know before you decide to bid. Also of those that have complained, what is their history, are they chronic whiners?
9. It's important to place a bid early in the auction to show other bidders you are interested in the item. If someone does out bid you, don't be afraid to out bid them. Remember not to go over your maximum
bid price. Of course almost all the auction sites do allow for what they call “Proxy Bids” which allow you to place your maximum bid up front, then the bid is incremented up as others join in the bidding. It is a tool that allows you to set your max bid, but sees that you pay the lowest possible winning bid. This way you don't have to continuously look at the auctions to see how you are doing.
10.Another reason to know when the auction ends; you can place a last minute bid. There is software that allows you to place last minute bids. This is discouraged, but not illegal. It is a process called “Sniping”. So if the item has more watchers than bidders, then perhaps a few “snipers” are lurking to come in at the last minute and grab the item. There may however be other bidders that may not be keeping track of when the auction ends or may not have the time to bid again. These are the best type of competition if you must have any.
Following these tips will help ease you through the process and hopefully keep you from being a victim of overpaying or worse. It is amazing how many items are actually up for auction, and who knows maybe you will start putting your products or services up for bis as well (yes it is being done, but that is the subject for another article).
Mahalo.
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