|
Author: Greg Hayes Article source: http://www.macosx.com/. Used with author's permission.
If you have dabbled at all in the world of Internet marketing, you may have heard the term "unique selling proposition" or USP. USP is a technique that Internet marketers use to set themselves apart from the competition. Internet marketing is highly competitive and highly saturated. In order to be successful, it is vital that the Internet marketer present himself as being unique and different from his competitors especially when many of them are selling the same products.
It is also just as vital to have a unique selling proposition on Ebay. I am amazed at the number of Ebay sellers that are either unaware or just don't care about the importance of having a unique selling proposition. A case in point: A while back, I was researching some products on Ebay from a wholesale company called B&F System. B&F System is a wholesale only company that carries a variety of brand name products. One of the brands they carry is called Maxam. I came across several Maxam leather jackets on Ebay while searching ended auctions. Now here's the kicker. About a dozen or so of these leather jacket auctions were exactly the same. They all used the same image of a guy modeling the jacket that was captured from the B&F website. They even used the exact ad copy used by B&F!
What was the result? Only one of the sellers was able sell any jackets. The top bid was only $26. And since he purchased the jackets from B&F for $20, he made about $5.00 profit after Ebay fees. That's a slim profit for an item that normally retails for $95.
Always keep in mind that the amount of effort you put fourth on you auctions will be in direct proportion to the amount of return you get from your auctions. The sellers who put up the jacket auctions put fourth little effort by using stock photos and ad copy from the B&F website, and therefore received little or no sales from their auctions. The sellers in this case might think that using stock photos makes their auctions look more professional. It's just the opposite. These auctions look very amateurish. Using a picture of someone modeling a garment will not entice people to bid on your auction. Using three or four high quality pictures of the actual item along with a detailed description will entice people to bid. Remember that buying apparel off the internet is not like buying music CD's or software. You don't need to worry if a CD will fit. You don't need to see multiple pictures of a box of software to know what you'll be getting. However, when selling apparel, good quality pictures and a detailed description are vital. You should use a good quality digital camera to take pictures of the item from different angles. If you're selling jackets or coats, include a picture of the lining as well. In your description, don't just say it's a large size. Give measurements of the garment including overall length, sleeve length and chest size. If you're going to specialize in apparel, it would be a good idea to purchase a form or clothing dummy to model your apparel. Doing these things will go a long way in setting you apart from the competition and establishing a "unique selling proposition."
What ever you're thinking about selling, always look at your competition and think about how to set yourself apart. Remember that unless you're selling antiques on Ebay, there's always someone else who's trying to sell the same thing you're selling. Establishing your USP will put you on the road to Ebay success. About The Author
Are You Tired of the scams and the get-rich-quick schemes? Greg Hayes is founding editor of http://www.mammothprofits.com/. Mammothprofits is the website devoted to helping others filter out the scams and become successful in a home based business.
ghayes@mammothprofits.com
A New School Year
When you think of a new School Year what are your first thoughts? There can often be lots of anxiety with a new school year for parents as well as children. R...
Good News About Getting Published
So you want to get a book published and add "author" to your resume. A decade ago, there weren't too many options for professionals and consultants to get into ...
The Benefits of Corner Gas Fireplaces
A fireplace is a beautiful addition to any room. It adds warmth, style, and focus. You can build the entire room's decor around a beautiful fireplace. If you ar...
Has Anyone Seen My Twenties?
As an increasing number of students graduate with massive amounts of debt, Britain's twenty-somethings find themselves working longer hours - sometimes 7 days a...
Investment Speed Bumps
Maybe you have done the same thing as I have. Been driving down an unfamiliar street at a good pace and suddenly...
Why Pregnant Women Get Stressed and Depressed?
If you are a pregnant mother or soon will be, this is the most important reality you going to face. You will get stress and depress. Why?
Aquarium Fish Food Tips
A balanced diet for your aquarium fish is essential to thier survival. Most of the commercially available dry fish foods are almost always unbalanced...
Revering the Crayon Marks
An essay on recapturing the magic of motherhood.
How to Give from Your Home
Most of us have things around our home that we could give to help others.
The Top 10 Fun Things for Parents and Toddlers to Play With
1. Give your child a spray bottle of water and watch them spray every possible thing outside of the house! 2. Use shaving cream in the bathtub for extra fun. It...
See How The New Kicked Up Google Sitemap Can Get You Indexed Faster and Ranked Higher!
Does Creating a Google Site Map and Telling Google About it get your Work at Home Business Web Page Indexed Faster? Google Visited My Home Based Business Web Pa...
RAP Music and Brain Washing Issues
90 beats per second puts the human brain in a theta brainwave state. Find out why RAP music may effect your child's future. Very controversial article. One Ira...
Cultivating the Trust Factor
In today's highly competitive economy, it is difficult to
maintain a significant market advantage based on your
professional skills alone. Developing a trusti...
Parenting Your Teenager: Driving and Having a Car is a Privilege, Not a Right
Is a driver's license and a car the right of every 16 year old? Discover how to teach your teenager the difference between rights and privileges and wants and n...
What to Do When the Reporter Calls: Five Tips for New (and not-so-new) Business Owners
New business owners often miss out on publicity opportunities because they think it's a nuisance to talk to reporters. In fact, publicity can be far more valuab...
Search Engine Essentials
Search Engine Optimisation seems to be the main topic on every webmasters mind these days, and rightly so as it can be the making or breaking of a website. This...
Credit Repair Kit Sound To Good To Be True? It Is.
A lot of people have bad credit. It is unfortunate that good people with good intentions are sometimes lured into credit card offers with outrageous interest r...
The Greatest Secret To Producing Real SOLID Excellence!
What is the secret behind those people who truly attain success in their life?
Spice Up Your Bedroom With Paint
Afraid to paint your bedroom walls with color? What holds you back? Are you afraid the color will be too strong? Not match your furniture? Or you'll become tir...
Eliminating the Past
Do you feel trapped by your past? How many times have you heard that "the past cannot be changed" or that "you have to learn to accept the past"? Well now there...
10 Reasons Why Time and Attendance Systems Are Not Just Substitutes for Clock Cards
Some claim that a Time and Attendance System is just a high tech clock card. Boy are they wrong!
Web Site Development Process - The Life-cycle Steps
Like the traditional software development, the process of web site development can also be divided into different life cycle steps. This can help to format the ...
Analyzing Customers in Your Business Plan
The Customer Analysis section of the business plan assesses the customer segments that the company serves. In it, the company must 1) identify its target custom...
Like A One-Eyed Cat Peeping In A Seafood Store
Want to be successful in whatever it is you choose to do? Then you need to be focused--just "like a one-eyed cat peeping in a seafood store!" Guess what that...
|
Print this page