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Archive for the ‘eBay Marketing’ Category

eBay holds the honor of being the largest auction site in the world which caters to the needs for buyers and sellers from all walks of life from all over the world. Therefore, in the face of stiff competition it is essential for a seller to maintain a strong presence by adopting certain marketing strategies which are well known for generating success and reaping profits.

In order to become a power seller on eBay, the first step which is recommended to the prospective trader is to judge his position accurately so that he is aware of his actual status in comparison with the other sellers. This is to ensure the strength of the competition so that one is able to reap good returns on one’s investment.

Having taken stock of your position, the next step entails expansion of the network by associating with the appropriate niche and being able to deliver the product to the targeted customer in the shortest possible time.

Every successful business needs to be supported by a pro-active customer service which makes the customers feel important rather than inanimate internet connections. Such a customer service can be established by responding to queries within 24 hours, posting error-free written communication and asking for feedback after every transaction.

An organized website which is user friendly as well as self explanatory is always considered as being a positive marketing strategy since it forms a good impression on the customer. An ideal website should consist of an ‘About Me’ page and a neat listing of the products offered by the seller.

There are several successful eBay marketing strategies and it depends on the acumen of the seller to decide which strategy is best suited for his needs so that it can be cultivated accordingly to result in a lucrative business as well as a good experience.

So, you have decided that millions of people can’t be wrong and an eBay business can make money. After you’ve done your product research there is another step to perform and it’s creating an eBay marketing plan. It takes time to establish a following and a reputation for quality, but having a plan in the beginning can speed things up. Here are some tips to help you steer your marketing efforts in the right direction.

What is Marketing?

For those who don’t know, marketing is how you get the word out about your products.

Online marketing strategies for websites also work if your only presence in cyberspace is on eBay. Some use eBay as a sort of test market before going further and building websites to sell their products. eBay has a few fees they charge for their services, but these are nominal compared to the money you can make. Remember, it takes money to make money and if you’re serious about creating a profitable business at some point or another you’ll need to spend a little money.

Where to Begin in your eBay Marketing Plan

• Spread the News – Begin with word of mouth, or viral marketing. Tell your friends and family about your new business venture on eBay. Send them emails with links to your auctions so they can see just what it is you are up to.

• Email – Use your email in another way. Each time you send an email, you have the opportunity to “sign” them with a signature line. Use that signature line as a way to link to your auction listing or eBay store. Add a tagline like, “Come and see what’s new on eBay!”

• Customer Feedback – Ask for feedback from your buyers. Increasing the amount of positive feedback elevates your standing on eBay. Most people leave feedback anyway but send an email message to follow up after you ship your products as a customer service gesture to gauge their satisfaction and remind them to add feedback.

• Business Cards – Use business cards. In each package you ship add a business card so your name stays fresh in their minds. For informational products like eBooks and special reports, add a business card resource box on the last page of the product.

• Reward Repeat Customers – Offer coupons and other promotional offers for repeat clients. We say repeat clients because anyone can take advantage of an offer the first time and never return. If offer a discount to a customer when they next bid and win or make a fixed price purchase, they will come back. A discount on shipping will get their attention.

• Freebies – Add freebies to the packages you ship. Here’s an example. Let’s say that you are selling a bicycle. Add a bicycle pump or stickers (for a kids bike) to be used by the buyer. Include your logo and web address where applicable.

Each of these ideas contributes to an overall marketing plan. If you have a separate website, the number of marketing strategies you can use increases even more. Don’t narrow yourself into just one form of marketing. You need to develop a well thought out eBay marketing plan and work your way through each step in order to reach ultimate success with your eBay store.