Unique Selling Proposition On Ebay
by Greg HayesIf 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
Greg Hayes, Atlanta, GA
ghayes@mammothprofits.com
http://www.mammothprofits.com/AuctionWealth
Are You Tired of the scams and the get-rich-quick schemes? Greg
Hayes is founding editor of
http://www.mammothprofits.com/AuctionWealth. Mammothprofits is
the website devoted to helping others filter out the scams and
become successful in a home based business. |
"Finally
-- You Too Can Turn Ebay Into A Non-stop Cash Generating Machine..."