Author Archive
by Jennifer Ratliff on May 30th, 2008
Going into a retail business for yourself means taking risks with your money and your future. Not only do you have to worry about finding customers and keeping positive cash flow, you have to keep a steady supply of merchandise. This means finding a reliable supplier or distributor. But with just as many fraudulent or overpriced suppliers as there are legitimate distributors, committing to a supplier can be a scary thing.
Good business sense can help you avoid many of the scams out there, but there is no way to avoid them all. Fortunately, a scammer’s charade is never impervious.... Read more »
by Jennifer Ratliff on November 20th, 2007
Most fledgling business owners know the value of setting goals. Entrepreneurs spend the majority of their time setting goals–the rest of their time is spent meeting and exceeding those goals. Sales professionals, whether they own their own business or work for someone else, also find themselves immersed in the world of goal keeping. Without goals, a seller’s life is hectic and disorganized at best. Since he doesn’t know how many sales he must make to meet his financial obligations, sales are just numbers to be tallied, not parts of a larger equation. Online sellers who don’t plan how they’re going... Read more »
by Jennifer Ratliff on October 19th, 2007
Art is a multi-million dollar industry, and wholesalers who know how to market and sell it can reap the benefits. Of course, selling art is not a straightforward process, because the field is so broad. Selling a large variety of art together can be financial suicide. When selling products that come from different backgrounds, wholesalers must double the time they spend researching their products in order to market to the right people. It is not unusual for a wholesaler to advertise in two different markets to sell products that occupy the same webpage. By specializing in one area, sellers minimize... Read more »
by Jennifer Ratliff on October 19th, 2007
Email is a quick and reliable mode of transferring messages and information. It is also a relatively free form of advertising. For new businesses, anything free is worth considering. But there are many regulations that muddy the waters of email marketing, and if you go the wrong way here, you’re likely dealing with hefty fines.
There are some things that can help business owners take full advantage of email marketing, while avoiding potential pitfalls.
1. Focus your attention first on those people who have already expressed an interest in your service or product. Starting and maintaining a short newsletter can... Read more »
by Jennifer Ratliff on October 18th, 2007
Running a business in the 21st century has its advantages. The Internet has made it possible to find buyers for your products from around the world, which significantly increases your profit potential. However, there are a few rough spots when it comes to working with foreign countries. One issue is the difference in currency. Another is the language and culture barrier that exists. Online translating programs greatly assist in interpreting the needs of foreign clients; however, dealing with foreign currencies can be intimidating.
Online Payments Pave the Way
Choosing an online payment system that can handle different currencies can significantly... Read more »
by Jennifer Ratliff on October 17th, 2007
As 2007 comes to a close, people are scouring the stores, the Internet, and their crazy friend’s craft shop for that perfect Christmas gift. This is the time of the year when sellers become psychically tuned to the state of the world and decide what the hot ticket item is for the year. Filling the requests of millions of holiday shoppers is a big task, but if anybody is capable of making consumers happy, resellers can.
What are the most popular products for the 2007 holiday season? Technology seems to be the key.
If it doesn’t plug up, use batteries... Read more »
by Jennifer Ratliff on October 17th, 2007
Wouldn’t the world be a great place if everyone could do their jobs from home? No rush hour traffic, six a.m. alarm or hurried attempt to finish things before bedtime. You have probably passed those flyers on your way home from work or skipped over them as you were reading the Sunday paper. There are many “work at home” advertisements out there, and 99% of them are scams, bent on preying on people’s desire to spend time with their families or trying to reach independence from the workplace. But avoiding these scams can be hard, especially for those who desire... Read more »
by Jennifer Ratliff on October 4th, 2007
A wholesaler’s biggest task isn’t sourcing product or maintaining an inventory. It is working with a variety of manufacturers who can be contrary and demanding. But this doesn’t have to be an ordeal. The manufacturer is an important link in the supply chain, so you’ll have to put your thoughts into making the relationship work. This, or you’ll end up finding a product that you would just love to carry, only to run into problems with the manufacturers or a manufacturing representative.
If you want to sell product from a specific manufacturer, the first step is to contact them. Most... Read more »
by Jennifer Ratliff on October 1st, 2007
Flea markets give sellers an unlimited income potential, while not limiting them to one product or sector of sales. Where else can you find a gallon bag of baseball cards for a dollar, an antique clock for three dollars, and all the stuffed animals you could want thrown in for good measure? Flea market sales have found a niche, and you can have a piece of the pie. Unlike other retail sales businesses, working a flea market doesn’t involve a large startup cost. In fact, crafters and others who can make their own products can begin right away.
There is... Read more »
by Jennifer Ratliff on October 1st, 2007
Every good seller knows how profitable it can be to sell electronics. Their popularity and long shelf lives guarantee a good return on your investment. And while knockoffs and used brand named electronics are easier to procure, if you have any desire for a future in sales, you’ll eventually want to join “the big league:” selling new brand name electronics .
The Internet revolution has opened a global market for popular electronics, and no electronics company has enough people to cover all of those markets. Companies are beginning to realize the advantages of licensing their brand name, and electronics companies... Read more »