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Highlights of #StartupChat “Sales Channel Discussion”

September 7, 2011

 

#StartupChat is a twitter event we host weekly to help startups grow. Join us every Wed 2pm EST on Twitter with hashtag #startupchat!

Recently we discussed online sales channels with guests who sell on eBay, Etsy, independent shops and more. Guests included @PlumDistrict, @sarahjanestudio, @ecoglominerals, @creativethurs, @mom4lifecom

Here’s highlights of the conversation:

When deciding how to sell your product or services, what should you consider?

Plum District: Consider your cost, time, and the value of a new customer. Are you interested in unloading product or obtaining new customers?

creativethurs: Choose a product that you love & inspires you that is also commercially viable

ecoglominerals: Find out who your target market is!

sarahjanestudio: Help the consumer visualize the product use. Photography & Presentation is key!

startupprincess Does your target audience (you’ve got one, right?!) want what you sell & are they willing to pay for it.

 

What benefits have you experienced from selling online vs off?

ecoglominerals: Huge benefits! I can be a work-at-home mom by selling online only. You can gain customers from around the world!

mom4lifecom: Online you are not limited by local demographics

creativethurs: Ease & privacy of selling online outweighs standing in retail space-love hearing from customers once they’ve made decision

sarahjanestudio: Selling online allows production on demand. Less $$ upfront

 

Why did you choose your specific sales channel(s)?

mom4lifecom: I stared on eBay, this allowed me to begin with a low startup cost, as business grew, I moved to a website

ecoglominerals: I’m not a fan of the fees that etsy or eBay charge, esp. when I can make my own website and cart that I like. More freedom! eBay and Etsy are great to start with as they can get you a lot of traffic! Gain a customer base first.

lepapierstudio: The more platforms you sell the better.

creativethurs: Important to remember that any online venue you choose to sell through brings exposure as well as possible sales

 

Tell us about the benefits of your sales channel(s)?

PlumDistrict: Daily deals offer a zero cost upfront marketing avenue for a business to reach a wide audience – for us moms

ecoglominerals: Freedom in webdesign, all aspects of a cart- you can choose the cart that works best for you. No fees besides normal hosting fees.

mom4lifecom: With our YouTube channel I have seen GREAT Google rankings from our videos within days of uploading them

creativethurs: New people find my work daily via @Etsy. It’s more than an online shop but a marketing opportunity as well

 

Expenses/fees to sell? When is it NOT worth it to pay fees to sell online?

mom4lifecom: If you are not able to measure results

ecoglominerals: When you are not making a nice profit or when gaining no sales/customers from specific channel

 

Any potential challenges for the consumer to purchase via your sales channel?

mom4lifecom: With my YouTube channel, customers need to be given a clear call to action 2 my website

ecoglominerals: Like all online sales, customer can’t see product in person so good photos are essential!

creativethurs: Not being able to see product in person b4 purchase. however once you build trust & relationship w/ customers = non-issue

PlumDistrict: One barrier is that we only offer our deals to registered users, although free, this can be an extra step for someone

 

What success stories have you experienced working with your sales channel?

creativethurs: I was able to make a full time living as an artist selling online

ecoglominerals: Being a work-at-home mom and working during naptimes and in the evenings when my hubby is home :) . Very convenient!

PlumDistrict: We have seen powerful relationships between the biz and their community evolve as a result of running a deal on our site

lepapierstudio: I was able to Quit my Day Job from selling online.

 

What recommendations do you have to get the most out of your experience selling online?

ecoglominerals: Advertise your business through social media.

mom4lifecom: Find other companies to cross promote with

PlumDistrict: Know what your objs are before you run a daily deal. If it is long term engagement, then this could be a great venue 4 your biz

startupprincess: I recommend impeccable branding, strong products & solid messaging for online sales

creativethurs: All the same advice for any business owner especially = be willing to be more transparent and be yourself

mom4lifecom: Use social media to connect w/ and get feedback from your customers

 

What secret to success is using a blog with your sales channel?

ecoglominerals: Keep it updated. It is a constant reminder that you are around and always improving your biz

creativethurs: Starting a blog was key in building my online business = a channel to share my art & let my customers get to know me

mom4lifecom: Having a blog has allowed me to put fresh content in front of our customers regularly while also helping google ranking

lepapierstudio: Having a blog allowed me to share my story and built a community. I would have never made it without it

 

Any other tips on How to ROCK Online Sales?

startupprincess: Be sure to offer a ‘freemium’ for people to sign up for newsletter

ecoglominerals: I am a big fan of social media. USE IT a lot. Do sales, giveaways (I do a lot!), have a newsletter, they all help!

creativethurs: Last but not least, try not to lose sight of why you created the product {you love} & started a business in the first place

 

You can see and hear more from @mom4lifecom and @sarahjanestudio at Touchpoint September 15-16! Join us! Use code ‘startupchat’ for $50 OFF

 

Written by Kimberly · Filed Under Startup & Grow 

Why Do Mom-Made Products Seem to Cost So Much?

June 2, 2008

If you are like me you are a bargain shopper. You love to find good deals and save money. But if you are like me you also prefer to support the little guy (or in my case “mom”) rather Read more

Written by startupprincess · Filed Under Startup & Grow 

Startup Princess Kingdom News * February 1, 2008

January 31, 2008

REMINDER: Startup Princess Networking Tea Party Feb. 13th, 6:30-8:30pm, $10 Provo Academy Library, Utah featuring Small Group Discusssions & former Mrs. Utah (2004) Cherie Burton. Cherie’s presentation will focus on presenting your most powerful IMAGE (how to look and prepare physically, emotionally and mentally for a media interview, speaking event or business meeting)…as well as “being” your best self! RSVP here.

Miss out on the fabulous 2007 Startup Princess Conference? DVD set available! 2 disc, 6 hour set featuring 14 women entrepreneurs! Click here to purchase.

Business Plan COMPETITIONS info here

Startup Princesses all over the Kingdom have Great News to Share:

Fairy Godmother Heather Allard writes: I’m proud to unveil The Mogul Mom’s new website, new prices and new eBooks coming soon! Come visit me at www.TheMogulMom.com and see how I can help YOU with your mom-owned business.

Click here to view larger imageStartup Princess Emily McCormick of chic clothing company, Shabby Apple writes: We’re launching Shabby Baby, a NEW line of dresses for little girls sizes 0-6 months up to 5T. They’re super fun, funky and most importantly, different from what you can buy anywhere else. The dresses stick to our motto of being easy-to-wear (essential for kids), stylish and affordable (they’re all around $30). We’re also dedicated to giving a portion of the proceeds to help other children throughout the world by extending micro-credit loans to mothers in less-wealthy countries. People will be able to purchase dresses online (of course) or host Shabby Baby trunk shows. (Check out this adorable “Vineyard” dress! Love it!)

Fairy Godmother Heather Ledeboer of Mom 4 Life writes: We were fortunate to be chosen by BabyLegs to feature two exclusive styles. I invite everyone to stop on by and grab their limited edition BabyLegs (Pink/Orange/Red Stripe and Light Blue/Lime Aqua Stripe) while they still can!

Startup Princess Jen Davidson of SnoDaisy did an awesome interview and has been getting airtime on Park City TV! [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQUKVS3SNGE[/youtube] Web traffic has spiked and we’ve been getting lots of inquires. Word is getting out! Shred on!

Fairy Godmother Mary Wilson-Burkett writes: I am working with the Orange County Entrepreneur Center to help them build a women’s networking group. The goal is to take business networking to a new level by having a group that actively coaches and mentors one another. Take a look. http://www.ocentrepreneurs.com/women/

Do you have great news to share? Comment below! We LOVE to celebrate how you’ve Made a Wish and Made it Happen!

Written by startupprincess · Filed Under Uncategorized 

  Startup Princess is an international network committed to empowering Women Entrepreneurs by offering resources for women in business to support, mentor, collaborate, learn from, and inspire one another. In 2006, after struggling to raise funding for an initial startup business venture, Kelly King Anderson recognized an important market niche existed for reliable resources educating women desiring to start and grow successful businesses, thus Startup Princess was developed.

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