News Item: : Top Tips for Sellers on 5marketplace.com
(Category: Selling)
Posted by admin
Friday 15 August 2008 - 15:33:40
1) Fully describe your item. This might sound
obvious but although you can 'see' your item, potential buyers can't.
All they get to 'see' is your description and photos.
So, describe it fully. For instance, if you are selling a book
If you are selling a consumer electronic item
2) Put yourself in your buyers shoes and write your description accordingly. Also, don't assume that just because the item you are selling has been advertised daily on the telly for the last 3 months that everyone 'must' know all about it. You know all about it because you've got it and you are interested in it but not everyone will be. Interests differ. Your comprehensive description might just entice someone 'not in the know' to buy your item.
3) A picture is worth a thousand words. So what are four free pictures worth?
You can include up to four free photos with each listing, plus an optional two more, so use them! Photograph your item from different angles, the back, opened, closed or take closeups of important areas. If your item is less than perfect or has scratches etc, photograph the affected areas.
4) Be open and upfront about any imperfections.
If they are clearly listed in your description and shown in photographs there is less likelyhood of misunderstandings arising later on. Plus you will be building up a reputation and therefore trust for good factual descriptions.
5) Sell the Benefits not the Features.
As any marketing person will tell you, sell the benefits not the features! Yes, you need to list the features as above but the 'benefits' are why the customer needs your product or what it will do for them.
e.g. a 'feature' of a vehicle may be '4 wheel drive'.
The 'benefits' of this feature may be: ability to drive places other vehicles can't or is less likely to get stuck in bad weather. However, if the customer is not interested in driving up steep hills he won't identify with the first benefit but he could with the second. Features are properties of the product. Benefits are why customers need (or want) them.
6) Why are you Selling your Item?
And finally, why are you selling your item? You've described all the features, photographed it in all its glory and professed all the benefits, so say why you are selling it. If you are having to part with your prized two-seater sports car because the new baby's car seat won't fit - then say so and this cleverly leads into some of the *benefits* that you will sorely miss.
Or if you're downsizing house and your 8ft inlaid mahogany dining table won't fit into the new dining room or is not suitable for the ultra modern minimalistic style then say so and mention / reinforce some of the benefits that people looking for 8ft mahogany dining tables will identify with and appreciate.
In summary:
This news item is from 5marketplace.com - Resource Centre
( http://5marketplace.com/resources/news.php?extend.2 )
(Category: Selling)
Posted by admin
Friday 15 August 2008 - 15:33:40
1) Fully describe your item. This might sound
obvious but although you can 'see' your item, potential buyers can't.All they get to 'see' is your description and photos.
- They can't 'touch' it.
- They can't pick it up - or walk around it, if it is too big to pick up.
- They can't look at the box or read the instruction book, or handle any accessories - assuming it has a box or manual or accessories.
- They can't 'feel' the texture of any fabrics.
- They can't 'smell' any aroma or perfume.
- They can't 'hear' the sound quality
- In short, they can't fully 'experience' your item in the way that they could if buying it from a shop.
So, describe it fully. For instance, if you are selling a book
- Is it hardback or paperback.
- Who is the publisher.
- Who is the Author
- How many pages does it have.
- What is the ISBN number (and yes, you would be suprised what people search on).
- What condition is it in.
- Give a quick summary to explain what it is about.
- Add your comments about the book - did it inspire, enthuse, make you cry, laugh or rethink your viewpoint? People love reading reviews!
If you are selling a consumer electronic item
- Who is the Manufactuer.
- What is the model name and / or part number - yes! do list actual model / part numbers no matter how long it might be. Serious buyers who've already done their research and decided what product they want to buy *will* be searching on this.
- What are the specifications - if they are too technical or long-winded to list - add a link to the manufacturer's website page. Note - the actual product page not just the website. AND, don't forget to set the link to open in a new window. You don't want your potential customer wafting off and forgetting where they have seen your item.
2) Put yourself in your buyers shoes and write your description accordingly. Also, don't assume that just because the item you are selling has been advertised daily on the telly for the last 3 months that everyone 'must' know all about it. You know all about it because you've got it and you are interested in it but not everyone will be. Interests differ. Your comprehensive description might just entice someone 'not in the know' to buy your item.
3) A picture is worth a thousand words. So what are four free pictures worth?
You can include up to four free photos with each listing, plus an optional two more, so use them! Photograph your item from different angles, the back, opened, closed or take closeups of important areas. If your item is less than perfect or has scratches etc, photograph the affected areas.
4) Be open and upfront about any imperfections.
If they are clearly listed in your description and shown in photographs there is less likelyhood of misunderstandings arising later on. Plus you will be building up a reputation and therefore trust for good factual descriptions.
5) Sell the Benefits not the Features.
As any marketing person will tell you, sell the benefits not the features! Yes, you need to list the features as above but the 'benefits' are why the customer needs your product or what it will do for them.
e.g. a 'feature' of a vehicle may be '4 wheel drive'.
The 'benefits' of this feature may be: ability to drive places other vehicles can't or is less likely to get stuck in bad weather. However, if the customer is not interested in driving up steep hills he won't identify with the first benefit but he could with the second. Features are properties of the product. Benefits are why customers need (or want) them.
6) Why are you Selling your Item?
And finally, why are you selling your item? You've described all the features, photographed it in all its glory and professed all the benefits, so say why you are selling it. If you are having to part with your prized two-seater sports car because the new baby's car seat won't fit - then say so and this cleverly leads into some of the *benefits* that you will sorely miss.
Or if you're downsizing house and your 8ft inlaid mahogany dining table won't fit into the new dining room or is not suitable for the ultra modern minimalistic style then say so and mention / reinforce some of the benefits that people looking for 8ft mahogany dining tables will identify with and appreciate.
In summary:
- Describe your item fully,
- Appreciate that potential customers only have your description and photos to go by, they can't touch, feel, smell or experience it.
- Include the manufacturer and model / part numbers, EAN numbers, ISBN numbers as appropriate.
- Include any technical specifications or provide links to manufacturers product page - not just their website - making sure the link opens in a new window so you don't lose the customer.
- Put yourself in your customer's shoes and try to anticipate all the questions they could ask.
- Photograph your item fully and to it's best advantage but do include any damage or imperfections - each listing includes upload of four free pictures plus you can add a futher two if required.
- Be factual about the condition of your item - this will reduce the possibility of misunderstandings later on plus it will add to your reputation for providing good factual descriptions thus building up trust.
- Sell the benefits and not just the features.
- And finally explain why you are selling the item.
This news item is from 5marketplace.com - Resource Centre
( http://5marketplace.com/resources/news.php?extend.2 )