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Last Post Sep 19, 2006 12:10 PM by: deirdre@ebay.com
Replies: 53
deirdre@ebay.com
Posts: 3,846

Member Workshop: 7 Traits of a Highly Successful Product Line - Sept 19

Aug 31, 2006 2:23 PM
Topic: Member Workshop: 7 Traits of a Highly Successful Product Line

Host: whatdoisell
Date: Tuesday 09/19
Time: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm PT
Location: Workshop Board

Description: Highly successful and profitable product lines are not a matter of luck or guessing, but rather a result of thoughtfully assembling a dynamic inventory of complimentary products. In this workshop, Lisa Suttora, Founder/CEO of What Do I Sell.com, an eBay Certified Service Provider, will discuss the 7 traits of a highly successful product line. Find out what characteristics separate product lines with explosive growth potential from those that are lackluster and then languish. During this workshop, Lisa will also look at workshop attendee's eBay stores and make suggestions for product line enhancements.

Cheers,

Deirdre
eBay Community Development
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deirdre@ebay.com
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Member Workshop: 7 Traits of a Highly Successful Product Line - Sept 19

Sep 19, 2006 11:22 AM
Hi creektreeusa:

Do you have any questions on the workshop material that we posted earlier? (see posts #2 through 24)

Thanks,

Deirdre
eBay Community Development
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creektreeusa
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Member Workshop: 7 Traits of a Highly Successful Product Line - Sept 19

Sep 19, 2006 11:23 AM
I've read through it, but haven't gone to any of the links you gave us yet.
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zachary0fec
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Member Workshop: 7 Traits of a Highly Successful Product Line - Sept 19

Sep 19, 2006 11:24 AM
It appears that they ran and hour early, so no one was here :)
-Zach
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creektreeusa
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Member Workshop: 7 Traits of a Highly Successful Product Line - Sept 19

Sep 19, 2006 11:24 AM
We have a number of different products in our store. Our main ones are hummingbird feeders, wind chimes, and fantasy products, including collectible weapons and fantasy jewelry. Of course, we're interested in learning more about what will improve our product line.
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whatdoisell
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Member Workshop: 7 Traits of a Highly Successful Product Line - Sept 19

Sep 19, 2006 11:26 AM
Hi creektreeusa , Let me take a look at your store. Give me a few minutes here. :)

Lisa
What Do I Sell.com
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deirdre@ebay.com
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Member Workshop: 7 Traits of a Highly Successful Product Line - Sept 19

Sep 19, 2006 11:26 AM
Hi zachary0fec:

Please read post #25 - we posted the content early so we could respond to members questions/comments based on the workshop material.

Thanks,

Deirdre
eBay Community Development
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justsellingsales
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Member Workshop: 7 Traits of a Highly Successful Product Line - Sept 19

Sep 19, 2006 11:29 AM
Hello, thank you for the workshop and information. In your #4 posting, you say not to ask yourself "What do I want to sell" but to look at the trends and start from there. Any suggestions on where to start looking for the lastest trends? Do you suggest just looking on eBay for items or do you know of any websites with that type of information?

~ Thank you!
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thelorax00
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Member Workshop: 7 Traits of a Highly Successful Product Line - Sept 19

Sep 19, 2006 11:29 AM
Hi!

This is my forst workshop, so I'm not quite sure how to get started....

Here's my store link!
Link

As you can see I left my selling niche wide open by naming my store "hodge podge lodge"! I also love country decor, so I thought the name worked well with the items I sell.

I started selling leftover inventory (primarily Caswell Massey Bath & Body products) from a former non-Ebay business, but found that these items sell well because Caswell only has 14 B&M stores in the US plus a website, which makes it difficult to purchase these items-which are on the high end.

My problem is expanding along the B&B line with complementary lines such as Crabtree & Evelyn, as they ONLY sell wholesale to B&M store owners. I DO have a sales tax ID, so I can purchase wholesale wherever I am allowed to.

I happen to live near a Caswell Distribution center, as well as a Lenox DC, so I can sometimes find a few good deals, but not on a regular basis.

Suggestions?!

chillpill.psd
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deirdre@ebay.com
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Member Workshop: 7 Traits of a Highly Successful Product Line - Sept 19

Sep 19, 2006 11:31 AM
Thanks for posting thelorax00. Lisa will take a look at your store as soon as she's through responding to creektreeusa.

Deirdre
eBay Community Development
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whatdoisell
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Member Workshop: 7 Traits of a Highly Successful Product Line - Sept 19

Sep 19, 2006 11:34 AM
Hi creektreeusa, You've done great job of selecting 2 niche markets that are in demand with consumers.

I see that you have two websites that are separate, in addition to your eBay store.

The first thing I would recommend is to have to completely separate eBay stores for each of your niches (if you have the man power to run two stores) This will allow you to really brand both of them.

As for your product lines, let me give you some ideas:

The garden niche is hot, and there are so many directions you could go with this.

I would definitely look to expand your niche into more garden related products. This could be specializing in organic gardening products, outdoor living products (which is a sizzling hot trend), high end gardening tools etc.

A couple sites to look at to get a good idea of new products are Link and Link

You also want to look at seasonal items - what products sell well in the winter versus what sells in the summer.

The outdoor living niche is where people are extending their inside living space outside - this has spawned a whole new kind of product.

Doing some trending research will give you more information on this - we also have information at What Do I Sell.com

Regarding the fantasy products niche - go to the bookstore and pick up some magazines around this niche and see what the tweens and teens are buying in this niche. THere is a huge tweens and teens market for these products - as well as the adult market.

Continue to expand your offerings in this niche.

Lisa
What Do I Sell.com
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creektreeusa
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Member Workshop: 7 Traits of a Highly Successful Product Line - Sept 19

Sep 19, 2006 11:36 AM
Thank you Lisa, That's a helpful review. We'd considered before having two separate stores, but were concerned about having to build the feedback record again.
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whatdoisell
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Member Workshop: 7 Traits of a Highly Successful Product Line - Sept 19

Sep 19, 2006 11:40 AM
Welcome justsellingsales! There are many trending websites and a vast amount of trending information online, in industry trade publications, at trade shows.

eBay is a good place to start by browsing the categories, looking at eBay Pulse etc., but you must go beyond that and start reading the trending websites and doing research on trending articles etc.

At What Do I Sell.com we give you the top trending websites (We call them Idea Hotspots) as well as teach you how to do your own trending research.

Reading daily is also important - newspapers, magazines, television will all put you in tune with the trends.

Lisa
What Do I Sell.com
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sierrasummits
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Member Workshop: 7 Traits of a Highly Successful Product Line - Sept 19

Sep 19, 2006 11:42 AM
Hello Lisa,

a bit late today, but I will study your comments when done. Thought you might be able to give some suggestions to my new store, Adventure Outdoor Clothing. Thanks, laura
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justsellingsales
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Member Workshop: 7 Traits of a Highly Successful Product Line - Sept 19

Sep 19, 2006 11:44 AM
Thank you for the information. I've been selling on eBay for a while but by doing consignments. I'm wanting to take my business in a different direction. I've recently added Soy Candles and Solar Night Flower Lights. Which do not go together, but sales have been good for both of them.

I was just wondering where to find the hot trends so I'll start working on that and check out your website.

Thanks again!
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sierrasummits
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Member Workshop: 7 Traits of a Highly Successful Product Line - Sept 19

Sep 19, 2006 11:45 AM
Your workshop gives alot of great information!
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