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I have a product to sell - Where to go from here? Marketing/promoting it?

by tbr
11 replies
I have a physical product in mind that I plan on selling online, on its own branded website. I'm in the early stages of this and my first thought is "how do I get people to see it?"... What came to my mind immediately was instagram... You know how there's a ton of girls/models constantly posing with products like teeth whitener, weight loss tea, bath scrubs, etc..? Of course, none of those are super original products or anything... however, these brands seem to carve out nice profitable businesses due to their social media presence, thanks to sponsored posts with these models who tend to have impressionable viewers willing to buy the items they're posing with in the photo. I've even noticed my younger sister buying some of these products that were promoted by models on instagram.

Anyway, I'll admit my product is nothing super original that hasn't been done before (neither are those aforementioned products I continuously see either), however it falls in that same beauty/well-being/lifestyle category and I feel like it could become a hit among that same type of audience. Especially since it's a unisex item. I don't see any other brand selling the product with a decent presence on social media/instagram too. Regardless, my prices would definitely be very competitive.

1) Has anyone here done that sort of marketing before? (sending product to instagram models + some money to promote it) Is it worth it?

2) My product would sell for about $25 + shipping. Costs me $10 to make. I'd be making ~$15 off each sale. Obviously I can't disclose the product, but is that good?

3) Lastly, obviously this method of using instagram models to promote my product isn't the only way of getting customers. What else is there? And where can I read about it? Where do I even start? I see all sorts of terminology and information on this website like SEO, CPA, PPC, etc.. and it's a little overwhelming and confusing. Is there a specific guide I should start off by reading so I learn the basics?

It's a little confusing at times, especially because I know everything on here doesn't exactly apply for people like me trying to sell a physical product - so I'm often unsure which things apply for me, and which things don't.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!
#marketing or promoting #product #sell
  • Profile picture of the author accutranskpo
    If you are having VAT Number then start selling on Flipkart, Amazon many more by making regsiter you a s a seller.
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    • Profile picture of the author amaziff
      Instagram can be great to help if you will be able to get some attention there - what will cost you time and money (if you want someone to promote the product).

      Own page is great to create long term relationship with customer.

      I would suggest also Ebay. There are many people selling their own products like you want and are successful.
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  • Profile picture of the author aidensean16
    Amazon is best way for it.You can try it.
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  • Profile picture of the author gweijie
    contact as many people as possible! Bloggers, influencers, potential customers! Lots of hustling!
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    Weijie World - Wearables, Tech, and Internet Of Things
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  • Profile picture of the author nwik
    Amazon and instagram are the two best avenue to market your product.

    On instagram there are a lot of possibility that your target market might see it just by using proper hashtags.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Originally Posted by tbr View Post

    I know everything on here doesn't exactly apply for people like me trying to sell a physical product - so I'm often unsure which things apply for me, and which things don't.

    tbr,

    When you boil all your questions down, what you're really asking is "How do I do Internet marketing?"

    You should spend some time here and learn the steps.

    The very first step is doing research in your market to understand where there is a demand, a need or desire.

    You are starting off on the wrong foot - with a product to sell. You have ignored all the stuff leading up to choosing a product that is in demand by your audience.

    When you do your market research, you will understand who the audience is, where they hang out, how to reach them, how to price your product, where to sell it, and who the "influencers" are in the marketplace.

    Leave out the research and you have no clue how to do your marketing.

    Steve
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    Steve Browne, online business strategies, tips, guidance, and resources
    SteveBrowneDirect

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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Originally Posted by tbr View Post

    I have a product to sell - Where to go from here? Marketing/promoting it?
    Never create or find a product first, and then go and ask: "who can i sell it to?"

    Do the reverse. Find a small niche that consists of a relatively small number of people, discover their need or want or problem... and THEN create or find a product that you can offer to them - and help them resolve their dilemma.
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    ==>> Free book reveals make money with affiliate marketing
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  • Profile picture of the author EPoltrack77
    yeah now for the traffic part. The easy part!

    You want to see how well it converts. I'd use highly targeted sources like ppc and or solo ads. Once you know you have a sales page that converts then you can expand into social media.
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    Working to achieve higher results...
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  • Profile picture of the author tyronne78
    First of all,you are doing things in the wrong order. Do your market research first so you're certain you have a product people have a want and need for. Then create the product. If you create a product people don't want,everything else you do will be a waste of time,energy and resources.
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    Visit my blog for FREE direct response marketing tips & tricks
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex77789
    Well, the idea is great, because those girls are more susceptible to all the stuff they see on Instagram on pages of others. It's a smart step I think, keep up!))))

    Talking about promoting...have you ever thought of creating your own blog or website??)

    You can find some info here, if you like)))
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  • Profile picture of the author rritz
    Hi OP, as I don't think the comments "do your research first" will help you - true as they may be - because you already have a product, here's what I would do in your place:
    1. Get a clear picture WHO will benefit by your product and WHY - define your target audience. WHAT problem are you solving and WHO is likely to have that same problem

    Write it down, just about everything you can think of - how old are they, where do they live, in what kind of life situation do they find themselves in ( are they pupils, students, working class people, stay at home moms, CEOs, ...), what kind of income do they have, how much money can they spend on things they don't need for bare survival, what do they spend their money on now, how do they spend their spare time, ... maybe even what clothes do they wear, who are their musical and sports idols, ...
    Think of your ideal customer and describe her or him that way.

    The more time you spend on that part the easier it will be to target your customers later on

    2. Once you have defined your customers you have to find out where they are hanging out.
    Places to start:
    - Forums
    - Blogs
    - Facebook Groups
    - Google+ communities
    - twitter
    - instagram you already mentioned
    - pinterest
    - community websites

    When you know where they hang out and what they talk about you can start making your entry, you can use ads, you can take part in the communities, you can contribute to discussions, you can add fun stuff related to your product, you can add serious stuff, food for thought related to your product.

    3. I 'd highly recommend getting an email opt in form set up in your website. You can create a free info product for download in exchange for an email adress. In your info product you can eg write up a "How To" (make you life better in ten steps .. etc) and you can throw in once or twice how they could make their lives even more better by using your product.

    4. Use the emails to send out your autoresponder sequence. A series of emails centered around your product, the problem you are solving, you can give helpful tips and you can put in some sales copy from time to time. Not overly promotional. Be helpful, show you have really given thought to that problem, that you know what they are suffering etc etc. This will make selling a lot easier for you.

    If you have never had anything to do with email lists, I recommend mailchimp. It's free as long as you have no more than 2000 subscribers. It's easy to set up and the support is very helpful.

    5. Don't forget, it's always Try and Test. Always. Get a bit better every single day.
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