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Are you a marketing genius? I need your help!

by FunMom
33 replies
Hi my fellow warrior geniuses! I have been a member here for over ten years and have learned tons! Now I need some out of the box thinking for my new endeavor:

I am launching an mobile app, https://bitly.com/1o9W88W

It is an app that will simplify the posting process on eBay. Basically you just snap a photo of the item you want to post, and you are done! We ID, research, write title and description, figure out the shipping, basically create the whole post for you. There is a video on the site that explains the app pretty well.

The beta will launch in April. My job right now is to get as many sign ups to the list as possible (I know, you can all identify with this issue!).

I sent out emails to family and friends, I am posting on eBay groups and so forth.

But.... I would love some of your brainstorming to find out-of-the-box ways to get people to the site and sign up.

What do you think?
#genius #marketing
  • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
    Try this: http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ffic-tips.html
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    Get Off The Warrior Forum Now & Don't Come Back If You Want To Succeed!
    All The Real Marketers Are Gone. There's Nothing Left But Weak, Sniveling Wanna-Bees!
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  • Profile picture of the author sirtiman
    Buy ads on Ebay about your launch.
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  • Profile picture of the author salegurus
    Wow, 5% of selling price.
    That's ok for low cost items but what if i'm selling a $400 laptop, eBay takes about $34, Paypal about $10 and you $20?
    Personally i would rather keep my $20 and post myself...
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    • Profile picture of the author FunMom
      Hi Brent, thanks for that resource... I see it is going to be a long night for me

      Sirtimin, I like that idea. I was even thinking of creating stickers that say something like "SnapPost Just snap a picture and post on eBay" and selling them on eBay(for very little) just so I can peak people's interest to find out more. I don't see any reason that would be against eBay's rules, right? (I mean, I will be selling physical stickers or shirts)
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      • Profile picture of the author FunMom
        SaleGuru, Thanks for your feedback.

        I agree with you, if you have no problem selling on eBay, this app is not for you. But some of us are not as technical or patient, and it might be worth the extra $20 (for a $400 item) just to get someone else to do it for them and not get frustrated trying to figure it out on their own.


        Thanks,

        Suzanne
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        • Profile picture of the author salegurus
          Originally Posted by FunMom View Post

          SaleGuru, Thanks for your feedback.

          I agree with you, if you have no problem selling on eBay, this app is not for you. But some of us are not as technical or patient, and it might be worth the extra $20 (for a $400 item) just to get someone else to do it for them and not get frustrated trying to figure it out on their own.


          Thanks,

          Suzanne
          Yip i agree. My point is that for someone who sells the occasional item on eBay thats fine but if they are trying to make money by selling on eBay 5% is a big bite out of their profits.
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          • Profile picture of the author FunMom
            Originally Posted by salegurus View Post

            Yip i agree. My point is that for someone who sells the occasional item on eBay thats fine but if they are trying to make money by selling on eBay 5% is a big bite out of their profits.
            SaleGurus, I hear what you are saying, and I'm not arguing BUT (you knew there was a but), the reason I am creating this app is because even though I've been selling on eBay for over 15 years (It was called AuctionWeb then) I still hate the posting process. Yeah, I know how to do it, but it still annoying and frustrating. I rather do other things. And, in fact, I have hired people to do that part of the job for me. A lot of people do. It's kind of like doing your own taxes... It is relatively simple, but we still rather hire someone to do it. It's just one of those things...

            Anyway, from the extensive research that I did before embarking on this crazy journey I found that other "professional" junk sellers (like me) feel the same way. 5% is the starting point. We are testing different models. But, perhaps, there is a max that we will take... don't know... It's all going to be in the testing...

            Thanks for your time and interest in this...

            Suzanne
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            • Profile picture of the author agmccall
              With this app, do you post on your account and send us money or do we have to give you access to our account, with all our details?

              al
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  • Profile picture of the author actionplanbiz
    set up a mmo type squeeze page. do some clickbanking, adswaps and solo ads. brand yourself as making money online with ebay. provide value on dropping shipping contacts, ebay techniques, and info on hot selling items on ebay while you also send email updates about your project.
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    • Profile picture of the author FunMom
      Originally Posted by actionplanbiz View Post

      set up a mmo type squeeze page. do some clickbanking, adswaps and solo ads. brand yourself as making money online with ebay. provide value on dropping shipping contacts, ebay techniques, and info on hot selling items on ebay while you also send email updates about your project.

      So, brand myself as an eBay (Urban Picker) expert (which I am) and offer great value in the form of tips, what to buy and sell, how to ship, which thrift store to go to, and so forth. And by the way, I'm also creating this app to make this whole process simpler... ?

      I love this idea!
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      • Profile picture of the author Jamrok
        Fun Mom
        I think you have a game changer App that will deliver great benefits and address some pain that people have. The possibilities are endless !!
        - Brand your self as a 'Done-for-You service - Auto dealers, Artists, etc.
        - Tap into the pain of 'having too much stuff around that you are not using?"
        - People or businesses with excess inventory
        - Think, who would have stuff that they want to sell but don't have the time or tech savy to put in on ebay.
        - Why just eBay???
        I will be watching your app !! Give TONS of value through tips.



        Originally Posted by FunMom View Post

        So, brand myself as an eBay (Urban Picker) expert (which I am) and offer great value in the form of tips, what to buy and sell, how to ship, which thrift store to go to, and so forth. And by the way, I'm also creating this app to make this whole process simpler... ?

        I love this idea!
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        • Profile picture of the author FunMom
          Originally Posted by Jamrok View Post

          Fun Mom
          I think you have a game changer App that will deliver great benefits and address some pain that people have. The possibilities are endless !!
          - Brand your self as a 'Done-for-You service - Auto dealers, Artists, etc.
          - Tap into the pain of 'having too much stuff around that you are not using?"
          - People or businesses with excess inventory
          - Think, who would have stuff that they want to sell but don't have the time or tech savy to put in on ebay.
          - Why just eBay???
          I will be watching your app !! Give TONS of value through tips.
          Thanks, Jamrok.

          Yes, spot on! Part of my personal issue that I care about is that we have too much stuff! When doing research, I was shocked to find out that only about 10% of what we donate to thrift stores ends up on the shelves. The rest is mostly thrown away! There is just too much stuff.

          I guess I'm searching for the "voice"or "message" that will reach most people. The truth is that all of this has been overwhelming!

          PLUS I just realized that AWEBER is done again! Crap... I'm on my way to switch to Mailchimp... arrrrrgggghhhhhh
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  • Profile picture of the author Matthew Trujillo
    From my understanding I think eBay already has a feature where you can snap a photo and list it. However, I like how you put together the project for the seller, that may be helpful to many. My suggestions to you is know who your audience is, what type of people are you targeting? Do keyword research on popular searches in your niche, and you can market through various methods including : Video Marketing, Squidoo Marketing, Article Marketing in your niche, you can also hang out and participate in forums in your niche and from there promote your landing page. If you have money and are looking to invest in your business for quicker results you can again figure out who your target audience is and pinpoint through various keyword research and use it in a PPC campaign. Posting banners on similar sites may help as well drive traffic. Make sure your follow ups are set up correctly and in no time you will be driving traffic and hopefully converting your prospects.
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    • Profile picture of the author AlexCN
      You've got 2 very difficult components working against you:

      1. There is absolutely no way to determine who your ideal customer is. Since that is the case, targeting effectively is next to impossible.

      2. Educating the public (in this case EBay Users) on new technology is time consuming and costly.

      As sirtiman alluded to, Ebay advertising is definitely your best bet, but hopefully you have deep pockets to spread the word. Very deep.

      Alex
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      • Profile picture of the author Matthew Trujillo
        Originally Posted by AlexCN View Post

        You've got 2 very difficult components working against you:

        1. There is absolutely no way to determine who your ideal customer is. Since that is the case, targeting effectively is next to impossible.

        You got it all wrong if you think there is no way to target her ideal customer.

        There are many people searching each and everyday "How to sell on eBay".

        All it takes is figuring out where those people hang out and what they are searching for.

        From there linking her squeeze page to provide a solution for them is the key.

        Some people think it "can't" be done, and some think it "can" be done.

        I guess that's what separates the winners from the losers.
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        • Profile picture of the author FunMom
          Originally Posted by Matthew J Trujillo View Post

          You got it all wrong if you think there is no way to target her ideal customer.

          There are many people searching each and everyday "How to sell on eBay".

          All it takes is figuring out where those people hang out and what they are searching for.

          From there linking her squeeze page to provide a solution for them is the key.

          Some people think it "can't" be done, and some think it "can" be done.

          I guess that's what separates the winners from the losers.
          Actually, Matthew is correct. I did already do some of the marketing and decided to start by focusing on 2 target markets and take it from there:

          Target market one: Babyboomer and a bit younger (agest 40 - 60) I am 50 myself, so I identify with that group. Our kids are grown and off to college and we are downsizing and our parents are either moving into old age homes or passing away. We are left with 2 households of stuff... And, no patence to learn new technology even if it is simple. We do know how to snap pictures... So, that is one target...
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        • Profile picture of the author AlexCN
          Originally Posted by Matthew J Trujillo View Post

          You got it all wrong
          Sorry Matthew, but actually I don't have it 'all wrong'.

          There is the little hitch you are forgetting about - 95%+ of the people searching for 'How to post on Ebay' are not looking for a paid solution or a solution that requires them to part with a percentage of their profits.

          They are looking for information about how they can post. For FREE. And they are willing and able to do it, they just want to know how.

          What does that mean? Everyone typing 'how to post on Ebay' or a similar KW in Google is NOT an ideal customer.

          And I never said there was no way she could do it. All I said was educating the public on a new technology would be difficult.

          Nice tries though.

          Alex
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          • Profile picture of the author Matthew Trujillo
            Originally Posted by AlexCN View Post

            Sorry Matthew, but actually I don't have it 'all wrong'.

            95%+ of the people searching for 'How to post on Ebay' are not looking for a paid solution or a solution that requires them to part with a percentage of their profits.
            Say's who? Say's you? Do you speak for 95% searching that phrase?

            .. No... I didn't think so.

            It works like anything else, people search for answers on how to do something, than they see "OH wait, I can get someone else to do it for me" and that's when she provides the solution to them

            Originally Posted by AlexCN View Post

            They are looking for information about how they can post. For FREE. And they are willing and able to do it, they just want to know how.
            Again, that's how everything works, everybody wants to learn how to do everything FREE, but not everybody is willing to do it themselves. I can teach you how to change the oil on your car for FREE, but that doesn't mean you will want to do it, especially when you know you can outsource the project to somebody else willing to do it to save you time and headaches.

            Welcome to business buddy!


            Originally Posted by AlexCN View Post

            What does that mean? Everyone typing 'how to post on Ebay' or a similar KW in Google is NOT an ideal customer.
            And if your niche is "Make Money Online" I'm guessing people searching "How to make money online" on Google, they are NOT your ideal customer either. :rolleyes:

            Originally Posted by AlexCN View Post

            And I never said there was no way she could do it. All I said was educating the public on a new technology would be difficult.
            Yes you did, you said it is impossible to find her ideal customer. That's pretty much the same as saying "There is no way she could do it". Nice try though
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            • Profile picture of the author RichBeck
              Originally Posted by Matthew J Trujillo View Post

              Say's who? Say's you? Do you speak for 95% searching that phrase?

              .. No... I didn't think so.

              It works like anything else, people search for answers on how to do something, than they see "OH wait, I can get someone else to do it for me" and that's when she provides the solution to them.
              Matthew,

              I agree...

              Think about it...

              If everyone was a "do it yourself" type, there would be no need for 90% of the information products and software in existence today.... People would simply spend hours researching....... and experimenting... or doing things "manually" without paying a single red cent.

              In most cases, it comes down to convenience, people want to learn something or do something.... and they are willing to pay to save time and/or money.

              All The Best,

              Rich Beck BCIP, MCSD, MCIS
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    • Profile picture of the author FunMom
      Originally Posted by Matthew J Trujillo View Post

      From my understanding I think eBay already has a feature where you can snap a photo and list it. However, I like how you put together the project for the seller, that may be helpful to many. My suggestions to you is know who your ...s.
      Thanks Matthew, I am working on building some of those ideas... Do you know what would be the best way to outsource some of the simpler ones?
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      • Profile picture of the author Matthew Trujillo
        Originally Posted by FunMom View Post

        Thanks Matthew, I am working on building some of those ideas... Do you know what would be the best way to outsource some of the simpler ones?
        If you are looking to outsource tasks a few places come to mind : Fiverr, ODesk, Elance.

        As far as finding your target audience is concerned.

        The product that you offer, can it help anybody sell things on eBay?

        Try not to be too concerned with exactly with what they are selling.

        Instead try focusing on helping people sell their items on eBay.

        In that case you are targeting people people that are wanting to learn how to sell on eBay.

        From there what you can do start a blog and write articles , start a squidoo lens, video marketing to promote your squeeze page in your niche are a few free methods. Make sure to provide value through out your articles that way people will see you are there to help them. On your landing page you can provide a free gift in exchange for their email address. From there you provide the solution to them, whatever your service is.
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  • Profile picture of the author FunMom
    The second target is the Urban Picker (again, which I am one of).

    They are more like stay at home moms who need to make a bit extra per month to pay the bills. They go to thrift stores and garage sales and resale on ebay/craigslist
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  • Profile picture of the author domainscience
    Your doing a damn good job.
    I may have someone for you.
    How much is it?
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  • Profile picture of the author VernonNoyes
    Where I come from there's a flea market with nearly a thousand vendors and most of them sell on eBay through the week and at the flea market on Saturday and Sunday. I'd say if you visited flea markets like that and showed the vendors first hand exactly how easy it is, you'd probably come away with 40 or 50 new customers every time you went. Maybe more, depending on how large the flea market is. And most of them would probably use the app a lot more than the occassional eBay`er would.

    Of course your original question was how to get people to sign up to your mailing list, so going to the flea market really wouldn't apply to that particular question, I guess.
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    • Profile picture of the author FunMom
      Originally Posted by VernonNoyes View Post

      Where I come from there's a flea market with nearly a thousand vendors and most of them sell on eBay through the week and at the flea market on Saturday and Sunday. I'd say if you visited flea markets like that and showed the vendors first hand exactly how easy it is, you'd probably come away with 40 or 50 new customers every time you went. Maybe more, depending on how large the flea market is. And most of them would probably use the app a lot more than the occassional eBay`er would.

      Of course your original question was how to get people to sign up to your mailing list, so going to the flea market really wouldn't apply to that particular question, I guess.
      Great idea! Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author gregdavidson727
    Originally Posted by FunMom View Post

    Hi my fellow warrior geniuses! I have been a member here for over ten years and have learned tons! Now I need some out of the box thinking for my new endeavor:

    I am launching an mobile app, https://bitly.com/1o9W88W

    It is an app that will simplify the posting process on eBay. Basically you just snap a photo of the item you want to post, and you are done! We ID, research, write title and description, figure out the shipping, basically create the whole post for you. There is a video on the site that explains the app pretty well.

    The beta will launch in April. My job right now is to get as many sign ups to the list as possible (I know, you can all identify with this issue!).

    I sent out emails to family and friends, I am posting on eBay groups and so forth.

    But.... I would love some of your brainstorming to find out-of-the-box ways to get people to the site and sign up.

    What do you think?
    The video definitely needs a voice over. You can hire somebody on Fiverr for $10 or $15.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
    Of course your original question was how to get people to sign up to your mailing list, so going to the flea market really wouldn't apply to that particular question, I guess.
    Not so. She could distribute flyers, advertise on related sites. Get the word going in that crowd and if it works well the word will spread quickly. I did some flea marketing in my day. (:
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  • Profile picture of the author Kydee
    Not a genius. Just an expert
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  • Profile picture of the author dtul
    You could also try and get popular ebay sellers and bloggers to promote it. Go after people with a following and either offer an upfront fee for like a fan page post or a cut of the profits or maybe an ongoing partnership of some sort. Good luck with the product launch, I'm not an eBay seller but it seems like a useful app.
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    • Profile picture of the author FunMom
      Originally Posted by dtul View Post

      You could also try and get popular ebay sellers and bloggers to promote it. Go after people with a following and either offer an upfront fee for like a fan page post or a cut of the profits or maybe an ongoing partnership of some sort. Good luck with the product launch, I'm not an eBay seller but it seems like a useful app.
      yes. working on this. We are thinking of developing an affiliate program.
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  • Profile picture of the author Traffic Strategiest
    I think your idea is a good one Fun Mom you will just have to think outside the box to target your traffic (like the flea market idea that was awesome) and figure what type of Forums and Blogs they will be hanging out at. May be even classified ads in the Garage Sales section.
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    Directly contact likely prospects.
    Do well. Get referrals and advertise on their sites.

    Sell through app stores?

    Maybe modify your product so you can offer
    something for DIYers and the ones who want done-for-you.

    Dan
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  • Profile picture of the author dtul
    Also consider expanding this type of app to Craigslist. I'm sure if people use it for eBay, people will use it for Craigslist as well. In fact I think it would probably work better with Craiglist, as a lot of the users for this app would be people who buy and sell on CL as a job and they're always on the go picking up and dropping off items. If they could easily post new ads continuously throughout the day it would probably save them time and be a huge benefit for them.
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