How to Start Drop Shipping

 

How to Start a Drop shipping

So, you’ve decided to dropship and sell your very own products. Now what? That’s a tricky question for starters (you?) and if you have one of those “let’s do this together” types, you probably need to be part of the start-up accelerator community… so that’s where it gets harder. Finding that is not going to be easy… especially when there are hundreds of different people selling things all over eBay. And, let’s face it, most of what I see is terrible (and even worse than that, actually, they’re quite often just “toxic”), with lots of sellers who don’t seem to know how to work productively (at least that’s my experience). Here are 5 tips on how to start being an entrepreneur in 2020.

1. Use YouTube as early lead gen, or make use of Amazon’s “new account” button. It sounds awesome, but there are a few problems here:

#1. Many of us still don’t understand why most products make no money (this makes sense because we’ve been pretty conditioned by advertising for decades)

#2. Most people won't sign up online unless they're looking for a specific item. This means they only find out about the product once it's listed on their terms, instead of discovering it when it's shown off at the showroom.

#3. With a lot of great products to choose from, not all of them pay enough. If we want more options then the best place to start would be on Facebook Marketplace. They have thousands of items in stock… so they should be able to supply everything from personal care items to baby clothing and pet supplies that sell out at lightning speed. For example, there are a ton of low-budget fashions that will look super cute with some boho meets added value which means less advertising expense. You might also start listing the handmade goodies you made yourself (this usually works better when it’s something you’ve already learned) so you can build a tribe of fanatical supporters who want more of the same thing. Also, as long as you sell something and it’s reasonably priced, they should be willing to fork out the extra dough to support you.

2. Make friends! There’s nothing wrong with making friends, especially since you’ve never made any before. But once a friend’s product becomes increasingly popular, it's always good to help spread the word. You could try searching for a local event you love to get involved in (I live in Europe where many events happen outside of town, so these are usually held in other towns.) Or if you really want to go further, send flyers and post to social media, or host something like a free giveaway on Pinterest or Instagram. As well as being easy to join, this gives your brand an opportunity to give back to others, like offering a discount or offering a special promotion to encourage people to buy or try something new.

3. Don't be afraid to ask for advice. We all deserve advice! Whether it's a simple problem-fixing guide or a piece of advice that’ll change your life, everyone needs a little nudge along the way. By sharing your experiences openly, you'll build that trust and confidence that will be needed when you start getting sales. Even if you aren't in the same industry (or the same niche), this article will help you decide whether or not to share these valuable insights. The truth is, many successful entrepreneurs started their businesses in the exact same way as your business and now the important thing to remember is that these guys aren't experts but have a huge amount of advice to offer. Takeaways like finding the right kind of market, starting with a strategy instead of just selling products, and starting with building a real fan base are all crucial aspects of starting an entrepreneurial journey. You’ll learn a lot and, in return, gain invaluable knowledge and wisdom as a result.

4. Get comfortable using Google (or whatever search engine is available in your area) as a lead source (I’m sure you’ve heard of Google, but not necessarily used it). Searching product pages by keyword doesn't come without its downsides, but there's one bright spot: Google is incredibly accurate. In fact, a recent Google Trends study found that roughly 30% of searches were conducted through Google in 2018 alone. From there, you could target keywords, and target your product by country or state to see where specific demand is. These trends are generally pretty consistent across any topic, so it can be hard to make an assumption about the future, but it provides an excellent way to research your niche and figure out exactly where to go next… as well as putting your product in front of that most likely audience. Remember, however, the big caveat… Google isn't the perfect tool to narrow down your choices and you really should try to make your own decisions about where to focus.

5. Try to cut out the middleman! Why does someone want to sell their own product? Because to create the kind of momentum your business needs to thrive, you need your own brand. Your customers are interested in buying from you and only when they have a positive relationship with you do they want to buy again. Once you've launched your product, promote it everywhere and tell everyone to find it on websites to check out. When it comes time for the customer to purchase your product, take their time deciding how to proceed. Instead of directing them away right away, make them feel comfortable asking for a refund or letting them cancel anytime at their convenience. Just keep asking questions and checking back whenever needed. All this will ensure your business is growing and taking advantage of SEO and providing people with a chance to engage with you instead of just becoming another product to list online.

This article has been updated and expanded upon for 2021.