Are you doing things the same way you were a year ago? Than you are probably not getting the results you had hoped for. The best thing about running an online business is how fast you can change with the times. Selling online is no different.
The vast changes I have made in my business over the last year are crazy. Back in the day, a whole year ago, I thought FBA was a waste of my time. First, I never thought I would be selling this much on Amazon. Second, I believed I could package orders myself and make a few extra dollars. Those two thought were mistakes. From the first merchant fulfilled sale to my first shipment to FBA, I have totally changed my thoughts on what having Amazon and FBA would mean for my business.
My first misconception was that I did not sell products that were suited for the Amazon marketplace. I did not sell a lot of books or music. I focused on collectables and antiques. A year ago my thoughts on Amazon were that it would be a good way to sell the cheap books, DVD’s, and CD’s I always passed up at auctions. Boy has that changed!!
I never thought it would become the monster it has for my business over the last 12 months, but the vast amount of things sold on Amazon is incredible. I still do not sell many books or CD’s, which was what I thought people were selling on Amazon. New products sourced from retail stores has gone from 5-10% of my business to 65-70%. Who would of thought money could be made straight from the shelves at a Walmart!
My second misconception, I could package orders myself and make a few extra dollars. I knew this was wrong very early on. I can remember making a video on Youtube the day after posting a large amount of new products on Amazon. I said “be prepared to ship what you post because it is going to sell.” I was not prepared and after spending a couple of hours packaging I was worn out. Not only that I was spending all my time packing the stuff I sold, but I did not have any time to buy more stuff to sell.
Today, I sell over a hundred products a day, and I was tired from the day I sold 30. Using Amazon’s FBA program not only keeps me from being tired all the time, but it allows me to source more products and grow. I can spend my time doing the only thing that really makes me money buying more stuff to sell.
If I am doing the same things a year from now as I am today. I will not only be behind the curve, but I will be disappointed in myself. I am bigger and better today because of the things I learned from my mistakes and the changes I made. Change is a good thing and makes us stronger. So, look for ways you can change and become better at what you do.
