When discussing the age old question "what should I sell on [tag]eBay[/tag]?" I often refer to the "[tag]long tail[/tag]." Those products that make up the less exciting, lower volume, and higher profit margin end of the product spectrum. One example is flat screen televisions. Competition and demand has driven profit margins lower, while sales remain good on eBay. Many sellers ignore the more profitable "accessory" products such as wall mounts, and TV stands. Less glorious yes, and lower volume, but higher profits. Look in that long tail for niche markets.
The Dull Edge
Many blogs and articles out there are what I would call "cutting edge". Very up-to-date hip writers writing about the newest technology, or what has happened in the past five minutes in politics or business. Once you get on the front of that wave of info it's pretty fun and interesting. If you don't spend the day on the internet, it's pretty hard to stay there though. Most people aren't cutting edge, they fall somewhere behind and get a feeling of being left out of the party.
The questions my students ask have been asked for years, and answered by many smart people over and over. Those who ask the questions are just normal people, not cutting edge people. I refer to them (affectionately) as "dull edge" people. There are far more on the [tag]dull edge[/tag] than on the cutting edge. They ask questions that are old, and now considered ho-hum by the wii playing iphone [tag]Powerseller[/tag] crowd. Questions such as:
- When should I use a [tag]reserve price[/tag]?
- Should I tell people my reserve price?
- Can I have two eBay accounts?
- If I change my [tag]user ID[/tag] will my [tag]feedback[/tag] go with me?
- What is the best [tag]duration[/tag] for my auctions?
- What is the best time to list my item?
Ho-hum.
But people still want to know this stuff! It's not ho-hum to them.
I am a dull edge person. Dull edge people are welcome here. I have felt a little dumb giving eBay advice on topics that were covered long ago. But there is a large, quiet dull edge society out there still learning the basics. These are my people.
The dull edge is to [tag]eBayers[/tag], what the long tail is to [tag]eCommerce[/tag]. Consider the term "Dull Edge" coined.
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2 comments ↓
Steve:
Well said. Would you agree then that key to staying sane while on the delivery side of the Dull Edge is to skin the same cat in as many different ways as possible? In other words, while the information requested and the information supplied may often be the same, in order for us–the delivers of the content and information–to feel like we’re on the Leading Edge, the delivery method and messaging needs to always be changing and evolving.
Mikal
Mikal,
That is exactly right. Evidently, Dull Edge people haven’t located the information they seek, so we can serve it up in a new way and make it more accessible for them.
From the standpoint of an instructor, it helps us to know our audience. Thinking of the Dull Edge helps me do that.
Steve
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