How to Sell Music, Collectibles, and Instruments on eBay... And Make a Fortune

by Prince, Dennis L.

• ISBN13: 9780071445702
• ISBN10: 0071445706
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-11-12
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill

Summary

Music is a huge category on eBay. It includes selling not only records and CDs but also collectibles, instruments, equipment, tickets, and technology. Dennis Prince teams up with William Meyer, an expert at selling music items on eBay, to give information specific to the music market, including determining the condition and authenticity of items; understanding what can legally be sold, including copyrighted material and tickets; the use of an instrument (for beginners, marching bands, professionals, or collectors); and more.

Author Biography

William M. Meyer is a writer, editor, online auction expert, and musician/music critic. He is also a consultant and a freelance writer/editor for eBay.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction	xiii
You Can Do It	xiii
What's Unique about This Book	xv
Introducing Your Authors	xvii
Your Success Waits!	xviii
Part 1: Welcome to the World of Music Selling	1	(66)
Why Specialize in Music Selling?	2	(10)
Broad Is Good: Product and Customer Diversity	2	(2)
Market Choices 101	4	(2)
Do the Numbers	6	(2)
Music by eBay	8	(4)
The History of Selling Music	12	(11)
History Matters	12	(4)
Then and Now	16	(7)
Getting Better Acquainted with Music Selling	23	(19)
Broad Strokes: Business Characteristics	24	(7)
Market Specifics and Market Opportunities on eBay	31	(11)
Becoming an Expert in Music Sales	42	(25)
What Does it Take to Be a Music Expert?	43	(2)
Primary Sources	45	(8)
Trade Talk	53	(11)
Making the Grade: Grading Music Merchandise	64	(2)
A Personal Edge	66	(1)
Part 2: Selling Music Merchandise with Success	67	(78)
Your Music Category Business Plan	68	(11)
The Big Deal about Business Plans	69	(1)
The Nuts and Bolts of Your Plan	69	(7)
The Benefits of Your Plan	76	(2)
Resources You Can Trust	78	(1)
Strategies for Building Your Inventory	79	(19)
Basics of Supply	80	(12)
Supply from the Inside: Strategies to Consider	92	(6)
Targeting Music Customers	98	(14)
Calling All Customers	99	(1)
Music Categories Matter	99	(2)
Targeting with Titles	101	(2)
The Right Description Is Crucial	103	(2)
A Little Help from eBay	105	(6)
Return to Seller	111	(1)
Tips for Boosting Sales	112	(20)
Errors and Omissions	113	(5)
High Feedback	118	(1)
Automation	119	(2)
Transparency	121	(1)
Brand Identity	122	(2)
Take the Music to the World: International Sales	124	(1)
Product Positioning	125	(2)
Listing Formats	127	(2)
Listing Volume	129	(1)
Listing Content and Presentation	129	(1)
Communication and Fast, Reliable Shipping	130	(2)
Packing and Shipping Music Products	132	(13)
Packing School	135	(1)
Shipping Music Products	136	(2)
What Works Best for You?	138	(4)
Final Thoughts	142	(3)
Part 3: Becoming a Music Specialist	145	(113)
Becoming a Recorded Music Specialist	146	(35)
Anatomy of a Category	147	(5)
Major Sources	152	(13)
Market Research	165	(1)
Advertising Opportunities	166	(1)
Market Factors and Market Implications	166	(4)
Top Buyer Searches	170	(2)
Tracking the Market	172	(2)
Boosting Sales with Stellar Listings	174	(4)
The Right Photos	178	(1)
Customer Incentives that Work	179	(2)
Becoming a Music Products Specialist	181	(51)
Anatomy of a Category	181	(13)
Major Names and Major Sources for Instruments	194	(22)
Market Research	216	(4)
Top Buyer Searches	220	(3)
Tracking the Market	223	(1)
Boosting Sales with Stellar Listings	224	(4)
The Right Photos	228	(1)
Customer Incentives that Work	229	(3)
Becoming a Music Memorabilia Specialist	232	(22)
Anatomy of a Category	232	(4)
Major Names and Major Sources for Music Memorabilia	236	(5)
Market Research	241	(1)
Advertising Opportunities for Memorabilia	241	(1)
Market Drivers and Implications	242	(5)
Top Buyer Searches	247	(2)
Tracking the Market	249	(1)
Boosting Sales with Stellar Listings	250	(1)
The Right Photos	251	(2)
Customer Incentives that Work	253	(1)
The Future of Selling Music on eBay	254	(4)
Index	258