One Size Does Not Fit All!

When it comes to ecommerce and social networking and for that matter just regular life, most of us form opinions about things from a very narrow viewpoint; our own experiences. If we don't like it or understand it then it is not worth discussing or paying attention to. I've always known this but never spent much time thinking about it. 

This morning, I was reading a blogpost by Ina Steiner about the impact of Twitter and this little factoid stood out: "Worldwide visitors to Twitter approached 10 million in February, up over 700% vs. a year ago" no matter how you shake it, 10 million visitors a month is huge. This information alone should, at the very least, encourage online merchants to check out Twitter to see if there are any benefits to be gained there, but then I read the comments to Ina's post:

"by: Jim S.

Sat Apr 25 15:38:57 2009

Maybe I'm in another world but I think Twitter tweets are annoying and the biggest waste of time yet. Who cares what someone is doing at 12:01pm? I put it right up there with people constantly yakking on their cell phones in public places."

by: clueless

Sat Apr 25 19:43:32 2009

Maybe I'm an idiot but I just do not get twitter. I have signed up for twitter. I still don't get it. What am I missing? I have a couple people I'm watching. But I still have no clue. Cannot see what all the fuss is about.

by: Ming the Merciless

Sat Apr 25 21:21:32 2009

IMO, Twitter exists primarily to promote the sales of 3G mobiles and expensive 3G net minutes.

It's another new tool for the growing hive mentality in this country.

Whether it or any of the other social networking sites like Facebook will actually produce significant member e-commerce sales remains to be seen."

This sample of comments points out the problem: "Because I don't understand it or think it is useful, it must be a waste of time" 

Rather than investigating Twitter to see if there are any benefits in its use, we take a few cursory glances and read about what someone had for dinner and make a judgement that it is a waste of time. It may be, but making a judgement from reading a few Tweets hardly gives you enough information to make that assessment.

I try to learn from others, as much as possible, because if I rely solely on my own perspective, I often miss the big picture. Twitter didn't immediately make sense to me, but once I spent some time with it, I began to see the power. It allowed me to connect more effectively with my blog readers. I was able to meet a wide variety small business owners, that I would never have met any other way -- Twitter is a great networking tool, for those who utilize it. Sure, there are seemingly unimportant things being tweeted, but that doesn't make the tool worthless.

I use Twitter, I see the value of Twitter for me, so my opinion is based on a narrow viewpoint (mine). My dad hates Twitter and thinks its a waste of time. He has never even been to the site. Twitter may be a waste of time for you, but I would encourage you to at least investigate whether it can help your business

Just my 15%

I'm Back Baby! Regular Posts on MyBlogUtopia

I figured since I was spending my entire week working to make the Buy.com Marketplace a successful sales channel for 3rd party merchants, I would start using MyBlogUtopia to talk about what we are currently doing and possibly even give you a scoop or two about what we have planned -- this will allow me to get back into a regular blogging schedule.

I won't write exclusively about the Buy.com Marketplace, but that topic may dominate my posts. This is not an official blog for Buy.com so the opinions expressed here certainly should not be construed as the official position of Buy.com -- MyBlogUtopia will remain strictly my 15% but with no listing fees :)

It is my view that online merchants should be selling their product in multiple channels, including there own website and I would hope that Buy.com would be one of the channels.

We are not yet open to every category of product, but hope to keep adding categories as we grow. Here is a list of current categories:

• Apparel & Shoes 
• Bags & Luggage
• Books
• Buy for Business
• Cameras
• Cell Phones
• Computer & Office
• DVDs           
• Electronics
• Fragrance
• Games
• Home & Outdoor
• Jewelry & Watches
• Music
• Networking
• Software
• Sports
• Toys & Baby

And we will be launching these stores shortly:

• Pets - (Currently accepting merchants)
• Health and Beauty - (Currently accepting merchants for Beauty products)
• Automotive Parts
• Musical Instruments - (Currently accepting merchants for Pro Audio products)
• Office Supplies - (Currently accepting merchants for Business Equipment products)

You can sell your new, used or refurbished product on Buy.com, just as long as you accurately describe its condition. 

So if you are looking for a new sales channel, why not take a look at the Buy.com Marketplace. We would like you to "Make your next sale with Buy.com"

Just for fun check out our latest TV commercial with Howie Mandel. This one is special because Howie is promoting Jewelry and Apparel which are 100% marketplace categories on Buy.com

Just my 15%

ECMTA Ecommerce Summit - Atlanta, GA June 3-4

Just wanted to give you a heads up that I will be speaking at the upcoming Ecommerce Summit in Atlanta, GA on June 3rd and 4th. The subject, of course, will be about the Buy.com Marketplace, but I will also be sharing my 15% on ecommerce -- probably won't be bashing eBay because they will be speaking also.

If you can make it to Atlanta on June 3rd and 4th, I would love to meet you and hear about your business. You can find all of the details at the ECMTA website.

Just my 15%

Scot Wingo's White Paper on eBay Changes

Scot, has taken an in-depth look at eBay's Spring changes and put his thoughts together in a White Paper that you can get here for free.

If you still sell on eBay, this is important information for your business.

Just my 15%

Market Watch Video - eBay and Yahoo Earnings

Just my 15%

Buy.com a Sponsor at ChannelAdvisor Catalyst Conference

Just thought I would announce that Buy.com will be a sponsor at this year's ChannelAdvisor Catalyst. Several members of our "Marketplace" team will be there (including yours truly), so make sure to stop by our table and say hello.

I'm looking forward to this years event, to catch up with some old friends as well as make some new ones. Hope to see you there.

Just my 15%

Rumors of My Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated.

In case you are wondering ... I am still alive and doing very well. 

Contrary to a little rumor going around. I have not stopped blogging because my new employer Buy.com, told me too. I'm not blogging much lately because I'm very busy at my new job and my time and energy is being spent helping make Buy.com's Marketplace the best place on the web for online merchants.

I still follow eBay, Amazon and even Bonanzle. In fact I just talked to eBay managers yesterday about Tuesday's announcements, but when I sat down to write the post, I just lost interest -- Ina, Scot and Tamebay covered the announcements very well; there was no need for my 15%. 

The only reason I'm blogging tonight is because a commenter on Ina's ProStores blog post mentioned a rumor that I stopped blogging because my boss at Buy told me to stop bashing eBay. Anyone who knows my boss would laugh at that.

I still love blogging and will get back to it regularly when I can figure out a better writing schedule. I am a creature of habit and I had a routine that has changed since I started working at Buy. I haven't figure out a new schedule yet.

For those of you still reading: 

I really love what I'm doing. I'm going on my 3rd month at Buy.com and really enjoying myself. Not many people even know that Buy has a marketplace, but that will all change this year. I call us "the little marketplace that could", because nobody even includes us in the marketplace discussion. Buy.com is known as a retailer, but we are so much more than that. 

Just my 15%