Before I get on with this weeks letter, I want to let you know about some extremely exciting news that will be coming your way…
This is something I’m only going to do – at most – twice a year from now on so if you are genuinely serious about earning an income from eBay (without the hassles) then do check it out, as I’m going to offer you something for free that I normally charge good money for…
I’ve never given it away before… so I wouldn’t want you to miss out!
Keep an eye on your inbox for more details on Monday.
For now, I’d like to focus on another opportunity. This is a way for you to meet hundreds of suppliers that could benefit your online business.
And what’s more it’s absolutely free for you to get involved.
Now be honest…
We are in the age of the internet and don’t we know it!
There you are, sitting in your cosy office, jabbing a few keys and being presented with all the information you could possibly require, on any topic – and all in a matter of seconds.
Yet in truth, it wasn’t that long ago you would have needed to get the ‘big encyclopedia’ off the dusty shelf – and it wasn’t always guaranteed to find the information you were looking for!
These days, the internet is genuinely accessible to everyone, through home computers, office computers, internet cafes, libraries and smartphones and so it’s very easy to overlook what you might call the ‘old-fashioned’ way of gathering research.
And this is especially true when it comes to product sourcing.
If you’re totally honest, which would you prefer; tapping a few keys and being provided with a list of wholesale suppliers, or leaving your home or office, making a trip and meeting suppliers face to face?
Well of course, tapping a few keys is by far the easiest and potentially less time consuming option and the one that you would probably go for given the choice.
But, it’s not always the most productive option.
Claim your complimentary Spring Fair ticket!
I’m not saying that you should make a shortlist of wholesale suppliers and then rock up to their door demanding a meeting, no, nothing so scary (because this is scary for some people).
Instead I’m suggesting you consider attending trade shows, which are in fact a great day or couple of days out, with the advantage of hundreds of suppliers being all in one place.
In the UK, one of the largest trade shows takes place at the NEC in Birmingham. It happens twice per year – spring and autumn – and this year the first one will take place between the 5th and the 9th of February.
Now here’s the great thing, free tickets for Spring Fair are now available but you’ll need to register in advance.
Simply go here and register
Anyone can attend most trade shows as long as you have buying responsibilities for your company – which of course you do, and this one is no exception. This is the ideal opportunity for you to pay a visit, absolutely free, and check out suppliers across 15 halls of the NEC.
New products run across 14 sectors including gifts, home, fashion, luggage, beauty, toys and gadgets.
You’ll find hundreds of exclusive brands that you won’t find anywhere else – and importantly you should remember that some of the exhibitors won’t have an internet presence which gives you the advantage of discovering products with a little bit of originality.
You may remember that I’ve talked before about ensuring you can compete online by sourcing products that are ‘similar but better’. Well this is your chance to source those products.
Visiting trade shows is actually an incredibly easy way to find suppliers, and particularly products that are just emerging. Just imagine if you got into talks with a company who is looking for UK distributors – this could be your ultimate ‘fast-track’ to success.
This could then lead on to you not only selling the product but offering it at wholesale too. Just imagine that if you did so well that you then received sole distribution rights in the UK for that product!
The opportunities are there!
Trade shows are about building contacts too. You may not necessarily leave with a fantastic potential hot product, instead you might leave with a list of contacts as long as your arm that could have taken you days of research to find online.
Make the most of the opportunity!
And of course, you don’t have to restrict yourself to the UK. Trade shows are taking place all over the world at all times.
I appreciate it’s probably asking a bit much for you to hop on a plane and visit the Canton Fair (The 121th China Import and Export Fair) in China, which takes place during April and May and is the world’s largest trade show, but there are others a little closer to home.
For example, The Toy Fair at Olympia in London later this month, or the Jewellery & Watch Show at the NEC in Birmingham during February.
If you are feeling adventurous or fancy going a little further afield, look at trade shows in Europe – particularly Germany, France, Poland and even Italy. Then of course there’s the USA.
Cheap flights and accommodation are a plenty and you can always combine your trip with a mini-break.
Finding out when trade shows take place is also very easy – it’s all online. Good old Google!
For information on trade shows around the world visit this website:http://10times.com and for a comprehensive list of UK trade shows go here: http://www.exhibitions.co.uk
If you are just starting out and haven’t decided on a niche yet, trade shows can fire you up and provide much needed inspiration and product samples. If you’re looking to make new contacts or build on your current inventory you’ll get plenty of ideas, so they really are a win-win option.
The Spring Fair is a great choice for first-timers though, so don’t forget to register in advance for your free ticket!
And remember to keep an eye out for the details on