What to Sell?

[AdamJay]

Hello all.

After reading this book, I was electrified. I've just graduated college with a BFA, which basically means I'm qualified to wait tables and act. Naturally I moved to NYC and am now doing the former of those two. The objective of my muse (to be) is to free up enough time to devote to the latter venture. But I'm having trouble finding something to sell. If I had enough time, I'd develop a multi-medium tutorial on how to do this or that. But as it is, I'm working over 60 hours a week just to stay afloat financially. Thus, I've turned to reselling a product. But what product, and where to find a wholeseller for it?

How are you successful resellers doing?

Jay

[jc_]

You might try your local public library for a directory or list of wholesalers in your state. I did some research on the internet trying to find lists/directories, etc., but had little success--I found more things that looked like scams than actual wholesalers. However, at the library I found something called 'Directory of California wholesalers and service companies' which had a decent amount of information --I assume there's probably something similar for every state. Might be a good place to start.

As for what to sell--I'd follow Tim's advice and make a list of all the organizations/groups/communities/etc that you are a part of, and brainstorm from there. Also, just browsing a directory of wholesalers might give you some ideas.

-jen

[final_id]

AdamJay: welcome to the arsty crowd. :) I hope to use some of Tim's advice to free up my time for more artistic "contributions to mankind." He didn't ever recommend that as a way to use the time you save through his program, but I can't see why it wouldn't be applicable. If I end up in NYC, as seems likely with an upcoming new job, then we can maybe hook up and share muse secrets.

Cheers!

[phil]

But what product
That's the hardest part. I found a niche among a community I was involved in - I noticed a demand for a certain product, hooked up with a company in the US making this product and had an instant market among my community friends. Then started expanding to related products.

where to find a wholeseller for it?
I'm a big fan of going straight to factories in Asia, and this is a great site: http://www.alibaba.com/

It is best to do this in an area you're interested in. Do you like cooking, gardening, cars, etc? Do you have friends or known people who are involved in the niche? Hopefully... Because then you'd instantly have access to potential customers.

You could take an existing product and improve it. Make it faster, stronger, smaller, lighter, etc...

[final_id]

I think there are exercises in Tim's book, fairly early on in the "automation" portion, about how to figure out what your interests are. Write down every group you've ever been a member of ... etc. etc..