Is importing a viable muse? Also in need of other general advice...

[Tokyo]

Would importing items from abroad be a viable muse, that would fit into the automated lifestyle I'm trying to create for myself?

I've been told that shipping internationally(exporting) is more of a pain than its worth. Is importing similarly difficult?

I have a couple niches that would most likely respond well to "authentic" imported products from Asia, as well as a few places in europe.

I'm having great difficulty coming up with a muse. I tried inventing something that I would buy, but so far there has been no interest. The few other inventions I came up with are already being sold by other companies. I suppose I could try and make them better, but for now I will put them on the back burner.

Now I am trying to think of things I could sell and have drop-shipped from a wholesaler, but my first niche only really has a market for foreign items and my second and third niches have so many items already for sale from multiple online retailers that I'm not sure I want to compete.

I have also been trying to come up with ideas for an e-book. I have come up with a couple that could do well. But I don't know the first thing about writing a book. I'll try testing them both on ebay. If they get a response I will do further testing and try to start writing them. Are there people on elance that I could hire to turn my rough draft into a final product?

I'm getting a little discouraged, but I need to keep pressing on. I don't think I'm going to last another year in my current job.

Any comments/suggestions/advice/answers to anything I covered in this post would be great. Having no business experience or even a college degree, I'm feeling like I'm just too inexperienced to accomplish my automated TMI.

[aricia]

I'm working in an import business and I really don't think this is a good idea for a muse!
There is always a problem, paperwork, delivery, quality,...
You should need a lot of people to automate this process!

Try the e-book and you will find someone to write the actual copy for you!

Good luck

[Tokyo]

Originally Posted by aricia

Try the e-book and you will find someone to write the actual copy for you!

Good luck

Thanks, I will try which ever e-book test the best.

What exactly is a copy? I thought it was the initial promo write up used to get someone to buy your product, but I've heard it used in other context. Are you saying that I can hire someone to write the final draft of the book for me?

[aricia]

yes sorry I wanted to say that you can do the first version.
Write your ideas and have somebody writing the real e-book for you (with correct spelling, syntax,...)

[benp2k6]

Importing is a service. A service business requires people.

Selling a product is the way to go NR according to Tim.