As part of my coaching program, I ask my clients to return a client prep form the day before each coaching session. Here is what the form looks like:
1. What I have accomplished since our last call:
2. What I did not get done but intended to:
3. The challenges and problems I am facing now:
4. The opportunities which are available to me right now:
5. I want to use the coach during the call to:
6. What I promise to get done for the next call:
The clients are to fill out the information so that I can help them in areas where they need it and help them achieve their initial goals of the training program. The #4 question provides valuable insight into the client’s mindset and attitude. When I receive an answer like “nothing” or “none,” I become very concerned. I can’t get my mind around the idea that someone does not have opportunities. I usually become concerned that this client won’t make it in the eBay or online selling business. Opportunities are everywhere and you must be proactive and seize them.
The definition of the word “opportunity” is: A favorable or advantageous circumstance or combination of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.
For my clients living in the USA, we live in the most prosperous country in the world. People risk their lives to come live here because of the opportunities and freedoms our country offers. You can say pretty much anything you want (freedom of speech), worship any way you want (freedom of religion), you have the right to a fair trial if you are accused of a crime (try that in some other countries), you can live where you want, choose your profession, and have as many children as you want to. These things, among others, are what make America so great.
If you are willing to work, you can be successful and build a thriving business. I know lots of people doing it. (Check my
Facebook group where we talk every day!) Free enterprise allows every American the opportunity to succeed. Everyone has the same opportunities available to them. If you have time, an internet connection, and the desire to succeed at this business, you can.
We still have a workable economy. Sure, there are lots of people unemployed, gas is expensive, and the housing market has its problems. What better time to take responsibility for yourself and your future? Start your own business and rely on yourself rather than someone else for your prosperity. Don’t have the money to do it? Check into small business loans, government grants, and other free small business startup money. It is out there. Make Google your new best friend and find it.
Can’t find anything to sell? Look harder. Or don’t look quite so hard. There is more at your fingertips than you realize. I was chatting with a fellow seller last week about other sellers lamenting over not finding inventory to sell. She said, “What CAN’T you sell? The only limitation is your time.”
Click here for a huge list of things to sell and where to find them.
Bottom line, if you aren’t finding something to sell:
YOU ARE NOT LOOKING!
Granted, not all of the methods listed above are going to appeal to every person. And nobody said this was going to be easy. Nothing worth doing is easy. So, if you are not finding anything to sell, here are a few strategies:
Get out of your comfort zone. The saying goes, “If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you’ve always got.” Shake it up. Do something different. Try a new business model, product, or site. Being uncomfortable leads to growth and progress.
Work at it – hard! If you want to sell items from Sam’s or Costco, go to the store with a notepad and write down 100 products and go home and research them. Looking at 10 things isn’t going to cut it. You have to dig deep. If you want to find wholesale products to sell,
get this list and start looking through all of the providers. Seek and ye shall find. Other sellers are doing it, you can too.
Educate yourself. If you want to get better and finding items at estate or garage sales, study the subject. Pretend you are getting your masters in online selling. Spend an hour a day looking at completed listings on eBay – search for the keywords vintage or collectible and look at the listings. Get a
Kovel’s guide and start reading it a little every day.
Join groups and forums and read what people are talking about. Put in the time. This is like learning a foreign language – you have to immerse yourself in it every day for a long time, and you still will never know it all. It takes time to get comfortable and think in the new language.
Be persistent. Keep working at it. Successful people are the ones who don’t give up. 75% of what I tried when I started this business did not work. The other 25% is what got me where I am today.
So, what opportunities are available to you right now? Do you have a working internet connection and a few hours a week? Do you know of a discount store near you that you haven’t tried sourcing inventory from? Is there a small thrift store or consignment store you can partner with and sell their items on commission? Do you have a Sam’s or Costco membership? Do you have a virtual service you can sell?
Grab the bull by the horns and get busy.
