If you’re trying to make money online you either need a product or service.  Unless your service business is virtual (i.e. website design, scripting, search engine optimization) or something else you can do from a distance, you’re stuck looking for a product to sell.  Many people have turned to eBay to make their fortunes, but they all begin with the same problem…no product to sell.

There are all sorts of wholesalers and sourcing services that claim to give the lowest prices.  The only problem is that everybody else can buy from these same wholesale and sourcing services.  The absolute best way to find something to sell on eBay is to find someone with a product, but no internet expertise.

The best way to do this is to leave your comfort zone and start associating yourself with people who probably struggle to create a free email account.  The types of deals you’re looking for are the ones done locally, personally, and generally over a beer and a handshake.  Go to the flea markets and try to find new booths with good deals.  Sometimes they do sell on eBay or on their own websites, but more often they are just too busy to take the time to do real online marketing.  If you have that experience and are certain that you can get some sales…make the proposition to the business owner and see where things go.  They’re always happy to do more business and move more product.

You can also try the docks (if you live in a coastal area).  There are lots of big and small businesses there and you never know who or what you’ll run into.  Talk a little to other business owners and pass out some business cards telling them that you do “internet marketing” and see what happens.  If you pass out enough cards, someone will call.  All you need to do then is ensure that it’s a good deal by checking eBay’s current prices on similar items and calculating the profit you can make and what you can split with them.

Bringing on a wholesaler as a partner is usually a better idea than trying to retail the products yourself.  If you can strike a deal with the wholesaler to split the profits on whatever sells, you’ll have relatively low risk.  If you buy a thousand widgets from your wholesaler and only four sell on eBay, you’ve got a problem.  Always try to create a partnership with them if you can.

Look for people that sell in open air markets, out of small shops, or even the trunk of their car.  These businesses often don’t have the budget to advertise and without the online expertise that you have, they wouldn’t have any business other than local business.

- John