| The purpose of market research is an important one: | | | | books, movies and music; but they also have an |
| you are going to determine who will buy your product, | | | | enormous inventory of electronics, toys, jewelry, |
| where they hang out both on and offline, and how you | | | | clothing and accessories, and much more. Where |
| can best reach them through advertising your | | | | e-Bay concentrates on selling used products through |
| autoresponder program. The more you can pinpoint | | | | auctions and classifieds-style advertising, Amazon |
| your target market, the better success (and profits) | | | | carries new products along with a healthy dose of |
| you will see. | | | | independent sellers touting used wares. |
| Here is a partial list of topics to choose from that have | | | | Your purpose in using Amazon for market research is |
| high marketability factors: | | | | twofold: you will identify your competition and find out |
| Making money | | | | how popular your topic is, and you will familiarize |
| Investing money | | | | yourself with how Amazon works, as you will likely |
| Saving money (on consumer purchases) | | | | want to consider making your product available |
| Starting a business (online or offline) | | | | through Amazon. Here is how to check it out: |
| Running a profitable web site | | | | 1. Sign up for an Amazon account, if you do not |
| Dieting and weight loss | | | | already have one. Like eBay, Amazon will give you |
| Time management | | | | personalized recommendations based on your |
| Relationships and dating | | | | searching and buying history, and keep you updated |
| Finding a dream job | | | | with the latest available information on your topic. |
| Working from homeeBay | | | | 2. Once you have signed up, go to the Amazon home |
| It is said you can buy anything on eBay, from cars and | | | | page and log in (you may be automatically logged in; |
| computers to clothing formerly worn by celebrities. This | | | | Amazon really likes keeping track of its customers and |
| massive online consumer marketplace and auction | | | | often will keep you perpetually signed on, even when |
| house is a haven for buyers and sellers looking for | | | | you leave the site) |
| great deals from the comfort of their own homes. | | | | 3. Using the search bar at the top of the page, choose |
| Searching for products related to your topic on eBay | | | | Books from the dropdown list and type in your topic or |
| can help you home in onyour market. It will also help | | | | keywords. The results you get will be both print books |
| you determine how much buyers are willing to pay for | | | | and e-books. Since Amazon deals primarily in new |
| products related to your subject. | | | | product, you will be able to view the retail price of |
| Follow these steps to exploit eBay for information: | | | | competitive products. |
| 1. Sign up for a free eBay account. This personalizes | | | | 4. Make note of prices and the number of titles |
| your experience and allows eBay to provide you with | | | | available relating to your topic. Also, you might want to |
| relevant information every time you visit. | | | | consider checking out the Listmania sections on the |
| 2. Go to the eBay home page and log in. | | | | product pages you view (you can find this by scrolling |
| 3. Choose one of the categories on the left-hand side | | | | down on the page, almost to the bottom). Listmania is |
| of the page that is relevant to your topic and browse | | | | an Amazon program that promotes customer |
| through the listings, or search for a specific item or | | | | recommendations by allowing Amazon users to |
| topic using the search bar at the top of the page. | | | | compile lists of their favorite books on Amazon. |
| 4. Make note of the price ranges people are willing to | | | | Checking out Listmania picks helps you understand |
| pay for items or products related to your topic. This will | | | | what type of product your target market is interested |
| give you a general idea of what to charge for yours. | | | | in, and how much they are willing to pay for it. |
| Also, note how many products are available related to | | | | 5. Once you find a product, if you scroll down past |
| your topic in comparison to other topics. This is not | | | | Listmania you will find sections on similar items by |
| limited to books: you might find CDs, audio programs, or | | | | category and similar items by subject. You can |
| one of many forms your product can take. | | | | browse through the available products related to your |
| Amazon | | | | topic in this way without going back to your search |
| Amazon.com, the other internet consumer giant, is | | | | results page. |
| similar to e-Bay in that you can find just about anything | | | | So, you have to work to do. Most important is to take |
| you want to buy. Their biggest selection is in media: | | | | action! |