After building multiple seven-figure drop shipping brands over the past five years, I’ve gathered numerous tips and tricks that can make the journey smoother for beginners. While hard work and consistency are vital for success, some people find it more challenging to achieve their goals in e-commerce. Below is a compilation of essential advice aimed at newcomers to the industry.
Acknowledging Success Stories
Before diving into the tips, I want to give a shoutout to Emily, a member of Ecom Remastered. She has been with the program since its inception and has seen her brand grow to over a thousand dollars a day, even launching physical pop-up shops. Emily’s contributions to the community are invaluable, and I can’t wait for her to take the leap into full-time e-commerce. If you aspire to follow in her footsteps, check out our community at ecomremastered.com.
Starting Your Shopify Store
If you’re new to Shopify, there’s a great opportunity to start your store for just $1 a month for the first three months. You can find the details in the link below. Now, let’s explore the essential tips for your drop shipping journey.
Finding a Winning Product
One of the biggest challenges beginners face is finding a winning product. While some think they need to uncover the next trendy item, this approach can lead to temporary success at best. Instead, focus on identifying products that can sustain a longer-term brand. For example, rather than chasing fleeting trends like fidget spinners, consider the marketing angles of a product.
A great example is the mini makeup fridge. This product isn’t new; it’s a rebranded item that taps into a specific marketing angle—cooling makeup and skincare products. When evaluating products, brainstorm various marketing angles, as more angles can lead to greater success.
Leveraging Free Advertising
You don’t need to invest in paid ads right away. With platforms like TikTok and Instagram providing organic reach, you can test products without a significant budget. Create engaging content, potentially with the help of influencers, and leverage UGC (User-Generated Content) to go viral. If you gain traction organically, you can later transition to paid advertising to further scale your success.
Outsourcing Skills
As a solo entrepreneur, you’ll likely juggle multiple roles, from marketing to finance to supply chain management. Recognize your strengths and outsource the areas where you struggle. Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork offer affordable freelancers for web design, ad creation, and more. Investing your time in your strengths will pay off more than trying to learn everything yourself.
Setting Realistic Goals
Setting achievable goals is crucial. It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of online success stories and expect immediate results. When I started, my goal was to make enough profit to cover my rent. Once I achieved that, scaling became easier. Begin with realistic expectations to avoid discouragement.
Keeping Track of Experiments
Document everything you test, especially in your advertising efforts. Keeping a record will help you avoid repeating mistakes and will guide future strategies. Whether it’s a new audience or ad setup, detail your findings so you can refine your approach.
Vetting Suppliers
Don’t settle for the first supplier you find. Ensure you communicate with them and verify their shipping times, reliability, and packaging quality. A poor supplier can lead to customer dissatisfaction and returns, so it’s worth the time to build a reliable partnership.
Niche Focus
Sticking to one niche can be beneficial for efficiency and expertise. By concentrating on a specific market, you can cycle through products without needing to rebuild your entire store. Plus, you’ll gain valuable insights into your audience, making it easier to market effectively.
Understanding Diverse Strategies
Different strategies work for different people and products. Don’t get hung up on what others claim to be the “secret” to success. Test various methods and find what resonates with you and your product.
Choosing the Right Advertising Platform
The choice of advertising platform matters significantly. Each platform caters to different demographics. Understand where your target audience spends their time and tailor your marketing efforts accordingly. For instance, TikTok might not be the best fit for products aimed at older demographics.
Maximizing Your Spend
Starting an e-commerce business incurs costs, but drop shipping can be done on a budget. Utilize credit cards that offer rewards for advertising spends. This can help offset costs and provide additional benefits, such as travel points, if managed responsibly.
Free Resources
If you’re looking for extra help, feel free to reach out. I offer a list of 190 winning products and examples of effective ad creatives. DM me on Instagram at austin.raven for more details.
By implementing these tips, you can streamline your path to success in the drop shipping and e-commerce landscape. Good luck!
