Post by Demorah on Nov 8, 2003 8:29:46 GMT -5
Hello and welcome all that are in the Commerce Cel 
I trust business is good for you all and that you are prospering as you intended.
I thought I might take the time to pass along a few things that have worked well for me for sales and continuing to keep fresh clientel coming in to my shop.
1) Keep the bazaar stocked with samplings of your merchandise. Not every player on the game will find your shop, but almost all will find the bazaar eventually.
2) When something sells off the public bazaar, no matter how big or small, send a thank you with your waypoint attached. This will bring in more new business than you might imagine, and it's still a world where people want to feel they know you and can come to you directly. You would be surprised at how many players never even look at who they bought something from off the bazaar, but a personal email will get thier attention.
3) Keep your vendors stocked with a variety of merchandise. Overloading one item will cause people to pass over your vendor quickly, but offering a sampling of most of what you carry not only causes them to slow down and look, but makes them want to come back to see what else might be there. I try not to put more than 5 of anything on my vendors with a few exceptions (things that sell quickly like Stims, powerups, etc could have quite a few to offer)
4) Treat your customers like you would want to be treated and take the time to answer thier questions. Sometimes when you understand how something works and what the benefits of that item might be you are more inclined to purchase it. Also, when a player understands the various "ins and outs" of certain merchandise they are more apt to use it regularly, not to mention that they will remember you as someone who took the time to help them and not just another money grabbing merchant.
5) This one is important! Be sure to include noob items for sale, especially on the public bazaar. No player is a noob forever and they will grow with you. If you have your "thank you" strategy intact you will draw in a few regulars that will come in often to see what else they can afford as they grow
Repeat business is still the key to good success.
6) Don't get involved in "price wars". Charge what you believe is fair and stick to it. Many people new to your professions will charge ridiculously low or high prices. Never let that be your concern. If you like what you do you will be there long after the "skillers" and "noobs" have come and gone, and it will benefit you in the long run to focus on quality of products and services over what your neighbor is doing. I do strongly suggest a fairly thourough market research of your products and services before you begin. Local can also play a vital part in what you charge for something. As in the real world supply and demand will greatly affect what an item is worth to someone.
Well there are a few ideas for you. If you need help with anything or further clarification feel free to post and I will answer you the best I can.
Take care and happy merchandising!
Demorah
I trust business is good for you all and that you are prospering as you intended.
I thought I might take the time to pass along a few things that have worked well for me for sales and continuing to keep fresh clientel coming in to my shop.
1) Keep the bazaar stocked with samplings of your merchandise. Not every player on the game will find your shop, but almost all will find the bazaar eventually.
2) When something sells off the public bazaar, no matter how big or small, send a thank you with your waypoint attached. This will bring in more new business than you might imagine, and it's still a world where people want to feel they know you and can come to you directly. You would be surprised at how many players never even look at who they bought something from off the bazaar, but a personal email will get thier attention.
3) Keep your vendors stocked with a variety of merchandise. Overloading one item will cause people to pass over your vendor quickly, but offering a sampling of most of what you carry not only causes them to slow down and look, but makes them want to come back to see what else might be there. I try not to put more than 5 of anything on my vendors with a few exceptions (things that sell quickly like Stims, powerups, etc could have quite a few to offer)
4) Treat your customers like you would want to be treated and take the time to answer thier questions. Sometimes when you understand how something works and what the benefits of that item might be you are more inclined to purchase it. Also, when a player understands the various "ins and outs" of certain merchandise they are more apt to use it regularly, not to mention that they will remember you as someone who took the time to help them and not just another money grabbing merchant.
5) This one is important! Be sure to include noob items for sale, especially on the public bazaar. No player is a noob forever and they will grow with you. If you have your "thank you" strategy intact you will draw in a few regulars that will come in often to see what else they can afford as they grow
Repeat business is still the key to good success.6) Don't get involved in "price wars". Charge what you believe is fair and stick to it. Many people new to your professions will charge ridiculously low or high prices. Never let that be your concern. If you like what you do you will be there long after the "skillers" and "noobs" have come and gone, and it will benefit you in the long run to focus on quality of products and services over what your neighbor is doing. I do strongly suggest a fairly thourough market research of your products and services before you begin. Local can also play a vital part in what you charge for something. As in the real world supply and demand will greatly affect what an item is worth to someone.
Well there are a few ideas for you. If you need help with anything or further clarification feel free to post and I will answer you the best I can.
Take care and happy merchandising!
Demorah
