How to Sell Music, Collectibles, and

Music is a huge category on eBay. It includes selling not only records and CDs but also collectibles, instruments, equipment, tickets, and technology. Dennis Prince teams up with William Meyer, an expert at selling music items on eBay, to give information specific to the music market, including determining the condition and authenticity of items; understanding what can legally be sold, including copyrighted material and tickets; the use of an instrument (for beginners, marching bands, professionals, or collectors); and more.

William M. Meyer is a writer, editor, online auction expert, and musician/music critic. He is also a consultant and a freelance writer/editor for eBay.

Acknowledgments

xi

Introduction

xiii

You Can Do It

xiii

What's Unique about This Book

xv

Introducing Your Authors

xvii

Your Success Waits!

xviii

Part 1: Welcome to the World of Music Selling

1

(66)

Why Specialize in Music Selling?

2

(10)

Broad Is Good: Product and Customer Diversity

2

(2)

Market Choices 101

4

(2)

Do the Numbers

6

(2)

Music by eBay

8

(4)

The History of Selling Music

12

(11)

History Matters

12

(4)

Then and Now

16

(7)

Getting Better Acquainted with Music Selling

23

(19)

Broad Strokes: Business Characteristics

24

(7)

Market Specifics and Market Opportunities on eBay

31

(11)

Becoming an Expert in Music Sales

42

(25)

What Does it Take to Be a Music Expert?

43

(2)

Primary Sources

45

(8)

Trade Talk

53

(11)

Making the Grade: Grading Music Merchandise

64

(2)

A Personal Edge

66

(1)

Part 2: Selling Music Merchandise with Success

67

(78)

Your Music Category Business Plan

68

(11)

The Big Deal about Business Plans

69

(1)

The Nuts and Bolts of Your Plan

69

(7)

The Benefits of Your Plan

76

(2)

Resources You Can Trust

78

(1)

Strategies for Building Your Inventory

79

(19)

Basics of Supply

80

(12)

Supply from the Inside: Strategies to Consider

92

(6)

Targeting Music Customers

98

(14)

Calling All Customers

99

(1)

Music Categories Matter

99

(2)

Targeting with Titles

101

(2)

The Right Description Is Crucial

103

(2)

A Little Help from eBay

105

(6)

Return to Seller

111

(1)

Tips for Boosting Sales

112

(20)

Errors and Omissions

113

(5)

High Feedback

118

(1)

Automation

119

(2)

Transparency

121

(1)

Brand Identity

122

(2)

Take the Music to the World: International Sales

124

(1)

Product Positioning

125

(2)

Listing Formats

127

(2)

Listing Volume

129

(1)

Listing Content and Presentation

129

(1)

Communication and Fast, Reliable Shipping

130

(2)

Packing and Shipping Music Products

132

(13)

Packing School

135

(1)

Shipping Music Products

136

(2)

What Works Best for You?

138

(4)

Final Thoughts

142

(3)

Part 3: Becoming a Music Specialist

145

(113)

Becoming a Recorded Music Specialist

146

(35)

Anatomy of a Category

147

(5)

Major Sources

152

(13)

Market Research

165

(1)

Advertising Opportunities

166

(1)

Market Factors and Market Implications

166

(4)

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How to Sell Music, Collectibles, and Instruments on eBay... And Make a Fortune

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials