Let’s Talk Business
According to BusinessDictionary.com, business is defined as “An economic system in which goods and services are exchanged for one another or money, on the basis of their perceived worth. Every business requires some form of investment and a sufficient number of customers to whom its output can be sold at profit on a consistent basis.” As I pondered this definition, I realized that Zibbet sellers approach their “businesses” from different points of view, and not all from the point of view of this definition. For simplification, I’d like to divide Zibbet sellers into three groups. Please note that these groupings shouldn’t be considered “good” or “bad” or “right” or “wrong”. Instead, they are “different” in several respects but all are equally viable and acceptable.
Group A sellers fully embrace their businesses as defined above. These sellers have positioned themselves for making a profit on the sale of their wares and accept the risks and sacrifices involved in pursuing that profit.
Group B sellers have entered the online selling arena to support their hobbies. They are content to share their creations and to break even at the end of the day. They would enjoy earning a profit but that’s not their primary motivation.
Group AB sellers are positioned somewhere on the continuum between Group A and Group B. I believe that the majority of us started our selling endeavors as Group AB sellers. Over time we move toward Group A or Group B, depending on our response to a variety of circumstances and factors that are unique to each of our individual situations.
I challenge you take a few minutes to consider your motivation for selling. Which group do you place yourself in? Over the next few weeks I’ll be providing some points for you to consider as you evaluate your business and your approach to your business, regardless of which group you place yourself in.
Best wishes for much success on Zibbet!
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Vicki is committed to assisting her fellow Zibbeters improve their shops for successful online selling. She is the owner of five Zibbet shops: LOC Design Studio, Denim and Pearls, A Stitch and a Prayer, Black Creek Crossing and Think Like a Fish. You can follow Vicki on Twitter and through her LOC Design Studio blog.
Tags: business, Hobby, Let's Talk Business, Profit, Sales, Sell, Success on Zibbet
I’m definitely in group AB… always have been somewhere in the middle… But I’m hoping to make 2012 the year of decisions, starting with deciding exactly what it is I’m doing with this stuff. Thanks for getting us started - I look forward to follow-up posts for this.
~Sunfire
When I started Portable Graffiti I was a “Group A”. The buttons never were a hobby to begin with. I purchased the machines and supplies via a bank loan in 1979.
Definitely in the “A” group, but could use some help. Have been doing many of the suggested things, but truly don’t have time to spend hours on the computer social networking; if I do that, no product gets made! Looking forward with great anticipation to your next articles. Do you have any plans to address the finding of and participation in craft shows/fairs?
I’m a Group B for sure. It’s more important for me to create a positive image of the Arab and Islamic culture then to make millions selling cards. If I can get one non-Arab and/or Islamic person to give one another non-Arab and/or Islamic person one of my cards, I sleep better at night knowing I’ve helped eliminate any negative stereotypes.
I know when I started seriously, I was in group A. Now, I find myself still in group A but perhaps a smidgen of B sliding in. Interesting. Looking forward to more!
Presently I am a group B, love creating and up to now have considered all of my various projects as a hobby(my therapy!) I never had the time in the past to do any of this. My creations have taken off so that I am now trying to go the next step online and thought this is a good place to start. However, I don’t know where to start and don’t understand alot of terms used in creating my store, etc. Where do I find the banners?, are they free? only one question of many. Please, someone, direct me to a place where I can find my answers as I feel I am wasting valuable time. Thanks in advance if anyone can help.