You have no idea how many times I have heard the following:
“Chris – If I could only get ungated in health and beauty, I could make this into a full time job.”
“Amazon is holding me back by not allowing me to sell in X category.”
“I can’t make any money selling on Amazon because I’m not ungated.”
“I would do anything to be able to sell in X category.”
“I can’t be an amazing seller since I can’t sell in X category.”
Guess what.
Here is a category breakdown of my sales over the last quarter.
If you took away the “gated” categories, you would take away 18% of the items I sell.
Now here is a breakdown of sales revenue (not profit) from the last quarter.
Over two thirds of my business comes from a non-gated category.
So. Here is what I have to say to all of you who think you can’t sell because you can’t list in a certain category.
You are your own worst enemy.
The only one that is holding you back is YOU!
Granted. There is a lot of money to be made in gated categories, but it’s not the end of the world as we know it if.
I feel fine.
Here is what you need to do:
- Quit thinking everyone is out to get you.
- Learn to source and make money in non-gated categories.
- Become an expert in a category.
- Make money.
- Make it rain.
- Repeat.
CW
Thanks man ! You gave some real encouragement with this article. Hell I’d be happy with just your sales from home improvement. I was wondering though I see some items missing their box but are in a sealed bag with the instructions taped to it. Can I buy some small brown cardboard boxes and send them in as long as it looks professional? The other question is do you have help especially with so many categories? I do books, vhs, board games and looking at home improvement recently. Almost forgot dead technology. Found a cordless mouse 1/2 sale for $2 and sold for 44.50. Couldn’t believe it at first until I thought about my logitech track ball. If it’s discontinued I’d pay $100 maybe more. It’s like family.
I feel like I’m going in a thousand different directions and not enough time. Time management is not my strong point. But anyway I really appreciate you showing the sales figures and percentage breakdown by category. I’m going to print it out and hang it on my fridge and keep a copy in my car too for encouragement.