By David Vallieres
Expert Author
Here's an easy-to-do and quick money making project for you:
My 18 year old son's been making about $80-$150 a week for 1 hour worth of work. If you put more into it you could probably do better, but he's involved in other things- so he does this just for extra money and pocket change:
Amazon.
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com now let's you easily list used books, CD's etc on their web site. The results come up right when anyone searches their site for new books and CD's.
If you search on anything you are interested in, there's a box below the listing that says, "Already Own This Item? -I have one to sell: Sell Yours Here"
It takes about 30 minutes for him to list about 25 titles a week. The other 30 minutes are taken up packing and shipping the books sold. The listing process on Amazon is incredibly easy.
Of the 25 titles he lists, he sells 10-15 for an average profit of $8-$10 each. Newer books on business, computers and the Internet sell best.
The secret is in buying books cheap enough to make a profit. Used bookstores in my area are great for books in the $4-$5 range you can sell for $15-$20 each --if they are in good condition. You can also get really great books at yard sales for . 50 to $2. 00 that will easily sell for $10-$20 or more!
When you're selling used books, "condition" is everything.
Pay very close attention to the spine (that it's not bent, cracked or separating from the book) and make sure there are no pen or pencil marks in the book and very few 'dog-eared pages', etc.
I also frequently visit used book sites online such as:
www.abebooks.com
www.biblio.com
Internet Marketing Tip:
If you have a web site that focuses on a certain topic, like mine does, ONLY list books for sale on Amazon dealing with that topic on Amazon. Why? Everytime you sell a used book on that topic you have a "lead" that you can follow-up with to sell your online services and products!
I also have tried this with good success:
I find the MOST POPULAR book related to my website - Internet marketing - on Amazon. Then I contact the wholesaler or publisher and buy a dozen or more titles directly from the publisher at 40% to 50% off the cover price. When I list them as 'used' books on Amazon I usually only make a $1 or $2 on each book, but I get a lead for free! Yes, every person who buys that 'used book' from my son gets a printed ad with a special offer to check out my special offers! Our conversion is VERY high. . . 45% and up depending on how closely the book matches my site's focus.
By the way, Amazon re-imburses you for shipping costs at Media Mail rates. So your selling price minus your cost is your net profit.
TO SUM: . . . it's easy. . . it makes money. . . it costs you ZERO, NADA to list your books. . . Amazon only takes a cut if you sell. . . and it takes 1 hour each week to make an extra $100 bucks or more!
It's not everyone's cup of tea. . . but if you love books as much as my son does, it's 'found money'.
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