I GOT MY FIRST SALE... AGAIN | Week 20 Dropshipping

Introduction

In an exciting turn of events, I just landed my first sale after launching my product! After wrapping up filming and taking a stroll down the street, I received notification of a sale on my online store. It's exhilarating to see five live viewers on the site, confirming that the marketing efforts are paying off—one active cart is currently checking out.

As I reflect on the timeline, I believe we’re somewhere around week 20 of this dropshipping journey. I just launched my product and am currently offering pre-orders, limiting it to 100 items and shipping within New Zealand only at this stage. I’m hoping to start the next round of pre-orders soon, synchronized with the shipping of the initial batch. With Christmas approaching, I need to ensure everything is ready by the 18th, the cutoff for holiday shipments.

This week has been packed with activity! I've meticulously built out my website and generated substantial content across platforms—amassing around 10,000 views in total. This came from consistent posting, particularly ramping up with four videos over the last couple of days. I also set up a picture ad with a modest $ 20 budget to boost visibility.

Despite the excitement, I'm tempering my expectations regarding immediate sales. It’s important to keep in mind that this first launch is a learning opportunity. I've been teasing the product since August, but this week has marked a shift towards a more aggressive marketing strategy, including influencer partnerships.

Speaking of influencers, there’s one in Japan who has shown interest in promoting my products, and I’m eager to collaborate. The learning curve has been steep, but I can already see the potential.

On a personal note, launching this product had me feeling all kinds of nerves. My heart rate was up, and I experienced a bit of stress in the lead-up to the go-live moment. However, all my preparations paid off—I double-checked everything multiple times. It’s also worth noting that I invested in some necessary equipment, like a heat sealer, and navigated the process of securing a food safety license.

As for my partner's journey, he has also been diligently working on a new store concept. This week, he finalized the branding, developed a compelling story, and crafted a professional logo. He reached out to suppliers on AliExpress, confirming their dropshipping services, and dedicated the day to product selection—landing on 91 potential products!

Although this niche is competitive, both of us are eager to dive into our respective markets. He plans a launch in early January, strategically avoiding the Christmas rush in favor of a more robust entry.

As we work through various challenges, particularly related to a new AI aspect we're pursuing, the learning curve continues to grow steeper. We've realized that running a dropshipping business provides valuable, practical experience, which is truly beneficial for anyone looking to understand business dynamics.

This has been a very productive week for both of us, filled with learning and strategizing. Now, we want to hear from you! Should we reveal our products and discuss our past failures, or should we talk about the costs associated with dropshipping in New Zealand? Drop your preference in the comments!

Keywords

Dropshipping
First Sale
Pre-orders
Online Store
Marketing Strategy
Influencer Partnerships
Branding
Product Selection
Learning Experience

FAQ

Q: How many pre-orders are being offered initially?
A: The initial pre-orders are limited to 100 items.

Q: Where are you shipping your products?
A: Currently, shipping is only available within New Zealand.

Q: What marketing strategies are being used?
A: Strategies include social media content creation, setting up ads, and influencer partnerships.

Q: When do you plan to launch your products?
A: The aim is to launch the new store in early January.

Q: What is the major learning from running a dropshipping business?
A: The experience provides practical insight into the business world, enhancing understanding of operations and marketing.