How do I get people to list items on my auction site?

Question

I have started up an auction site at www.peoplebidz..com. But I am having a hard time finding great sellers to list there stuff on my the site. Last month I ran a promotional listing ad, for the first 100 members to join PeopleBidz and list 50 to 100 auctions would receive $25.00 dollars. I did get a couple of new members and was happy and payed out $50.00! I want to pay for advertising but if you don't have enough items listed on your site buyers visiting the site won't have much to look at or bid on. Should I do another promotional ad again? I would like to show sellers listing on my site, that I appreciate their business and time.

Any feedback would be appreciated!

Answer 1

Often time you have to give something away free to get listed. Run a promotion where you will list the first item free. You can also advertise this in a local classified section as well as craigslist for little or no cost. It is hard to give things away but the next time they need to list something, they will come to you first.

Answer 2

You are pouring your hard earned money down a hole offering money to people to advertise on your site. I understand you strategy in doing such a move. I have had two friends do the same thing, in the hopes they would be able to build up their site and sell it. They gave away thousands, and could not be competitive or get enough people to make their business interesting to buyers. Good idea, but you are offering nothing new. Good luck.

Answer 3

Have you considered advertising exchanges.

they are free and allow websites to advertise on your site and they let you advertise on theirs

www.salesmedium.com does this and I am not sure of any others

Regards