Brands for whom the web has allowed them to define a unique business model and reach to customers feature heavily this week. For different reasons, the Dollar Shave Club, Etsy and TED  have success born out of the way the web allows them to create a business not tethered to the challenges of bricks and mortar. That, and a helpful reminder to actually do what you say you do!

Second Generation eCommerce

This post on the online-only brand was shared internally at F+W and gives great focus. Primarily this is about the margin potential of ‘second generation’ eCommerce stores that build brands that are enabled by the economies of online selling. Importantly though, it highlights the potential of building a unique character, personality and voice can have in building your audience on the social web. Step forward the Dollar Shave Club – new to me but brilliant.

Product or Customer Focus

In much the same vein as the above, this post asks the question if your business is product or customer focused? I completely agree that you can really see those businesses that are in a “constant state of evolving the product” against those that have customer front of mind.

The power of Etsy

I enjoyed this infographic I picked up on the Mashable site, reminding me of the power and potential of Etsy. The numbers are impressive, 15 million members growing at nearly 700,000 per month, 875,000 shops, 13,000,000 products. For an aspiring handmade entrepreneur, Etsy can be hugely powerful and a way to reach a global audience. What’s more, you can launch your business with an Etsy shop and social media profile for free – allowing you to get out there and start selling, learning and building a community quickly and with little risk.

TED launches ebook store

I’m a big TED fan. I posted only this week on Start with Why, so naturally I downloaded the new TED IOS ebook app, and bought a book. TED is growing a community through making its core content free, and then naturally extends this into generating revenue through the ebook app. It’s a big enough brand, with a big enough following to do this. Smart move.

Just Do it!

This interview with Lisa Barone caught my eye with some good advice, but I was particularly drawn to her answer to the last question: “Don’t forget to actually do what it is you’re trying to be known for.” It’s true. I’m the biggest advocate of having a strategy, a usp and defining your ‘why’ – but ultimately talking about it and thinking about it are nothing without actually doing it!

Stories that caught my eye this week cover international eCommerce, ebook tax and bundling, video marketing and blogging ideas.

International eCommerce

This multilingual eCommerce post highlighted four interesting trends comparing US and UK eCommerce focus areas. As a live issue in our business, it’s always interesting to learn about best practice here. There is great scope for growth in opening your virtual doors to international sales.

Ebook Tax

In other international news, VAT legislation on ebooks has become muddled further with European Commission action on France and Luxembourg regarding ebook VAT rates. This really is an area that needs resolution across Europe. Although as I think this post highlights, it’s important to understand local market pricing and tax legislation in considering growth opportunities globally.

Ebook bundling

I was very interested to see this announcement by Angry Robot on an initiative to support independent publishers with ebook sales. The bundling of print and ebook product is a conundrum for the publishing industry so this will be an interesting test

Video Marketing Tips

This post on YouTube partnerships caught my eye, and it highlights how YouTube is disrupting the TV and movie industry in the same way that music and publishing is changing. For niche market businesses, getting on top of video can reap great rewards.

Blogging ideas

I enjoyed reading this post on 34 blogging ideas from eConsultancy. The content was helpful, but I also thought it was great to see this business being prepared to share lessons from six years of blogging. Plenty of others would not have chosen to put this content out there perhaps?

This is the second time I’ve sat down to write a first blog post. The first was some years ago when I thought a consultancy career was looming. Back then, I was pretending to be someone else. I blogged under my ‘company’ name not my own and felt that I had to impress with every post.

This time it’s a little different. I’m older & wiser and I’m very happy with this being my own voice. You can read about me here – enjoy the blog and I welcome your feedback.