The Talk Market (beta)

Thanks for visiting The Talk Market!
Below please find answers to frequently asked questions on how to use the site!

Buying items:

Selling items:

TV Tools:

Customer Service:

Affiliate Marketing:

Buying items:

a)How do I purchase an item?
All items on The Talk Market can be purchased directly from the The Talk Market user who is selling the item. Credit card transactions are securely processed through Amazon's payment processing service entitled Amazon Payments.
b)What if I want to return something I’ve purchased?
Please review the return policy for the item, which is located under the video in its video view page. If a seller allows returns, the seller will specify how many days they will allow returns for a 100% money back guarantee, which includes the original shipping and handling cost, but not the return shipping cost. If you intend on returning an item, please notify the seller by clicking on the “contact seller” link below the video on the product’s video view page. We encourage you to share your experience with the seller and the seller’s products by giving feedback – simply click on the “give feedback” button in the “my purchases” page of the My Account control panel, located on the left side of each page while you’re logged into your account.
c)What if I have questions about the item?
Please contact the seller directly for any questions on a product the seller is offering. Simply click on the “contact seller” link located below the video on the product’s video view page.
d)How do I pay for an item?
All sellers on The Talk Market accept major credit cards. Credit card transactions are securely processed through Amazons payment processing system entitled Amazon Payments.
e)How do I review a product or give feedback on a seller?
We encourage you to share your experience with the seller and the seller’s products by giving feedback – simply click on the “give feedback” button in the “my purchases” page of the My Account control panel, located on the left side of each page while you’re logged into your account.
f)What is TV Mode and how does it work?
TV Mode allows you to program your own shopping channel! Simply select a product category, or enter a search term, and when the video results are displayed, click on the "TV Mode" icon in the header bar. This will launch an uninterrupted program of all your video results played back-to-back. TV Mode will launch videos in full-screen mode, but simply press your "escape" key at any time to minimize the video and see the full product details. Click on "buy now" to purchase any item being featured, and select the "previous" or "next" buttons to skip forward or backward in the program. TV Mode is perfect when you want to relax and watch a seamless stream of entertaining TV shopping presentations, or when you can't sit in front of your computer but want uninterrupted video programming in the background.

Selling items:

a)How do I sell an item on The Talk Market?

Here’s a summary of how to sell something on The Talk Market:
1. Create an account. Either click on “create an account” on the left panel, or “log in” in the top right hand corner of any page to create a free account
2. Create a video selling your product. Showcase the special qualities of your product. Introduce yourself and create a personal relationship with your viewers. Enhance your video with The Talk Market’s free TV Tools. You can upload videos of up to six minutes or 60 megabytes on The Talk Market.
3. Upload your video to The Talk Market. Click on the “Upload + Sell” tab at the top of any page. Follow the instructions on the form. Write a compelling title and description for your product. Videos can be uploaded in .AVI, .WMV, MPG, or MOV format. You can also upload a jpeg of your product to use as the preview image. Fill in the price, quantity and product description information. Add keywords and decide on a refund policy. Click continue to set up your free Amazon Payments Business account so you can accept credit cards from your customers at The Talk Market.
4. Promote your videos and fulfill your orders. Send the link to your video to everyone you know. Embed your video in your blog or on your website. When someone purchases your product, you will receive an email with shipping instructions. Simply ship your product to the address in the email. Easy!
b)How do I create a video selling my product?
The experts from the Television Shopping Networks always emphasize how important it is to relate personally to your audience. Share the reasons why your product is amazing. Personalize your experience with the product and why you feel that it has helped you or someone you know. Above all, have fun! Demonstrate the great qualities of your product. When shooting your video, try to capture images keeping in mind that The Talk Market will superimpose a graphic with your product’s name in the top right hand corner of the screen, so best results will be achieved if you keep that area of your shots clear. In terms of the editing, most video cameras , digital cameras, and computers come with basic software that can enable you to edit together different shots to create a compelling video. And with the Free TV Tools, you can add great soundtracks and dazzling motion graphics to help structure your video and draw in your viewers. When you’re done editing your video sequence, export the file and upload it to The Talk Market to get started!
c)How long should my video be?
In general, it’s a good idea to keep videos focused and entertaining. If you’re just featuring one product in a video (without many different size/color options), you might consider keeping the video to three minutes and under in length. That said, The Talk Market will host videos up to six minutes or 60 megabytes in size so you can fully describe all of the amazing facets of your product. To focus your video, try using the Free TV Tools to structure your sell and keep the presentation visually interesting. When editing your video, pick the shots with the most important descriptions of your product. One successful of “hosting” your video is to think of yourself as a friendly next door neighbor – be helpful, honest, and passionate about your product. And try expressing this passion at a comfortable and forward moving pace.
d)What video formats can be uploaded to The Talk Market?
You can upload most versions of the following video formats to The Talk Market: .AVI, .WMV, .MPG, and .MOV.
e)Is there an optimal format for uploading videos to The Talk Market?
The best viewing results can be achieved from your videos if you upload videos at 320 x 240 resolution using AAC or MP3 audio and at 30 frames per second. Try H.264 compression to get the best clarity.
f)How do I use the TV Tools?
First, the TV Tools can be downloaded for free in the Free TV Tools section. The audio TV Tools are MP3s and the motion graphics are Quicktime DV NTSC videos. Both formats can be inserted into most video editing programs. The soundtracks are approximately three minutes long, and are designed to be used as a sound bed under your video, except during the motion graphics TV Tools, which have their own soundtrack. The soundtrack TV Tools can be looped if your video is longer than three minutes. The motion graphics TV Tools are created to help structure and enhance videos. For example, there are introduction clips (e.g. “Introducing,” or “Behold,”), storytelling clips (“First,” “Second,” “Here’s why I love this product,”), and closing, call-to-action clips (“Order Now!” “You can get it right here!”). In short, the TV Tools can help add both visual and audio appeal and a clear outline to your video presentation.
g)How does the Add Product Options function work?
As long as all colors and sizes are the same price and have the same shipping cost, you can offer multiple size and color choices for one video presentation. When filling out the product information in the “Upload + Sell” page, fill in the optional "Add Product Options” fields. You will be prompted to specify a color and/or size, such as Red, XL, as well as the available quantity for each color/size choice. For example, you might be selling T-shirts and you have three small black T-shirts, and two small red T-shirts, and the small black or medium red shirts are offered at the same price. So by filling in the "Add Product Options” fields on the “Upload + Sell” page, you can create these product options, so your customers can choose the size and/or color that works best for them. You can also use the "Add Product Options” fields if you want to differentiate other types of choices, such as flavor (Oatmeal Raisin and Chocolate Chip, for example), as long as these choices are offered at the same price. Clicking on the "add" link will add an extra line so you can fill in another product option.
h)What are Key Words?
Enter your video’s Key Words in the “Upload & Sell” page. Key Words should reflect the major points of your product, including the name of the product (e.g. “homemade” “quilt”), it’s category (“house,” “bedding,”), and other items like how or when it might be used (“decoration,” “winter”). Entering the most relevant words will help people find your products when they search for them on The Talk Market.
i)What are my options for charging for shipping and handling?
For simplicity, all shipping and handling costs are set at a flat rate you select when you fill out a product’s information on the “Upload & Sell” page. Currently, The Talk Market only accepts orders from US addresses, so general shipping costs can be estimated accordingly. An easy option to calculate shipping cost is to use flat rate US Priority Mail with delivery confirmation.
j)How should I promote my product?
You can promote your video on The Talk Market in several ways. First, you can email the link to the video to your friends and customers – just copy the “URL” text under your video in the video display page, paste it into the body of an email, and send it out! You can also do this by clicking on the “email this video” icon under your video in the video display page. In addition, you can embed your video within your website or blog by cutting and pasting the “embed” text under your video into the text field of your blog or your website’s HTML code. After making such a great video, you deserve to show it to as many people as possible!
k)How will I know where and when to ship items?
When your product sells, you will receive an email receipt with the shipping address for your customer. Because all orders are paid via credit card, your order will already be paid when you receive the shipping address. Therefore, please ship your product within two days after receiving the sale confirmation email.
l)How will I know when an items sells and how will I get paid?
When your product sells, you will get an email to the email address you supplied when creating your account. The email receipt will include the shipment address for the person who purchased your item. When a customer buys a product from you, funds from their credit card are sent directly to your Amazon Payments Business account. After your sales are completed, you will get an email invoice for your 5% Talk Market commission due on your sales through The Talk Market. Click on the "pay now" link in your email to securely pay your invoice through Amazon Payments.
m)How can I update the information on an item I’m selling?
To update the information on a product you’re selling, including the quantity available, click on the “My Products” link on the My Account control panel located on the left side of every page while you’re logged into your account. Then select the product you’d like to update by clicking on the “edit info” button next to that product. You can then update the information that will display for customers next to your product’s video.
n)How much does it cost to sell something on The Talk Market?
Posting videos on The Talk Market is free – there is no listing fee. If your product is sold, The Talk Market will bill you for a 5% commission on the sale. In addition, Amazon Payments will charge you approximately 2% for processing your customer's credit card. The exact Amazon Payments credit card processing costs can be viewed here.
o)Can I delete a video once my item is sold out?
To delete a video, click on the “my products” link on the My Account control panel located on the left side of every page while you’re logged into your account. Then select the video you’d like to delete by clicking on the “delete video” button next to that product. Sold out products are marked as "sold out," so you can also keep your video on The Talk Market until you have additional inventory, then later, update the available quantity of your product by clicking on the "edit video info" button in your "My Products" page.
p)What are the stats on my products?
To view sales and viewership data for one of your videos, click on the “my products” link on the My Account control panel located on the left side of every page while you’re logged into your account. Sales statistics are displayed next to each of your videos on the “My Products” page.
q)How do I credit a purchaser for a returned product?
On the “Upload + Sell” page, you can set your refund policy. You can choose not to offer returns, or to offer a 100% money back guarantee if the product is returned within an amount of time that you specify. If one of your customers returns the product according to the return policy you set (or contacts you to cancel an oder before you have shipped the order), you can refund their purchase by clicking the “refund” button within the “My Sales” section of your account control panel, located on the left hand side of each page once you’re logged in. We have automated granting refunds to make it easier to offer this option to sellers. Please note that clicking the “refund” button will refund the full purchase price, including the original shipping and handling cost (but not the return shipping cost). Because The Talk Market does not charge a listing fee, The Talk Market is not able to credit the 5% commission on the sale billed to sellers, even if an order is later returned or cancelled.

TV Tools:

a)How can I make my own TV Tools
There are several different pieces of third-party software that can help create the types of motion graphics featured in the Free TV Tools, including Adobe Aftereffects, Autodesk Maya, and Apple Motion. These third-party software tools allow you to manipulate text and images in three dimensions. Some software options to create music TV Tools include Digidesign Pro Tools, MOTU Digital Performer, Apple Logic Pro. Please note: when sharing TV Tools you’ve created, please make sure all of your work is completely original and do not use any music or images from any third-party companies that you do not have the rights to share. Thanks!
b)How do I incorporate the TV Tools into my own videos
After downloading the free TV Tools that you’d like to use, simply drop them into the timeline of your video using your video editing software. Most video cameras , digital cameras, and computers come with basic software that can enable you to edit together different shots to create a compelling video. You can treat the motion graphics TV Tools as you would any other footage and sequence them into your video presentation as you see fit.
c)How are the TV Tools created?
Most TV Tools creators use one of several different pieces of third-party software including Adobe Aftereffects, Autodesk Maya, and Apple Motion.
d)Do I need to use TV Tools in my video?
Using the free TV Tools is up to you! They are there to help make your video powerful, organized, entertaining, and fun!
e)What’s the best way to use TV Tools?
From an organization standpoint, the motion graphics TV Tools are designed to help structure your videos and make them visually exciting. For example, there are introduction clips (e.g. “Introducing,” or “Behold,”), storytelling clips (“First,” “Second,” “Here’s why I love this product,”), and closing, call-to-action clips (“Order Now!” “You can get it right here!”). Try using the motion graphics TV Tools to help showcase the reasons why your product is great! The soundtrack TV Tools are designed to be an exciting sound bed underneath your presentation. Make sure to mix the soundtrack TV Tools low enough so that the viewers can hear your speaking voice clearly. The soundtrack TV Tools include multiple styles of music to gain different effects – they include hip hop break beats, drum and bass loops, heavy metal grooves, and classical masterpieces.

Customer Service:

a)How should I resolve a dispute?
The first step in resolving any dispute should start with communication. Use The Talk Market’s message tools by clicking on the “contact seller” link under the video for a product or by clicking on the “My Messages” link in the My Account control panel on the left hand side of any page when you’re logged in. If a dispute is not resolved through communication, consult your credit card company or payment processing company for further options. We encourage you to leave feedback on a seller or a product to share any issues with that seller or transaction with The Talk Market community to keep it safe for all other customers. Seller's are expected to be curtious and helpful, and resolve any customer service issues with their customers to their customers' satisfaction to the best of their abililties.
b)What if I see a video that’s inappropriate?
If you see a video that is inappropriate per the Terms and Conditions of The Talk Market or otherwise, please click on the “flag this video as inappropriate” link below the video on the video view page. Multiple flags by multiple users will forward the email to The Talk Market staff for consideration of removal. We appreciate your efforts in keeping The Talk Market a great experience for all site users!
c)How do I contact The Talk Market?
To email us feedback on the site, please send an email to feedback@talkmarket.com. For business or press inquiries, please email info@talkmarket.com. For job inquiries, please email careers@talkmarket.com. And for help on anything not covered on this page, please email us at staff@talkmarket.com. We will try to respond as soon as possible. Thanks!

Affiliate Marketing:

a)What is affiliate marketing?

Affiliate marketing is a great chance for you to support your favorite Talk Market artists, designers, inventors, and retailers by spreading the word, while earning generous commissions on sales. When you sign up for affiliate marketing, you can post Talk Market videos on your MySpace, FaceBook, or Blog pages -- or even just email a link to a friend -- and then earn 3% of a sale when a visitor clicks on your embedded video or emailed link and makes a purchase on The Talk Market within 24 hours of clicking on your affiliate embed or link. For more details, please see the Affiliate Marketing Terms and Conditions here.
b)How do I sign up for affiliate marketing?

Begin by clicking on the "affiliate marketing" link on the bottom right corner of any page. Then you'll be taken through the easy two step setup process. The first part of the setup involves creating a Talk Market account, or logging into your account if you already have one. The second step involves creating an Amazon Payments account so we can send you your commissions. If you're already a seller on The Talk Market, you've already taken care of this and you'll be ready to go. If you are creating an Amazon Payments account for the first time, the process is quick and instantaneous and we direct you through the setup from our site. The Amazon Payments account is free. Please note -- Amazon requires that new users supply a credit card number as a form of ID only -- your card will not be charged. There is absolutely no setup fee or monthly fee to create an affiliate marketing account with The Talk Market or an Amazon Payments account with Amazon.
c)How do I track my commissions?
Once you create an account, when you click on the "My Affiliate Marketing" link in your "My Account" box, you can track your commissions. Remember, it takes 14 days after a sale for a commission to be credited. Subject to our affiliate marketing terms and conditions, you will receive 3% of the total sale value (product price plus shipping and handling).
d)How do I withdraw my commissions?

The actual funds from your commissions are stored with Amazon. To withdraw, go to payments.amazon.com and log into your Amazon Payments account. Follow their instructions on how to link a bank account to your Amazon Payments account, and then withdraw your funds.
e)How do I make sure I use the right links to get credited for my commissions?

Please look under the video on each product's video page for your affiliate links. If you want to email a video link to friends and get affiliate commission credit on resultant sales, please use the "affiliate URL" below the video (and not the URL at the top of the page). Or, use the embed tools or the embed code below the video. PLEASE NOTE: You must be logged into your account with affiliate marketing set up in order for your specific affiliate links and embed codes to be displayed below your video, so please log in before spreading the word so you can get credited.