Replying to [mama bebe]:
You can win trust of buyers with first trade lead as well if you present your case or offer in a manner which is a solution to the buyers problem. Your offer should be specific , targeted to a perticular segment of buyers, and is explicit.
For example, if your lead says"I sell T- shirts" it will have less impact than "I offer T-Shirts 110GSM to 220GSM, Combed yarn in Pantone colors....etc",.
The buyers will have more trust because you are targeting only Combed yarn T-shirt buyers, and offering them a vide choice of fabric variety.Also, it speaks volumes about color range in pantone shades.
Such offers build confidence of buyers. Such leads do not raise questions about your ability to deliver.
I speak from my own experience on alibaba, where I have offered a number of goods from different client companies and got very positive responses.
I have sold T-Shirts, Spices, Coffee, Leather goods, Bed Sheets, Papier Mache, Websites, Softwares etc in past three years on alibaba.
Sixer