Why in the world would you be interested in using eBay to buy
products or even sell items that might not match your personal style
or taste? Well, there are thousands of reasons, mostly dollar based
reasons at that, for you to promptly create an eBay account, if you
haven’t already opened one.
It’s easy to assume starting an eBay account is more trouble than
it’s worth. Everyone knows millions of people are generating
millions of dollars a week on eBay. What is not known is how simple
it can be to start a business and earn regular income with eBay.
Here are some simple tips to get the ball rolling.
1. Visit eBay.com and go to the link to register your new account.
You’ll see some very simple questions that will not challenge you to
answer. They do not like to pry but do want to have good solid
registrants.
2. You’ll want to think about your user name carefully. You could
create something catchy and cute, or a name that creates a clever
but business like image for your forthcoming eBay business.
“MamaSews” would work if your passion is stitching. “PapaRocks”
might work for a rock hound or rock climber’s accessory business.
Thinking out of the box is a good idea in today’s business climate.
Once you’ve made your choice eBay will verify your account’s startup
via email to the email address you used to start the account.
3. Follow the instructions carefully and review everything line by
line. At that point you’ll have instant access to your eBay account
and be ready to start your business and display your goods and/or
services to the world.
4. Write down your account information, log-ons and passwords in
your journal or file it on your hard drive in a specially designated
folder (be sure you back everything up if you use this option). You
don’t want to be locked out of your business so don’t trust these
details to your memory.
A little known secret is most eBay heavy hitters shop online at eBay
to buy goods and services. Not only do you get better prices than
you’ll find offline, but you can buy low enough to sell your bargain
finds at your own eBay store!
Do this now:
• Decide your what your specialty will be. This can be based on the
hobby that feeds your passion or the choice can be totally based on
the batch of goods you bought at a steal. My first eBay offering was
a catalog of hard to find items of general interest that sold for
$2.50. I had purchased a gross for $.25 each and felt I couldn’t
lose. I was elated when I moved past $200 in sales in less than a
month. This can still work, however, I encourage you to do your
research rather than rely on luck like I did my first time out.
• Use eBay’s search feature to browse what’s available. Look for
wholesale lots and prepare to invest at least an hour or two to give
yourself enough time to make several selections.
• Pay attention to the seller’s ranking. High numbers and strong
ratings in the 90s are what you’re looking for. Read any negative
feedback posts carefully.
• Don’t just assume the negatives mean what they imply. Often newbie
eBayers don’t understand how the game is played and do not read the
seller’s disclosure about delivery times, etc. They tend to send
negative feedback prematurely causing an otherwise savvy and ethical
seller to look less than respectable. This can cause you to miss a
great deal if you don’t spend an extra moment or two checking
further when you see a good deal but have concerns about the
seller’s reputation.
• Always take time to read descriptions and instructions carefully
once you find a great bargain. Many blunder by not taking a second
look and wind up buying an e-book about a brand new Razor for $5
when they thought they were getting a super deal on a very hot cell
phone!
Once you’re ready to sell your items the process becomes more labor
intensive but not more complicated. Just take your time and go line
by line. You can always go back if you missed something and even
when you’re completely done you can make changes....at least until
you’ve made your first sale. After that the page is locked.
Here’s the process to prepare for your first sale:
1. Go to the selling instructions, which are well marked and easy to
find. Click on sell at the top of the page. Choose your category to
make it easy for the right set of shoppers to find that your goods
match what they’re looking for.
2. Write your description carefully. I advise my clients to use MS
Word so they can spell check the copy before they paste it into
eBay. Nothing destroys credibility and your image like sloppy copy
and misspelled words.
3. Put some thought into your images and select pictures that
complement your goods. You definitely want to take the time to find
and use pictures. Pictures sell!
4. Be sure to let the purchaser know the shipping costs and which
forms of payment you will accept. Make sure you offer as many
options as you can as this will make it easier to make sales,
however, do not deal with checks. eBay will guide you here. PayPal
is the simplest and most widely used payment processor so you should
be safe with that choice.
5. Definitely take time to Google your headline for your auction
listing. What this means is go to the search engine and type your
headline into the search box and see how many results it triggers.
Here you’re looking for high numbers. Once you’re satisfied, whether
the number is 100 or 100,000, use that headline as your banner for
your auction listing.
Above all, have fun. This is serious work and the payoff over time
can also become serious, however, have fun and keep it light. Your
potential customers are human beings who toil everyday in a very
serious and stress filled world. Use your sense of purpose and blend
it with your sense of humor and watch what happens. Have Fun...Make
Money!!
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Rich
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About the author
Alex Rich PhD, provides personal and business coaching.
One savvy eBay seller makes a living selling his Walmart purchases on
eBay.
Click here for the details. Copyright 2007 – Alex Rich, PhD. All
Rights Reserved Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article
as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in
any way and give author name credit.
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