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How to Get Started on eBay

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!!