Selling On eBay: A Great Way To Start Your Online Career!


Selling On eBay

Selling On eBay

 

 

Selling On eBay

Now, most of us know what eBay is right? If you don’t then I suggest you google it and take a look if you wish to sell some of your old belongings.  Alongside Amazon, this is one of the biggest online market platforms where we are able to sell our goods and other peoples.

 

 

Using eBay, we can sell a huge variety of goods – from technology to craft to sportswear and we can start a free account in minutes to start selling.

These days, many are selling here and I used to also, initially because I wanted to make some extra money as many do, but from there I could see the huge potential of this platform.

One of the most important factors I implemented here was in using eBay’s traffic in order to sell but also having a website to re-direct customers to in order for them to buy from me and I will tell you why I did that In a moment, but – there is no doubt that many of us can leverage the power of eBay.  And it is said that most of us, like 80% of the western population that is, have around £3000 worth of stuff just lying around the home which could be sold.

So, are you one of the 80%?

If you are one of those then why not try selling some stuff so you can get used to HOW TO do it – and so that you can then scale a great little business.

 

When selling On eBay you will always have massive competition of course because so many people globally sell on there, and is not going to slow down anytime soon, but you can dominate your niche when you eventually decide upon one.

The wonderful opportunity is also truly mind blowing when we see the scale of what is possible in this area.

Not to mention – the start up costs can be very, very low indeed.

 

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The first thing I sold was a pair of Nike trainers with red tick, and they were sat in a cupboard for years.  I cleaned them up and sold them for $90.  I could then see from that point on that ‘even if’ I had used goods, I could create a great side income.  I also found an old panasonic dictaphone in my bedside drawer which just happened to be used by Ghost hunters – and one sold in the USA for $1000, yes $1000 for a tiny little dictaphone. So I ensured that I got mine on eBay and I ended up selling it for $800.  Not bad for something which I was going to throw away huh!

The point is – I bet you have something lying around now that you could sell.

Sounds pretty cool right?  Then where are the disadvantages? 

I built up a great business eventually and I created great reviews and testimonials because my customer service was impeccable, but if it isn’t you can quickly find yourself falling down the rankings of choice.  So, the first real tip is to ensure you communicate very well or you may piss off customers, and so they may go elsewhere.

This is a business after all.

If you can build it right from the beginning though then you will want to build it right.  It will pay you to get used to each area of your business and how that connects with all other areas.  You will be looking for suppliers and wholesale merchants eventually and ensuring you know your customers, whilst mastering your numbers and revenue projections.

Places such as Alibaba and other suppliers are often popular choices when buying wholesale in bulk.

Wholesale deals sites like this here may be of use to you down the road.

But for now let’s stick to getting started right initially with selling your own stuff so you can used to the platform.

Selling On eBay

Selling On eBay

 

Something to be aware of when selling is that – some people will just never be happy ‘and’ they may be crossing your path, so you have to prepared to deal with these customers and any issues you encounter along the way in order to stay in business.   So, the next tip is to expect the unexpected and expect challenges as they will happen.  Be the best leader you can be and deal with customers with courtesy and respect.

Ebay helps you to settle disputes should you encounter them, so you are in good hands with regards to refunds and goods which are not accepted. eBay is a huge platform, but like all businesses and companies globally which we can leverage from, it could be here today and gone tomorrow, so that is why I always send potential customers to to a custom site.

 

 

List building

I’m not sure if you are aware of the power of list building, but in ALL online business I highly recommend it. That is because, regardless of what happens to businesses as they may come and go, you will still have a loyal list, meaning that ‘if’ your products or services change over time, they will still likely buy from you as they like you, know you and trust you.

So, try to build a list so that ‘IF’ anything untoward should happen and you find yourself banned or out of business for a variety of reasons then you have a fall back position.  All businesses should start lists for this very reason.

As i said, things change and technology is always developing, but with that comes some uncertainty also, so be sure to build something FOR YOU!

Never ever rely on platforms SOLELY to pay you, as they are not always going to be necessarily around or stable for the length of your online career.

 

 

Selling On eBay: A Great Way To Start Your Online Career!

 

 

Starting an online business by selling products on eBay is a great idea.  But why?

It’s easy to start!

It’s also very much like setting up your own store in the largest mall in the world WITHOUT HAVING TO MANAGE IT YOURSELF. It really started to explode In 2009, eBay’s revenue grew to $8.54 billion, which was a 16% increase over the prior year. Get this also, eBay also reported 90.1 million users! WOW!

Think about it, you don’t have to pay any expenses like rent, utilities and staff fees which go along with a bricks and mortar enterprise. Plus your customers don’t even have to wander up and down the aisles looking for you and your goods and merchandise of course. They simply ask the eBay (search space) to find what they are looking for.

You just have make sure that your merchandise APPEARS IN THE RESULTS along with the offerings from other sellers.

How do you get started Selling On eBay? EASY. Start to grab items that you have in your home and get a feel what for what things are selling for and what the demand is. Once you get used to BUYING AND SELLING you can gauge what your place is in the market. It is worth noting that expert traders who use eBay use their skills to become a successful online retail business also.

 

 

Selling On eBay

Selling On eBay

Selling On eBay Hot Tips:

 

1) Start Small And Buy Some Goods To Get A Feel For The Market
2) Get A Feel For The Site And Learn It So You Understand What You Are Doing
3) Start To Sell Things From Your Home FIRST and have some fun
4) As Your Points score rises you will sell more (Points means positive comments left!)
5) Become a great seller and do what you say you will do. Always be polite and respectful

 

 

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When Selling On eBay YOU NEED FEEDBACK!

This is so important just like testimonials are so powerful. You have to be seen as a great seller/buyer. When this happens you build your credentials. This is about building trust just like any other business. Be trusted and honest.

As I mentioned start to sell your own things and take really good pictures of the goods so that they are appealable.  By doing this you are wetting the appetite of the buyer and also you don’t have to rely on suppliers just yet to deliver your goods as YOU CAN DO IT.

 

 

MORE HOT TIPS with Selling On eBay:

1) LOOK AT DEMAND AND WHAT SELLS?  START TO TAKE NOTES ON THE NICHE AREA/S YOU MAY GET INTO
2) DON’T TRY AND SELL CRAP – PEOPLE ARE AWARE (i.e gifts you may have gotten from buying junk food like toys!)
3) PACKAGE THINGS RIGHT.  IF IT IS FRAGILE THEN PACKAGE IT THE RIGHT WAY AND SPEND WHAT IS NECESSARY
4) ALWAYS CHECK THAT YOU CAN SELL CERTAIN THINGS BEFORE YOU JUST TRY. EXPLORE THE ITEMS VALUE
5) LOOK AT YOUR POSTAGE COSTS AND COST THEM INTO YOUR PROFIT TO GET USED TO MARGINS AND TIME SPENT
6) COMPARE WHAT YOU ARE SELLING TO OTHERS AND TRY TO BEAT THEM FOR ATTENTION
7) USE PAYPAL OR ANOTHER PAYMENT PROCESSOR TO RECEIVE MONEY. BUYERS EXPECT YOU TO HAVE IT ALSO:  Explore the fees for payment processors as this is a great lesson in understanding who to choose and why.

 

 

The wonderful thing about eBay is that it is full of great advice to hep you sell well.

Many people just don’t READ THE INFORMATION.

There is plenty of great information and tools for Selling On eBay so that you can become TRULY successful. Try and be a regular visitor to the E-Bay Seller Resources area and take FULL advantage of the education provided there. I MEAN FULL ADVANTAGE. Selling On E-Bay can be one of the best ways for you to get into profit VERY FAST so DO IT RIGHT.

 

Selling On eBay

Selling On eBay

 

 

Why Selling On eBay Is So Powerful

> YOU DON’T NEED YOUR OWN BLOG/WEBSITE
> EVERYONE IS GOING THERE ARMED WITH MONEY
> ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SET UP A FREE ACCOUNT
> YOU CAN START WITH NO MONEY
> YOU CAN BUILD A HUGE INCOME EVENTUALLY

 

BE WARNED: Selling On eBay Is EXACTLY like other business startups and entrepreneurial adventures – THESE THINGS takes time, patience, practice, dedication and hard work. IF YOU THINK YOU WILL GET RICH OVERNIGHT THEN YOU WILL FAIL. Don’t think that way!

 

Selling On eBay: A Great Way To Start Your Online Career!

 

Selling On eBay can be alot of fun and very rewarding so make sure that you get as much advice as you can. Try and join online forums, and E-Bay support websites where you can CONNECT and interact with other sellers and learn from them.

The greatest way to learn about Selling On eBay, as with EVERYTHING ELSE in life, is to communicate with other’s and learn about their experiences. MAKE SURE THAT you save yourself wasted time and money by learning from other people Selling On eBay.

 

 

Selling On eBay

Selling On eBay

What Things Do You Need To Be Aware Of And What Equipment Do You Need To Start Selling On eBay?

Get the highest speed Internet connection that you can afford and get a good laptop or p/c.

 

Like with all businesses – keep track of your income and expenses.

Selling On eBay is great as they will keep track of your listings. Keep a track of any other costs associated with selling like shipping supplies, postal costs, Internet fees, etc. WHEN your business takes off, you will document the costs associated with ALL OF YOUR sales and determine if you are making a GREAT profit.

THAT’S WHAT YOU WANT OF COURSE!

 

 

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The price you place on an item when Selling On eBay is the result of DECIDING WHAT IT IS WORTH, so you can also look at the price that similar products are selling for online and in bricks and mortar stores. Look at the popularity of the product and how you plan to sell it. I always believe that you should start an auction at a low price in order to get the bidding going and then the price will rise. Some people think that it’s a mistake to price too low. SO JUDGE IT AND TEST IT.

 

BONUS TIP: Very Experienced eBay sellers say that you may not be able to compete on simply price because there are so many large volume sellers these days. So, price tings in a way that works for you in terms of making a profit and then build your business with quality customer service, etc.

 

You can learn a great deal more about Selling On eBay By Starting Your Account And Learning From Them and their training, you really don’t need to buy fancy programs to teach you this and that, and you may end up wasting money trying to figure it all out when you could just get on with it.  taking action is the best way to learn and from there you can tweak and edit what you do. 

 

 

Selling On eBay: A Great Way To Start Your Online Career!

 

Training and education

Of course, there are many training videos, podcasts, audios, books and so on regarding this way of earning, so take what is useful, and  apply what is necessary  – but like I said, don’t get bogged down by too much info just get started and learn as you move.

Also be aware that ‘many’ who call themselves ‘experts’ in this space may be just trying to sell you on their program. 

 

Selling On eBay

Selling On eBay

I am not putting down other people’s products at all, I am simply throwing out there the fact that ‘not all how to’ systems and training’s’ are needed OR all that good. 

 

It’s down to you to use your brain and to take your passion with you and to apply that into the right areas agreed?     

 

Selling On eBay Is One Stream Of Income That I Use But There Are Many Others.

 

 

I always always say that you should master one technique before you move onto the next.

This is why I create, promote and offer a great variety of products an services today as I believe in never relying on just one source.

 

 

More Selling On eBay Tips:

Ensure that You Create Product Listings as your product listing is your store front. The way that you manage your listing will help determine whether or not a buyer will actually discover you and then whether they will choose your product over someone else’s listing.

Be Clear When Selling On eBay and Selecting a Category. If you don’t select the right category for your item, your buyer will never find your item or, you may undermine the TRUE value of your item.

When you are Selling On eBay it can be a tricky decision to go for BUY IT NOW or AUCTION IT, and most traders say that it really depends on what you’re selling and what the marketplace looks like. eBay actually started as an auction site but now it is more in favour of Buy It Now marketplace. Many buyers like Buy It Now if the price seems to be worth it because they don’t have to wait until the auction ends and they know that they will get the item RIGHT AWAY!

 

 

Selling On eBay: A Great Way To Start Your Online Career!

 

FINAL IMPORTANT NOTES About Selling On eBay:

YOU MUST BE TOTALLY clear about the item condition. If it’s used and in fair condition, say so. If you aren’t completely honest and your buyer thinks you oversold the condition, you’ll hear about it in the feedback BE HONEST.

 

FAKING IT!

NEVER EVER DO IT! You risk your BUSINESS AND reputation, then you can be kicked off of E-Bay.

When you are Selling On eBay with your own possessions it shouldn’t pose as a problem but it’s a temptation when you begin buying in bulk. And, sometimes, it’s a trap that you fall into if you buy from the wrong supplier. LOOK FOR THE BEST and highest quality sellers and products when Selling On eBay and look for SUPPLIERS BY SEARCHING IN WHOLESALE FORUMS and by studying YouTube videos to get tips and really master this!

Remember this – you really have two options with eBay.  You can sell a few things for fun, dabble and get rid of stuff around your home, or you can build a business from it.  I personally started off with the fun element and from there progressed through to taking it more seriously.  From there I then implemented relevant tracking tools, measuring sales and growing it as a business.

You can decide how you wish to operate, but I would say that ‘IF’ you choose to operate it seriously, then treat it seriously as a business and put in the hours to grow it properly.  And I know I said it before but sell QUALITY.  And if something has flaws then tell people and be open and transparent.

 

FINAL TIPS:  Study others who are selling in similar niches to the one you wish to master, but firstly just get used to eBay, and test what you do.  Try your listings both on BUY NOW and on AUCTIONS to see which ones perform better and then, you can get familiar with how it works in order to create the highest possible profits from your efforts whilst you simultaneously work on making customers happy and fulfilled with your products and communication.     Be sure to explore the training provided on eBay’s site, and watch YouTube videos, training’s and take plenty of notes on what you learn.

 

 

 

NOTE:  I stated before, but I want to remind you that I invested what I made using eBay, instead of spending it – and this allowed me to grow my Small Business mentoring business.  So I had to use this carefully and in the right areas.   I highly recommend that you either save what you make or reinvest it into other areas in order to create further income streams where possible.

 

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CHECKLIST:

YOU NEED INTERNET ACCESS

YOU NEED A LAPTOP OR MOBILE DEVICE TO SELL AND SET UP AN ACCOUNT

YOU NEED TO IDEALLY HAVE A FEW ITEMS TO SELL AND TEST (Ask friends and family and look around your home)

YOU NEED TO BUILD A GREAT REPUTATION WITH CUSTOMERS AND THEN YOU CAN TAKE YOUR STORE TO AN EXTERNAL ecommerce SITE SUCH AS SHOPIFY    WHY?  Because – if eBay is gone you do not want to lose everything you have built. Never rely solely on major sites.

YOU NEED TO REGISTER AS A BUSINESS

To register as a business, you will click the ‘create a business account’ link at the top of the registration. Depending on where you live you will need a postal address and a telephone number and also a bank account that accepts direct debit.  And when you create a seller account, you’ll need to add a payment method to pay for any eBay selling fees or charges.  You can choose direct debit, credit card, or PayPal there. With your payment method set up, you don’t need to do anything else from there – eBay will charge the invoiced amount automatically by the due date.

 

 

Powerful resources here

 

START AN EBAY BUSINESS HERE 

SOURCE PRODUCTS FOR EBAY HERE

ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO STARTING AN EBAY BUSINESS HERE 

BEGINNER GUIDE TO STARTING AN EBAY BUSINES (VIDEO)

 

 

As always I wish you the very best

 

Cheers

Greg

 

Buy My books Here

Work With Me Here Grab your FREE Session

Try My Passion To Profits $10k per month Self Study Here

That’s my tiny desk where I started my eBay business below and built a business which funded my brand.

Selling On eBay

Selling On eBay

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GregDeTisi
Author and Small Business Blogger at Greg De Tisi Writing and Small Business Blogging
Author of 26 books, a course creator and business blogger - Greg has been supporting clients from all backgrounds all over the globe for over 15 years in developing ideas and passions into sustainable Small Business Models. Greg now has more of a focus on supporting his local business community in Bristol UK.