Are you an eBay seller?

If you are, your goal is likely to make as much money as you can by selling products that you have made, no longer need or want, or have bought in to sell on eBay. Unfortunately, there are now thousands, if not millions, of individuals who are interested in doing the same thing. For you, this often means a steady increase in competition. But do not worry as more people can mean more traffic to your auctions which in turn means more sales.

But to get that traffic you need to learn some simple marketing.

When many of us think of internet marketing, we often automatically think of online retail stores or online websites. Although you are not running your own online retail store, you are trying to make a profit online; therefore, you are, in a way, like a retailer. Just having your for sale items listed on eBay is enough to get your eBay items exposure, but you may want to think about taking it a step further. There are a number of different ways that you can go about marketing your for sale eBay items, without having to spend a dime.

1)One of the best ways to go about marketing your eBay items is by joining the eBay community, otherwise known as the online message boards. When you talk with other eBay community members your screen name used is also your eBay name. In the eBay community forum, every time that you start a new message or respond to an existing one your name is left, with a link to your main eBay webpage. That is the page that outlines all of the items that you currently have available for sale. Many eBay community members click other member's pages just out of curiosity, but it not uncommon for someone to find something that catches their eye. Simply starting a few conversations with other eBay community members, even just occasionally, may help to up your eBay exposure. And of course as well as asking questions you can also answer them as well.

2) Another relatively easy way that you can market your eBay auction listings to the general public is by posting on a number of message boards, besides eBay. There are a number of message boards that allow internet users, just like you, to post information on items that they have available for sale, both on and off of eBay. Providing a link, as well as short description of some of the items that you are looking to sell is a great way to increase your eBay exposure and up your chances of making a sale. When taking this internet marketing approach, it is important that you only advertise your eBay listings in areas designated for doing so. Spamming is not permitted on many online message boards and it may actually get you a bad reputation. And also read the rules for each board you post on.

3) Speaking of using online message boards, there are a number of online message boards or forums that allow members to have signatures. Signatures are where many people leave their name or a favorite quote of theirs, but some message boards allow members to use it as space to promote their products or businesses. Before posting a link to your eBay auctions, you are advised to examine the online message board's policy concerning signature advertising. Should it be allowed, you are advised to take advantage of this free internet marketing. You will want to post a link to your eBay sales page, but be sure to mention that eBay is where all clickers will be going.

4) Another easy that you can promote your eBay items, particularly if you have multiple items for sale, is by putting a "please checkout my other eBay auctions," message at the end of each of your eBay listings. As with all of the other above mentioned internet marketing tactics, this is easy and free to do.

Those are just a few ideas that work all the time, are easy to do, and can bring in the traffic.

To find out more traffic ideas and ways of marketing your eBay business there is a new forum site started that has loads of teaching, and more being added each week.

Take a look by clicking on the banner below.

Are you an eBay seller? If so, are you successful at what you do? Perhaps, the better question to ask yourself is if you are making a profit selling on eBay? If you aren't, there are a number of steps that you can take to increase your chances of making a sale.

When it comes to improving your chances of making a sale on eBay, your first impulse may to be change the way that your eBay items are listed for sale. For instance, it is often suggested that you upload detailed pictures of your items, provide detailed descriptions and such. While you will want to try doing so, you will also want to focus on the items that you are trying to sell. Your problem, with making a profit on eBay, might be the items that you have listed. If you have a poor quality item, you may not be able to sell it, but you would still be responsible for paying your eBay fees. In this case, you will not only be unable to make a profit, but you may also end up losing money.

When it comes to knowing which items you can profit from selling on eBay, there are many sellers who think that it is impossible to do. While it may seem impossible, it isn't. Before actually trying to list a particular item for sale online, like an old music CD, you can check to see if that item has been sold on eBay before. If that particular item was sold before, you can also figure out exactly how much money it sold for! This will give you a good idea as to whether or not it would be worth it for you to spend the time creating your auction listings and paying eBay's fees. Although the decision as to whether or not you still want to post your item for sale is yours to make, it may give you inside information; inside information that you will want to take into consideration when making your decision.



To perform a search of completed auctions, you will want to perform an advanced search. The link to the advanced search form can be found by eBay's traditional search box. The only thing that you will to do differently is check the box labeled "Completed Listings Only." Your results will include auctions that meet your searching criteria, but that have already been completed. If an item sold, its price will be outlined in green print. If an item did not sell, the asking price will be outlined, but in red print. As previously stated, performing an eBay completed search gives you the ability to tell whether or not you have a good seller on your hands.

In fact, you can not only use a completed listing search to determine if an item you already have is worth money, but you can also use this eBay tool to help you make money. If you are like many eBay sellers, there is a good chance that you are always on the lookout for great deals, bargains, or antiques. Familiarizing yourself with popular eBay items, ones that can be considered "hot sellers," is a great way to make yourself a profit on eBay. Should you have the ability to do so, you may want to have a partner at home looking up eBay completed listings, while you are out shopping for items to sell at yard sales, flea markets, or thrift stores.

Performing an eBay completed listing search will only take a few minutes of your time. Despite only taking a few minutes of your time, eBay completed searches can help you make money as an eBay seller, not lose it.

Are you an eBay seller?

If you just recently became an eBay seller, you may still be learning the ins and outs of eBay, particularly how to make a profit. While there are an unlimited number of tips that could help increase your chances of making a profit on eBay, like detailed product descriptions and such, there is one way that is relatively simple; having an open line of communication with all of your eBay buyers. Although you may not necessarily think about it at the time, communication goes a long way when it comes to online business transactions, particularly on eBay.

When it comes to keeping an open line of communication with your customers or potential customers, there are three main situations that you should take advantage of. First, if you are selling a popular item, you may have a number of bids or even a number of questions. If your product description wasn't very detailed, it shouldn't come as a surprise to you to have messages from other eBay members seeking more information. While some of these questions may be good, valid ones, others may seem a little bit out in left field. In fact, some eBay member questions may leave you wondering if they even looked at your auction listing. Still, it is advised that you answer all user questions in a polite and timely matter. Doing so will increase the chances of your item or items being sold.



Once an eBay buyer has agreed to buy an item from you, whether it be through a traditional auction listing or a "Buy It Now," sale, you will want to send your customer an invoice, showing the total amount of money that they owe you. After you have received payment, there is a good chance that you will box up the items sold and head to the post office. A great way to make a good impression is to send your customers an update email; an email that can let them know that their items were just shipped. Many eBay buyers like this because it gives them an estimated arrival time frame. Should you have purchased a package tracking number, you will want supply your customers with that information.

It is also advised that you follow through, within a few days or a week, to see if your customers received their items. You may also want to send a personal note asking them how they liked the items and such. One thing that you definitely want to include in a follow-up message is a thank you note. You will want to thank each of your eBay customers for doing business with you. You should also state that you hope to do business with them again. In today's society, many consumers are not thanked for their business anymore, although many wish that they still were. Sending a thank you follow-up note will only take a few minutes of your time, but it is something that your customers will likely remember for sometime to come.

As it was stated above, having an open line of communication may increase your eBay profits. Why you may ask? Well, you need to think of it from a consumer standpoint. If you could shop at two different retail stores, which both had the same products available for the same prices, which store would you choose? If you are like most consumers, you would respond with the store with the best customer service. eBay is no different. With competition increasing each day, you need to be able to set yourself apart from other eBay sellers. The best way to do this is to go the extra mile for your customers.

Keeping an open line of communication before, during, and after each sale will help give you a good, positive reputation among many eBay buyers. It will also likely result in return customers; customers who can help to increase your eBay profits.

If you are using eBay to sell a few items from around your home, or you are looking to turn your eBay venture into a money making business, you will have to pay eBay fees. Now I do not want to get into the pros and cons of eBay fees,this is not what this article is about. But I do want to say one thing and I know it will upset some people, but eBay is a business and you need and should expect to pay fees. And the small amount eBay charge you it just tiny, and I am sorry but if your business model does not support a little increase now and then, get rid of your product and find a new one.

Just pay the extra and get on with life, please look as eBay fees as a buisness expense and work them into your business model.

Now if you do not pay your fees on time when your invoice arrives eBay may suspend (well not may, but will) your account, and so they should do. They do give you a few days over the due date, but do not push them.

Now can I suggest some ways to do this.

Set up your account so fees are taken monthly Via PayPal - You can set up credit cards but PayPal is easy and simple and once a month your fees are taken out (this happens around 10 days after the invoice is sent to you.

But a better way I have found and was told to me by a Powerseller is this method. - Yes have your account set up to take payment via PayPal or credit card.

But then once a week say a Friday, go to your About Me Page, look down the right hand side till you see seller account, click on this link and you will be taken to a page that shows your currant balance you owe eBay.

And you will also see a PayPal box that says pay this amount now - PAY IT NOW. You have the money in PayPal from all the items you have sold, and once you have paid this amount due on that day, whats left in PayPal is yours...........

If you do this every week on a set day, then when your eBay invoice arrives you will not have a big shock and think where will I find all that amount of money.

A simple idea that only takes 5 minutes a week, but it saves you having a big shock.

Not a day goes past without reading in a newspaper, hearing on the radio or seeing on the news about some scam on eBay. To be honest why they pick on eBay I do not know because here in the UK I get daily emails from banks, loan companies trying to get information out of me, all I can guess they use ebay as they are so well known.

Anyway the top way to stay safe is never ever answer an email from within your email client software from eBay etc, always go over to your eBay site, and click on My eBay and then go to your messages. And those emails in there are all proper emails from eBay or cutomers of yours.

(As a side note, if you do get one of those emails saying they have updated your account please click here, if you careful use your mouse and just hover the mouse over the address and look down at the left hand bottom of your emial software you will see the address you go to if you click the link, and guesses are it is some long address)

The best tip is just delete the email, never , ever , ever, ever, click on an email you have been sent and then enter in your user name and password.

EBay never ask for this via email period.

As I mentioned before use My Mesages for all your ebay emails between your customers and between ebay, not only does this protect you from Phising, but it also protects you if you have customer problems.

The same goes for PayPal please do not ever, click on an email you get from PayPal and then enter in your name, password etc. PayPal do not do this. If paypal need to talk to you, they do this via your paypal site.

So if you follow the simple steps of not answering emails from eBay etc from your normal email account and stick to My Messages, then all should stay safe for you.

A few weeks ago I sold a business manual to a new person on eBay. No Feedback, but we all have to start somewhere.

Well she won, paid me the next day via PayPal, I left her feedback - Yes I leave feedback as soon as they pay.

Two days later she left me feedback saying how pleased she was with the delivery and the book, and it looked brand new. (It was second hand and looked new and I always under sell my items so people tend to be pleased with the condition)

As far as I was concered the matter was closed.

Ten days later I had an email from PayPal saying they had taken back her payment as her bank had asked them to. To star with I thought it was spam until I looked within PayPal - it was all true.

So I phoned PayPal, and they said it was her bank, nothing to do with me, I told them she had had the items and had left postitive feedback which they knew.

They said it was due to her not having the money in the account. They said email her, but do not expect much.

Well emailed her, and as I hit send I had an email back saying how sorry she was, and she had put a PO in the post to me. I said no worries, as she was new I emaled her through on how to set up her PayPal and bank account in case she had not done it right.

Phoned PayPal and they said still do not expect much.

Two days later I had the PO. I emailed and thanked her very much.

Then today I had another PO saying she had underpaid me by 25p and she had addded on a little extra.

That girl will go far in eBay and life as she is so honest.

So next time you get one of those emails please do not pre-judge.

One of the major problems people have when it comes to eBay is what do I sell. Well you can start with what you have around the home, but once all that is gone, you could move onto family and friends homes with their permission of course.

Or you could start to look further afield.

One area and very good source of Supply is Wal-Mart, or Costco.

Pay Your local store a visit and take a walk around. Stop at items that you have an interest in. Then when you have found a few items, take another look at them.

Are they light and easy to ship?

Would their be a good profit margin in them?

Are you happy with selling this item?

Ten if you are happy with your items buy just a few and see if they sell, if they do, go back and buy a few more. If they do not sell move on and look for something else.

Happy Product Sourcing
http://www.MyAuctionEmpires.com

I guess as a child and even as a grown up you have often said I want it Now. Why do we say this, it is because we want something instant.

Well the same goes for eBay, and they have come up with a section called Want it Now.

Go over there and take a look.

Now as a seller you can go over there see what people want and if you have it in stock drop them a message.
Happy eBaying

I Know we are still in August and it is Summer (well unless you live in Australia etc), and our thoughts are still on summer holidays, sun bathing etc. But if you are a seller on eBay or any online platform then you should be thinking about what you have to sell for the Holiday and Christmas seasons.

You will in the next few weeks need to have spoken to your suppliers, you will have needed to have put in your orders. Sorry to say this but time is running out, and if you leave it too much longer then you will have missed this great selling period.

So come one and start to Think Christmas and Think Holidays.

From 24th September, we're revising fees for Auction and Buy It Now listings, Shop subscriptions and for Gallery.

Free Gallery
We're happy to confirm that we're removing the fee for the Gallery listing upgrade (was 15p on eBay.co.uk and 20c on eBay.ie). This makes permanent the promotion that was due to end on 30th September 2008.

Success-based fees
Overall, we are continuing our commitment to moving the cost of selling an item on eBay.co.uk and eBay.ie away from the front-end insertion fee and increasing the final value fees, so that the majority of fees are paid only when you successfully sell an item.

Sellers can continue to enjoy large discounts on final value fees based on volume of sales and good service.

Fees to fit your business
We are also providing more tailored pricing options to fit the different sizes and business models of Shop owners and Buy It Now format sellers. This will help provide a more vibrant market place with even greater choice for buyers and greater opportunities for all sellers.

A few weeks back I mentioned that eBay were thinking abd talking about introducing a new kind of search function here in the UK.

This new eBay search will automatically fill in what they thats ebay 'think' you're looking for. it works a bit like those sites that as you start to type in a name it fills out the rest for you. Well I am pleased to tell you this search is now up and running and as a seller I am mega happy, well very very happy.

Why am I so happy, well think outside the box, something as regular readers know I am hot about. As I was do an ebay class I asked one the girls in the class to name a niche and she said Candles. So I typed candles in and below is a bit of what came up in the search

- Yankee Candle
- Scented Candles
- Jo Malone Candles
- Candlesticks
- Candlestick holders
- Church Canles
-Smelly Candles
Etc
Etc

Have you spotted as a seller why I am so happy?%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026..

Well first off if I was already in the market of selling candles it gives me further keywords I might have missed out, or it might give you other brands you had forgotten, and it will give you further candle niche products to sell. Thanks to eBay they have done all that research for you.

Now you might be thinking about going into another niche, well go along to the search function type in a word and see what comes up, My guess you will have your main products and plenty of sub-niches.

The time taken not very long.

The Cost. Well nothing eBay has done this research for you.

What have you got to lose? Go try it now

Another eBay tip bought to you from

Andrew Milburn and My Auction Empires

Have you ever wondered how some of these top sellers get so much listed each week or month?

I guess you thought they hired people - Well maybe some do.

I guess you thought they paid someone to do all the writing and all they had to do was copy and paste - Maybe some do.

But a lot of them use this very simple method.

Get a pad of paper and at the top of each one write the heading for each item.

Then on each sheet write out your discription.

Then take a picture of each item - and write down the picture number of each picture on your sheets of paper.

Save these pictures to your computer or pen-drive.

Now that will havew taken you a few hours.

But you do have everything ready to list and by using this method you can list at home, at work (if allowed, on holiday, on the road, Internet cafe).

All you need to do is remember to carry your pad and pen-drive and when you have a spare 5 minutes list away.

Happy Listing