| Some sell on eBay to clean out their garage or attic. | | | | Offer similar products during the payment process |
| Some sell to make a little extra money here and | | | | or on |
| there. But | | | | your auction store/web site. If you sell underground |
| for some, eBay represents a chance to create a | | | | fences |
| second | | | | for dogs, an up-sell item is a customized collar. A |
| income or start a home business. Product choice is | | | | secondary product could be a pet door. Another |
| important. But to really increase profit you must | | | | secondary |
| know how to | | | | product could be a ebook on "Travel Safely With |
| increase the number and amount of bids per item. | | | | Your Pet". |
| An eBay | | | | A back-end sale to the ebook could be a item that |
| seller must maximize each product's profit margin. | | | | helps |
| This | | | | your family travel safely with your pet.6. The List - |
| article describes techniques to make as much profit | | | | For many successful online sellers the |
| as | | | | mailing list is where their money is made. Using a |
| possible.1. Sell like products at the same time. Bidders | | | | autoresponder, sellers automatically email customers |
| look to | | | | on |
| see what else you have for sale they might be | | | | their list at regular intervals. Including content with |
| interested | | | | announcements of upcoming sales increases back |
| in. Combined shipping saves postage for the buyer. | | | | end sales. |
| Packing | | | | Once a customer buys, they are more likely to buy |
| in the same box saves time and packing costs for | | | | again |
| the seller.2. Bundle a less desirable item with a more | | | | from same person or company.7. Customer |
| desirable item | | | | demographics should be considered. Collectors |
| increases sales. This is an old offline auction | | | | have expectations non-collectors don't. Example, |
| technique. | | | | some book |
| If the bidder wants the better item he has to buy | | | | buyers that are allergic like to see "book from |
| both. If | | | | non-smoking |
| two sellers offer the same item, the buyer bids on | | | | home" in ad. This would earn you a higher bid. What |
| the two | | | | does |
| item auction. Bundling two low cost items together | | | | the customer expect to see in a description?8. |
| also | | | | Auction terms and conditions should be included with |
| increases bids. A buyer may not be willing to pay | | | | each auction. What shipping options are available? Do |
| shipping | | | | you |
| for one item, but would for two.3. Remember | | | | take questions? Do you ship only certain days? |
| seasonal issues. Don't sell snow skis in July, | | | | What kind of |
| water skis in January. Be sure to offer seasonal | | | | payments do you take? Type whatever standard |
| items | | | | terms you |
| early enough to allow for shipping. Don't expect to | | | | offer in a word processor and cut and paste into |
| sell | | | | your |
| many Christmas items that must be shipped during | | | | auctions. This saves time. For some sellers, typing |
| the second | | | | the |
| week of December.4. Understand profit margins. | | | | content for each auction is one of the most time |
| Don't buy to resell for | | | | consuming |
| only a $5 profit when you can make $20 on a | | | | tasks.Profit involves keeping costs reasonably low |
| different item. | | | | and creating |
| Determine your desired monthly income and choose | | | | higher bids. We've described some techniques for |
| products | | | | increasing |
| appropriately. Want to make 1000 a month? That is | | | | profit. Sit down and mentally run through the |
| $250 a | | | | process of auction |
| week. That's ten successful actions at $25.00 profit, | | | | selling and come up with some of your own ideas. |
| or | | | | EBay is a great business opportunity but like any |
| five items at $200 a month, or ten items at $100 | | | | business, sellers must be wise in their product choice |
| each. Also | | | | and sales techniques.Author info: L. C. Peterson is a |
| packing 10 items takes less time than packing 20 | | | | writer and web marketing |
| items. | | | | consultant. Her sites include and For more |
| Always consider time as a cost.5. Don't forget back | | | | information on online marketing, content and ebook |
| end sales and secondary products. | | | | creation and online auctions take a look. |