Many of us who sell on eBay are here by different circumstances. We retired. We were laid off. We wanted to start our own business. We are stay at home parents who want to earn extra cash. We want to lauch existing business on the internet. Some of us are business geniuses and some of us are starting from a blank page. This is the beauty of eBay - there is opportunity for all. It can also be its peril.

A FRESH START

As a new member of the eBay selling community you may wonder of you can cope with all the tasks that it takes to be a successful seller. The steps are easy enough:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/sell-ov.html

SPECIAL SKILLS

But what you bring to the table from the outside world will really separate you from the pack. Do you have any of these skills?

• html; graphic design, sales, mail order, customer service, office management, computer skills, photography, fashion, merchandising, display
• multilingual, shipping/packing, driving, digital photography, copywriting
• special interest or talents suited for a target market
  

If you do, it is imperitive that you take stock of these assets and exploit them to best of your ability. For ONE, it will give you an edge over any competitor on eBay who is just some schlub selling stuff, and TWO, it will keep you interested in eBay from day to day because you will be using your mind and your talents as a gifted individual!

TAKING THE HIGH ROAD

By far the most successful Power Sellers I have known on eBay have integrity, pride and treat their customers with respect. They do not rip any one off,  make any quick bucks, look for trouble or see the bad in folks they do not know. They see opportunity in the marketplace and want customers to come back again and again. They understand that it is hard enough for a buyer to find them on eBay, so once they have them, they want to keep them!

This by no means lets anyone take advantage or lets a buyer behave like a goofball. However, the seller tries his or her best to always be the professional (tries REALLY hard!).

SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

Success on eBay takes smarts, patience and learning by example. Get on the Answer Board and see what others have asked:

http://pages.ebay.com/community/answercenter/index.html

Cruise listings in your category and see what the big guys are doing - and the small guys. Ideas are important, but never steal photos! Most important of all though is to draw on your own skills and go for it!

thebidwatcher leads a discussion group called Sterling Silver Lovers