EBAY SELLING 101:

ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR NEW SELLERS - PART I

If you're new to eBay selling or are considering the possibilities, this guide is especially for you!

During my tenure as an experienced eBay seller and Education Specialist (trained by eBay), I have had the pleasure of meeting many new eBay sellers - sellers sharing a variety of frustrations and eBay selling experiences.  

In an effort to get you started off right, and minimize the frustration, I decided to write this guide based upon new eBay sellers' concerns and my personal experiences as an eBay seller and mentor. 

Offered as a multi-part series, "eBay Selling 101: Essential Tips for New Sellers" is designed and presented as a comprehensive selling guide for new eBay sellers. We're starting with Part I, so be sure to watch for upcoming additions to the guide!

Grab a cup of java, pen and paper, and get ready to eBay!  

MONEY FOR NOTHING

Have you purchased several eBay 'self-help' selling guides telling you that you can retire, be a millionaire, be a PowerSeller in 30 days, make thousands instantly, or make money on eBay without even selling on eBay? 

IF SO, STOP THE MONEY BLEED NOW! 

As just one of many possible counter-examples of the twists and turns in money-making claims sold on eBay, to legitimately become an eBay PowerSeller you must first meet the following criteria:

• Uphold the eBay community values, including honesty, timeliness and mutual respect

• Average a minimum of $1000 in sales per month, for three consecutive months

• Achieve an overall Feedback rating of 100, of which 98% or more is positive

• Have been an active member for 90 days

• Have an account in good financial standing

• Not violate any severe policies in a 60-day period

• Not violate three or more of any eBay policies in a 60-day period

• Maintain a minimum of 4 average monthly listings for the past 3 months

This is not to say that all eBay 'self-help' selling guides are not worth buying, some are actually very legitimate and informative.  Here's what you need to consider when reviewing a guide for purchase:

1. Who is the seller?  How long have they been an eBay member?  What is their feedback rating?

2. Is it obvious that what the seller is writing about is related to what they are selling, and relative to their eBay experience and tenure?

3. Is the guide topic realistic?

4. Are multiple listings of the same guide being sold by others?

5. Is there a free trial period or refund policy?

6. Does the guide actually address a need, or are you 'getting caught up in the moment'?

If the seller has only been on eBay a few months, with a feedback rating of 30, do they really have the knowledge and expertise for writing the guide they are selling? 

For example, if they claim they can teach you how to become an eBay PowerSeller fast, but they are not a PowerSeller themselves....it begs the question as to how they acquired (or even if they have) the expertise to write on this topic at all.

MINIMIZE YOUR 'LEARNING' TIME & EXPENSES

Once you decided to sell on eBay, you may have found that you had an insatiable urge to learn everything you could about eBay selling - in an instant - buying up every book or guide you could get your hands on.  How much money have you spent - how many items have you sold?

The truth of the matter is that many new eBay sellers have spent a lot of money and time on a variety of eBay selling education products...not yet having sold the first item. 

What often happens is that they become overwhelmed by all of this information, getting the 'deer in the headlights' stare - as I did when I first started selling on eBay!  Frustration sets in...you move on to something else.  Don't give up!

The best advice I can give you right now is to set everything aside...books, guides, notes, and clear your mind - start fresh with your eBay selling education.  Taking one step back now will put you two steps forward in a very short period of time.  Your patience will pay off!

eBay offers a variety of free selling tutorials and training tools.  If you haven't already done so, be sure to visit the following link to view eBay's selling education features:

HOW TO SELL

When you arrive at the above link, you'll see two video links - "How to Sell," and "Shipping Made Easy".  Be sure to view each of these videos at least twice - taking notes and jotting down any questions you'll need answers to.

Once you have viewed the videos, be sure to visit the other links on the page - again, taking notes and jotting down any questions you may have.

Questions?  Be sure to visit eBay's Community Page.  Here you'll find discussion boards, groups, an answer center, and chat rooms providing you a free avenue for obtaining answers to your questions. 

You can also perform a search in each of the formats to see if your question has already been answered in previous messages posted by other eBay members.  Click on the link below to visit the Community Page:

EBAY COMMUNITY PAGE 

Still have questions you need answers to?  Be sure to utilize eBay's free Live Help tool for real-time answers 24/7.  Live Help can be found on eBay's Home Page in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.  To view the screen click on the following link:

LIVE HELP

In using the free learning and resource tools noted above, you have saved both time, money, and have gained a valuable eBay selling education from a very reliable source - eBay, of course!

We'll go into 'advanced' eBay selling (HTML, templates, inserting photos in item descriptions, etc.) in a later part of this series...just focus on the basics for now.

MENTORING

Speaking from my own eBay selling and Education Specialist experiences, you may find mentoring helpful during your first few listings - from start to finish. 

Since the Education Specialist program did not exist when I entered the eBay realm, I received a lot of free mentoring from other eBay sellers on the eBay Community Page.  You can too!

If your preference is to have access to a mentor who will help you via telephone, email, online live training, or a variety of other methodologies, I recommend working with an Education Specialist trained by eBay. 

Some Education Specialists will work with you on a short or long-term basis depending on your needs - and at economical rates that won't break your pocketbook!  This is one eBay training investment you won't be disappointed with!

Education Specialists are trained by eBay and must continue to meet prescribed requirements to remain in the program.  They are kept up-to-date on the most current training methods and materials, as well as any changes affecting eBay buyers and sellers.  Education Specialists are also evaluated by their students - evaluations are posted on their education specialist profiles.

Education Specialist mentoring is especially beneficial to those who desire to work their eBay selling into a serious business - as many Education Specialists use eBay as their only source of supporting income.  They have the knowledge and expertise in starting and managing a successful eBay business.

For more information about the Education Specialist Trained by eBay Program, please visit the following eBay link:

EBAY EDUCATION SPECIALISTS

If your training budget is limited for now, you can also check your local public library for additional free eBay selling education info.  Be sure to check the year of publication as you'll want the most current information available. 

We'll be sure to cover more valuable eBay selling training resources throughout this guide...so stay tuned!

PART I: SUMMARY

For the majority of eBay members starting their selling business online, financial resources are limited.  A quandary arises when the formal learning of how to sell on eBay becomes cost prohibitive. 

Using the free eBay resources discussed in this section of the guide will provide a new eBay seller with enough knowledge and skill to start their own eBay selling business - investing only time and enthusiasm.

Being cautious and selective about the selling education and resources you utilize will significantly improve your potential for success - don't spend your money or spin your wheels on unfounded promises of millions or early retirement!

I hope you have found this guide very helpful and wish you the very best on your new eBay selling endeavor!

If you have any follow-up questions, or wish to be notified when a new section of the guide is available, please feel free to email me using 'Ask Seller a Question' located in the top right-hand area of my auction listings.  I am always glad to help!

BE SURE TO STAY TUNED FOR PART II OF THIS GUIDE

COMING SOON!