Encouragement for New Sellers

I thought I would put down a little advise such that I can give and some encouragement to those just starting out or maybe those who need a little refreshment.

In the way of a some back ground information.  I have been involved with Ebay on an on again off again type of relationship going back to 2001.  Most of the time I was buying, getting presents and neet things I would like to play around with.  I enjoyed the auction background the action of not knowing the outcome, also the knowledge I gain while having fun. The fact you can get on anytime of day and work on your strategies.  It fits my lifestyle very well.

 I made an effort at selling a couple of years ago and did not fair very well.  I listed a few items even started a store but became discouraged quite quickly.  It was not very fun I was paying listing fees, promotion fees, store fees and not selling a thing.  I decided to get out and just continue Christmas shopping or picking up odds and ends.    Needless to say I closed my store as it were after paying a couple of months without having anything listed. Sound familiar to anyone?

I did not jump back in until I got a couple of emails from ebay saying I have been buying on ebay for some time and should have items I could probably sell.  They were right I over the years had accumulated many things, and it was time to try again.  This time I buckled down did some right things gained some confidence and found myself a PowerSeller within three months, that is the quickest you can become one.

I have decided to jot down some of my strategies in order to give a little encouragement to those in need.  Not to say I know it all or my way is the best or the only way and not to say I will not need help and encouragement in the future. Confidence is a good thing but arrogance is quite another.

So for you who I have not bored and lost your attention I shall deal out some ideas.

• Start with a basic store. (you may want to upgrade later if you get into some real volume.)
• Get whatever you can for free. (a lot of services you can get for free, some they give for a month or two to try out.)
A must is Selling Manager Pro.(you get a lot of goodies with this, abilities to follow your sales very close, list all your active, ended listings and many more).
Once you become a PowerSeller more doors are open for free. (get reports, automatic emails and others).
Another plus being a PowerSeller is you are able get into Ebay Express (every where you can get your items listed the better especially for free).
• When selling at auction and using reserve don't be afraid to lower it. (when you lower the reserve if only a little ebay will send out emails to anyone that has made a bid letting them know).
• When making a listing I will use animated pictures. (some listings I will use cute pics to get and keep a potential customers attention.)
• Andale counter. (this is a great service for following hits on your item. it is free but they do have other services you can pay for).
• Vendio Picture slide. (for a nominal fee they get pics of your items on to your listing, and they have different styles to choose from).
• Square Trade (for a small monthly fee you gain respect and instill confidence as well as setting up good policy)
• Photo Bucket.com (this is for pictures you may want to use in listings. Manager Pro has a picture service but when you use up the free space go to photobucket.com. the pictures spice up listings.
• When listing use the subtitle it is worth it. (gives you more words for a nominal fee.)
• Always use gallery pictures. (it does not cost much but without it your listing will not show you items picture in your store).
• Your first picture is free, using the picture services you can place pics in listings and save money.  (when listing your item use photo bucket or ebays pic service and through your item discription use the html tab to place the html code where you want. The picture services will give you html url code, copy and paste it wright into your listing and save money on pictures).
• Use your store to have showcase your inventory.  (you are always able to move to auction and pick and choose your format.)
• Putting up for auction listings will drive customers to your store. (even if you are listing items that don't cost alot it keeps you visible.
• Always work the holidays. (try and keep your store inventory up and run a couple of auctions.)
• When using Buy Now I always use the Make an Offer option. ( this gets you in contact with a potential customer even if it is a low offer you can work on them.)
• Promoting items can be very beneficial. (along with selling your item this drives traffic to you store I normally use the feature bundle this gives you multiple upgrades and saves alot of money. you can always add bold and highlighting if you choose. you must be mindful that the item will uphold the cost of these upgrades, another words the item must be of a high enough value as to justify the cost). 
• Check your emails often and be prompt in replying to your potential customer. (very important good communication could make the difference that gets you that sale.)
• Seek out help from what ever means and if it sounds reasonable try it. (I am afraid that I had neither the patience or the good sense to read the help I had in front of me.)
• Have patience let your strategies progress and develop.

There are many more nuances that you will develop with time.  I hope in some way the few tip

I have discussed here will help you get launched on your new adventure.

I wish you well on your way to Ebay Stardom.

Let me know if this is of any help vist my Store.

I HAVE MY EYE ON YOU!! 

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