Online Auction Articles Money on eBay and Other Online Auctions With our informative educational auction articles enjoy
Learn To Sell On Ebay - Tips For Info Sellers
Date: Wednesday February 22, 2012
Organizing
I only use two tools to help me run my auctions, Turbo Lister and Shooting Star. Links to these products are in the resources section.
Turbo Lister works great for a place to store and organize your auction ads. And the best thing is that is free.
I downloaded Shooting Star (www.foodogsoftware.com) for free and tried it for thirty
days and then decided I was going to write my own software
to manage auctions. Bad choice. The money and emails started
pouring in and I couldn't keep up with it. The program was a
big one to tackle.
The designers at Shooting Star know what
they are doing. I coughed up the $120.00 and it has paid for
itself by saving me time many times over. Updates are always
free and they are adding features all the time. I highly
recommend at least trying it for the first thirty days,
especially if you are new to eBay.
Where to list
Do your research. Look for products similiar to yours and see how and why they get the bids. Is it their Title? Is it the graphics they used? Did they feature? Does their ad copy just leap off the page at you?
I recommend doing searches that you think that customers looking to buy your product will do and then finding out in what categories the top selling items in those searches are listed. You will learn a lot by doing this or you can download Hotbid below to do the work for you.
Some great info categories:
Books/Other
Business & Industrial/Businesses For Sale/Other
Business & Industrial/Businesses For Sale/Websites
Computers & Office Products/Software/PC/Other
Computers & Office Products/TechnologyBooks
Computers & Office Products/Services/Informational
Everything Else/Services/Information Services
Everything Else/Ebay User Tools (especially for this ebook)
Do your research
These links should help you zero in on your competitors and beat them at their own game. Hotbid is my software program. Free for you to try for 14 days.
Ebay Hot Items Forum
Andale Research
Hotbid Auction Market Analyst
How to list
There are two types of featured auctions - those which are
featured in category cost $19.95 and show up at the top of
the item's category main page. This ensures that anyone who
visits that category will probably see your auction. The
normal browser will scroll down a few screens and then
leave.
I recommend featuring your item in its category if it
has an average sales percentage of 50% or greater. So start
out by listing your auction with no features and if you sell
half of your products, feature it in that category. But
remember what i said about niche items. The smaller the
niche the more likely that customers will hunt you down, so
featuring in this case may not be to your benefit.
Ebay does not allow you to go further than featuring in a category with informational items, so we will not cover that.
Writing Titles and Ads
Photo
First off, use a photo that will attract readers. Browse
through the acution in the category that you are going to
list to see what works.
I have seen it all: the shock photos
that just get people to click the link but have nothing to
do with the product, photos that emphasize "hot", "limited
time offer","buy now", etc., photos of cash, or just plain
photos of the product.
Each have there place. Experiment to
find out what works for you. I suggest adding your photo to
the gallery. It's cheap and helps a lot.
Titles
The title is what will get your potential customers to
click. Make sure to use words that not only describe your
item, but also words that your type of customer will use for
your search.
These two categories of words are not always
the same, especially when you are selling information. A lot
of your customers will not be looking for your information,
although when they find it they will not be able to resist
buying it.
For example lets say that you are selling a information product that shows people sources to buy electronics at closeout prices. Would you put electronics in the title? Maybe. Would the customers that you are trying to attract use electronics in their search? Probably not.
Since you can list the auction in an electronics category without getting booted (Info products can only be listed in certain categories. You can get away with listing them in software categories if they are in the form of any executable program,like an ebook), how do you go about getting hits. You do so with a title like "Get Laptops and Other Electronics for next to nothing."
Another hint: the title above will grab customers seraching for "laptops" but not ones searching for laptop. Therefore a better title would be "Get a Laptop or DVD Player for Next to Nothing."
If you have room left you can use power words that either describe the rarity of your offering such as "limited time", "leaving ebay"(how many of these have you seen), and the like. Or words such as "Latest", "Free (shipping)", "Guaranteed".
You can get a free info pack on ad writing and ebay marketing by clicking the link at the bottom of the page and giving me feedback.
Description
With your description, you want to paint a picture for people browsing your listing. You want them to go quickly from being skeptical to emailing you and asking you if they can buy before the auction is over. Believe me, it is a great feeling when your ad can do that. You know it hit the right spot.
Start out by getting into your buyers mind. What would make you buy this product? To gain financial freedom. What kind of picture can you paint with this? A new car, house. Not having to get up at 7:00 every morning. How can you ad to this? Ease of use. A premade product that will sell itself and that they will hardly have to touch.
Once you have the buyer dreaming, you present your solution. Their dream can be reality. Your product comes with free resale rights and premade ads and only costs $17. You do not have to manufacture it. You can copy it over and over again. The whole marketing process is also set up in advance. Who can resist?
Just remember to create these state in the reader's mind by having them identify with your words. Instead of writing, "I will teach you how to..." write "You can easily learn how to...". Think of the mood you want them to be in in order to buy and set that mood.
I am only touching the surface here. Ad writing is an art and can be fun. Give me feedback below and I will send you the ebook I personally use to help me come up with my ads.
Graphics
I suggest you go to one of the free template sights to download a template for your ad instead of coming up with a scheme of your own. Believe me, its quicker and the results are 500% better. Their are links in the resource chapter.
When to list
This depends on who you are marketing your information to.
For housewives list your auctions so they end in the morning
For oppurtunity seekers try late at night For big purchases try in the
evening when the whole family is there to decide.
As far as which day to list, this is something you have to
find out for your self. For the longest time, I thought
Sunday evening was the best time to have your auction end.
But I have also noticed great results for auctions that end
on Wednesday. The best bet is to try both days and test your
results.
Why do you want a certain day for the auction to end? Because the most bids come at the beginning and at the end of the auction. This is because Ebay allows you to order your search by the auctions that end first or end last and browsers get bored easily and will stop with the first few pages.
Ebay allows 3,5,7, and 10 day auctions. So you want your auction to run as long as possible to get the most exposure, but you also want it to end on a high volume day. With practice, you will learn to balance the two.
Please keep checking ebay's rules and regulations, for updates.
Stephan Miller Get my free ebook "Automated Ebay Sales" Available for Download at http://www.profit-ware.com
"Thank you for reading our Online Auction articles. We have other Auction Articles you will enjoy here on this site as well, come back any time...you are most welcome".
DISCOVER Jim Cockrum's eBook "The Silent Sales Machine Hiding On eBay" will teach you how to make money on eBay even if your items ARE NOT selling Simply amazing...and simple..The number one book about e-bay Click Here To Download Now
AuctionAds: Increase the bid on your site's income!
Free auction tools:
- Auction Typo - Find A Misspelt Bargain In Seconds
- Auction Lotsnipe - Free eBay Auction Sniper
- Auction Ad Creator - Free Auction Ad Generator
- Auction Venues - Free Auction Site Directory...
- AuctioneStores - Free eBay Stores Directory..
- AuctioneZone - Free Auction Articles...
- Auction Piccies - Free Auction Image Hosting
- Free Auction Templates - Create great looking auction templates & listings
- Feedback - Free eBay Feedback Display Tool
- What to Sell On eBay?
- The question what to sell on eBay is best answered by looking at who you are. Don't look for profitable items to sell on eBay, look at yourself and the products will be clear.
- eBay Powersellers - Are your kids orphans?
- Being an eBay powerseller like a hamster on a wheel. He keeps running, but doesn't get anywhere. Did you build a job on eBay, or a lifestyle?
- Review Of Pete Bruckshaw's Auction Arbitrage Secret
- One of the biggest problems eBay sellers have is finding products to sell on eBay. Pete Bruckshaw has come up with some interesting tactics. Pete's been selling on eBay since 2004, and has perfected an interesting way of getting products to sell. Basically, he buys them on eBay from sellers who make mistakes in their listings. This is called eBay arbitrage.
- How To Sell Antiques
- A quick guide to selling antiques and collectibles. A lot of people think of eBay as the place to sell antiques, but there are more options. This page explains how to sell antiques in 7 different ways.
- Free eBay Shipping Calculator
- Here's a free and easy to use USPS shipping calculator. With this calculator, you can easily find out the shipping cost and options for any eBay item. All you need to know is the buyer's zip code and the weight.
- Finding Products To Sell On eBay
- How to find products to sell on eBay is the most common question I get from my readers. This page has links to all the articles and reports I've written about finding eBay products.
- Using eBay To Meet Your Goals
- When we sell on eBay we do more than offer products, we use eBay to move us towards goals. This article explores common eBay goals and the skills needed to meet your goals.
- Detailed Seller Ratings Advice For 2012
- eBay gives discounts on final value fees to sellers who maintain high seller ratings. This article explains how to get buyers to leave you better DSR ratings so you'll get the discounts. Updated December 2011 to reflect three and a half years of DSR results.
- Understanding eBay Changes 2011
- This page covers eBay changes and has links to all articles on IWantCollectibles about working within the changes. Sign up for my free newsletter for articles covering new changes as they are announced.
- How To Act At Antiques Shows
- How To be an antique dealer Part 2: Why being a friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable antique dealer will pay off in the long run
- 7 Habits Of Successful Antiques Dealers
- Over the years some of the antiques dealers I met stood out. One of the things that makes them stand out is they have continued to buy and sell items for decades. This article examines the common habits of successful dealers.
- Tips for Starting an eBay Consignment Business
- Selling on consignment is the perfect way to start on eBay. This article is an introduction to consignment selling, and explains what you'll need to be successful. First in a series on eBay Consignment.
- eBay Trading Assistant Tips
- Why you should become a trading assistant, and how to set up your account. Additional articles in the series on eBay consignment cover: consignment agreements, contracts, and inventory forms; starting a consignment business; consignment fees; and signing up people for your services.
- Increase Your eBay Sales Without Working Harder
- Get more sales on eBay with these simple tips.
- Uses For eBay Watch Lists
- When you look at your listings on your My EBay Item's I'm Selling Page there is a column that shows you how many people have looked at it and how many people are watching your listing. This article explains how to use the number of watchers to help us get higher amounts in our auctions.
- Review of Jim Cockrum's "Silent Sales Machine" eBook
- Jim Cockrum has released a newly updated version of his Silent Sales Machine book. I've been telling my readers to get his book for years. It's that good. The new version has some great additions.
- eBay Title Tips
- Putting keywords into eBay titles in the best order. What to include and what to leave out, along with a look at eBay's keyword and title rules.
- Negotiating When Buying Antiques and Collectibles
- Negotiating when buying is one area many antiques and collectibles dealers don't spend much time thinking about. This is a transcribed recording of two long time antique dealers discussing how they negotiate when buying items for resale. During the interview we talked about everything from when the phone rings to when we carry our purchases out of the seller's homes. If you're interested in buying antiques and collectibles - whether for your collection or to resell on eBay or at antique shows, this interview will help you.
- Review of Stuart Turnbull's Prints Make Profits eBook.
- Prints Make Profits explains how to sell prints cut from old books on eBay. The review will help you decide if it's something you want to do. If it's right for you, the page has a $10 discount link.
- Selling At Antique Shows Versus On eBay
- This articles compares selling antiques and collectibles at shows and on eBay, and contains tips for both activities. Also explains what to sell on eBay and what to hold for a show.
- Buying eBay Products at Yard Sales
- This is a follow up to my article about Garage sales. In this follow up, you'll learn how to find yard sales with good stuff. There are two ways to go hunting at yard sales. Read on for more information.
- How To Be An Antique Dealer
- This week I have a question from a reader who wants to be an antique dealer along with my suggestions on the best way to start an antiques business.
- Finding eBay Products At Garage Sales
- A lot of people start selling on eBay by selling unwanted things from their homes. After a few weeks, months, or even years if you are a pack rat, you start going out and looking for stuff to sell. Garage sales, yard sales, estate sales, and rummage sales are a logical next step. Here's a few simple tips for getting the best deals at garage sales. . .
- 23 Tips For Taking Better eBay Pictures
- Taking good pictures for your listings is one of the most common areas eBay sellers have problems. This article contains tips and advice on how to create better pictures for eBay.
- Profiting From eBay Images With A Blog
- This article explains an easy way to leverage your eBay auction pictures into a steady stream of income by setting up a blog.