With that in mind... Here are some tips to capitalize on the eBay traffic:
Sure, I want to make money on eBay... but what would I sell??
You can sell virutally anything on eBay! From household items you would normally sell in a yard sale for pennies on the dollar, to informational products (advertising space, ebooks, publications, reports, etc) that dont even require shipping!
Do some research! Choose an item (clothing, a book, electronics - something specific), and see how well it has done on eBay in the past by searching similar completed auctions:
The same item may bring much higher bids in one auction than it does another... Pay close attention to the differences in their ads: Starting/Ending Time, Title or Headline, Description & Photos.
Some items, such as computers & electronics, tend to bring the highest bid when they end on Saturday night. Keep in mind the time zone differences, and try not to set auctions to end during church time or business hours on either the east coast or the west coast. Internet advertising, and informational products (which target the office worker or home business owner) might do best on a weekday in the afternoon hours. Get the idea?
TIP: If you are promoting your eBay auctions online, be sure to sign up for eBay's Affiliate Program - A great way to make even more money from your auctions! You must sign up with Commission Junction (free) by clicking here: http://www.qksrv.net/click-1209234-7282777 , to get access to eBay Affiliate Links.
If you are still looking for products to sell, keep in mind that you can purchase wholesale products in large lots on eBay! Click here for current listings:
Make that item SELL!
You must add good, clear pictures of your product to your auction listing! Using either a digital camera or scanner, make sure you take clear pictures that show detail.
Gain attention to your auction by making the most of the 45-Character Title! For example, lets say you were selling a piece of unused software:
QUICKBOOKS PRO 2002 - 5 USER - NEW/SEALED
Quickbooks Software Program for sale
Obviously, the first title would get more clicks!
Next is your description... Include everything about your product - size, dimensions, brand name, etc... any pertinent details. Add extra pictures without extra cost by using a free image hosting service and simple html tags.
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Your About Me Page
Once you sign up for your free eBay account, and get ready to sell, be sure to set up your About Me page! This is the one place that you can tell all of your potential bidders about yourself, your website, and your product line. What you arent allowed to include in your auction description... you CAN include here! A colorful "me" image shows up beside your eBay user name on all pages & transactions, allowing viewers to click for more information.
See these two examples:
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/hostmary/
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/lynn%40 ... twork.com/
Follow-up & Back-end Sales
Be sure that you use a signature file in all email communication with bidders & auction winners. Include information about your website, your contact information, and include a PS if you would like to bring their attention to something else they may be interested in.
Follow up with your auction winners via email and make sure that they received the item and are happy with it. Encourage them to leave you feedback, and do the same for them. This promotes confidence in other potential bidders that you are a legitimate seller.
I hope you find this information useful! You can check out site-owner Mary Goulet's auctions as a great example by checking out the graphic eBay showcase on her Sponsor Info page: http://www.MaryGoulet.net/sponsorinfo.html .
I also really enjoyed the article by Corey Rudl (one of my favorite marketing experts!) and have made it available here:
"Create a Bidding Frenzy and Sell More Product Through the Giant Online Auction Sites!" by Corey Rudl
http://www.webservicenetwork.com/articl ... ctions.htm
