First Impression is very important when you are trying to sell an item on Ebay. If you have a picture that will catch the buyers eyes, you chances of selling the item is much higher. But if you picture is dark, full of other items, or even laying on the floor or the couch, the buyer might pass over your great item just because the picture turns them off.

Here are a few suggestions for taking a good ebay picture.

• You need a digital camera
• Find an area in your home that has good light. Natural light is the best.
• Use a solid color back ground. White is the best. I use 2 foam boards and put them together in an L shape. One to place the item on and one to go behind the item.
• Focus on the item with little background showing.
• If selling clothes, be sure to iron the clothes and fold neatly just like in the stores. I post only one picture because of the cost. If the seller asked for more, I will either up load more or email them more views.
• Edit your photos if you have other things in them or the lighting is wrong. A picture needs to be bright and only the item you are selling in the picture.
• Upload you picture to your ebay listening.

Just remember that with selling an item on ebay or even Craigs list, a picture is worth a 1000 words. The buyer will not even read your words until they like the picture.

Ebay is a great way to make some extra money. There are ebayers out there that make a great supplemental income and then there are some great ebayers out there that are supporting their family through their sells. If you are in a crunch and need to bring in money to your household, I highly recommend Ebay.

This is yard sale season so the goods to sale are easily obtainable along with the thrift stores being full with goods from people cleaning out their homes. Take some time and look around ebay and see items that are selling such as clothes, shoes, trinkets, toys etc. Then head to some yard sales this weekend.

Here are a few hints to get you started.

• If you have not set up an ebay account yet, do so. Choose a Username that is not long and easy to read.
• Check out what has sold on ebay. Choose a item and then click the completed listing button on the left side bar about 1/2 way down. See what prices that item has sold for in the recent days. This way you know what you can pay for the item and resell it for.
• Start selling just a few items at first. That way you don't get overwhelmed. Also choose things that won't be hard to ship.
• Take a great picture of the item. I suggest putting a sheet (solid color) either on your couch and take the picture there or if you have something like a science fair board that is not used, set that on the table and use it. Focus just on the item. Try not to have other stuff in the picture. It is a distraction.
• List the item with priority mail as the mailing service. You can get free boxes/envelopes from the post office. Plus the rates are easier to determine.
• Take the money that you made off the first few items that you sold and roll it back into buying more items. You will be able to multiply your earnings by doing it that way and it will be less money initally out of your pocket.

The next article on Ebay is going to be about how to picture an item and ship it out. Stay tuned.

Before even starting to write this blog & before the economy crashed I loved selling items on Ebay. It started out of the desire to de-junk my house but then I got hooked. I now search for things to sell on ebay. It has turned out to be a great supplimental income when I concentrate on it. That is the big kicker, it does take time and effort to make money on EBay.

If you would like to make some money on EBay and just don't know where to start, let me give you some suggestions.

1. Open up an ebay account if you have not already done so. This will involve putting in your personal information. From this screen you will be also able to set up a PayPal account. This will involve putting in your bank information. It is a very secure site. I have never had any problems with hackers with paypal or ebay.


2. Look around your home first, Do you have items that you don't ever want to use again? Do you have stuff that has been in boxes in the attic for years and you don't want anymore? These are things you can start with. Check on ebay by looking up the items and see if people are selling simular stuff. You can also click "completed listing" on the left side panel and see what an item sold for.


3. Click on the sale button and follow the directions. Pay attention to the fees as you list your item. I put one picture of the item. You can put multiple pictures but if the picture is really good and your description is detailed, the buyer will be fine.


4. Be sure to check daily your message tab on your ebay account. Buyers like to ask questions. If you don't answer them promptly, you might loose a sell.


5. When the item sells, get it out quickly and wrapped in protective materials. This pleases the buyer and they will then leave you a positive feedback. Be sure to leave the buyer a positive feedback also.


6. The money will be sent to your paypal account. You have the option of leaving it in there and using it to pay for your online purchases or click withdrawl and it will be sent to your bank account or a check mailed.

I now go each Saturday to yard sales and I frequent the GoodWills in my area. I love to find deals. Here is one of my latest that was great.

American Girl Doll.
I found this doll at the Goodwill for $1.75.
Here is the completed listing. The final price before shipping is in red.
American Girl Just Like Me Doll Brown Hair Brown Eyes
Item condition:
Used
Ended:
Jun 26, 200916:53:39 PDT
Bid history:
21 Bids
Winning bid:
US $56.00
Shipping:
$9.90US Postal Service Priority Mail

See how this can get additive. Now that I have your attention, I will be posting over then next few weeks an EBay series on how to sell on ebay and items that I see is selling for a higher price. I challenge you to go ahead and set up that account and get your paypal account ready then start looking around your house for items that you really don't need.