Make Big Profits on Ebay : Start Your Own Million $ Business

by LYNN

• ISBN13: 9781932531275
• ISBN10: 1932531270
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-04-11
• Publisher: Entrepreneur Press

Summary

For 25 years,Entrepreneurmagazine has been advising people on how to start their own businesses. Now,Entrepreneurfocuses that expertise on the hottest new way to start a business: on eBay!Make Big Profits on eBaycombinesEntrepreneur's expertise in all things business with new strategies for the eBay world. This book isn't for people who want to make a little extra cash selling old knickknacks. It's for people like you who are serious about starting their own ultra-successful businesses on eBay.Make Big Profits on eBay: Teaches you how to best take advantage of eBay features like paid listings, keywords, photos, the "About Me" page and more Applies cutting-edge, proven strategies for marketing, customer service, money management and business operation specifically for use on eBay Lets you in no how PowerSellers got to the topnot just their success stories, but also their secret tips, techniques and mistakes to avoid Shows you hidden ways of making money on eBay without selling a thing!The expert advice will guide you from eBay novice to PowerSeller quickly and easily so you can start your own million-dollar business.

Author Biography

Jacquelyn Lynn (Winter Springs, FL) is a widely published business writer whose work has appeared in more than 100 regional, national, and international publications. She is a columnist for Entrepreneur Media's business start-up guides, including How to Start a Business on eBay.

Charlene Davis (Oviedo, FL) is an experienced freelance business writer and editor, with an expertise in e-commerce. She is the coauthor with Jacquelyn Lynn of How to Start a Senior Services Business, an Entrepreneur Media start-up guide.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xv
Preface	xvii
The Wonderful World of eBay	1	(8)
What Can You Sell on eBay?	4	(1)
Not the Only Game in Town	5	(2)
eBay Still Rules	7	(2)
Savvy Shopping on eBay	9	(16)
Know Your Seller	10	(1)
Conducting a Successful Search	10	(5)
Using Keywords	10	(1)
Broaden Your Search	11	(1)
Searching within Categories	12	(1)
Search by Seller or Store	12	(1)
Misspellings Spell B-A-R-G-A-I-N-S	13	(1)
Who's Your Shadow?	13	(1)
Save Your Searches	14	(1)
Before You Bid	15	(1)
Let the Bidding Begin	15	(2)
Sniping	17	(1)
Things to Watch Out For	18	(2)
Check Feedback	18	(1)
A Picture Is Worth	19	(1)
Inflated Shipping Costs	19	(1)
Bidding and Selling History	20	(1)
When It's Over	20	(1)
If the Seller Fails to Perform	21	(1)
Use Your Tools	21	(1)
Can't Find It?	22	(1)
Practice Makes Perfect	22	(3)
Getting Set Up as an eBay Seller	25	(12)
What's in a Name?	27	(2)
Decide How to Get Paid	29	(3)
PayPal	29	(1)
BidPay	30	(1)
Personal Checks	30	(1)
Money Orders and Cashier's Checks	31	(1)
Escrow Service	31	(1)
Credit Card Merchant Accounts	32	(1)
Create an ``About Me'' Page	32	(1)
Know Your Options	33	(1)
eBay Stores: The Virtual Alternative to Brick and Mortar	33	(2)
Store Levels and Prices	34	(1)
Setting Up Your eBay Store	34	(1)
Keep It Staffed	35	(1)
Think about Your Future: Become a Power Seller	35	(2)
Starting and Managing Your Operation	37	(12)
Define Your Business	37	(2)
Write a Business Plan	39	(2)
Choose a Legal Structure	41	(2)
Sole Proprietorship	41	(1)
Partnership	42	(1)
Corporation	42	(1)
Limited Liability Company (LLC)	43	(1)
Select a Location	43	(2)
Staying Home	44	(1)
Retail	44	(1)
Commercial/Industrial	44	(1)
Give this Child a Name	45	(1)
Insure Your Investment	45	(1)
Operating Hours	46	(1)
Policies and Procedures	46	(1)
Managing Your Business	47	(1)
Know Your Competition	47	(1)
Play by the Rules	47	(2)
What Can You Sell and Where Can You Find It?	49	(18)
Deciding on a Particular Product	50	(1)
What to Consider about Choosing a Product	51	(2)
Inventory Carrying Cost	51	(2)
Storing and Shipping	53	(1)
Life Cycle	53	(1)
Where Do You Find Products?	53	(10)
Wholesale Sources	55	(2)
Drop-Shipping	57	(2)
Real-World Auctions	59	(1)
Become a Trading Assistant	60	(1)
Set Up a Trading Post	61	(1)
Consignment Selling	62	(1)
Bargain to Get Bargains	63	(2)
Buying Tips	65	(2)
The Tools of Your eBay Trade	67	(8)
eBay Tools	67	(4)
My eBay	68	(1)
Turbo Lister	68	(1)
Seller's Assistant	68	(1)
Selling Manager	69	(1)
Shipping Calculator	69	(1)
Tools Wizard	69	(1)
Solutions Directory	70	(1)
Buyer/Bidder Management	70	(1)
PayPal	71	(1)
Third-Party Tools	71	(3)
Auction Management Tools	71	(1)
Free Auction Templates	72	(1)
Miscellaneous Tools	73	(1)
Arm Yourself	74	(1)
Great Listings Are the Foundation of Selling on eBay	75	(22)
Choose Your Auction Format	76	(3)
Buy It Now (BIN)	76	(1)
Reserve Price	76	(1)
Fixed Price	77	(1)
Dutch (or Multiple Item) Auction	77	(1)
Private Auction	78	(1)
Restricted-Access Auction	79	(1)
Set Your Price	79	(3)
Starting Price Strategies	80	(2)
In Addition to Starting Price	82	(1)
Attention-Grabbing Auction Titles	82	(1)
Irresistible Descriptions	83	(7)
In Addition to the Item Description, Include	87	(1)
Formatting Your Listing	88	(1)
What to Leave Out of Your Listing	88	(2)
If You Make a Mistake in Your Listing	90	(1)
Will You Sell Internationally?	90	(1)
Choose Your Category	91	(2)
Timing Is Everything	93	(1)
It's Not Over When the Auction Closes	94	(1)
Second Chance Offer	94	(1)
If It Doesn't Sell	94	(3)
Take Photographs that Sell	97	(6)
Gallery Photos	98	(1)
Set Up a Studio	98	(3)
Film or Digital?	99	(1)
Taking Your Photos	99	(1)
Editing Your Photos	100	(1)
Photo Don'ts	100	(1)
Books and Other Flat Items	101	(1)
Photo Hosting	101	(1)
eBay's Photo Services	101	(1)
Other Photo-Hosting Services	102	(1)
Make the Most of Each Picture	102	(1)
Store It, Track It, Ship It	103	(12)
Storing Your Inventory	103	(2)
Tracking Your Inventory	105	(1)
Getting It Out the Door	106	(2)
Insurance	107	(1)
Delivery Confirmation	108	(1)
Setting Your Shipping Fees	108	(2)
Shipping Overseas	110	(1)
Choosing a Carrier	110	(2)
Opening an Account	111	(1)
Packing	112	(1)
Labeling	113	(1)
Supplies	114	(1)
Customer Service the eBay Way	115	(14)
Customer Service Basics	117	(1)
What's Special about eBay Customer Service?	118	(5)
Dealing with Difficult Customers	120	(1)
That Special Difficult Customer: The Non-Paying Bidder	121	(1)
Protection Programs	122	(1)
Your Policies Are Part of Your Service	123	(2)
Creating a Return and Refund Policy	123	(2)
Feedback	125	(2)
eBay's Feedback Policies	126	(1)
The Value of Subsequent Sales	127	(2)
Tell the World: Marketing Your eBay Business	129	(20)
Who Are You? Your ``About Me'' Page	129	(2)
Your Own Web Site	131	(3)
Paid Host versus Free Host	131	(1)
Domain Registration	132	(1)
Redirecting Visitors	132	(1)
Clear Visibility	133	(1)
Affiliate Links	134	(1)
Privacy Policy	134	(1)
eBay's Tools to Help Market Your Auctions	134	(2)
eBay Keywords	135	(1)
Cross-Promote Your Auctions	136	(1)
Signature Lines	136	(1)
Shipping Inserts	137	(1)
Newsletters and Promotional E-Mails	138	(1)
Advertising	139	(1)
Gift Certificates	140	(1)
Seasonal Promotions	141	(1)
Word of Mouth	142	(1)
Publicity and Public Relations	142	(1)
Trade Shows	143	(2)
Write It Down and Take Action	145	(4)
Add Revenue with eBay Subsidiaries	149	(6)
Get Paid by PayPal Merchant Referral Program	149	(1)
Half.com Meets You Halfway	150	(1)
Freelance at Elance	151	(2)
Take a Load Off with PayLoadz	153	(1)
The Door of Opportunity Is Open	154	(1)
Make Money on eBay without Selling Anything	155	(6)
Affiliate Registration Process	156	(2)
Getting Started	156	(2)
Hot Topics and Current Trends	158	(1)
Making the Most of Affiliate Links with Google AdWords	159	(2)
Fundraising on eBay	161	(6)
eBay Giving Works	162	(1)
How It Works for eBay Sellers	162	(1)
Hold a Rummage Sale on eBay	163	(1)
Keep the Giving Going	164	(1)
Cause Marketing	164	(3)
Managing the Money: From Zero to Millions	167	(16)
How Much Money Do You Need?	168	(6)
Estimated Monthly Expenses	169	(2)
One-Time-Only Starting Costs	171	(1)
Finding Your Start-Up Funds	172	(2)
Track Your Financial Progress	174	(4)
Setting Up Your Records	175	(1)
Financial Statements	175	(1)
Know Your Costs	176	(1)
Control Expenses	177	(1)
Taxes	178	(1)
Income Tax	178	(1)
Sales Tax	178	(1)
Other Taxes	179	(1)
Forecasting Revenue	179	(1)
Funding Growth	180	(1)
Profitability Is the Measure of Business Success	181	(2)
Human Resources: Staffing Your eBay Operation	183	(8)
Out-of-the-Ordinary Workers	184	(1)
The First Step in Hiring	184	(2)
Write a Job Description	185	(1)
Establish a Salary Range and Benefits Package	185	(1)
Have a Job Application Form	185	(1)
Prepare Your Interview Questions in Advance	185	(1)
Develop Open-Ended Questions that Encourage a Candidate to Talk	186	(1)
Be Sparing with How Much Information You Provide Up Front	186	(1)
Getting through the Interview	186	(1)
Making the Choice	187	(1)
Decision Made---Now What?	187	(1)
Incentives Work	188	(1)
Maintain Complete Personnel Files	188	(1)
Employees Are Essential	189	(2)
eBay Potpourri: Ideas and Advice You Can Use Now	191	(8)
Stay Informed	191	(1)
Stay Active in the eBay Community	192	(2)
Community Discussion Boards	193	(1)
eBay Groups Center	193	(1)
eBay News Center	193	(1)
eBay Calendar and Events	194	(1)
eBay Help Section	194	(1)
Outside the Online World	194	(1)
Get Professional Help When You Need It	194	(1)
Have a Disaster Plan	195	(1)
Don't Be a Victim of a Scam	195	(1)
Mediocre Isn't Good Enough	196	(1)
Pay Attention	196	(1)
Give Your eBay Business an Annual Checkup	197	(1)
Know that the Only Constant Is Change	197	(2)
Internet Resource Directory for eBay Sellers	199	(6)
eBay Sites of Interest	199	(1)
eBay Subsidiaries	200	(1)
Online Payment Systems	200	(1)
Government Sites and Selling Internationally	200	(1)
Auction Management Tools	201	(1)
Free Auction Templates	201	(1)
Miscellaneous Tools	202	(1)
Auction Sniping Programs	202	(1)
Online Shipping and Postage Resources	202	(1)
Photo Hosting	203	(1)
Web Site Domain Registration, Hosting, Development	203	(1)
Autoresponder Services for Newsletters and Announcements	203	(1)
Gift Certificate Templates	204	(1)
Trade Show Information	204	(1)
Popular Internet Searches	204	(1)
Miscellaneous	204	(1)
Glossary	205	(4)
Index	209