eBay Powerseller Secrets for Online Auction Success - By Jennifer Carter

Would you like to discover the Powerseller secrets? Do you dream of making a success of your eBay online business? These tips can set your eBay online auctions on fire and will help you reach and keep Powerseller status:-

• Register an eBay user name that identifies what you are selling. So, if you’re selling books, have books in the title, if it’s cameras, use cameras.
• If you’re selling very different products, use a different seller ID for each of the categories. This gives you a distinctive online presence and makes you look professional to your buyers.
• Ensure that you sign up for a Paypal account and upgrade to a Premier account so that you can take as many forms of payment as possible.

There’s a simple formula for high profit eBay sales. You need to discover products that have a low supply and high demand and couple that with a smooth and professional sales process. If you can find all three of these, you’ve got the potential for a very successful online business.

You can find the latest hot categories report at http://pages.ebay.com/sellercentral/whatshot.html

and the latest searched for keywords at http://buy.ebay.com

With this hot information, you can find products that people are ready and willing to buy within minutes. You've also got a list of the words that people are actually typing into eBay, so make sure that you use them in your listings.

Twelve steps to Powerseller status:-

1. Write a great title!
   
   This will be the one thing that determines whether people find what you are selling and choose to watch or buy it. Add as many words into your description as you can, using short words or abbreviations where possible. Put your main words e.g. Tablecloth at the beginning of your listing, with other words like “French, 90 cm round, red with gold edging” following on. Check your spelling, you don’t want to loose out because you’ve misspelled some words!



2. Write great sales copy!
   
   Don’t miss this step – many people can’t be bothered to spend the time on this.
   Consider offering free shipping – this will put you ahead of many sellers immediately. Don’t forget to ask them to buy when you finish.



3. Take a great photo!
   
   Don’t you just have blurry photos or photos of boxes, light reflecting etc? Get a good digital camera and take several shots of the item. Make sure that there is something that shows it’s size, whether that’s a coin or book.



4. Decide on a price
   
   You may wish to add additional items to increase the perceived value of the item. Again, this puts you ahead of dozens of other sellers who just sell the item on it’s own. Don’t start your bidding too high. Only start bidding high when demand is likely to be low so that a bidding frenzy is unlikely.



5. Choose your format
   
   Choose a standard auction listing, fixed price or buy it now format. You may wish to mix and match depending on what you find works.



6. Choose the length of auction
   
   If you’re in a hurry or it’s a very popular item, a 3 day listing may be OK. The most popular listing is a 7 day listing giving opportunity for people to shop on the days which they prefer.



7. Add a picture
   
   If the price warrants it, use a gallery picture.



8. Describe your Product
   
   Don’t just list features, but list benefits. For example, if the item is “light”, write that it can be taken anywhere. Often a good sales page will establish your credibility as a seller. Describe your item in detail, being honest about any damage or wear and tear. Have clear terms and conditions, use your different pictures, ensure that the text is scannable to someone browsing your page.



9. Accept multiple payment forms
   
   Don’t just accept Paypal, accepting cheques and money orders will increase the number of customers who are able to buy from you.



10. Postage & Shipping
    
    Create a simple system or add a shipping calculator so your customers will know the exact cost of any item.



11. Keep Going
    
    Send an invoice shortly after the sale is completed using the automated invoicing system. Make sure you pack well, send promptly and leave feedback. Don’t leave negative feedback.



12. The final Powerseller secret is using the second chance offer to sell multiple items, but pay only one insertion fee. Once the auction is closed, you can offer off your stock to the remaining bidders at their highest bids.

Remember, being and acting professional will count for your business in the long term - treat eBay right and it will reward you and your business.

For the latest eBay auction tips, visit eBay Powerseller books at the One Dollar bookstore. You can also find free books on building your online business.

This article was submitted by Jennifer Carter, whose own site Adsense business opportunities shares her own story to financial freedom.