The whole e-book in this 5-part guide! (Part I of V) Tips 1-20
You might be looking at e-books and wondering "Is it really worth it?" E-books advertising auction secrets that increase sales, item hits and more. One day i bought an e-book entitled 101 Auction Secrets Revealed! and read it. I found most of the information very helpful, and at the end there was a line that read: Distribution Rules - reprint and distribute as you wish. Read this, sell this, give it away...
And so I thought why not publish this as a guide, so that all may benefit from it and become better sellers, So here is THE ENTIRE 101 Auction Secrets Revealed! e-book for all to read, AND YOU DON"T EVEN NEED TO PAY FOR IT!
I would just like to point out that I did not write 101 Auction Secrets Revealed! I am just publishing this as a guide since the Distribution Rules clearly stated that I can "give it away". And please vote yes, for even if one thing helped you just remember at least you didn't have to pay for it. Most of these ideas I have tried myself, while some I cannot say that I have. Also I had to take out the hyperlinks to comply with eBay's policy so they are like so : ex www. Ebay .com = ebay DOT com
REMINDER: This e-book is so large that it needed to be posted in 5 parts, so read them as you wish AND please remember to Vote yes, since I’m giving you tons of helpful info for FREE Also there are some repeated tips in this guide only because they are so important that that they needed to be stressed by repetition.
SO without farther ado I bring you 101 Auction Secrets Revealed! The entire e-book!!!
AuctionTip #1: How to Put an Attractive Background in Your Online Auction Ad
Have you ever visited an auction and noticed a peculiar and catchy background?
Here's how to do it...
First off, go background texture hunting at this site:
grsites DOT com / textures/
Once you find one- upload it to a free image host like:
Honesty DOT com
AuctionTip #2: The BEST Types of Products to Sell
Without a doubt, there are a few types of products you'll need to sell in order to become really successful on eBay…
Here are the 3 types of products you should try to sell if possible:
Consumable
Example would be anything a person would buy and use up and buy again. To say there is staggering potential for backend sales would be an understatement.
Information
Any product you would download or receive by floppy or CD is considered to be an info-product.
Though it takes some study and patience to reap the rewards of selling information effectively, in the long run it will be worth the effort.
Collectibles
EBay is famous for its rare items. Stamps, beanies, antique whatnots, you name it, and it's there.
Sentimental items carry with them the largest profit margins. When you're pulling in $100-200 profit margins or more, your volume doesn’t have to be heavy to get where you need.
11 Time Tested Principles For eBay Selling Success
Without a doubt, something separates good sellers from the not-so-hot ones. It has nothing to do with magic either- it has everything to do with sound practice...
Here are 11 principles to live by when you start your auction business. They will work wonders for you...
1. Pick Your Niche and Define Your Market
This is ground zero for your success strategy. Find your own niche. Define your market. Then you can know the type of person you’re going to be selling to and the types of product you want to sell.
You're auction sales letters will be a hundred times better if you know the person who you are writing for.
Along with being in a superior position to take advantage of repeat business, the benefits from becoming specialized are endless-
We well be getting into this a little more later.
2. Your Vision
Know where you want to go with your business and why. Every business that thrives has a soul and a purpose. What is it that you want long term? Do you want to become financially independent?
What do you want short term? Do you want to make a steady income every week? If so, how much? Give yourself something to shoot for and try to surpass it.
Remember in the beginning to keep plugging away. The toughest time is at the start. Everyone has to serve as an apprentice before they can truly master what they do.
When you're starting out be willing to absorb every ounce of helpful information your brain can hold.
3. Order is the Foundation of Every Good Thing
One of your early foundations of success is order. Strive for efficiency in every aspect of what you do. If you’re lacking in a system of organization your whole business is going to be threatened.
This not only includes keeping things in their place but things like keeping income tax and business expenditures records.
4. Serve Your Customer With a Passion
In business your customer is the only thing. You customer is far more important than any product you sell. Strive to give them quality at every level of the transaction.
With online auctions most sellers have a hard time looking past the initial sell. As far as they are concerned after the initial bid the relationship is over. That is why most of them don’t do so swell when they try to make a business of this.
Look far beyond the first sell. It is only the beginning of a long mutually beneficial relationship.
5. Become An Expert In Your Field
Become an authority in what you do, wherever you choose to go with you online auction business. If you sell CD media supplies, you want to be thought of before anyone else.
When you become an authority in your field, a whole new universe of business and opportunity is opened up to you.
I buy certain types of things on eBay from the same sellers over and over. I wouldn't dare do business with anyone else, not when they have proven themselves and their product.
You want to earn that same type of position in the minds of eBayer’s for your niche.
6. Credibility- the Key Factor in Selling
Become trustworthy. Remove every doubt about your credibility any chance you get. You can do this through presenting yourself positively through your feedback, being passionately devoted to your business and by being an expert.
By making great complete ads and from answering emails quickly.
The X factor is the critical ingredient for online sales success.
7. Harness the Power of Technology
Use you existing software of the Internet to handle repetitive tasks. This will free you up to grow your business to a level...
One of my big sticking points is leverage. Leveraging means getting everything you can, out of all you got. When you use existing tools and methods for freeing yourself from repetitive tasks, you will compress time.
That means you will get more work done with less effort... and as a result you will make more money.
8. Get Everything You Can Out of All You Have
A wiser person than myself once said, "There are only two qualities in the world, efficiency and inefficiency, and only two sorts of people: the efficient and the inefficient."
Maximize results while minimizing your expenditures. This is the essence of what it takes.
Test ads ruthlessly to get more for your advertising dollar. Look for better ways to do business. So much can be do to get better and better returns. Set an ideal up for yourself and call it, "efficiency"- if you do this you will never become stagnant in what you do...
Always search for better and better returns for the amount of resources you put in.
9. Probably the Most Important Thing: Your Sales Letter
Your sales letter is your salesman. On the net, how you're potential buyer perceives you and your product is everything.
Copywriting is the art of showing you and what you sell to your buyer in the best possible light.
It’s the most important thing you have going for you. A carefully crafted sales letter can increase you results exponentially without having to spend an extra penny.
10. Shoulder The Risk in the Transaction
Risk reversal is on of the strongest free sales tools you have at your disposal.
When you offer your bidders a satisfaction guarantee, you are telling them that you are confident that your product can deliver, and if not you are willing shoulder the risk for them by giving them their money back…
Very rarely do they ask for one unless your product is poor.
This is one of the easiest ways to increase sales; if you have a good product to begin with, don’t neglect this technique. I see many sellers who don’t offer one when they could.
It’s a must to offer one with your Dutch auctions. A strong risk-reversing offer will clinch sales that pass others by.
11. Perseverance Will See You Through Anything
Perseverance is your greatest asset of all, especially when things get rough. To me, nothing is more fulfilling than meeting challenge head on and winning out.
Anytime you run into trouble or resistance in your business, accept it as a growth opportunity that you need in order to get to higher levels or success.
AuctionTip #4: You'll Never Repeat Yourself, Ever Again...
Do you ever notice yourself repeating the same answers to the same questions over and over? Would it be great if you could press control-q and spit out the answer?
I use a program called Shortkeys to type repetitive phrases and sentences. By wisely using email keyboard shortcuts and you'll cut your time responding to email down by 90%.
shortkeys DOT com
This will save you loads of time.
AuctionTip #5: Buyers Want Easy Payment Options
As a seller, you want to offer every pay type under the sun. If you cover all possible pay types you'll be able to make profits that pass others by...
Here are the pay types sellers on eBay offer:
·Paypal
·Personal Check, Cash or Money Order
·Billpoint or similar pay types at different venues
·Electronic Checks
·Credit Cards by email, secure server, phone and fax...
It's the merchant accounts that can be a pain; don't let it- it's easier and cheaper to get them than you think...
AuctionTip #6: Over 75% of eBayer's Use Paypal
Hands down, Paypal is THE auction pay type. It's a free service and easy for bidders to use. If you use it, you'll have almost no fees taking away from your hard earned money-
Sign up today and start taking credit card orders instantly- plus you'll get $5 for opening and account and $5 for anyone you refer.
Paypal DOT com
I'm sure you're probably already a member by now :)
AuctionTip #7: Getting Set Up With Merchant Accounts
It's not difficult or as expensive as you may think. Do you plan on doing business online? If so, it's a good idea to have them-
Here's who I use and recommend:
Marketingtips DOT com / creditcards / index. html
AuctionTip #8: Use An Email Signature
One great free way to promote your auction business is by using a signature. Signatures are six to eight line inserts at the end of your email messages.
All email programs support them. Take advantage of this cheap and effective means of advertising your listings...
AuctionTip #9: Put the Hurt on A Spammer
An onslaught of email is coming your way. If you thought you were getting spammed earlier, just wait until you start selling heavily on eBay. Filtering is one answer-
You've got to defend yourself- your time is at stake here.
Try Eudora to handle your email.
The Eudora Lite version doesn’t expire. You can get a copy from the link below.
Eudora DOT com
AuctionTip #10: Automate To The Max With This Free Service
When it comes to selling on the net, you want to get the most from the amount of time you put in.
Master services like Andale to give your auctions a boost.
Use this service correctly and you'll explode your auction sales.
Andale can save time on just about every aspect of the auction process-… by the way, you get $20 for signing up and $20 for everyone you refer-
Andale DOT com
AuctionTip #11: Honesty Is The Best Policy
Make one virtue for yourself on eBay- and that's honesty.
If you're a little late getting the package in the mail... tell your customer. You’ll always be forgiven and spared the negative feedback if you fess up.
They'll thank you for being straight with them- everyone loves peace of mind... what's more irritating than not knowing?
AuctionTip #12: Save Time At The Post Office
If you don’t have much time to spend at the post office, and I'm sure you don't, prepare in advance.
You can have all of your mailing supplies sent to you by the USPS and UPS.
Visit usps DOT com and ups DOT com for more details. Look for supplies and services...
Also, do this:
·Buy an inexpensive scale
·Print postage from your PC
·Look up shipping rates on the net
This will save loads of time.
AuctionTip #13: Avoid Bouncing Checks?
Bounced checks are rare. Since your future as a seller depends on the service you provide, being quick and trusting is always going to pay off tenfold in the long run.
So, hold checks only when the item is highly valuable, or when the user has a bad feedback history.
Most eBayer’s are trustworthy- just check their record if you’re uncertain.
AuctionTip #14: Price Auctions Low To Build A Crowd…
Do you have a good item that you KNOW will sell well?
Start it off at a penny. This will get you healthy early bidding. You want a large group around the item; some will be competitive bidders- people who will pay extra just for the thrill of winning.
You'll usually get more for your item than someone who priced theirs higher, because your auction has more bidders watching.
AuctionTip #15: Set Your Auctions On Fire
Have you ever been on eBay and happened upon an auction that was doing incredible well?
Like a Dutch auction with over a hundred bids? In the past eBay had a "torch" for hot items, and if you made 30 bids you get in a "Hot" category and bidding spirals upward.
Here's my approach for getting over 100 bids selling simple info-products. You can adjust it according to what you sell.
I've done this numerous times...
The first day of the auction is critical. You want the majority of your bids on the first day. Make sure you buy the best exposure you can...
Your goal is to get 30 bids as quickly as possible.
The best time to list when attempting this is early Saturday morning around about 7 a.m. EST. You want your best exposure on the first day.
Also, drive bidders to your auctions early.
Normally I would contact my mailing list and tell them I'm having a clearout of my inventory and offer a special like free shipping for bidding.
Remember; just get rock moving down the hill an early as possible. If you get that auction up over 30 bids by Sunday night... that gives you over 8 days of sizzling hot exposure in the "Hot" category...
AuctionTip #16: A Thousand Words is Worth a Picture
I am no photography expert. I rarely take pictures of my products, don't even have a camera, but I do know this...
Photos and other pics make you and your item credible. The better you are with your camera the more bids you’re going to get.
If you have a digital camera, use it. Take several photos of important aspects of the item, flaws and all. If your teapot has crack in it be sure to take a picture of that as well.
Also remember; by inserting a photograph of the item you are selling you get a 'Pic' graphic next to your item description.
Bidders look for the 'Pic' symbol and will be more inclined to visit.
While I have never use a digital camera, I ALWAYS use some pics in my ads.
Don't be afraid to weave some images and graphics into your auctions- but if you do… make sure it contributes to you message.
A sprinkling of clipart does wonders for html ads, if it contributes to the message. If not, don't use them. They distract.
If you ever need any pics to add your description go to:
Clipart DOT com
AuctionTip #17: Remember To Say Thanks
Send a thank-you note/receipt email to your customer when they pay. Include your eBay user name and telephone so they can contact you if they need to. Don't worry about them calling.
Kindly ask them to leave feedback in your email. Include a convenient link to the feedback forum, and I guarantee you, 9 times out of 10 they will drop a good word for you.
AuctionTip #18: Make Your Description Complete
When making your item description make it as complete as possible.
Many people find your auction through the search engine, so use as complete and descriptive headline with good keywords too- this will make your listing easy to find for the person looking for your item.
Leave no stone unturned- don't neglect to mention some crucial piece of info.
Bidders will steer clear if they sense something important missing. Plus someone might buy and won't have his or her expectations met...
That could be a problem. Include all necessary info.
AuctionTip #18: Use a Good Sales Policy to Bail You Out
Post terms and conditions on every listing you create.
Things like shipping terms or any other rules that you'll use. Make a separate text file containing your sales policy that you can edit, copy and paste into your listings quickly.
Sit down and come with a good one that applies to you and what you’re selling.
This can steer you past any bumps in the road. Example: do you insure packages? Do you only ship on Tuesdays & Saturdays? Be sure to state these types of things in your policy.
Everything isn’t perfect when you’re dealing with people in auctions- most transactions are flawless, but some are, well... plain difficult.
Think of your sales policy as your shield & buckler.
AuctionTip #19: Don’t Overcharge On Shipping
This is one of the more common causes of negative feedback.
Only charge what it normally costs you to pack and ship. Buyers are sensitive in this area.
Chances are, they know when you gouge them.
In your sales policy, try to briefly justify whatever your costs may be...
Auctions are notorious for their many gray areas. This is a gray area, so be cautious.
AuctionTip #20: Caution When Leaving Negatives
Be careful about leaving negative feedback for bidders that may deserve it.
Go out of your way to clear things up before you decide to do so. It's normal for bidders to strike back with their own negative and unfair comments.
Always try to find some other solution.
Don’t leave negative feedback unless they blatantly defraud you- if they don’t pay, either leave neutrals or no comments ~PLEASE VOTE YES!~
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