11/23/07

The Beginner's Guide to eBay Selling Success




Are you looking for one of the best work at home business? If so, starting an ebay business is the easiest and most profitable home business. eBay Selling is really not hard. You’ve probably heard about how many people use eBay to make EASY money

working part time or full time. With dreams of quick riches and easy money, you are probably ready to jump in head first right now!

Just like in the real world, business is business. The main goal of any business is to make a profit. Running an ebay business is no different. And just like any other business, it will take work and resources to make ebay selling a success.The best thing you can do if you are serious about making money selling on eBay, however, is to slow down. In fact, just stop for a minute. Don’t rush straight in. Take your time, and do it right.


eBay has a large number of users. When you get your eBay business set up, your business will be exposed to millions of potential customers. But that doesn't mean that all those millions are just waiting for you to get set up and running so that they can throw money at you! Well, not quite. It is true that in the fourth quarter of 2014, the site reached 155.2 million active users
, but at this point, they don’t know that you exist. In fact, no matter how well you do on eBay, most of them will never know that you exist.


Tow Valuable Tips For eBay Selling success? 



1 - Start as an eBay buyer - Do you want to succeed on ebay selling? If so, listen carefully. The most successful eBay sellers started out as buyers, and you should too. This will give you a sense of how everything works. It will also show you how things are from the buyer’s side of the fence. Let’s call this period of time "consumer research." You are literally studying how eBay works, from a customer’s point of view. You may not realize this, but this eBay buyer experience will actually make you a much better seller right from the very start.


Pay close attention to the customer service you receive from the buyer. Think about how you want to be treated as a buyer, and take notes. Take your time during this process. Interact with the sellers. Get involved in hot auctions to see what they are like. In your spare time, start making notes about the hot items that you see. These notes will come in handy later.


eBay works just like any other business. The key to eBay selling success is simple. "Sell products that people actually want". There are very specific items that sell really well on eBay – you just have to figure out what those items are.


2 - Read all of the information eBay provides for you at the siteStart with the lessons that eBay offers to their sellers. Strongly consider attending the eBay University as well. This is the next step in the process. After you have had the eBay buyer experience, it is time to learn how to be an eBay seller.

 Ebay provides free information, so take full advantage of this before you start setting up your first auction or your eBay store! By reading through all of the resources, you will avoid making numerous mistakes that so many marketers have made before you. You can buy great information to help you out before diving head first.


This is another step towards building a successful eBay business. Once you’ve made it through the learning process, you should know everything you need to know to get started with a money making eBay business of your very own.

eBay Business Solutions


If your goal is starting an ebay home business , and not to just auctioning a few items off for some extra cash, you need to use the eBay business solutions that are available to you. Because eBay selling success depends on the quality of information and your learnings about 'what works' as well as 'what does not work so well'. eBay Business Solutions is the key to starting a successful eBay home business.

- Open an ebay selling store - eBay Stores is one of the better solutions for eBay business owners. An eBay store will allow you to list multiple quantities of the same item, and allow you to keep them listed for longer time periods.

eBay Store owners also enjoy lower auction fees, and have access to advanced merchandising tools. Eventually, you should consider upgrading to an eBay Pro Store, which will allow you to customize your storefront with your own brand and web address.


There are many other eBay Business Solutions, such as seller tools, the eBay solutions directory, and the merchant solution center, but you should definitely start with your very own eBay store, followed by an eBay Pro Store.



eBay University – What Is It All About?


eBay University Learning center offer free and paid learning programs to help people succeed in ebay selling. For convenience, eBay classes are held in many locations, and classes may also be completed from home, using your computer.

You have to know that all of the information you will learn through eBay University can be found on the website for free. However, understanding that free information isn’t always easy.

  • New to eBay courses
These FREE tutorials will give you a quick overview of how eBay works, how to register and how to buy with confidence.
  • How to buy courses
FREE tutorials cover the basics of searching, buying and paying for your items.

Once you’ve finished ebay Selling Basics course, you are ready for the ‘Beyond the Basics’ course. This advanced course will teach you:

  • How to sell courses
These courses cover how to create a sellers account, sell an item, accept online payments and keep track of all your selling activity on your own My eBay page. You can get started with these FREE tutorials. Also, you can purchase a Selling Basics DVD. Or attend a Selling Basics class in your area if your budget allows.
  • How to increase your sales courses
These advanced lessons will help you take your eBay sales to the next level - covering marketing, optimization and eBay Stores. Get started with these FREE tutorials, you can also purchase proven to help courses that will help you out.

These paid courses are reasonably priced, and well worth the short amount of time that it takes to complete each course.




    11/19/07

    How to Start an eBay Business



    selling on ebay Few years ago I was considered as a powerseller on Ebay (I stopped working on eBay. Reason I stopped work, due to bad events). My secret to being a Power Seller was “Building Trust in The First Place”. To help you start an ebay business and reach the same level as quick as possible, I've developed a step-by-step guide you can use to learn how to start an ebay business the right way and become part of… The "Best" Of eBay Power Sellers – The Ones Who Actually Make Big Money on eBay!

    What’s the requirement for becoming an ebay PowerSeller? Go to eBay, take a look at how many PowerSellers there are. You'll find quite a few. Now consider that every single one of them must be making at least $1,000 per month, as that's eBay's requirement for becoming a PowerSeller.

    All it takes to call yourself a "Power Seller" is to sell $1,000 a month for three months and have 98% positive feedback.
    • Silver PowerSellers make at least $3,000 each month,
    • Gold PowerSellers make more than $10,000,
    • Platinum Powersellers make more than $25,000, and
    • Titanium PowerSellers make at least a whopping $150,000 in sales every month!
    The fact that these people exist. They can give you an idea of the profits possibilities on ebay. Most of them never set out to even set up a business on eBay. They simply started like many powerSellers including myself selling few things, and then kept going. There are plenty of people whose full-time job is selling things on eBay, and some of them have been doing it for years now.

    Can you imagine that? Once you buy the stock, everything else is pretty much pure profit for you. You don't need to pay for any business premises, staff, or anything else. There are multi-million dollar business empires today that were made with eBay. You need just to learn how to sell stuff on ebay an do it perfectly.

    You don't need to quit your job to start an eBay home business. You can use eBay to make a significant second income from the comfort of your home like I was doing few months ago. You can pack up orders during the week and take them down to the post office for delivery each Saturday.

    There are few other things you could be doing with your spare time that have anywhere near that kind of earning potential.

    No matter who you are, where you live, what your age or circumstances, if you know how to sell stuff on ebay you can make your dreams become reality. There's no job interview and no commuting involved. If you can create a listening and post things, you can do it.

    Put it this way - if you know where to get something reasonably cheaply that you could sell, then you can sell it on eBay; and since you can always get discounts for bulk at wholesale, that's not difficult. Buy a job lot of something in-demand cheaply, sell it on eBay, and you're making money already, with no set-up costs.

    This doesn’t mean you don’t need to work hard or you are going to start making a lot of money from the start like a lot of marketers proclaim. Selling on eBay involves numerous risks and hassles that may not be obvious at first glimpse. But, selling on ebay can be wonderful if you take your time to learn what it is all about before you start.

    If you want to dip your toe in the water before you commit to actually buying anything, then you can just sell things that you've got lying around in the house. Search through that cupboard of stuff you never use, and you'll probably find you've got a few hundred dollars' worth of stuff lying around in there! This is the power of eBay! There is always someone who wants what you're selling, whatever it might be, and since they've come looking for you, you don't even need to do anything to get them to buy it.

    You can also start by selling other people stuff. You don't need to buy any merchandise, a storefront or shop in town. You just need to get people to agree to let you sell their merchandise for a commission. You can make your dollar stretch by buying wholesale! or you can buy cheap items, and resell them for profit. There are many ways on How to Make Money Selling on Ebay! You just need to find what is suitable for you.

    So you want to get started on eBay? Well, that's great! There are only a few little things you need to learn to know how to start an eBay Business. Read on…


    What to Consider Before Getting Started



    So you've decided that you want to get started as a seller on eBay. There are a few things that you really need to know before you go and throw yourself in at the deep end.

    1 - Deciding What to Sell on eBay

    First off, you need to know what you're going to sell. What's your area of expertise? Are you a wood carver or interested in wood carving? Are you a painter? You'll do far better on eBay if you become a great source for certain kind of products, as people who are interested in those products will come back to you again and again. You won't get any loyalty or real reputation if you just sell rubbish at random.

    When you think about what to sell, there are a few things to consider. The most important of these is to always sell what you know. If you try to sell something that you just don't know anything about then you'll never write a good description and sell it for a good price.

    You might think you're not especially interested in anything, but if you think about what kind of things you usually buy and which websites you go to most often, I'm sure you'll discover some kind of interest. If all else fails, mention it to your friends and family; they'll almost certainly say "Oh, well why don't you sell…" and you'll slap your forehead.

    Out of the things you know enough about, you should then consider which things you could actually get for a good enough price to resell, and how suitable they would be for posting. If you can think of something of that you're knowledgeable about and it's small and light enough for postage to be relatively cheap, then that's great!

    Don't worry if you think the thing you're selling is too obscure, it isn't. There's a market for almost everything on eBay, even things that wouldn't sell once in a year if you stocked them in a shop. You'll probably do even better if you fill a niche than if you sell something common.


    Get Ready For Your eBay Home Business


    • Don’t give up - There are going to be ups and downs when you sell on eBay. Don't pack it in if something goes a little wrong in your first few sales. The sellers who are successful on eBay are those who established a name and reputation. So stick at it whatever happens.
    • Believe on yourself - Anyone can sell on eBay, if they believe in themselves. If you do decide it's not for you, then the start-up costs are so low that you won't really have lost anything.
    • Tax and Legal Matters - If you earn enough money, you should be aware that you're going to have to start paying tax - this won't be done for you. If you decide to sell on eBay on a full-time basis, you should probably register as a business.
    If you're ready to start an ebay business, then the next thing you need to know is how to open an account and post your item to start selling on ebay.


    5 Easy Steps to Posting Your First eBay Auction



    It's amazingly simple to get started posting your very first auction on eBay. Here's what you need to do.

    1 - Open an eBay seller's account.

    If you are an ebay user, then you already have an account. Just log in to your account and click 'Sell' in the toolbar at the top of the page, then click "Create a seller's account". If you've never used eBay before, you'll need to open an account.

    First go to eBay's Main Page and then click on register at the very top of the page to create an eBay account, and then click "Sell" and "Create a seller's account". The eBay site will then guide you through the process. For security, this may involve giving card details and bank information.

    2 - Decide what to sell.

    For your first little experiment with eBay, it doesn't really matter what you sell. Take a look around the room you're in - I'm sure there's something in there that you're not all that attached to and could put in the post. Small books and CDs and even old magazines are ideal first items to start with.

    On eBay you can sell practically anything, but there are a number of items that are forbidden from sale on eBay. Check the prohibited items policies if you are unsure whether your item is permitted.

    3 - Submit your item.

    Assuming you haven't yet signed up, go to eBay's Main Page and then click on "register" at the very top of the page to create an eBay account.
    Once you've signed up, you'll want to log in and go to "Sell" either in My eBay or on the Main Page at the top. From the drop down menu click "sell an item".

    Note: If you are new to ebay please go through the tutorials provided by ebay from the drop down menu when point your cursor over the "Sell" link.
    • List your item for sale - Once you are there you will be asked to enter 3-5 words about your item. Be specific here to help ebay find you the right category.
    Under the box where you have put your item name (see the screen shot below) there’s two selling forms: "Quick Sell" and "Advanced Sell". I suggest you go with “Advanced sell” form as you are able to get access to all the options (reserve price, subtitle, scheduled listing and more). Tick the option you want to use and click “Start selling button”




    Before you do all the above and specially if you are new to the eBay I suggest going throw the “ selling Checklist” at you right hand. There you will find all the information you need to list your item and let the auction begin.




    • Choosing the right category – You can select one of the categories that the ebay have chosen for you or type your item category and click “search” button. Select the one that best describes your item. You can also Click on “Browse categories” link and select one; then click “continue”.
    Notes: - You can select more than one category (Fees Apply) if you want more buyers to find your item.

    - Click “see simple listening” link under the category box to get and ideas about the products listed in your category.

    After picking a category you'll then be asked to enter: The title, item specifics, picture to ad and description of the item you want to sell then choose how you'd like to sell your item such as its price, shipping fees, duration and the payment methods you want to accept.

    • Write a title - The title or headline is the first thing people see. So if your headline is weak, then no one will bother reading the rest of your announcement. Remember to include your main keyword phrase you think people will search for in the title.
    • Write your item description - Be VERY detailed about your product. Make sure you do your research in order to provide all the relevant details of your item. Include as many information as you can about the item you want to sell in the description box.
    • Include a picture - Unless it is impossible, not including one will discourage some buyers from purchasing your item. Buyers want to see what they are spending their money for before selling. Items with pictures always sell for more.
    • The Starting Price - What price you want to start with? The price you want to start with can have an affect on the bidding activity and final sales price. Most eBay sellers find that if they start their items at low price with no reserve, they get higher bids and higher sales prices.
    • Payment & Postage Details - Buyers want a safe and secure way to pay for your items. Many sellers offer PayPal, a free service for buyers. Many sellers also accept personal cheques. Always remember to include postage costs as buyers like to know what they are paying for up front.
    • Set the duration of the auction: You can select 3, 5, 7 or 10 days. This is up to you; longer sales will usually get more bids, but will also seem to drag on forever.
    • Continue to go through the options, and be sure to look everything over very carefully. There's a lot to look through and you'll want to make sure everything is correct. Be sure that when you're done with everything at the end (you're at the overview page) to double check and press submit. If you don't press submit it won't be entered.
    • Submit your item - Press submit and you are done. You'll then get an e-mail confirming that your product was placed on eBay.
    Note: At any step you can use ebay's "help" section at your right hand. There you can find lots of answers to all the common problems and questions.

    4 - Wait for it to sell.

    This is just a matter of sitting back and letting eBay do its thing - buyers will find your item and leave bids on it. Some bidders might email you with questions about the item, and you should do your best to answer these questions as quickly as you can.

    Remember that if your item doesn't sell then you can list it again for free!

    5 - Collect payment and post it.


    eBay will sent your buyer emails guiding them through the process of sending you payment for the item. Make sure you have the money before you send anything.

    Once you've got the payment, all you need to do is pack the item for posting. Make sure to use some bubble wrap. Take the buyer's address from the confirmation email eBay sent you, and write it on the parcel. Put some stamps on, post it, and you're done.

    Once the item has been shipped, and they have left feedback for you, you should leave feedback for that person.


    How to Sell Anything on eBay And Make a Fortune!


    Being a seller is great, but Being a successful seller is another story. eBay is a highly active and competitive marketplace that requires you to stay on full alert when it comes to success. People that don't do the ”right” things will fail. It's harsh, but true. This cheklist will help you to create listings that produce sales.

    • Before creating your listing, gather information about your item. Type your item name into your favorite search engine and find out if the same product is being sold. If someone else is selling the same item as you, then always try to find ways to improve your offer. You can provide more information, sell it at a lower price, give free shipping to your customer, etc.... You will always find a way to make your listing more attractive than your competitors do.
    • Always keep an eye on how much other similer products are selling, and what prices they're being offered. There's usually little point in starting a fixed price auction for $50 when someone else is selling the item for $40.
    • Contact your customers - Consider sending an email to thank the seller when the order is placed. Send a simple email such as "Thank you for buying my item, please let me know when you have sent the payment". When you receive the payment send a second email to thank him or her. You can send an email saying "Thanks for your payment, I have posted your (item name) today".
      By communicating this way you will avoid so many problems such as bad feedback, items return, etc…
    • Answer your customers and potential customers emails promptly - Remember that customers and potential customers can send you email about anything at any time, and not answering these emails will just make them go somewhere else instead of buying from you.
    • Make sure your item description pages have everything that buyers need to know - If you're planning to offer international delivery, then it's a good idea to make a list of the charges to different countries and display it on each auction. If you have any special terms and conditions (for example, if you will give a refund on any item as long as it hasn't been opened), then you should make sure these are displayed too.
    • Wrap your items correctly - Do your best to wrap your items securely and professionally for the best impression. Use suitably sized envelopes or packages, wrap the item in bubble wrap to stop it from getting damaged, and print labels instead of hand-writing addresses. Always use first class post.
    • Follow up with your customers – After you post your item don’t stop contacting your clients. Send an email saying "Is everything alright with your purchase? I hope you received it and it was as you expected". After few days send an email asking them how they use the product and where they see room for improvements, how they deal with it, ect…

      This way you will build relationship And, earn your customers’ loyalty to increase their lifetime value to your business.
    Being a really good eBay seller, more than anything else, is about providing genuinely good and honest customer service. That's the only foolproof way to protect your reputation.

    What Your Reputation Can Do For You!

    Do you want to be a "Powerseller" on eBay and make big $$$? Then, develop and maintain your ebay reputation! Period. One of the great myths of business is that your reputation is your most precious asset and that you can only lose it once. Your reputation is worth as much as every sale you will ever make.

    If you've ever bought anything on eBay (and the chances are you have), then think about your own behaviour. Buying from a seller with a low feedback rating makes you feel a little nervous and insecure, while buying from a PowerSeller with their reputation in the thousands doesn't require any thought or fear - it feels just like buying from a shop.

    1 - A Bad Reputation Will Harm Sales.


    A bad reputation will follow you for life! A bad reputation will NOT only lose you sales, but also defeats the purpose of being an eBay seller in the first place. If someone leaves you a negative feedback, you will feel the pain instantly, as that rating will go right at the top of your user page for everyone to see. No one is going to do business with you when they read that you "took a month to deliver the item", or that you had "bad communication" or you have sent a "damaged item".

    If your reputation was damaged in any way. You will need to sell very cheap items, just to push that negative feedback down the page. You might have to spend days or even weeks selling cheap stuff to get enough positive feedback to make anyone deal with you again.

    Why do sellers leave negative feedback if the sellers are doing everything they said they would? So do your best to fulfill your business obligation. Be honest with them, and expect the same in return. if you let buyers leave negative feedback every time; once you get below 90% positive ratings, you might as well be invisible.

    You Can't Just Open a New Account.


    Besides eBay's rules about only having one account, there are far more downsides than that to getting a new account. You literally have to start all over again from scratch.

    You won't be able to use all the different eBay features. Your existing customers won't be able to find you any more. Your auctions will finish at a lower price because of your low feedback rating. Opening a new account is like moving to a new town to get away from a few people who are spreading rumours about you - it's throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

    2 - A Good Reputation Will Get You Sales.


    When a PowerSeller tells me something, I tend to believe them. They can be selling a pretty unlikely item, but if they guarantee it is what they say it is, then I trust them - they're not going to risk their reputation, after all. This is the power of a reputation! People know you want to keep it, and they know you'll go to almost any lengths to do so.

    This is true even to the point that I would sooner buy something for $20 from a seller I know I can trust than for $15 from someone with average feedback. It's worth the extra money to feel like the seller knows what they're doing, has all their systems in place and will get me the item quickly and efficiently.


    Tips on how to get positive feedback for a beginner.


    • One way to get positive feedback is to offer people something to try for free. Say you have an information ebook you could offer your potential customers a free short report, a free chapter, etc…
    • Start by buying cheap items, leave feed back for the ebay sellers and ask them to exchange positive feed backs.
    • Sell very cheap items. This way you are sure that ebay buyers will bid on your items. The purpose here is to collect as many positive feedback as possible.
    Good feedback will build buyer confidence and more people will bid on your items.

    If you are interested in learning how to start an ebay business and you have thought about making or earning money with your own home business, this is your chance to learn the sales secrets that will save you thousands and thousands of dollars.

    11/12/07

    Work At Home Start Up Guide In Top 100 Business Blog List

    John Crickett of Business Opportunities And Ideas is entrepreneur and consultant in UK. Lastly has compiled a list of what he considers the top 100 Best business Blogs. It’s a great resource that provides content, business ideas and techniques relevant for the novice and the veteran alike

    It was a pleasing surprise to see Work At Home Start Up Guide included in that list (at #80), Keep in mind that our blog is only 4 months old. It’s only beginning to take shape and that it is constantly growing.

    In John Crickett list you will find great sites to satisfy all your business needs. If you are looking to supplement your learning this is where “The Top 100” list can and do help. It provides a unique opportunity to find some excellent new business sites without having to waste hours searching through all search engines and directories.

    This is a great supply that be much utilized and appreciated! It will save all of us loads of time and money. thanks for sharing it

    Here's you go...Enjoy...


    While there are many great business blogs about, they are
    not always easy to find amongst the legions of make money online blogs. So I’ve gathered together a list of what I believe are the Top 100 Business Blogs on the Internet. If you feel I’ve missed a blog out then contact me and tell me why.

    The blogs are listed in order of their Technorati rankings (T), their Alexa rankings (A) are show as well. The rankings are correct at the time of posting.

    1. Business Opportunities Weblog T: 12 A: 16,213
    2. Copy Blogger T: 36 A: 7,825
    3. Seth Godin T: 47 A: 10,314
    4. MicroPersuasion T: 169 A: 33,643
    5. How To Change The World T: 180 A: 14,709
    6. Duct Tape Marketing T: 215 A: 31,714
    7. Freelance Switch T: 312 A: 10,638
    8. A VC T: 1,226 A: 27,737
    9. Rough Type T: 1,253 A: 69,429
    10. Successful Blog T: 1,432 A: 44,935
    11. Small Business Canada T: 1,517 A: N/A
    12. David Allen, Getting Things Done T: 1,549 A: 53,592
    13. Springwise T: 1,913 A: 23,858
    14. Small Biz Trends T: 2,155 A: 63,364
    15. Fast Company T: 2,310 A: 12,141
    16. Instigator Blog T: 2,477 A: 58,816
    17. Occam’s Razor T: 2,548 A: 45,541
    18. Smart Wealthy Rich T: 2,879 A: 79,415
    19. eMoms At Home T: 3,443 A: 27,125
    20. Escape from Cubicle Nation T: 3,467 A: 202,751
    21. The Marketing Technology Blog T: 3,496 A: 47,038
    22. Business Pundit T: 3,724 A: 114,669
    23. The Engaging Brand T: 4,404 A: 433,644
    24. Influential Marketing Blog T: 4,779 A: 98,886
    25. Drew McLellan - The Marketing Minute T: 4,820 A: 129,669
    26. The Digerati Life T: 4,873 A: 53,353
    27. Success From The Nest T: 4,908 A: 95,008
    28. Business Blog Consulting T: 5,186 A:237,901
    29. Church Of The Customer T: 5,576 A: 250,201
    30. Todd And T: 5,643 A: 161, 019
    31. Net Business Blog T: 5,936 A: 36,107
    32. Don Dodge on The Next Big Thing T: 6,583 A: 92,784
    33. Bootstrapper T: 7,497 A: 50,304
    34. About.com Entrepreneurs T: 7,797 A: N/A
    35. Blogtrepreneur T: 7,897 A: 53,011
    36. Branding & Marketing T: 8,200 A: 710,326
    37. Simplenomics T: 10,252 A:288,753
    38. Freelance Folder T: 10,543 A: 63,590
    39. HELLO, My Name Is Blog T: 11,395 A: 422,218
    40. Self Made Minds T: 11,704 A: 39,719
    41. Sox First T: 12,894 A: 994,161
    42. Young Go Getter T: 14,239 A: 45,373
    43. Trust Matters T: 15,462 A: 58,403
    44. Small Biz Survival T: A: 18,074 A: 875,069
    45. The Personal MBA T: 19,207 A: 142,649
    46. The Entrepreneurial Mind T: 21,958, A: 155,166
    47. Blog Business World T: 23,025 A: 252,405
    48. Working At Home On The Internet T: 23,247 A: 423,900
    49. Biz Informer T: 24,631 A: 904,745
    50. EmpowerWomenNow T: 25,837 A: 117,085
    51. Biz Plan Hacks T: 27,048 A: 1,335,732
    52. CreateBusinessGrowth T: 32,949 A:197,290
    53. Business Opportunities and Ideas T: 33,205 A: 282,805
    54. The KISS Business T: 35,496 A: 621,082
    55. Startup Spark T: 35,747 A: 386,949
    56. Buzzoodle Buzz Marketing Blog T: 41,092 A: 467,418
    57. MindPetals T: 41,714 A: 128,487
    58. Marketing Deviant T: 43,764 A: 281,072
    59. Go Big Network T: 44,842 A: 25,303
    60. Cool Business Ideas T: 49,679 A: 187,126
    61. Neville’s Financial Blog T: 52,048 A: 140,296
    62. Atlantic Canada’s Small Business Blog :T 52,589 A: 795,253
    63. College Startup T: 53,143 A: 184,398
    64. Reflections Of A Biz Driven Life T: 79,365 A: 361,398
    65. Branding Blog T: 93,462 A: 1,110,518
    66. Carnival Of The Capitalists T: 93,462 A: 1,897,375
    67. Young Entrepreneur T: 104,933 A: 26,491
    68. Marketing Genius T: 132,066 A: 2,222,119
    69. Better For Business T: 137,774 A: 590,797
    70. The Small Business Blog T: 140,824 A: 577,490
    71. Focused Mind T: 162,356 A: 520,971
    72. Small Business Tips T: 166,367 A: 74,005
    73. Lifes Perspective T: 194,358 A: 179,801
    74. Business Opportunities Blog T: 199,700 A: 832,678
    75. The Savvy Entrepreneur T: 224,227 A: 391,147
    76. Egg Marketing Blog T: 231,062 A: 740,867
    77. The Franchise King Blog T: 273,240 A: 520,732
    78. Small Business Entrepreneur T: 317,977 A: 883,094
    79. The Great Startup Game T: 331,293 A: 421,492
    80. Work At Home Start Up Guide T: 345,597 A: 1,190,178
    81. Dorm Room Biz T: 360,865 A: 957,072
    82. Startup Blog T: 377,609 A: 2,552,189
    83. Open Innovators T: 395,824 A: 1,230,257
    84. Get Entrepreneurial T: 437,475 A: 446,085
    85. Bplans Blog T: 437,475 A: 1,373,525
    86. Stuff4Restaurants T: 461,534 A: 298,982
    87. Canadian Entrepreneur T: 484,461 A: 237,901
    88. Strategize T: 487,964 A: 2,856,731
    89. The Marketing Spot T: 587,893 A: 2,550,840
    90. The Ravings Of A Mad Entrepreneurial Scientist T: 587,893 A: 566,836
    91. More Than We Know T: 871,446 A: 2,964,420
    92. Solo Entrepreneur T: 1,212,405 A: 471,491
    93. Stuff4Business T: 1,391,575 A: 298,982
    94. Consultant Journal T: 4,262,598 A: 667,342
    95. Startup Addict Musings T: 4,446,976 A: 1,03390,690
    96. Edith Yeung T: 8,911,336 A: 125,290
    97. Boostrap Me T: 8,911,336 A: 550,348
    98. The Selling Sherpa T: Not Listed A: 772,292
    99. BizzBangBuzz T: Not Listed A: 1,484,797
    100. The Freestyle Entrepreneur T: Not Listed A: 1,519,518
    I define a Business blog as one that provides business ideas, advice,commentary or feedback on business in general. I’ve excluded any site that I feel is primarily a news based site or that is merely posting content from other sources. I’ve also excluded sites that are too new or have not been updated for over a month.

    Do You Like This Article?


    AddThis Social Bookmark Button

    Subscribe in a reader

    How To Develop And Maintain Your Ebay Reputation

    In any local community your credibility, honesty and reputation are important for making friends. The same concept applies for doing business nationally or internationally.

    Many professional bodies and businesses add “better business bureau” type logos to their letterheads and website in an attempt to attract a measure of public confidence and to distinguish and identify their company as being both reputable and trustworthy.

    The same applies on eBay where Feedback from your peers is at the heart of your reputation. Feedback is a valuable weather vane or indicator of a buyer's or seller's reputation on eBay enabling other buyers and sellers to develop trusting relationships based on open, honest insight into the track record of their trading partners. Every eBay member has a Member Profile which includes an overall Feedback number or score in parentheses, as well as comments and ratings from other members you've bought from and sold to.

    Your Feedback Score is the most important aspect of your reputation at eBay. If you are the best and most responsive buyer or seller there can be, then good Feedback will obviously follow.

    The Feedback rating system and policies are simple and are designed to encourage transparent and honest trading. Stars are awarded to eBay members for achieving 10 or more feedback points. You receive:

    • +1 point for each positive comment;

    • 0 points for each neutral comment;

    • -1 point for each negative comment;

    • A star icon for 10 or more comments;

    There are several ways to build a good reputation for yourself at eBay, including but not limited to some basic eBay rules that you must follow.

    Honesty - There is an old adage that says Honesty is the Best Policy. First of all, you should always be honest in describing your auction item (s). If an item is damaged why not say so. The chances are that your customer will find out anyway when they take delivery. But that should not be the reason for your upfront honesty.

    Leaving Feedback - As an eBay user, you should use caution and good judgment when leaving feedback for another user. What you write will be a permanent part of that user's record on eBay.

    Always leave Feedback and your counterpart will most probably reciprocate. As a rule of thumb always leave feedback as soon as you have received payment for your auction item. Conversely you should expect to receive Feedback from the seller as soon as you have made your payment. Some buyers and sellers are very slow or unwilling to leave feedback. As a seller you may wish to offer your buyer a free gift for leaving you early feedback after they have received and examined the goods and are satisfied.

    Caution: Be very careful with the wording of your free gift to leave early Feedback offer as you do not want it to be misunderstood and you must be careful not to violate eBay’s Feedback Solicitation Policy.

    Leaving Negative Feedback - Be careful about leaving negative feedback for someone who most probably deserves it. Always try and find some other solution to resolve disputes. If necessary use the PayPal, Square Trade or other available arbitration service. It is normal for bidders to retaliate with their own negative and unfair comments. Leaving either neutral Feedback or no comments is preferable to leaving negative Feedback.

    Code of Ethics and Compliance With eBay Policies - A Commitment to ethical professional conduct and generally accepted ethical standards is expected of every eBay member. Adherence of professionals to a code of ethics is largely a voluntary matter. Here are some points to consider:

    Avoid harm to others – harm means injury or negative consequences;

    Be honest and trustworthy. Honesty is an essential component of trust. Without trust an organization cannot function effectively;

    The honest buyer/seller will not make deliberately false or deceptive claims about a product, but will instead provide full disclosure of all pertinent limitations and problems;

    Be fair and take action not to discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, disability, national origin;

    Honor property rights including copyrights and patent. Violation of copyrights, patents, trade secrets and the terms of license agreements is prohibited by law in most circumstances. Even when software is not so protected, such violations are contrary to professional behavior. Copies of software should be made only with proper authorization. Unauthorized duplication of materials must not be condoned;

    Give proper credit for intellectual property even in cases where the work has not been explicitly protected by copyright, patent, etc;

    Respect the privacy of others. Computing and communication technology enables the collection and exchange of personal information on a scale unprecedented. Thus there is increased potential for violating the privacy of individuals and groups;

    Honor confidentiality. The principle of honesty extends to issues of confidentiality of information. The ethical concern is to respect all obligations of confidentiality to clients, and users unless discharged from such obligations by requirements of the law;

    Know and respect existing laws. Obey existing local, state, province, national, and international laws;

    Follow the Policies and Procedures of the organizations in which you participate i.e. eBay’s Guidelines and Policies;

    Honor contracts and agreements. Honoring one's commitments is a matter of integrity and honesty;

    Uphold and promote the principles of this or a similar Code. Not only is it important for buyers/sellers to adhere to the principles expressed in this Code, each member should encourage and support adherence by other members;

    Treat violations of this code as inconsistent with membership in eBay;

    Safe and enjoyable Trading!

    Stephen S Alison is a retired "bean counter" who spent 26 years in middle management positions for major US financial institutions in Europe and a further 10 years as an adviser/consultant to a number of European financial institutions. He has traded successfully on eBay for over 2 years using the same strategies and tactics published in his websites: http://www.howtomakeyourfortuneonebay.com/
    http://www.learntomakeyourlivingonebay.com/

    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephen_S_Alison

    Do You Like This Article?
    AddThis Social Bookmark Button
    Subscribe in a reader


    Related Posts


    11/3/07

    How to Create a Compelling Resource Box


    Netwriting Masters Course

    No other marketing strategy can come close to article marketing! Unlike other marketing strategies which can cost you thousands of dollars or only give you short-term results. 

    Good quality keyword reach articles will work for you around the clock bringing in customers and revenue for years to come with little or no cost at all.

    In order for your articles to have their desired effect you need to put them in front of as many of your prospects as you can. 

    You can submit them to article directories and ezines, with a link back to your website. You never know where your article will show up. 

     It may show up in the top results on google, yahoo or msn. It may be picked up by a web site with heavy traffic or ezines publisher.

    When searchers and/or readers read the article they have came a cross, they may want to go to your website or blog to read more or to buy your product. So how to lead them to their destination which is your business?

    Even if you write a great article with a strong introduction, a lot of useful tips, keeps the readers wanting to read more you can’t get traffic to your website if you don’t end by creating an effective resource box. 

    Of course the article would be in relation to the web site. i.e. If you have wrote an article about cars maintenance, the resource box should contain a link that leads to a site that sells cars related products.

    The article's resource box is your only chance to convert the article reader into a lead for your business. This is why it is extremely important to make your resource box as effective as possible.


    What Is a Resource Box?


    A resource box is what you usually find at the end of an article, the 3 to 6 sentences that include your bio and a link back to your business web site. It will contain the name of the author, a brief description of the author, a brief description of the sponsoring site and a link. 

    If a reader likes what they read, they would have the tendency to find out where the article came from to read more.

    A resource box is a some sort of a free advertising. When somebody got interested of your article and want additional information, they will click that link directed to your site. It gives chances to visit your site.


    How to Create a Compelling Resource Box



    article marketing
    Even if the article will give the reader the interest to visit your site, it is also important that you supply your resource box with the same interest that you have given in your article. 

    Remember that, there is a limitation in advertising your site in the resource box (as aforementioned, 3 to 6 sentences only). Make it as interesting as possible, to serve as a link between you and your potential clients.

    Your resource box can make use of all the creativity it can get. You only get a small space for your resource box so you better make the most of it. 

    Try to catch the attention of your reader with a content that can make them think twice before they click away. 

    Unlike TV ads, you don't have visual support to drive your point in. But you do have the power of imagination of a reader. With the right content, you can make them think and intrigued.

    I have seen many quality articles where the authors are missing out on many visitors simply because their resource boxes are not created effectively. Here are some pointers that will help you craft an effective one...
    • Write in the third person - This is the correct way to write your resource box. When you begin, always bear in mind to write in third person. This makes it more presentable. It also allows your readers to distance themselves and not be frightened.
    • Write a compelling opening sentence - This is where you sell yourself to your readers. Your opening sentence is your introduction, the first thing the reader notices. This sentence can entice your readers to click to visit your website or to click away.
    • Offer to solve a problem - This should be easy since anyone reading your article is probably interested in solving a certain type of problem. In your resource box, you just make clear the solution and guarantee that they will find the solution when they visit your website.
    • Use keywords in your resource box - It will give the reader an idea that what you have discussed in your article can also be found in your site. For instance, if your article is about cars maintenance and repair, you can include in your resource box that your website also contains articles on cars repair, cars modification, etc….
    tip

    Use keywords that should be related to your site. Do not deceive your potential site's visitors. Make your readers click your resource box by providing a content that makes a positive impression. You only get one chance to wow them and hundreds of chances to drive them away.
    • Create an enthusiastic tone in your resource box - Use the words like “check my site and see the difference” or “gain that profit that you want to get through my program”.
    • Provide an incentive - Offer them something free, for instance you can also state that a surprise on your website is waiting for them. This will help you to persuade these potential buyers to visit your site and check out your stuffs and freebies, if any.
    • Call to action - Tell your reader how to get your free resource, bonus or free gift. Use phrases such as subscribe to the newsletter, register for e-course, get a free gift, etc... to get readers to do what you want them to do.
    Also, remember to include…
    • Your name and your company, business, website, etc.. name, to sell yourself, your business or what else you want.
    • The URL of your website or your blog If you have a blog where to lead your reader to see your offer or to read more.
    • You newsletters subscription email address. Maybe the reader will not buy your product or click the link going to your site, but it is still imperative that you left an alternate contact address. Maybe you can capture his e-mail address and have a deal with him later on.
    What Not to Do!
    • Do not use more than one link in your resource box - Having a one link is more effective. The space of your author bio is very limited to entice the reader to click through on more than one link. By providing more than one link you can confuse the reader so they will often not click at all and go somewhere else.
    • Don’t sell on the resource box - Many people suppose that the resource box is their opportunity to sell. Don’t fall in this mistake. This is NOT the most effective way. Instead get the interested visitor to take further action.
    Tips:

    - To get idea on how to write an effective resource box and what words you can use to allure your readers to take action simply read some resource boxes of other authors and notice how they write their author bio and try to follow their style.


    - Visit the current ads related to your market on Google Adwords, Yahoo Search Marketing and MSN Adcenter! See what ads make you want to click and note down good ideas and words you can use.

    Below are my own resource boxes as an example to help you get the idea on how to write a resource box that works.

    Gley Yahya is the owner of Work At Home Start Up Guide blog. If you want to learn more about creating a home business and growing your opt-in email list using simple and proven methods, follow him and let Gley show you exactly how you can build a money making home business and how you can create a responsive email list from scratch.

    Never underestimate the power of the author bio. It may be small in size but it will provide a significant help in driving traffic to your website. A boring resource box will never get a job done. 

    Be fun and creative but at the same time show that you have a great deal to offer, too much to ask for something that couldn't fit a paragraph? Yes and no, there are many tips and guides that can help you in doing this, the first step is realizing how important a resource box could be in making people click your link and be directed to your website.

    Make you resource box work for you. even if it’s small, but as they say, it’s wonderful. It can grant you that big opportunity you are looking for.

    Social Media Marketing Courses Online

    The 4th and Final LIVE #SiteSell's Social Media Marketing Courses Online  Presents Event Featuring David Amerland, Martin Shervingto...