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[T857]Things Start With Z

by Ian Major, Ian

Whether you just want to sell some old items lying about your house, or you want to build a business by becoming a PowerSeller, there are five things you absolutely must do before you can start selling on eBay.

1. You must Register. Begin by registering as a member of eBay.

This registration is free, and it will allow you to participate in auctions – as a buyer. As soon as you have completed your registration as a buyer, you can register as a seller simply by logging into your eBay account and clicking on the 'Sell' tab at the top of the page. The information that you will enter is very basic information, but as a buyer, you will need to enter a credit card number, or sign up for a paypal account.

2. Sign up with paypal.

Paypal has become one of the most popular payment gateways on the Internet. This website allows people to transfer money from their bank accounts or credit cards, and to transfer money from one Paypal account to another. Signing up is quite easy, but you will need to verify your account with a checking account, and you can optionally add a credit card to the account. Paypal is very secure. As long as you don't give your password out to anyone, you shouldn't have any problems.

Paypal is not required to sign up with eBay, but it is highly recommended. This will allow you to give your buyers more payment options. Signing up with Paypal is free.

3. Find items to sell. You may already have items that you want to sell.

For instance, if you have recently cleaned out your attic or your garage, you probably have tons of stuff that you want to get rid of. Some items won't sell well on eBay, while others will sell like hot cakes! So a little research to see what sells well before you set up any auctions.

You can also find items to auction by going to yard sales around your area.

Many eBay PowerSellers sell brand new items through drop shipping companies as well. It is all just a matter of determining how you want to profit from eBay, and what items are hot sellers.

4. Set up your auction. Once you are signed up, and you are ready to set up your auction, eBay has a form for you to fill out.

Here, you will determine how you are going to sell the product. You can choose to sell a group of items, or just one item. You will have a list of categories to choose from, and these categories determine where your item is listed on eBay. Choosing the proper category for your item is essential – this is how people will find your auction.

You must choose a title for your auction. You want to use your title to catch the buyer's eye. Coming up with a great title isn't always easy, and it does require some thought. Look at some past successful auctions to get some ideas. Make sure that you follow eBay's guidelines for titles!

Make sure that you use the form to add as much information about your item as possible.

The more information you can include, the more successful your auction will be.

Look at the history of past auctions for items similar to yours. This information will help you determine your title, your description, and even your reserve price. The reserve price is the absolute minimum bid amount that you are willing to accept.

You will be allowed to include pictures of your items, and it is very important that you do so.

Make sure that the pictures are clear, and take several different shots from different angles. Pictures will help make your bid more successful. Many bidders won't even look at auctions that do not include pictures.

You will also need to determine how long your auction will run. Don't make the auction too short – give bidders time to find your item and place their bids – but at the same time, don't make it too long. Force bidders to act by getting their bids in before the auction closes!

eBay has many upgrade options that will make your auction more noticeable.

Depending on the reserve price of your item, it may be well worth it to take advantage of these upgrades to get your auction noticed more easily.

5. Communicate with your bidders.

Make sure that you monitor your auction, and keep the lines of communication with your bidders open. Bidders will have questions about the item you are selling. Make sure that you respond to the questions and comments in a timely manner.

Think of yourself as a shop keeper, and reply to the bidders just as you would to a customer who was standing in your shop!

Each new decade seems like the beginning of the next grand adventure. At 30, I was newly arrived in New York City and starting a career in marketing and public relations. Forty found me just married, taking on two pre-adolescent stepsons, and starting another career in television production. At 50, I was awakening to the idea that I didn't have to kill myself to make a good living, and embarked on my current career as a retirement coach.

So, imagine my shock when a week before my big 6-0, I fell into a great, big, dark funk. I spent three awful days thinking that I was just 20, and soon I'd be 60, and where did the last 40 years go? What did I have to show for it? Certainly the days ahead of me are a lot fewer than the days behind me, and so on and so on.

On the fourth day, I decided to snap out of it. I focused my attention on all the many blessings I have in my life, to the countless things I've accomplished over the years, and to the hopes and dreams I have for the future.

If you're one of the approximately 13,680 people who are turning sixty every day and you find yourself panicking, I invite you to take stock of your life, redefine your priorities, and begin to each day:

1. Take Really Good Care of Yourself. You only have one body, and even if you've taken pretty good care of it, by 60 it's beginning to show signs of wear and tear.

Have you been on a diet most of your life? Not exercising regularly? Not getting enough sleep? Are you stressed out? Now is the time to relax, regroup, and try some new ways of being. You don't have to do it all at once, and you don't have to do it perfectly. Try the 15-minute rule.

How much sleep do you need to operate at your best? Start going to bed 15 minutes earlier, and when that becomes natural, back it up another 15 minutes until you're getting the rest your body craves.

What helps you de-stress? A walk in nature? Deep breathing? Yoga? Sitting and doing nothing? Fifteen (or even 5 or 10) minutes will help. Try it.

And, forget dieting. You know your ideal body weight, and no, it's not the weight you were at 18. Hold that weight as your goal, and then take small steps to change your habits. Add more vegetables by finding delicious recipes and trying exotic varieties. Do some deep breathing or say grace before you plunge into a meal. Chew slowly and savor the food and start by stretching that meal to 15 minutes if you normally race through.

Then, get moving slowly, by adding 5-15 minutes a day of something you enjoy: stretching, yoga, weight lifting, dancing, walking, etc. (You can do it longer if you feel like it!) You don't have to be a marathon runner for your body to respond quickly.

2. Open Your Heart. There's love all around you. Unfortunately, it is often drowned out by the constant drone of negative press, petty arguments, silly upsets, old grudges, etc. Who (or what) in your life have you not forgiven? Remember, forgiving is all about you and not the other person. By letting go of the poison, you're free to live life fully. Is there tension or unresolved issues with your partner? Clean them up, and get back in touch with the love that brought you together. What is life about, if not love?

3. Focus on the Good. Ever notice how when something upsets you, you focus on it and suddenly it becomes such a huge part of your life when in reality it's only one tiny bit? You can't control what's coming at you, but you're in total control over how your react. Better yet, try acting instead of reacting, by refocusing on all that you have to be grateful for.

4. Make a Difference. How can you best share your talents, gifts, experience, and wisdom? Which of the myriad of problems on the planet could use your genius to solve? How can you make the world a more beautiful place by expressing yourself creatively? What legacy can you leave the next generation? Put your attention on how you can best serve, and do it. You'll be happier. I guarantee it!

5. Cherish the Day. Even as you're fully engaged in your life, remember to slow down, breathe, and be present. When was the last time you watched the sunrise? Or, stopped at the end of the day to enjoy a beautiful sunset? Welcome the gift of each day, and embrace each moment with gusto. See the opportunity gift in each situation, and take pleasure in the time you have left.

And finally...

6. List 60 Things You Want to Do in Your 60s. Use the five criteria above to form who you want to be in your 60s. Next, add where you want to go, what you want to see, whom you want to meet, what you want to create, and where you want to live.

Remember how quickly the last 60 years have gone by? Don't waste a minute. Start dong the things on your list today!

Copyright (c) 2009 Lin Schreiber

Article Source : Pg. 6

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Both Ian Major & Lin Schreiber are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Ian Major has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Home Buyers Guide and Music. . Ian Major's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.

Lin Schreiber has sinced written about articles on various topics from Business and Finance, Debts Loans and Aging Problems. Certified Retirement Coach Lin Schreiber, author of the popular ABC's of Revolutionizing Retirement, helps self-reliant women reinvent themselves in the next stage of life, formerly known as "retirement." To claim your free Revolutionize Retirement Starte. Lin Schreiber's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.