Build an eBay Business Part 2

Solicit Help

Everyone who started an eBay business was at one point an eBay “clueless
newbie.” For those who persisted to reach PowerSeller status, a great deal of
time, effort, and probably some money was expended to make that transition.
The experience of those who have traded before you is a great resource to
utilize, especially since much of it is free. To avoid many of the pitfalls of setting
up a business, consider free sources of professional assistance, but don’t totally
dismiss hiring paid professionals when needed to fill in any coverage gaps.

Tap into the eBay Community

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get advice from other eBay business
people.

JOIN DISCUSSION BOARDS AND GROUPS

Online discussion boards and groups provide focused topics that you can join
to communicate with others and share selling and business ideas.

TIP:
Many banks will provide a business account for you
and will also provide you with credit card processing
services. Prices for these services can vary widely, so
check all costs and fees before opening an account
for your business. It is not widely known, but many
banks will negotiate some of the credit card processing
costs, and in some cases, you can get them to provide
the necessary equipment at no cost. Also, check out
aggregators, such as Costco Business.

ATTEND WORKSHOPS

Workshops are a special form of a discussion board that covers a particular
eBay topic during a scheduled time. If you cannot be at your computer during a
workshop, not to worry—workshops are archived for several weeks.
1. Click Community on the Bay header.
2. On the Community Hub page, under News, see the workshops that are being
scheduled. Under Education, click Workshops and click the link to join a workshop in
progress.
–Or–
On the Workshop Calendar page, click Archives on the sidebar to view a listing of past
workshops.
–Or–
On the Workshop Calendar page, click Host Your Own Workshop on the right sidebar
to e-mail a request to the eBay staff to run your own workshop.

QUICK FACTS:
FUNDING YOUR eBAY BUSINESS

There’s nothing terribly unique about funding an eBay
business as compared to other businesses. Some of the
types of equipment you use will be particular to selling
online (for example, computer equipment and auctionmanagement
software), and possibly your inventory will
be unique to the types of items you sell.

FUNDING OUTLAYS
Where your startup money’s going to go:
• Equipment (computer system, camera/mini-studio,
auction-related software)
• Inventory (merchandise and items to sell)
• Operating capital (rents, payroll, phone, utilities,
professional fees, shipping fees, listing fees)

FUNDING SOURCES
Where your startup money’s coming from:
• Self-financing
• Investors
• Borrowing

ATTEND EBAY LIVE!

eBay Live! (see Figure 1-9) is the love-event for all things eBay. The convention
lets you access eBay staff; attend classes, lectures, and forums; visit vendors and

exhibitors; and rub elbows with others in the biz. Attendees at eBay Live! are eager
to share their experiences with other sellers. This is your chance to get information
that will not be available again on a face-to-face basis until the next event.

Get Personal, Free
Consulting

The Seller OnRamp feature within eBay provides
a great free consultation service for those who
do not have much eBay selling experience. Simply call a toll-free number
during normal business hours, and speak with a live Seller OnRamp marketing
consultant. Once you explain your situation, the consultant will start you on a
program to reach your immediate goals.
1. Click Site Map on the eBay header; under Selling Resources, click Seller Central.
2. On the Seller Central page, click Advanced Selling. Under Seller OnRamp in
Business Solutions, click Schedule Your Appointment. The Seller OnRamp page
displays, as shown in Figure 1-10.

TIP:
You can keep abreast of the most current trends and
activities on eBay by simply listening to eBay Radio a
few hours every week (see in Figure 1-12). Using the
multimedia equipment on your computer (speakers,
soundboard, and media player), you can listen to the
live show with “Griff,” the dean of eBay University, or
play back a show from the archives. The live show is
broadcast Tuesdays from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. PST. This is
followed from 1 to 2 P.M. by an “eBay Radio PowerSeller
Show.” Then, too, there is an “eBay Radio Ask Griff” every
Thursday from 5 to 7 P.M. PST. To attend the live shows
or to listen to past shows, check the Calendar Events on
the Community Hub to access a link to the site.