Perhaps you do not have anything to sell right now. Or you may think so. Practically all of us have accumulated items we do not need, but do not want to throw away. The items we bought at a spur of moment and later on regretted the decision bitterly. The items we received as a gift. The items that served us well but have been replaced with a more advanced version.



People who sell the stuff lying around their home on online consumer-to-consumer trading places fall into two categories - people who need some cash and people who need some space. Most often, they want both to free some space in their living room or garage and to earn some extra money.

It is easy to turn those items into extra cash - something all of us need. Certainly, there are various "real-world" venues where you can offload your no-longer-wanted clutter for money. However, experience has shown that in almost all cases you will get more for the same item if you sell it online.

The underlying philosophy of selling on online marketplaces is that the playing field is levelled between small, medium and large sellers. You are on equal footing with the other seller, whether you are sell one painting per month or dozens of cell phones. All products appear along side each other, reaching the same large audience.

Many sellers start selling on an online marketplace as a hobby, but some quickly become more ambitious. Instead of only selling for additional cash or to get rid of some unwanted items around the house, they discover a new business venture.

Whether you are just starting out selling on an online marketplace or want to make it a full or part-time business, this book will provide you with some ideas and techniques on how to become a successful seller.

What you need to start with

Even if you only plan to sell a few items lying about your house, you will need:

- A computer

- Internet connection

- Basic computer skills

- Familiarity with the site you intend to sell on

- Registered user account on the site of your choice

- Items to sell - Digital camera or access to images

If you plan to make online selling your regular source of income, online auction sites and marketplaces give you the opportunity to set up a business with very low start-up costs, especially in comparison with starting a brick-and-mortar business. However, there are some investments you may want to consider in order to set foundations for the future growth:

- A reasonably fast and powerful computer, preferably not older than three years.

- Fast Internet connection (not a dial-up)

- Photo editing software

- A comfortable chair. You will be spending a lot of time on it!

- Some packing supplies

- A filing cabinet where you will keep the records

- Basic accounting skills and accounting software

Dedicate a portion of your home to your online business and organize the areas for storing the items and for packing them. This space can be tax deductible. Now you are ready to do some serious business, and earn some serious money!