Can't come up with enough items to sell on eBay? Try this simple technique - it may shock you!

A few years ago I saw a young boy walking up and down sidewalks in our neighborhood passing out flyers. At each home he placed a flyer at front door making sure it was out of weather. You could tell from way he walked and attended to details he was very sure of himself, obviously, he had done this before!

Well of course I was intrigued by this young mans determination and thoroughness.

Just what was he passing out?

So I waited till he put one of his flyers on our doorstep and immediately snatched it up. So what was he up to? Soliciting for Boy scouts? For his school? For his church? For his club? Looking for donations? Looking for subscriptions? I knew that whatever he was selling he was major committed to it, that was real clear!

So what caused so much committment? And what was he promoting?

He was promoting himself!

Needless to say I was impressed. Here was a young man out walking up and down streets of my neighborhood creating income for himself. The same street I drove up and down each and every day. As I though more and more about this it occurred to me that it was just a matter of perspective.

1. Use auction management tools or services

Using an auction management tool or service allows you to automate most of your day-to-day auction business and frees up time for other activities. There are numerous ones available and majority of them offer a free 30-day trial period. Find one that fits your needs and budget, learn how to use all of its' features, and then stick with it. Make certain one you choose supports eBay's Item Specifics and Pre-Filled features.

2. Target all your items toward same market

There's nothing wrong with offering several different items on eBay, but try to sell things that target same general market or 2-3 markets. You will find this makes it much easier for satisfied customers to buy from you again. The majority of my customers have returned to buy five or more items from me in past year. You should strive for this also.

3. End all your auctions on same day and during same general time frame

Whatever you are selling, test different days and times of day to determine what works best for you. Once you determine what day and time works best for you, stick to that time. Your customers will come to know your auctions always end on a certain day at a certain time and know that they can go on computer on Sunday night at 10 PM, for example, and be able to bid.

4. Fast shipping equates to repeat sales

We live in an instant gratification world. Once an item is paid for, get it in mail as quickly as possible. This will lead to higher customer feedback and repeat sales. If you aren't seeing comments about how fast a customer received their item in 60 to 70 percent of your feedback, it's taking you too long to get things in mail and it's hurting your business.

5. Give your product a vacation once in a while

It pays to stop listing an item, or type of item, every once in a while so that potential customers don't begin to take it for granted that it will always be available. You will find that if you don't list an item for two or three weeks, when you do it again, it will almost always result in increased bidding and higher bids.