Can you make good money with auctions?

Can online auctions be utilized to help your current business grow?

The answer to all three of these questions is… YES!

I must admit that when I first ventured onto eBay three years ago, it was purely for fun. My goal at that time was simply to make enough money to pay for all of the items I was bidding on! However, it didn't take long to discover the virtual gold mine right in front of me!

During the last three years, I have not only built my own successful auction business; I have helped others start similar businesses. I have helped some use auctions to enhance their existing retail, service and e-commerce businesses. I have studied the "Power Sellers" before me and have learned a great deal about how to maximize the leverage that online auctions provide.

My goal with this column is to share my experiences and observations. There are many elements that are critical to success with Internet auctions. In each column  I intend to expand upon a different aspect and offer my perspective, tips, and suggestions based upon my specific experiences.

I have come to the conclusion that just about anybody with the desire and motivation can start and maintain an auction business. It will take some effort… this isn't a "get rich quick scheme" … but it is relatively easy and a lot of fun!

I'll mention eBay a lot in this column, but the strategies discussed can be applied to any online auction site.

My intent is not to offer a step-by-step tutorial detailing how to list items for sale on eBay. EBay has an excellent Help system, an online Seller's Guide, a Seller's Checklist, Frequently Asked Questions, and an "Audio Tour" which can teach you how to sell on eBay. There are also many books available that teach these same basics.

This column is intended to provide more of a strategic slant and answer questions that are not answered on eBay's help screens… questions like:

• How can I make a living from selling at auctions? 
• What should I sell and where do I get that merchandise? 
• What are the steps necessary to get started? 
• How can I use online auctions to grow my current business? 
• How can I use online auctions to drive customers to my website? 
• How can I use online auctions to generate leads? 
• What do I do to make my auctions stand out against all the others? 
• What kind of marketing data is available to me on eBay? 
• What are the keys to successful selling at auctions? 
• Which auction sites should I use?

I do intend to cover some "how-to" issues… those that generate the most questions and that I feel are not adequately addressed through online help.

I also welcome suggestions from PowerHomebiz.com's readers… please email me at netauctions@a-znet.com and tell me what you would like to read about in this column. I look forward to writing this column and sharing my ideas to help your business succeed with online auctions!