| It does not take much to get started selling | | | | good information on selecting a camera and |
| in eBay. This beginner's toolkit will not | | | | photographing auction items can be found |
| magically turn you into an eBay millionaire | | | | here: |
| overnight, but it will improve your | | | | |
| competitive position | | | | 2. A tripod. No matter how firmly you grip |
| So you have decided to venture into the | | | | your camera, holding it in your hand can |
| world of online selling! Maybe you want to | | | | easily introduce some blurring, and auctions |
| use an old collection as the starting point, | | | | with blurry photos are less likely to receive |
| or you are trying to turn a cherished hobby | | | | bids. A tripod will improve your photos |
| into a part-time business. If you want to | | | | considerably. |
| sell seriously on eBay (or another online | | | | |
| auction site), i.e. do more than get rid of | | | | 3. A photo-editing program. You will want to |
| the junk cluttering up your garage or attic, | | | | crop your image, adjust brightness and |
| you will find that the following items can | | | | contrast, maybe add text or a border. You do |
| really help your business, no matter what you | | | | not need a high-powered program for this, and |
| are selling. It is assumed that you own a | | | | the freeware Irfanview ( may cover our needs. |
| computer with an internet connection and have | | | | Also, look at older version of programs such |
| already started your account with the online | | | | as Microsoft Digital Image, which can be |
| auction venue. This beginner's toolkit will | | | | purchased quite cheaply. |
| not magically turn you into an eBay | | | | |
| millionaire overnight (and you should beware | | | | 4. A digital postal scale. As you will mail |
| of any programs making such claims), but it | | | | out your items to the winning bidders, it is |
| will improve your competitive position. | | | | important that you invest in a postal scale, |
| | | | so that you do not over- or underpay on |
| 1. A digital camera. Yes, eBay offers stock | | | | postage. |
| photos of many items, such as books or DVDs. | | | | |
| However, that does not help you if you are | | | | 5. Your own website. This should ideally have |
| selling homemade crafts, for instance, and | | | | its own domain, as you want to create your |
| even if there is a stock photo, you might | | | | brand identity. You can have it "point" at |
| want to show the item from a different angle, | | | | your auctions (eBay has a tool called HTML |
| or use a close-up. You do not have to spend a | | | | Builder that lets you do that) for right now, |
| fortune on a high-end model, though an | | | | and maybe later develop it a secondary sales |
| optical zoom, a macro setting and the ability | | | | channel. |
| to adjust white balance are important. Some | | | | |