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