We have all seen the headlines about some grandmother selling her beanie baby collection for tens of thousands of dollars or the formerly unemployed couple who are now running their own business and seem to be living on easy street: and all of it is thanks to that miraculous Ebay business machine! But the question we all have to wonder is whether these are just lucky people or if anyone can indeed make money on Ebay.

The truth is this: yes, anyone can make money on Ebay! The grandmother and thousands like her are using Ebay auctions to sell their collectibles and other items to the highest bidder in a global marketplace. The unemployed couple might be a pair of drop shippers taking advantage of the high traffic on Ebay to boost their sales. But how do any of us get from where we are now to one of those success stories in the headlines?

Begin Your Ebay Adventure

Before you start counting those imaginary profits in your head it is important to remember that every great idea starts small and slowly builds momentum. Whether you are interested in drop shipping or online auctions, the very first step that needs to be taken in order to make money on Ebay is to register your business.

Now you may be thinking that you don't have a business so what is there to register?! The truly great thing about the Ebay business miracle is that you don't need a lot of capital or an existing business to get started. What you do need, however, is to register your business. For that, you will need an original name, a checking account number, and a credit card. It would probably be a good idea to set up a Paypal account as well so you can receive credit card payments from people without having a merchant credit card account.

Use Ebay Auctions to Build Confidence

In all honesty, Ebay offers people a wide range of options for making money using their site and high traffic. Ebay auctions are just one component of this fascinating company but it is a good starting point for people begin from for a couple of reasons.

First, who among us doesn't have some things around the house that we really have no use for any longer? By rounding up these items you already have an existing inventory that you need to sell and therefore a starting point.

Secondly, by listing your merchandise and going through the auction process (including setting a starting price and determining what auction options you wish to use), you are familiarizing yourself with the Ebay business and how it operates. If you choose to expand into a dedicated Trading Assistant or even into drop shipping-well, that is up to you but at least you have your feet wet and some money to keep things rolling!

Now there is no question that you can make money on Ebay but do not allow yourself to be tempted into thinking success and fortunes are built overnight. By starting out slowly and getting to know how the Ebay business machine works by selling some old items around the house and making a little money, you are laying a foundation of knowledge that you can build future success upon.

Jason James is a 10 year Internet marketing veteran and an eBay Power Seller of 4 years. His website "The Auction Resource Network" reveals his inside secrets, tips, and sources that help him pocket over $10,000 per month on eBay. His proven step-by-step system shows even users with little or no business experience how they too can make huge profits selling products at online auctions.

Jason James may be contacted at http://www.auctionresourcenetwork.com/

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Now that you've recognized the benefits to selling your stuff on eBay versus tying up your time in a garage sale, it's time to get started.

Here are some things you will need or want to do. You don't necessarily have to do them all in this order, but this is one way to do it.

1. Set up a PayPal account so you can receive money from your eBay sales. It'll take a few days to verify your account, so do this right away.

2. Set up an eBay account if you don't already have one. www.ebay.com

3. Go through your house and gather things that you either don't use.

4. Look at some of the items you've gathered to sell. Go to eBay and do a search for that item. See how much it's listed for and if anyone is bidding on it.

5. Decide the lowest price you can or will accept for this item. Even if other people are paying $50 for others just like it, don't list your item for $50. People may be willing to pay that much, but they don't want to start bidding at that price.

6. You will pay a listing fee, a final value fee, and if you accept PayPal you will pay a fee there, too. Know what those fees are before you list your item unless you want to just give it away.

7. Read the eBay Terms of Agreement and abide by them. Certain items are illegal to sell.

8. Be sure you have an accurate weight when you list your product. You don't want to get stuck paying your own money for shipping.

9. List your item(s), taking all of these things into consideration.

10. List your auction for 1, 3, 5 or 7 days. I like to start my auctions in the evening so people are typically home and can be in front of their computers to bid. Take time zones into consideration. Auctions will end at the same time of day you list them unless you want to pay more!

eBay is a great way to make money at home. In fact, it is rapidly growing as one of the biggest home-based businesses in the world. With a bit of preparation and reviewing the eBay website so you'll know what you're doing, you'll become an expert on it in no time.

Copyright 2005 Joyce is a freelance writer and owner of Emerson Publications. Her latest release is "24 Days of Christmas," to help families center on the birth of Christ during the holiday season. She is also the creator of "All They'll Need to Know," a book that will be invaluable to your loved ones when you can't be there to guide them. Visit www.emersonpublications.com for lots of good family-friendly information.

Joyce Moseley Pierce may be contacted at http://www.emersonpublications.com or joyce@emersonpublications.com