Selling on eBay takes skill, I’ve realized. It’s a lot of work to become a professional eBay seller or eBay PowerSeller. But, not everyone that sells on eBay does so full-time. Some people are casual eBay sellers, looking to make a little extra income or fund fun hobbies and family vacations with the extra money they earn from selling on eBay.

Whether you decide to sell on eBay casually or full-time, finding items to sell is probably one of the first things you’ll need to figure out. I have had my own personal struggles with finding items to sell on eBay that will be well-received. Sometimes you just have to give it a try and list an item you no longer need, without giving it too much thought. You might be surprised and find that it actually sells well!

eBay also offers support in this area through their Selling Inspiration House, which I previously shared with you. But, I thought it would be great to find out how others go about finding items and deciding what to sell on eBay. Here’s what a couple of eBay Parent Panel members said, plus insight from an eBay PowerSeller.

“If it hasn’t been used in 6 months and I don’t see it being used in 6 more months, if it doesn’t meet a need where it could or should be donated to someone less fortunate than I and if I’d be willing to buy it myself in the condition that it’s currently in…then I’ll sell it on eBay,” Eric Payne from Makes Me Wanna Holler told us.

Kris Cain, author of LitleTechGirl.com, shared on her site a suggested process for finding items and pricing them to sell on eBay: “Grab a pencil and a notepad. Then, walk from room to room and write down at least one thing in good shape that you do not use…could [be] something brand spanking new in a box that you never opened…Think about designer clothes, shoes, and purses.”

“I began…listing unused merchandise in our home. I also sold used books, DVDs and CDs…I was making decent money from junk I could barely give away at yard sales!…I cleared out our closets and sold items collecting dust. I began reselling clearance merchandise…,” said Jessica Kirby, eBay PowerSeller that shared her tips for selling on eBay last month!

I hope these ideas get your eBay selling kick-started! I actually need to list some items myself and plan to sit down to do so after returning from some travel this week. I’d love to hear your own tips for finding items to sell on eBay, so please, share them in the comments below!

Bonus eBay Mother’s Day Info!

As you know, Mother’s Day is coming up and eBay has a lot going on to celebrate the mamas in your life! Some of what you’ll find includes:

• Mother’s Day Twitter party on May 1 (from 12-2 PT)
• Mother’s Day Gift Guide, plus a reference for items to sell right now as well!
• Facebook Photo Sweepstakes
• eBay Flowers Promotion – Buy ProFlowers through eBay and get $10 to spend on eBay (4/18 – 5/12)

Cool, huh? Don’t forget to share your ideas in the comments below for finding items to sell on eBay and your experience in selling!

Disclosure: ModernMami.com is a member of the eBay Parent Panel, a compensated program.

Photo: Mary Anne Enriquez/Flickr

This month, as part of my eBay Parent Panel participation, I decided to chat with a local Orlando blogger who sells on eBay regularly and gain her insight and tips for selling on eBay.

Jessica Kirby is a self-described eBay guru who shares tips on her blog, The Unemployed Mom. When she isn’t focused on eBay, you’ll find her running all over downtown Orlando and/or enjoying the Central Florida theme parks.

I asked Jessica a few questions about her experience with selling on eBay and becoming an eBay PowerSeller. Read on to learn how you can get started selling on eBay and find out Jessica’s eBay selling tips.

How did you get started selling on eBay? What kind of items did you start selling?

I began selling over 10 years ago by listing unused merchandise in our home. I also sold used books, DVDs and CDs on eBay’s partner site, Half.com which helped me establish feedback. I was making decent money from junk I could barely give away at yard sales! That’s when it clicked and my obsession began. I cleared out our closets and sold items collecting dust. I began reselling clearance merchandise and was amazed at my success level.

What do you currently sell?

I have an eBay store  that is open 24/7 and sell a variety of items such as antiques, vintage clothing, high-end fashion, brand name clothing and accessories. I am a Top Rated PowerSeller always looking for profitable merchandise.

How do you find items to sell on eBay? Do you sell a lot of items from around your house?

I still sell items in my home (books and CDs on half.com, clothing, shoes and toys). I also hit yard sales every weekend because “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure,” as well as thrift stores. Clearance racks are another place I find eBay merchandise to resell.

What advice would you give a beginner wishing to sell on eBay?

If someone is interested in selling on eBay, I would recommend understanding the selling process and fees prior to getting started. I encourage those interested in having a successful experience to take the free tutorials and read the starting out information available on eBay.

Also, recognize that eBay does take a lot of time (finding merchandise that sells, researching products, understanding international shipping policies and forms, taking photos, listing your auction, packaging and shipping merchandise, tracking the delivery, etc.). A lot of people assume eBay is easy, but there really are a lot of steps involved when it comes to completing a sale.

Establishing feedback is vital, too! A seller MUST have credibility in order to be successful. My advice for establishing feedback is to sell items you no longer use. As I previously mentioned, another fantastic way to establish feedback is by selling media items via Half.com.

One last thought is to find experienced eBay bloggers who share tips online. This can be a fantastic way to learn about selling and find answers to questions you may have. I provide eBay tips on my blog and love helping others succeed. I also encourage my readers to email topics they’d like to learn more about.

Do you think it’s possible to earn a full-time income by selling on eBay?

Absolutely! It all comes down to finding the right product, having the time and putting in the effort.

eBay allows me to stay home and raise my son. With that said, it is nearly impossible to concentrate on eBay during the day since my focus is on him. Also, my husband is a huge help when it comes to shopping, taking photos, and going on “daddy duty” when I need to concentrate on my business.

I think it is more realistic for a new seller to set small goals such as using eBay to pay for a child’s birthday party or an upcoming vacation. The sky is the limit, it all depends on how much effort a seller is willing to put into it. Also, finding the right merchandise AND successful advertising methods is key.

Thanks Jessica for your input and sharing your tips from your successful eBay business! If you want to connect with Jessica, you can find her on Twitter or Facebook. You can also check out Jessica’s eBay store, like her eBay store Facebook Page and follow her eBay tips on Twitter.

Disclosure: ModernMami.com is a member of the eBay Parent Panel, a compensated program.

Photo: Jessica Kirby