I am not the brightest crayon in the pack; I won't become independently wealthy selling online or even make my living there. I sell online because I enjoy it. It's like putting a big puzzle together and just as you get a sense of accomplishment at seeing the puzzle completed, I get that same feeling when I see my research, ad writing, photo-taking and data maintenance pay off in the form of a sale.
This year I really haven't done as much as I have in the past years. Working part time really messed me up. Every time I'd get going good working on the computer, it was time to go to work. Luckily I'm able to do a little bit on the computer at work, but not much; my data is all at home, my photos are all at home, and the work computer is dial-up, very slow dial-up, so it's hard to download anything without taking a nap in between.
In 2006 I sold 107 items. Last year it was 133, including 2 church organs, 50 choir robes and boxes of hymn books. This year I've sold only 60 items, but I've made over $1000. That was very fun, very challenging, and helps to pay for some upcoming wedding necessities!
I've had sites at eBay & Auctiva, Bonanzle, eCrater, and Amazon. Can you believe I've sold stuff on Amazon? I currently have ads on Facebook, MySpace, Ning, and Live Spaces and am investigating new avenues to add for next year. I've learned (with advise from Lindsey) how to maintain and manipulate data in Excel, tracking sites, purchase costs, shipping, seller fees, and of course, profits. I've learned about marketing, use of adwords, writing good copy, setting up web sites, and how to use PayPal and Google Checkout as both merchant and buyer.
Some days my mind is going in circles and some days I revel in the thrill of the self-imposed stress of keeping up with everything at once. Maybe I'm a Type A person. Whatever. All I know is I like it, it keeps me thinking and planning and growing, and it makes me very happy.
Isn't that, really, the bottom line?!
