Publishing a Site about Internet auctions brings the requisite number of questions from friends and relatives who ask, “Can you show me how to do online auctions?” Thanks to Nancy L. Hix, I now have the perfect answer: Buy her book.

“The Business Guide to Selling Through Internet Auctions” is a comprehensive, yet simple to understand, field guide to online auctions. The core of the book is a 7-step strategy for online selling that ranges from selecting a product and choosing an appropriate auction Site to successfully completing a transaction. Note that this book is geared to businesses of any size, large or small, and is useful to individuals as well.

For the novice, there are explanations of how feedback works, keeping image sizes manageable, and tips for a successful auction listing.

This is not a book that will collect dust as you become more experienced, either. There are great tips that are generally touched upon only in discussion forums, such as double-boxing fragile items for shipping, what happens if an item you’re selling is shut down by VeRO (eBay’s Verified Rights Owners), and a quick and easy way to keep your images from being hijacked.

The appendices make a great reference tool if you’re looking for a specific type of auction Site (C2C, B2C, B2B), image uploaders and HTML builders. There are also strategy worksheets that can be used to figure out who your target market is and who your major online competitors are.

This is a well-organized book that you’ll want to keep close to your computer for reference should a question or a problem arise. Chances are, you’ll find the answer in this book.

The Business Guide to Selling Through Internet Auctions: How to Implement a Structured Marketing Plan for Selling to Consumers and Other Businesses, by Nancy L. Hix, Published by Maximum Press (Gulf Breeze FL) 2001. 562 pp http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1885068735/auctionbytescom