We've all heard those stories of successful eBay sellers making hundreds of thousands of dollars. And you say to yourself, how in the world do they do it? Then you wonder if what you've heard is even true. Yes, there are people making tons of money on eBay and other auction sites. Some are making millions, but they've worked hard and learned what works and what doesn't.

Terri Jay earns $2,000 to $3,000 per month just by selling junk. On eBay, Jay not only sells stuff she isn't using; she hits up local thrift stores on 99-cent days, garage sales and tack sales, looking for things of which she knows the value. She says her best sale was for a drink tray from the 70s; she paid 25 cents for it and it sold for $87.

If you've never tried your hand at selling through online auctions, or you have tried without much luck—here are a few secrets to get you on path of making online auction selling a success:

1. Invest in a digital camera. People want to see an image of what you have to offer and more pictures you post, the better. Don't forget to photograph any imperfections or flaws.
2. Time your auctions. If you are selling to people in the United States, list your auctions when they are likely to be online to see it. Weekdays during the early evenings is a good time to have your auctions expiring.
3. Use attention-grabbing techniques. Using capitol letters for an important feature in the title is a free and good way to grab attention. All capitol letters make it difficult to read. eBay has many tools to make your auctions stand out. Of course, it’s a little extra, but it may be worth it to have your auction stand out from the crowd.
4. Keep up with trendy items. Know what the latest trends are and be on the lookout for deals at garage sales, thrift and discount stores.
5. Optimize your listings. Use keywords in your title and descriptions so they'll show up in search engine results.

You are not going to become successful at eBay overnight. It takes commitment and hard work. However, if you stick with it and develop your reputation, it is possible to make a good second income, which can develop full-time employment working for yourself.