Ebay's ban on the sale of Digital Downloads has had a dramatic effect on sellers of ebooks and software. Now, the only place you can promote digital goods is via eBay's Classified Ads which at the moment are only available on ebay.com - the US eBay.

Even though digital goods can be promoted through eBay Classified Ads, there are still quite a few restriction. For instance, you can't have extrenal links, opt-in forms and Paypal buttons.

You can include contact details in the form of telephone numbers and contact email links so all in all not a lot. However, quite a few people are still including links, opt-in forms and Paypal buttons. They run the risk of having their accounts suspended but until eBay come out and make it plain for all to see just what their rules are, you can't blame them. I take the risk myself. I use Classified Ads to build my opt-in lists. I shouldn't include opt-in forms in my ads but I am doing at the moment.

I have found eBay's Classified ads to be one of the best ways to build lists. I do it by giving away free ebooks. To do this, decide upon a niche and write or find an ebook or piece of software relevant to the niche. Upload this to your website or or if you don't have one, use one of the free file storage sites, you'll find them on Google.

For your opt-in list you NEED an autoresponder, you can get free ones but they do have limitations, or paid for autoresponders which are reasonably priced and offer far more features and versatility.

Having got your free giveaway and autoresponder you now need to create your Classified Ad. Describe the free product in glowing term like you would if you were actually selling it for money. At the end of your item description, inform the reader that they can get the free item by sending you a blank email.

For them to send you a blank email, you need to place your autoresponder address link for them to click on. Or you could place an opt-in form (supplied by your autoresponder) at the end of your listing and take a risk on eBay ending your listing. As mentioned earlier, a lot of people are doing this - it's entirely your choice.

That basicaly is it, I publish a FREE eBook called FAST TRACK TO EBAY CASH which covers this subject in more detail. You can get it >HERE< for FREE.