Listing your first ever item on eBay is a little bit like going to the gym for the first time: you just can't get past that mental block telling you it'll be too hard. The good news is selling on eBay is super easy. Read on as I show you how you can get your item listed in 9 simple steps, and earn some cash fast!

Step 1. Log on to eBay.com and click the Sell tab which is located on the top right-hand side of any eBay page. If you haven't already got an account, setting one up is free and easy. Click here to register.

Step 2. Use the What's it Worth? tool to determine how much you can expect your item to sell for. When you're done, click Start Selling.

Step 3. Select which category your item will sell under. To do this, you can either browse through categories or enter keywords into the 'finding a matching category' search bar and eBay will generate results for you. For example, if I want to sell a microwave, I'll type in 'microwave' and eBay will generate a whole bunch of categories which I can choose from. I'll choose Countertop Microwaves as that's the most relevant category for me. Which category you select will determine what options you have next, but you will usually have to:

Step 4. Write a title. Think carefully about the keywords you want to use and remember that great listing titles will not only get buyers interested, they will help to push your listing to the top of potential buyers search results. You can only use 55 characters in your title so use them wisely!

Step 5. Bring your item to life with photos. Photos are super important to making sales on eBay. It's proven that buyers who have at least 3 photos sell far more than those with less. eBay makes it super easy to upload these. Best of all, it's free to list your first one.

Step 6. Write an item description. Give as much information about the item as possible. Tell buyers the measurements, condition, faults or imperfections, brand name, age and warranty information. Get some ideas by looking through eBay's completed listings (under advanced search, on the right of the search tool bar) to see what listing's were successful and sold (listed in green under completed listings) and which didn't (listed in red).

Think of a description as an opportunity to "sell" your item. Show potential buyers how they can use it, how buying the item will solve a problem for them or fill a need they might have.

Step 7. Choose how you would like to sell your item, either as an Online Auction (great for items which have an uncertain value or are in high demand) or as a Fixed Price listing (great for items which are an obvious bargain which you want to sell quickly). Then enter your Starting Price and/or Buy It Now. If you chose an auction format, select your auction length. You can choose between a 3, 5, 7 or 10 day listing. I recommend a 7 day auction as it gives buyers plenty of time to find your auction and of course, the more people who see it, the more bids you will get!

Step 8. Confirm how you would like to be paid and which shipping options you will offer such as international, overnight courier etc

Step 9. Click List Your Item to post your listing on eBay!