I think any form of off camera flash will help massively be it ebay gear or more expensive equiptment.
The thing I love it the extra scope it gives to be more creative and really come up with some awesome shots, ima member on a few of the strobist groups on flickr and they are great esp when you read the info regarding the set up of the shot, where they placed the lights etc etc, must admit ive foudn its a bit of trial and error
I would like to get another softbox for my lights but a letter box style one as the octa one is great but its fecking massive and can be a bit of a pain to move etc