eBay Ads? Tips, Tricks & Tonics!

[Last]

I've been thinking that perhaps a thread comprising of what people look for in an eBay ad. Like, lighting, indoor shots versus outdoor.

Does the time of the ad ending effect your way of bidding. Say Sunday v.s. Tuesday early morning as an example.

Types of picture layouts with your pics. Should or do you like enlargable pics in the ad. Placing a Picassa Slide Show in the ad?

What draws your attention to an ad's design other than what you're looking to purchase but what really draws you in?

What turns you off.

If this thread goes as I hope we will all get a better knowledge of how to list our ads as well as the best times to do so.

[barrydjuptight]

Cool idea. You're right about lighting - I've noticed for guits and amps particularly, those who take their pictures outside get higher bids.
Natural lighting flatters a guitar's finish much more than camera flashes or artificial lighting.
It's also easier to get accurate photos of any marks or dings outside to avoid problems.

[Justin_Case]

A good read

Top 10 Tips for Selling “it” on eBay | FutureNow's GrokDotCom / Marketing Optimization Blog

10 tips for persuasive eBay listings:

#1) A Sticky Headline — If you can’t write a strong headline, you might as well not bother. It’s your only hope for getting anyone to ever see what you’re selling. (Don’t forget to test your headlines.)

#2) Better Product Images — Having better-looking product images than other sellers will do wonders. In fact, 83 percent of eBay shoppers skip listings without images, while sites with galleries get 15% more activity and those with so-called super-size photos show a 24 percent spike in sales.The better photo wins every time. Consider this photo, for example. And remember that lighting control is essential, as well as these two other points about product photos on eBay:

* Place a product image by the headline. It’s the best way to grab attention to your headline. Remember, you’re trying to slow the bidder’s eye as she cans hundreds of similar listings. It costs virtually nothing to add a photo by the headline, you’ll get way more click-throughs, and it simply looks more professional. If you don’t have $0.35 for this critical feature, you’ll never get my attention. Don’t be penny-wise and pound-foolish!

* Show multiple views with close-ups. This article makes the point, so we won’t repeat ourselves. It’s especially important to show multiple views and close-ups while exaggerating product flaws (see tip #5).

#3) Outstanding, Original Copy — If you’re tempted to just cut-and-paste your way into persuasive sales copy, forget it. Your words matter. First of all, it’s obvious when sellers just use the same boilerplate copy from the manufacturer’s website, which may not even be good to begin with, that everyone else is using. Besides, using the manufacturer’s copy implies to me that the product is brand new and untouched.

Show some personality. Showing personality helps potential buyers to see you as real; it builds trust. Why did you buy this product in the first place? Why are you selling it? Have you sold any of these items before? Different people buy in different ways, so the words you choose, and how you choose to dispense them, are everything. Start with spontaneous, emotional copy at the beginning, then get more methodical toward the end when listing product details. The second half of this article offers good advice on how to write for different personality types.

#4) So, What’s the Catch? — Why do you have such a good deal? Oftentimes, the most persuasive thing you can do is to be completely transparent about your business model. Are you making tons of money by selling digital cameras in bulk? Did you buy too much for your brick and mortar store, and you’re selling the overstock? Is your wife making you sell the XBox before you get a Nintendo Wii, so you’ve set a low reserve just to move it (this happens). I want to know. Sorry, but saying “Lowest price on eBay, guaranteed!” means nothing.

#5) Exaggerate Flaws — This one may seem counterintuitive for the novice seller but it makes perfect sense and the best eBay sellers do it masterfully. If there’s a minor scratch on that DVD player you’re selling, zoom in on it enough in a separate photo to the point where it seems ridiculous that you’re apologizing for it in the first place. Overestimating flaws builds trust. Trust is what makes people bid.

#6) Accept PayPal – It’s been the eBay gold standard since 1998. If you don’t accept it, you’re not making things easy. I’m skeptical. In fact, offer as many payment options as possible. Get the cash (GTC)!

#7) Know How to Price — Hear about all those folks trying to sell iPhones on eBay for $1,000? How’s that working out? It’s not. In the world of eBay, your competitors are two clicks away, at most. Overestimate the market for your product, and you’ll never get that crucial first bid. Here’s how it’s done:

* Be aware of what it’s selling for elsewhere. Find out how much similar products are selling for and you’ll have a good idea of what you should expect to get for it. Then…
* Take the expected winning bid price and cut it in half. Shave off another 10% off, and you’ve got your reserve price. Think that’s crazy? Too low? Guess again. Studies have shown that bidding is what drives up the price. The more competition among bidders, the higher the winning bid. The only way to kick-start the bidding frenzy is by putting the floor well below the ceiling.
* If you’re willing to accept a price that’s around or below where it’s selling elsewhere on eBay, list that price as the “Buy It Now” and throw in “free” shipping. Now you’ve killed two birds with one stone. You’ve created a compelling offer and you’ve avoided the stigma of “shipping rape” (see #10). Free shipping is often the #1 driver when it comes to online promotions.

#8) Link to the Owner’s Manual — (Where applicable) link to the owner’s/user’s manual/instructions for your product. Feel free to borrow product details from here, just don’t use the manufacturer’s boring words Just don’t use this tip as a substitute for tip #3 above.

#9) Have a Star Rating Above 99% — If you have a star rating below 99%, that means you’ve upset too many people for me to feel comfortable buying. Sorry, but if you have a 100% rating and you’ve sold to less than 100 people, I’m still not confident; it’s not a true 100%. If you’ve sold to thousands of people and have a 98% rating, your “success rate” means nothing.

#10) No Shipping Extortion — Last, but not least, some eBay sellers lose their minds when it comes to shipping. Do you think we’re stupid? Um, no, it doesn’t cost $15 to ship from a one-pound package from Kansas to Brooklyn within 10 days. If it costs $5 to ship it from China, why must I pay $25 to ship it in “4-6 weeks” from California? And, by the way, I’m receiving the package, so I often how much you’ve paid the very moment I get it. Try this, and the only one you’ll fool is yourself.

eBay sellers: I’ve still got one last free corner of space in my apartment. Please help me fill it with stuff! The quicker it fills, the quicker I’ll clear it out by selling on eBay and then have all sorts of free space to fill up with new eBay purchases!

[DRF]

-Yeah,a non smarmy good description. Guys with one sentence suck.
-If to Canada shipping,a calculator AND EXACTLY whom the carrier will be. Preferably
U.S.P.S. ...UPS=forget it.
-Good feedback
-Paypal option

I've paid $200 more than a similarily(exact) listed guitar at same time,just because the seller I chose did the above.

[JM Vasek]

Originally Posted by DRF

-Yeah,a non smarmy good description. Guys with one sentence suck.
-If to Canada shipping,a calculator AND EXACTLY whom the carrier will be. Preferably
U.S.P.S. ...UPS=forget it.
-Good feedback
-Paypal option

I've paid $200 more than a similarily(exact) listed guitar at same time,just because the seller I chose did the above.

+1

The guys with a long, unbroken paragraph are just as bad. How about a concise yet detailed description of the guitar and any flaws with bullets regarding features. Is it that hard?

I much prefer the outdoor pictures, especially if the guitar has a transparent finish. Lots of detailed pictures. I know they cost extra. I also know your guitar won't sell if it's an R9 with one blurry picture from five feet away.

Paypal is pretty much a must as well, as much as I hate fees.