Creating Your Listing ~eBay

Creating Your Listing

OK, so you’ve figured out what sells. You’ve got your items together in one place and you’re ready to put your listings online. To list your item, you’ll need a great description, and good digital photographs.

Photos that Sell

Let’s start with the photographs. You don’t have to have a photo to sell an item, in fact, for some items, such as a booklet like this, how it looks isn’t as important. But for most things, photos are pretty crucial.

I’ve seen all kinds of photos used to sell items on eBay. People will sometimes “super size” their photo, or make it an animated “movie” where the picture flashes back and forth. Using such techniques on eBay will cost you more for your listing, so unless you have a high-ticket item and you think it needs a large photo or multiple angles to showcase it to best effect, I’d go with one or two simple, well-lit shots in a neutral or pleasant background. (Personally, I find those “super-size” photos actually detract from a listing, as it takes longer to load and can make the object too large to focus on in context).

One favorite place I’ve seen people use to photograph their items is on their backyard decks. Outdoor shots can give you a pretty, green, natural-contrast to your item, and the light is great. Or, if it’s dark or rainy out, or you don’t have a good deck or patio to use to display your item, use a simple blank wall, or back of your closet door. Choose a simple unadorned section of wall, or one nicely painted or texturized.

If it’s clothing, make sure enough of the item can be seen to give the bidder enough information to make a decision. For example, if you’ve got a shot from a few feet of a patterned dress, and you can’t quite make out the pattern, include an up-close shot of the pattern. But if you can capture your item in one clear, well-lit, inclusive photo, I’d go with one simple photo for your listing. It’s your cheapest option, and the bidder can always email you to ask for more information.

If you have the time, it’s best to include the following info:

Measurements:

- Questions I often get from prospective bidders about clothing are measurements: what is the waist measurement or inseam for pants? And what is the length, waist size for skirts? For dresses or shirts, what is the chest measurement, length, and/or neck size? So if you have time, include these facts as well. Or add “feel free to ask any questions” to your listing, and make a point of getting back to the person within a couple days when they do.

Fabric type.

- Is it cotton, wool, silk, rayon, linen? Or a blend? Is it easily washable or must it be dry cleaned? (hmmm…on second thought, you may not want to trumpet the fact that it needs to be dry cleaned! If you are asked, of course, then be honest!) ;)

Color:

- describe the color as closely as you can. Take a page from the catalog copywriters and use warm, attractive words to describe your item’s color, like “oatmeal” instead of “beige.”