1. Tell it's Story: Customers gravitate to vintage and antique merchandise for it's history. Tell the item's story and make it big. Did famous people own it? Did Don Draper have it on his desk in Mad Men? The details sell it!
2. Paint the Picture: Tell your customer exactly how their item will fit into their lives. You'll be surprised how suggesting a usage will help your item sell. Tell a customer the rock you're selling will make a nice bookend and it will sell!
3. Exact Dimensions: This applies to everything: rugs, furniture, clothes toys. Write the weight, lengths, and widths in your description. It's a pain, but it helps your customer decide whether it will work for them.
4. Precise and/or Playful Title: Research what you're selling to make sure the item's title is precise. I've noticed my playful titles like "The Magical Unicorn" sell fast. I make my titles playful yet informative as a happy medium. Example: Sunshine Yellow Mid Century Modern Serving Tray.
5. The Power of Photos: Even when selling in a store, photos sells things! I staged a Thanksgiving spread (seen here) with my vintage plates and attached the photos to my plates. They all sold! Photos are paramount when selling online. I have photography tips if you need help taking clear, bright photos of your merchandise.
Did I leave anything out, resellers? What are your tips for increasing sales?
Great tips! I'm really finding lots of wonderful information on your blog. So helpful, I really really appreciate it!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad it helps :)
DeleteYou are so totally right on Van. I sometimes get caught up in power listing and don't take the time to really craft an excellent title/description. I've noticed that when relisting stuff sometimes just changing the title (adding in key words or making it more interesting sounding) or rewriting the description can make an item sell. Thanks for the great tips! :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I'm the same way when listing on Craigslist (where I do all my online selling...for now.) When I take my time and craft a stellar title/description and take pictures of the item IN USE in the house it WILL sell at the price I want it to.
DeleteTakes work to make that money, we can't half-ass it ;p
Good ideas, it's true, I've noticed when I make suggestions in my listings or have titles like "Pretty in Pink", those items at least get looked at more often, not only purchased.
ReplyDeleteI'm on craigslist so I don't check stats yet, but that's nice to know!
DeleteI love the idea of playful titles. I have some yellow emalox that I am about to put on ebay, and I will use "Sunshine Yellow" - it just sounds like how you would want to dress your table :-)
ReplyDeleteTry it, it works. And it makes writing descriptions less mundane.
DeleteCouldn't agree with you more. Good photos make or break a sale when selling online. Make people "want" your stuff and they will be back to buy it when they have the means.
ReplyDeleteGood to have confirmation from an experienced Etsy seller :)
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