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Selling Your Crafts Through eBay
by Paul Duxbury
Selling on eBay has become a popular phenomenon. Many a time I've heard people
mention that they bought their latest gadget from no other then eBay. For the
craft lover who doesn't know where to begin marketing their crafts, eBay would
be a good start. It is the best way to get the broadest audience's attention.
eBay goes beyond your backyard and reaches people all over the world. With their
advanced search engine, it allows someone who may be looking for a particular
item to go straight to what their looking for.
For those who have heard of eBay but not actually gone searching, this is how it
works. For a first time seller, you must create an eBay account which includes
your name, address and credit card number (secure site). Once you've filled in
the online forms, you will have your own seller account which will list your auctions.
Each time you want to check your sales, you must log in with a screen name and
password. When selling an item, you will go through a series of pages describing
your item for sale. To top it off, you will upload a picture onto the auction
site for others to view your craft. When listing a craft, you will be charged an
initial fee which is a set amount for the listed price. For example: If you list
a craft for .99 cent, your initial fee will be .25 cent. If you list an item
from $1.00-9.99, your initial fee will be .35 cent and so on. Once your item has
sold, you will also be charged a "final value fee." This is calculated by a
percentage of what your craft actually sold for.
If someone likes your craft they will put a bid on it. If someone else comes
along and wants the same craft, they will put a higher bid on it. At the end of
the auction which is generally seven days, the highest bidder wins.
eBay also offers eBay stores, which allow you to sell many items in an online
store. When listing an item, you usually list a BIN (Buy it Now) price. There is
no auction involve. In your online store, you can list prices as well as
pictures of the item. This is a good route to go if you plan on selling multiple
items of different colors, shapes or use.
Be sure to list pictures. People love to see pictures of the items their bidding
on. You even have the option of placing multiple pictures on your auction site.
Try to get different angles when taking pictures. Get close-ups of any detailed
work. When taking the picture, be sure to get it in the right lighting and best
background. Appearance sells!
When listing a price at auction, it's best to start low. This will attract more
buyers to your item. If someone is interested in your craft and they want to
watch it to see the bids being placed on it, they can put it in their "watch."
You will know how many people are taking interest in your item because the
number of watches shows up beside the item in your account.
When listing your craft, be sure to give plenty of detail. If there is a default
in the craft, make sure you explain that in the description. Also describe the
color and the size of the item. If you sell it in various colors, explain this
to the potential buyer. Some people are looking for a certain color and you want
to be open to them. If they like your item, they might come back for more in the future.
eBay isn't for everyone. Sales are made by pay pal, cashiers check or even
person checks, whatever you're willing to accept. And the only communication
that generally transpires between the seller and buyers is through email.
The most important thing to remember when getting started is to be honest about
the item, and explain the craft in detail. People want to know all there is
about an item that they may purchase. Explain the texture if you're selling
something that is wearable. Let them know about the special detail you've put
into a painting. And if you're expertise is pottery, elaborate on the special
colors used for the craft.
If you want to find out more about Starting a Home Based Craft Business you can at
Craft and Home Business Ideas
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