We will continue with the heart of your ad in Part 2. Please see Part 1 for some advice on getting started.
Ad Title: Your title needs to be descriptive. Think of the last time you searched for an item on Ebay. Did you search vaguely or did you have something specific in mind? Most come to Ebay on a mission to find a product in particular. Instead of typing “math book” a bidder will type in “Saxon Math Grade 5”. Make sure your title tells exactly what you are selling. Do not waste space with a vague description or little quips like “look at me”. If you have the room and your product is brand new or like new, you may want to include that information. However, never forget to put the brand name of the product in the title of your auction’s ad.
Narrow the Search for You Bidder: In the description box you can add in specifics to your item. If that applies to your item it is a must to fill it in. With thousands of little girl dresses listed, bidders will narrow their search to exactly what they want.
Item Description: We have landed on the most important part of your auction’s ad. The item description is what bidders are counting on to find the product they are searching for through thousands of ads. You want to be as specific as possible so your bidder will feel confident on bidding on your item. Bidders will bypass your auction if they feel they do not know exactly what they are bidding on. If they have to email you to ask a specific question then chances are many others who would have bidded have already bypassed your ad. So, if you get a question asking for more details allow it to be published to your ad for the benefit of others. You must also be honest in your description. Disclose everything you can think of and give as much information as you can so your bidder feels at ease.
For example, I sell a lot of books and curriculum on Ebay. My success in selling my items is due to my full disclosure and the amount of information I give. I disclose any tears, missing pages, bends, damage to cover, pencil marks, creases, wear and tear, and any shelf life wear and tear. In addition, I let the bidder know the full name and publisher of the book or text, the edition, if the set is complete, if more needs to be purchased, if it is Christian or secular, grade level, or anything relevant to using the curriculum or reading the book. I will inform the bidder what style of homeschooling is best suited for the curriculum and what my children thought of it. I highlight the positives and express like a friend over a cup of tea how much I enjoyed it and how much they will also enjoy it. I end with inviting them to bid on the item or begin by saying “you are bidding on” to put the bidder in bidding mode.