Sell your art, promote your work and make a profit

Selling art on eBay is (if you will excuse the pun) an art form in its self. If you browse the auction listings on eBay many will appear to be quite hit an miss as to what sells and it can seem difficult to find out what sells. However there are many things that can be done to every time you list to give you the very best chance at success.

1. A picture is the most important thing.

It goes with out saying that Art is visual - you must have good quality photos of your paintings in you listing. If you painting is on a canvas take a photo, photograph side views and even a photo of the back of the canvas. Take a couple of detailed close up photos too. Buyers like to see brush marks and details of texture/fine detailed work.

2. Start at a reasonable Price

I am not suggesting you start really high but don't undersell your self. Listing a painting at .99 only ever works for sellers with a massive following. Take a look at other auctions. Watercolour paintings of 7 x 5 can be sold for £10 - £20

3. Sound approachable in your Description

Try to write in sentences and sound approachable. Tell people that they are welcome to contact you if they have any questions. Thank people for viewing your art and ask them to place a bid.

4. Add a few pictures of your other listings

Ask people to view your other auctions. Tell the you have other paintings for sale and ask them to take a peek. A link for your buyers to click would be really effective here. If possible a couple of pictures of past paintings or pictures of other paintings you have on auction will encourage buyers to look at your other auctions rather than clicking away.

5. State your shipping costs

Buyers like to know exactly what they will have to pay. If shipping costs are visible on the listing it saves any problems later

6. Tell people to visit your about me page

Create an eBay about me page with things such as an artists statement, biography, gallery shows. Buyers like a bit of history behind a painting. Link to your website if you have one.

Make sure you put a link to your about me page in your listings.

7. Create combined shipping discounts

Offer discounted or free shipping for additional purchases. You can set this up automatically with in eBay which will the promote it for you in your listings. This will encourage buyers to purchase more than one painting at once.

8. Use good keywords in your title

Make sure you use relevant keywords in your titles. Most buyers start looking on eBay by typing something in to the search box.

A buyer will be more likely to search the words in a title like :

"CAT animal ORIGINAL PAINTING new ART watercolour"

Than:

"Art Painting Curled up for sleep look"

Your Title does not have to make sense or be a complete sentence.

Don't bother with words such as @look@ or funky or nice - people don't search these words. Also don't capitalise every word.

9. Keep buyers happy - offer a returns policy

Offer a returns service with in 7 days in original condition. You can state that P&p is non refundable if you want. People prefer to buy if they know their purchase is backed up.

10. State the size, state the size.

Always make sure you state the size of the painting, preferably at least twice. Believe it or not buyers do not always check the size of a painting before they bid. Make sure this important piece of information is clearly shown.

I hope this information help you with your eBay selling. There is some good money to be made out there. Give it a go.

Chris Clarkson is a professional artist who also advises artists on their careers and writes for Art Marketing Tips. Find out more about marketing your work online by visiting http://www.artmarketingtips.com

Source: www.isnare.com