Selling Art on Ebay Part 4: Auction Listings

[valeagrl1]

Hi TET. Can u explain? I don't understand how someone can make $ relisting your item in another catagory. How can someone else sell YOUR item? LOL I don't understand. Thanks... Cheers

[etourist2]

A fairly extreme example is probably the best way to explain... I list my painting in a category for sculpture (by some freak mistake). No one viewing sculpture is going to be interested in a painting. Another seller notices my painting and thinks - I can buy this on the first bid because it's unlikely to get other bidders. They win the auction then relist your painting in a painting category. 5 people looking to buy a painting see yours. A bidding war follows. The seller makes a profit.

[etourist2]

Whilst this example is fairly extreme inexperienced sellers list their items in poorly chosen categories all the time. Other sellers, who know the item would be popular if listed in a more appropriate category (along with better worded descriptions, headings etc.) take advantage of the original sellers inexperience. Hopefully that helps to clarify the point for you. - TET

[valeagrl1]

Thanks TET!!! cheers!

[laurabarbosaart]

awesome!

[zeelove8]

BTW, great work, very unique style, wimisical, much like story book work, i love it, keep creating....

i will suscribe to ur site, u give wonderful advise, thanxs, much appreciated..***:)

[etourist2]

Thank you. Don't let me put you off trying to sell your art on ebay. The purpose of all my videos was really to dis spell the myth that ebay is 'easy money' and to provide a more realistic look at what to expect. Ebay takes time to build a business - the same as if you were trying to sell your art through any online site whether that be your own site or a site like Etsy or Boundless Galleries

[zeelove8]

thanxs for the goldmine advise, its sooooo helpful, an an now i really know, ebay is very hard i already know that from experiance, not art but othere things, but art is my real love an ive always wondered, thanxs agian, u will have good karma for helping all us unknow artist:)

[Volv093t]

cool video, is this what u do for a living?

thanks man

[etourist2]

Yes, it's one of many things I do for a living and has been one of the most profitable (though don't go thinking I'm making millions, I just mean I do manage to sell my work quite frequently).

[lepetitdancer]

So, just out of curiosity, how much would you make per month selling your art alone?

[etourist2]

Currently nothing but when I was producing art regularly, I listed four artworks per month with opening bids of approx AU$50 each and would sell all four. Not always on the opening bid but more often than not. After expenses it's still a reasonable profit but like I've said through out my whole ebay series - selling art on ebay is not easy money for unknown artists.

[lepetitdancer]

Hey, thanks. You've given me alot to think about. I think I'm still gonna give it a try. How'd you market yourself?

[etourist2]

Marketing's a whole other big subject. Start by getting your keywords and auction listings right for people searching for your type of art on ebay. After that, use your online and offline social networks. Just let everyone know you're selling your art on ebay (but try not to spam) - start an email newsletter etc. if you're going to list regularly. A mailing list is important for any artist who wants to communicate with their collectors. Use Youtube to show off your art. Best of luck.

[taffy402]

Thank you its been very helpful

[etourist2]

Glad you found it useful :)

[060188bd]

when i paint on canvas i paint to the edges. and i have seen people that paint on the sides of there canvas too, but your the first iv seen to leave a boarder around the painting very original. nice work.

[etourist2]

Thanks. I started leaving a border because I found that often when I framed my artworks important details around the edges got covered by the frame (I used to work a lot in chalk pastels which needs to be framed behind glass). Now that I work in acrylics only, I don't need to frame my artworks but I think the white border looks nice all the same.

[060188bd]

yer it does look good. i was just wondering what catagorie do you put your work in on ebay, i have put mine under... art> self representing> painting> acrylic. does that mean people have to chose all them things to find my work? because when i try and find it its way down the list, and hardly any one has looked at my stuff?

[etourist2]

I list in that same category but I also list in a second category that relates to the subject of my work (something like Art > Paintings > Animals - not sure of the exact category but most of my paintings feature animals,hence the category). Yes people do have to choose all those links to find your work which is why you should pay close attention to keyword rich auction titles. Less competition and more people look for things via search than browsing categories.

[sellingartonline]

Great information about selling art on ebay.

[etourist2]

Thanks for saying so. Hope it was useful.

[etourist2]

Thanks for saying so. Hope it was useful.

[iOlliei]

Thank you! you are a very good artist!

[larrym001]

I have tried ebay. However, the paintings coming from the orient are sold for so very little, there seems to be no place to compete. Anyone have the same experience?

[etourist2]

Certainly listing on ebay is a competitive market but how much do you promote your listings outside of ebay? Do you list and then do nothing until the auction ends? It doesn't matter where you sell you'll always be competing with someone else's art.

[spectre888]

They are not high for a gallery, but considering they virtually so nothing for you they are high.

[JMJ68]

ebay sucks I sold paintings on there for 4 year the fees are to high & just keep going up & up & I was getting $100 - $500 each !!!! ebay is ther only for buyers not the sellers

[etourist2]

Maybe it's just me but I don't find ebay's fees unreasonably high at all. I've heard a few people complain about the fees and I wonder if it is because they didn't factor them into their costs. Compared to gallery commission fees ebay's final value fees are more than reasonable.

[CobiCobe]

Yes it is.. I'm having a go at it right now. I haven't tried ebay yet, I don't think my style would be successful there.. but I do have a question for you I'll PM you

[etourist2]

You never know. Just because you're selling on ebay doesn't mean you have to limit your promotions to ebay users. I promote from my web site and to my mailing list as well. Feel free to PM me with questions by all means.

[sherriwestfall]

Wonderful video! I truly appreciate your gift to youtube artists! Your videos are a wealth of information. You share your knowledge, and I think thats awesome!5*'s

Working artists should check out your network!

[etourist2]

Thanks. I do like to share this kind of information because it's the kind of thing I would've liked to hear in my own research. Being a self represented artist is hard work.

[Annbroy]

Thank you for taking the time to make these videos. It was very helpful.

[etourist2]

Good to hear. I'm just glad I finally got this last one done :)

[pcloopy]

succinctly done. Ever considered an Ebay store?

[etourist2]

I have but I don't feel I create enough art to be viable. Plus it seems like I'd be doubling up on my web site. I'll probably consider it again when I have a stronger market for my work.