Your Auction Title Can Bring You Success or Failure©

by Cheryl L. Coccaro

Well, you have decided to start selling on eBay - congratulations!

Let me ask you...are you ready for success or failure? What you put in your Auction Title can make or break the sale.

Let me tell you a story about my beginning selling adventure: Since my username on eBay is gypsy-woman., I created unusual titles that included the word "gypsy" in them. I had a motive in mind to intrigue the viewer to want to read my auction.

What would make my auction stand out from all the others? I needed a catchy title...a tease to encourage you to view my auction, or as they say...a hook!

Believe it or not, a bad title will turn your buyers away quicker than just about anything else. When you're trying to sell your jewelry, you need the viewers to stick around long enough to want to see your picture and read about your item. A bad auction title or written description will turn people off.

Your title is your very first opportunity to make a positive impression on your buyer. If that impression is a good one...informative, creative, and an exciting one, you're off to a very good start. Similarly, if that first impression is boring, worn-out, or confusing, your buyers probably won't even get beyond the first line. In one click, they are on to the next auction.

When writing auction titles, think about your audience. What would you search for if you were looking for the item you are putting up for auction? No matter who your audience is, your auction title should entice the reader to want to view your auction.

I used to say that the auction title needed to read correctly, like a short sentence which would flow from the lips easily, and give the reader some idea of what exactly the auction is about. Boy was I wrong! Yes, wrong.

Your auction title should contain all the words that one would use in a search for the item that you are selling. It doesn't have to make sense when reading it! At the same time, it should somewhat explain what the actual item is for sale...leaving nothing to doubt.

eBay gives you a certain set number of character spaces to complete your auction title. This is why in some auctions you will see L@@K or WOW! or any other number of useless characters in the auction title to fill up the space.

I suggest that you use this space to put meaningful words. Let me give you an example. Let's say you are selling a "Sterling Silver Fluorite Wire Wrapped Pendant". Putting exactly that is great, but another person might put "Purple Pendant Handcrafted".

This only tells the viewer that the pendant is Purple and is made by hand. One might not click on that auction, because it is not descriptive enough. Now, if you have seen one purple pendant made by hand and it wasn't made nicely, you would pass this auction right by.

Adding the words...Stunning, Beautiful, Gorgeous, Huge, Unique and One of a Kind would certainly be an addition to the title, which would entice the viewer. In my eBook I give you the POWER words which have been proven to entice the buyer to want to read more!

Beyond being clear and informative in your title, there are a few other enhancements you should use. Remember when you learned about rhyme in elementary school? Well, rhyme is very good creative tool for writing descriptions within your auction. A rhyming sentence is catchy and fun, almost compelling your reader to want to keep reading. You should also keep the sentences short. I offer suggestions and tips throughout my eBook telling you just how to do exactly that.

A good title gives your audience the idea that your article for sale has been carefully reviewed. If you are creating a fun auction, the viewer will want to continue reading. Everyone likes a good time, and something funny or even personal can be beneficial towards the sale of your creation.

Auctions that are entertaining, or offer all the information that one would need, give the buyer a feeling that all questions have been answered and even that the item created has the same thought process applied to it. That everything was carefully thought out and all details taken care of. A perfect professional work of art! If you are selling a necklace and you don't mention how long it is, most people won't scroll through your auction only to find that information missing. The next auction is just a click away!

Give your viewer everything that they need to make the decision...to Buy It Right Now, or place their bid.

Many times, you don't have the opportunity for a second chance. So let's get the title right, and let the auction fill in the rest of the blanks. You do want your first impression to lead to a sale? Of course, you do.