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Top Ten Tips to Writing Better Titles
Date: Wednesday November 19, 2008
I can never stress enough how important the title is to your auction success. I haven't seen any published reports but I believe that most buyers on eBay search by title. I do--I very rarely search by category. I would estimate that 90% of all auctions are found by a title and/or description search.
Tip #1--There are 55 characters in your title--USE EVERY SINGLE ONE
Or get as close as you can. It drives me crazy when I see a title that is short. A title should be as long as it possibly can be.
Here are two examples of titles that need work that I actually just copied off of eBay: I will do a title makeover for both of these at the end of the article.
1. This is the title of the first auction: Ceramic Vase
Here is the description: Beautiful Vase. Stands 10" tall. Cream/yellow color. With flowers and verticle line design. Base measures 4 3/4". Top opening oval shape 7 5/16" by 4 7/8".
Good/great condition. No chips. Glaze has small amount of "crackling effect" near base due to aging process.
Bottom marking: USA
2. This is the title of the second auction: thimbles and a vase
Here is the description: 11 thimbles and 1 vase thimbles 9 have pictures of birds
Tip #2--Use Eras
Many collectors search by era. Some of the more popular ones are Eames, Victorian and Mission. For more information on eras, please reference How to Sell Antique & Collectibles on eBay....and Make a Fortune. Pages 78-84 and 112-119.
Tip #3--Name Colors
I know that when I shop on eBay, a lot of the time I am looking for a specific item in a specific color. My son wanted a white suit for Easter (as you may recall) and I searched by white suit and his size when I found it to buy on eBay. I did not spend hours scrolling through the category "boys clothing". Get the most important or dominant color in your title.
Here is an example of a plate with no maker's marks that sold for quite a bit due to my title. I listed the colors and named the animal. Click here to see what it sold for.
Pottery Plate Bunny Rabbit Dedham Blue Brown Vintage
Tip #4--Manufacturer's name is a must
Again, this is very important. Many people collect by manufacturer--think Fenton, Steiff and Boyds Bears. Also, when purchasing clothing customers have brand names that they prefer for example, Gucci, Old Navy and Ralph Lauren. Don't forget this important component of your title.
Tip #5--Identify the pattern
Identifying your pattern is also critical to your success. Whether it is a china, flatware, bedding or linen pattern--it must be in the title. Also, clothing manufacturers release certain collections--get that collection name in the title.
Tip #6--Identify Size
When I buy clothes for my kids and myself on eBay, I always search by size. No sense in just searching for a pink girls dress for Indy if it won't fit her. I often search with "pink dress girls 8" or "pink girl* dress m*". (The asterisk acts as a wild card so that anything following will also be brought up in a search: girl* will bring up girl, girl's, girls, etc.) Put the size in your title.
Here is a photo of a shirt that I just sold on eBay. Notice how I put M in the title for the size. Click here to see what it sold for.
Filson 865 Original Wool Shirt Mens M Navy Burgundy
This even makes sense for pottery and glassware. If you have a huge vase--call it huge or big. If it is miniature call it like it is.
Tip #7--Identify Condition
If there is room, it is a nice idea to mention condition. Especially if your item is mint or mwt (mint with tags) or brand new. Sometimes, I will even put As Is in the title just in case someone is looking for a fixer upper project or wants to repair china.
Tip #8--List Quantity
If you are selling 6 plates or 2 knives in one auction--spell it out in the title. As you will see in the title makeover that I do for the thimbles, the quantity would have garnered more interest than just thimbles and a vase. 11 thimbles or LOT Thimbles gets my attention. Also, if I am just selling one dinner plate, I will often say 1 in the title. This way there is no misunderstanding.
Tip #9--Identify the Material
What is your item made out of? Is it glass, resin, cashmere, plastic, wood or cement? This is an important search term. If I am looking to buy a cotton shirt, I will search by cotton shirt.
Tip #10--Imagine Yourself as the Buyer
The one thing that I do before writing any title is to quickly think about it from the buyer's point of view. If I was looking for this specific item, what words would I put into a title search? This way I come at it from the opposite direction. For example, if I am selling a pink vase what would a buyer be looking for? Possibly, wide mouthed glass vase pink hobnail Fenton Vintage WOW--I think and type in 55 characters now--it does amaze me. That was just 55 exactly! Remember that the spaces do count as a character.
FINALLY--Remember that the title is to get them to the page where your item is listed with other items that have those same few searched-for words. Once they are there, a WOW or a Nice or a Beautiful can get them to click on your auction before someone else's. Do not underestimate the power of a good adjective! Title Makeover:
1. Old Title: Ceramic Vase
Here is the description:
Beautiful Vase. Stands 10" tall. Cream/yellow color. With flowers and verticle line design. Base measures 4 3/4". Top opening oval shape 7 5/16" by 4 7/8".
Good/great condition. No chips. Glaze has small amount of "crackling effect" near base due to aging process.
Bottom marking: USA
New Title: Lovely CreamWare Ivory Ceramic Vase USA Vintage Floral
54 characters
2. Old title: thimbles and a vase
Description: 11 thimbles and 1 vase thimbles 9 have pictures of birds
New Title: Lot 11 Thimbles Porcelain Birds White Vintage Bonus WOW
55 characters--and I didn't advertise the vase because it wasn't relevant--it was more like a gwp (gift with purchase) or bonus.
Final Hint:
By the way, that one auction for the thimbles could easily be purchased at the low starting bid of $14.99 and the 11 thimbles broken out and sold separately for more money--I would guess $4.99 to $9.99 out of an eBay store. Look for short titles when you are buying for resale on eBay.
Do you see the importance of your title in generating interest in your auctions? Auction titles with effective search terms and adjectives which generate interest will result in more auction views and higher bids.
The Queen of Auctions and eBay Power Seller, Lynn Dralle, publishes 'eBay Tips & Tricks' a weekly ezine with 9000+ subscribers. If you're ready to jump start your eBay business, make more money and have more free time, get your FRE E tips now at www.thequeenofauctions.com
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