Write Effective Copy for Your eBay Listings

After you have decided what you will sell and how much you will sell it for, you will have to write a description that fully describes your product and entices potential buyers to bid on it.

It is important to describe your item or service as descriptively and accurately as possible, including

any imperfections. If you hide irregularities or damage from a buyer, he or she will find out once the item is received and could levy negative feedback against you. If you have drastically misrepresented the item, the buyer could even file an official complaint with eBay, which can result in your seller account being suspended or revoked.

When you are sitting down to write auction copy, try and put yourself in the mindset of a buyer. Think about what information you'd need to make a decision about bidding on or buying an item, and use this as a guide to what to include in your listing. At the very least, include information such as color and texture, size or dimensions, brand or manufacturer, year the item was made, and condition (new, used, broken, and any additional information specific to your item that makes it special or unique). Above all, make sure your descriptions — especially of the item's condition — are accurate.

Many sellers misuse terms like "rare" and "antique," hoping to generate interest in their auctions. But don't use these words in your auctions if they are not accurate; this will only serve to disappoint and alienate potential bidders. If your item is, in fact, rare or antique, say so in your title or description.

Your description is a chance for you to connect with bidders, so don't scare them off with outrageous demands. Listings that discourage new eBayers from bidding or have excessively strict payment requirements may be cutting themselves off from a large segment of potential buyers. Strive for a friendly, professional tone that will inspire confidence in a reader.

Your description should also include your accepted methods of payment, shipping cost, and your return policy in your item description. Do not use words like "wow" or "fantastic" in your auction titles. Searchers aren't looking for these terms, so you are much better off using every character of your title to describe the item. Think of every related term someone might look for when looking for an item like yours, and include as much information as you can.

When you are done, take the time to proofread your listing. A description rife with errors will not inspire confidence in your readers.