Ebay Strategy
I thought I would take a minute to address something that has cropped up over and over at the ACEO group:
STARTING PRICES on ACEOS. Disclaimer: These are my own thoughts and my strategy when selling - I don't expect anyone to adopt
this strategy or to agree with how I conduct my auctions.
First of all - Art is my therapy. I would be insane if I didn't paint. Above all else art has been one of the greatest gifts
life has given to me and I seek to honor that gift by trying my hardest to do my best work on everything I endeavour. Sometimes my
art ends up in the trash - but that doesn't mean it didn't have value. That piece that I don't really like taught me
something. Every botched piece of art is a lesson.
Second - The lack of rules when creating ACEOs and selling them allows me to be free to try new strategies and ideas.
Ok...here's where my ebay strategy comes into play:
I DO list ACEOs starting at a dollar.
Those 1.00 auctions often bring new bidders into the playing field. They also KEEP clients that I have had for years LOOKING at
and WATCHING my art. YES...I have sold ACEOs for just a BUCK! Call me foolish, but it is part of my strategy and
it has worked for me. When those clients receive their 1.00 ACEO and see the work that has gone into it, they COME BACK.
They WATCH and they bid and they REMEMBER that beautiful little piece of art that they got for a DOLLAR. They are watching
because they are hoping they can do it again. If an ACEO strikes their fancy after that, they are confident that if they have
to spend more they will be happy with their purchase.
I start some (not all) auctions at a dollar. If I don't get a bid within a couple of days I RAISE THE PRICE. Maybe I raise it
just a couple of bucks - maybe 5.00. I can keep raising the price of my ACEO until it gets a bid, or until the
end of the auction. Here's what raising the starting price does for me after the auction has begun:
Bidders that like my work and watch it begin to see a pattern. They will see that the price has gone from 1.00 to 5.00 and then up to 10.00.
Sometimes (this is something I need to do more regularly and I would advise doing with your own clients if you try this strategy),
I clearly state in the auction that the price of the ACEO may go up if the art doesn't get a bid within the first couple of days.
"NOTE: I will be listing some paintings with a low starting price. If it doesn't get a bid within the first
couple of days I may RAISE the price. BID NOW if you want to get in on a lower starting price! Make sure to WATCH my art - you MIGHT
get a BARGAIN!"
I realize that as artists we need to value our work. The value that I attach to my own art really has very little to do with money.
Don't get me wrong - I'm as happy as a clam when I sell a piece for a good price, but I would be creating that art whether I sell it
or not.
If you try this selling strategy - please let me know if it works for you!
BoneD
