Auction Title Keywords...

[october*moon]

Jillian, do you think I'm missing out by using "art" or "painting" - instead of "watercolor" in my auction titles? (I just noticed you have it a lot in yours)- most of mine are watercolor, but lots have a bit of ink in them, too - could I still say "watercolor" in the title, or would I need to put "ink" in there, too? I always say specifically what it is in the text....so afraid of mis-representing anything on here! Anne >^..^<

[artistjillian]

I use 'painting' always - ONLY when I list in dollhouse miniatures, as that is a common search word under artist's offerings there - too difficult to find otherwise. I don't feel that 'painting' is searched on much - unless maybe 'cat painting' or the like. Just don't know. Also painting takes up too many valuable characters. I do feel you are missing out if you don't put 'watercolor' if your work is primarily (95%+) watercolor. Watercolor is one of the top 10 search words in art. I do try to put in 'ink' if I have room for it. But not many would search on ink. I would prefer to put SFA (small format art). I am afraid of misrepresenting, too. If artists had to stop putting watercolor just because they added a dob of acrylic for white, or pen, there would be a lot less artwork listed under that. I am quite sure, that adding ink to watercolor washes is quite 'acceptable' to still be listed as watercolors. I am teaching a watercolor class in a major art gallery over the next month, and will be showing all students how to add ink to watercolor 'sketches'. WC with ink is more commonly known as 'pen & wash' - in England & Australia, but try that on ebay, and it just doesn't work. Same with some other terminology. It is in the description you need to make it clear. ~Jillian

[october*moon]

Thank you, Jillian! I revised the ones that didn't have bids...I don't know why I got stuck on "painting"~ "watercolor" is so much better! Anne >^..^<

[bethypam]

Anne, Great stuff, you need to post more in the listings threads! If it isn't a cat I end up missing it so often if people don't share.

[sunshinesketches]

On the pulse page, there is a list of most-searched for words, and "paintings" is apparently one of those words. As are watercolor (I spell it the American way in listing titles) and a few others that escape me at the moment. I believe they are cat, mermaid, ACEO among others. /K

[october*moon]

LOL Beth, I was able to post that "Ollie" one 'cause Katie sent it to me in an e-mail with the jpg thingy...with the auctions, she just does them for me from college - I send her back with the cards -(everything but "revising" the title and description) -so I'll have to find out how!!...I know it helps, I see ones that are posted that I wouldn't ever see just in the auction listings! I really wanted to paint frogs ( and am still on a "frog" kick) - the other two are older; if they don't sell this time around, I'm going to give them away as "extras"...(maybe to the little boy who liked my frog!!) :-) Anne >^..^<

[nechtan999_1]

Anne, why don't you join photobucket - it is so easy to use. upload is as simple as puting a pic in the albums here and then all you have to do is copy the tag and paste it in the thread.

[artistjillian]

Thanks Karen. Though I think that so many that end up searching with painting probably search with something else. Like 'cat painting' for instance. I rather use watercolor than 'painting' I would think that so many would turn up. Gosh, who knows. Definitely check pulse page/top searches, though.

[dolores-eng]

Since Watercolor is a highly searched word, and I paint primarily with gouache, which is an opaque watercolor, if I put watercolor in my title would that be terribly misleading to buyers? Phyllis

[artistjillian]

I put watercolor in the title with my gouache paintings. In the descriptions I make sure I put OPAQUE watercolor. It IS watercolor, so I don't see anything misleading about it. ~Jillian

[iversongallery]

I think it's good to vary the title words among the listings. Put "Painting" in one and "Watercolor" in another. List one in Paintings and one in SRA. "Art" is supposed to show up in searches if you list anywhere in the Art category. I can't remember the link but there is a page that says what search terms are automatically included by category. Laura

[artistjillian]

An update on this ... With google searches, adding 'art' and 'painting' in titles can draw people INTO eBay to buy from you. The word 'original', too. So while these keywords won't help too much within ebay most of the time, they certainly can draw in buyers from outside. -- ~Jillian artist, Jillian Crider N/A - ask me!

[drawdog5]

If there's room, I like to put "dog art", "cat art", "horse art", etc. -- -Ann "What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?"

[mreas]

wii and x-box work for me.

[artistjillian]

so do laxatives ... -- ~Jillian artist, Jillian Crider N/A - ask me!