Friday, May 25, 2007

Before and After

Over the past few days, I've been struck by the truth of the oft-repeated mantra of Etsy sellers: "It's all about the photos."

Some of the very first things I listed on Etsy expired and I decided to reshoot them before relisting them. While I'm no whiz at photography or computer graphics, I think my skills have improved.

Before:


After:


It's the same card holder taken with the same camera, just better lighting, composition and Photoshopping. This little holder languished in my shop for 7 months with the "Before" photos and then sold in a little over a week with the "After" photos.

What Etsy truisms have you found to be...well..true?

16 comments:

Sweet Olive Press | Helen said...

Wow, that's a huge difference! I never thought there was anything wrong with your photos, but I can see why it sold so quickly after the second photo was posted!

Wallcakes said...

I agree...online it's all about the photos. I'm always tweaking mine and trying new things. So many things to learn.
Gina

Unknown said...

great blog. love your shop! i love the retro flowers black, white & red sling bag.

maia (glassbeach) said...

Yes, photos are so tricky! I get lots of inspiration from looking at other people's pics.

Thanks for the compliments, mdk! I like your blog, too!

Leigh-Ann said...

:)
i agree "it's all about the photos" but also a)what time of day you list at (middle of the night= not many people viewing, by the morning, your stuff is on page bajillion) also, if i have lots to list, i spread it out so that more people see it over time. (If i do it all at once, the people at ex.4pm see everything, it moves down the list, and then it's kinda gone. If i do 2or3 items a day, my stuff is more often at the beginning pages, they come to the shop, and still see everything). c) i enjoy using the closeup feature for my pictures.
d)give your stuff fun names, gives it personality and a connection. I named an album i made "Life is Brilliant" and it sold quite fast, i think b/c the lady liked the song. But it was just a name/inspiration... *shouldershrug*

Unknown said...

This is amazing!
Look at how crisp and clear the colors are in the second photo!
I just found you through msbelle's blog and loved your work!
I can't wait to buy!

maia (glassbeach) said...

Those are some great tips, .freckled.nest.! I love your tip about creatively naming items. I am definitely below par in that arena.

Welcome MissFickleMedia! I just spent about half an hour reading your blog - so thoughtful and funny and ponder-able! I've admired your stuff for a long time and now I admire it even more since I know more about you.

Steph said...

Wow! That is an amazing difference!

And I think too have sold a couple things simply because of the name. Who knew purchasing decisions were so personal.

Jenn Maruska said...

Wow - what a difference! Much, much better. The second photo makes the holder look like it's worth more and of better quality - it really is all about the photos.

You've probably heard this one alot, too. But I do find that posting links to my items in the forums helps sales. The funny thing is - that many of my customers are first time buyers - so I don't know what the connection is there.

Love your purses! : )

maia (glassbeach) said...

Another great tip, Jenn. I've had a few sales from posting in the forums but have spent more time blogging lately. I wonder, too, how first-time buyers find me. I haven't had the nerve to ask, yet.

ps I love your needlebooks and taskets, Jenn! And your blog.

Jenn Maruska said...

Oh, thanks : )

I haven't asked about how people have found me, either. But sometimes I wish I knew!

I have gotten a few "word of mouth" sales, from friends or family of customers I've had. So it is always, always best to treat every sale like it's the most important one.

You just never know what that positive energy can bring back to you : )

Have a great weekend!

msbelle said...

Woohoo! Way to go! I really need to work on my pics too. They just don't suit me yet. But I'm trying. I hope I can do as much as you have done with yours. That's a fantastic pic and a very well deserved sale. Congrats on both successes!

maia (glassbeach) said...

Thanks msbelle!

Yazmin said...

It's so nice when you finally get the "ah-ha" of product photography and PS'ing.

I have to admit I certainly would have given your wallet a double take with the "after" photo.

Great job!

maia (glassbeach) said...

Thanks Yazmin! Your photos are lovely.

Liz Smith said...

Look at that difference!! When I look back at my first photos I am appalled! But I can see about 4 stages of quality with the last being my best so far. As things expire, I am seeing that the photos are not up to my new standards and so I am retaking a lot of shots.