Jul 20, 2011

Cast Some Magic

Ask yourself, how do you like to find vintage? What setting fills you with anticipation and makes you curious what's around the next corner? I'm guessing it's not the sterile Target store type of environment we're all familiar with.



It's the same for our customers. I run into people fairly often that tell me they hate shopping on the web. When I dig deeper, they've told me that they can't hold the item, feel it and really know about it. I hear that the web is cold, unfriendly, untrustworthy and unfeeling. 


WWII USAF Military Hat offered by marybethhale


As sellers, it's up to us to craft an experience for each item we sell. It doesn't have to be complex. It doesn't need to even be specific. We just need to give an over all feeling. A store that is consistent goes a long way toward achieving this. Find a banner & avatar you like and stick with them. Use some of the same text in each ad so customers recognize your personal stamp in each ad. For me, this means starting each ad with "Offering" and ending each ad with "Satisfaction guaranteed". 


Vintage Red Egg Beater offered by moxiethrift


Cast some magic upon the vintage items you're selling. This can be done in the specific ad listing, the banner of our store, the text sprinkled throughout your store, and your photos. When you find an item, take note of the setting. What age is the estate? Is the heir around to ask a quick question of? Gathering those tiny details & providing them can help the customer recreate the thrill of the hunt, online. 



My store banner tag line is "straight from the barn". I want my customers to think of a big dusty barn in the country, filled with shadows and antique treasures. Or at least, that's what I like to think of and often what I really encounter. I keep it simple and let their imaginations do the rest. If they want a blue, red or green barn, that's up to them. This simple text invites thought and inspires imagination. 



Descriptions of your items go a long way to helping your customer have a complete shopping experience. What is it made of? What does it smell like? What are the measurements-height, length, depth? What does it weigh? Now these terms won't apply to all your items, but saying your book smells fresh and is from a non smoking environment will help your customer experience it all the more. 


Details help your customer make your item their own. While it may be tempting to list an item and say "in good condition for its age", resist. That doesn't help your customer in the least. Would you want to hear that about yourself? Ack! Provide the information they would gather if they were holding the item in their hands. Give them an experience. Cast some magic.

16 comments:

11karri said...

You have given some wonderful information,we can never forget to share what we know,you are a true Vintage Quality Seller !
Buyers want to know the details and we want 100% happy buyers. jul ann

Niftic Vintage said...

What an insightful an informative post. You've taught me something today! These tips will help each and every seller on Etsy make the most of their selling experience.

SImple and Serene Living said...

Thanks, Heidi. We all need to constantly think of ways to upgrade our shops. Great info and thanks for including my handkerchief holder.

Anonymous said...

Great insight! Thank you :)

Unknown said...

Great post! I struggle evoking feelings with my listings. Thanks for the pointers and for featuring my owls. :)

Brittany - HurstDesigns said...

Spot on! Half of my finds come from the barns too! Great tips here. Thanks for featuring our fan!

Find it here:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/78112998/antique-brass-fan-robbins-myers-fan?ref=tre-469980699-6

Mary Beth said...

great post! if only the pics could do all the talking...thanks for the tips. Thanks so much for including my WWII cap.

vintagemimi59 said...

Very Helpful!! Thanks!

Vintage Linens said...

Thank you for such an informative post. Your idea to inspire imagination inspires me!

Suzanne@threepeats said...

Great ideas...as online sellers we have to try our best to simulate the sights, smells and sounds of people's favorite "picking" places....attics, flea markets, garage sales etc.

cindy-the vintage hat shop said...

Now you really have me thinking! I will look at listings differently now.
Thank you for ideas.

leah - moxiethrift on etsy said...

great post! super insight. and thanks, too!

Tina said...

Good tips! I'm amazed by how many vintage shops have photos that are too dark. Just a tweak on the camera (not the flash) and/or using free software to edit can brighten photos and make a big difference. I personally don't use any 'opinion' words or statements in my titles or descriptions. Example words: cute, gorgeous, lovely, sweet, etc. Shoppers have their own opinions on what is cute or pretty or fabulous so it's really not relevant to include mine.

Just started following your blog and hope to be accepted to the Etsy Team as well--applied today.

Thanks!
Tina aka forrestina vintage

Nora-transient*treasures said...

Gret post. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge!!!

ArtfulVintage said...

Thanks for these excellent tips!

JD said...

You've hit the nail on the head! I completely agree with you and your tips. When I am shopping for vintage, I want to know all these details (size, make, model, year, etc.). Without these details, I often pass the item by or spend time trying to get information from the seller - which only delays my purchase. I also like to see photos from all angles, and honestly, I'd much rather see these kinds of photos than elaborate "sets" that sometimes only clutter the item I'm interested. Great post and good tips!

Thanks!
JD at ThirdShift