An Ebay experiment

Greetings,

I assume we're all trying to figure out ways to more successfully market
ourselves. Sitting around with friends at Thanksgiving, it was suggested I
try listing some of my images on eBay, just to see what might happen.

I thought it over and decided to list some of my smaller, older images on
which I also have an abundance of inventory. I decided to start the bidding
at a considerable discount - $75 (retail in a gallery on this size work is
currently at $400). I won't list my newer (or larger) work. I'll
concentrate listing work which is not likely to be exhibited anytime soon,
since interest is in my newer work - especially the Summer Ice series of
Newfoundland icebergs. And, I decided to not list in the "Photography"
category, using the "Collectables" listing instead (so much of the stuff in
the "photography" listing is gawd-awful....).

I sent out a e-mailing to my mailing list, assuming this group would be my
most likely audience. I really liked the idea of offering my mailing list a
holiday discount - and, everyone loves a deal!

My friend, a museum curator, offered to write the description for me. We
thought having it in the third person might read better than in the first
person. And, for the moment, the first four images are listed through her
eBay ID, although we've since decided I would list them on my account in the
future (noone knows our names anyway - just our eBay ID's, so what
difference does it make?).

My first group of four images are listed at the URL's below. I'm going to
list another group beginning tomorrow so as to end the auctions on a Sunday
evening (an advantage, I believe). I now have bids on all four auctions
(!) - and two of the bidders are unfamiliar to me! So, I also seem to be
expanding my audience and mailing list! I am very encouraged and will run
weekly groups at least through the 25th - perhaps beyond.

I believe we artists must take more control over our sales and promotion. I
think the gallery system is to a very large extent bankrupt (both
financially and morally) - both for the owners and (but for a very few)
artists. It doesn't look to me that many artists are gaining much cash flow
from them - either because they sell only occasionally, and/or have trouble
getting paid when they do.

What are your experiences??

If you're interested in my eBay experiment, have a look: (And, if you'd like
to be on my mailing list send me a note - off list!)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6231533790&rd=1&sspagenam
e=STRK%3AMEWA%3APIC&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6231536037&rd=1&sspagenam
e=STRK%3AMEWA%3APIC&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6231537665&rd=1&sspagenam
e=STRK%3AMEWA%3APIC&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6231539900&rd=1&sspagenam
e=STRK%3AMEWA%3APIC&rd=1

Cheers!

Jon
www.jonathan-bailey.com
Tenants Harbor, Maine
Received on Sat Dec 3 10:55:35 2005