Re: An Ebay experiment

Jon -

This sounds like an excellent idea to me and it appears to be working. You've
got bids on each of the items, which tells me that you've come upon a good
idea. Best of luck!

Cheers -

george

--- Jonathan Bailey <jon@jonathan-bailey.com> wrote:

> 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
>
>

Handmade Photographic Images - http://www.GLSmyth.com
DRiP Investing - http://DRiPInvesting.org

                
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Received on Sun Dec 4 10:55:33 2005