How to Write Listings That Sell

Titles: The Most Important Line You'll Write

Titles drive search visibility on every platform. Include: brand name, item type, specific model/style, size, color, condition, key features.

Good: "Levi's 501 Original Fit Jeans Men's 32x30 Dark Wash — Excellent Condition"
Bad: "Cool jeans for sale!!!"

Use all available characters (eBay: 80, Etsy: 140). Front-load the most important keywords — search engines weight the beginning of titles.

Keywords That Buyers Search For

Think like a buyer. What would YOU type to find this item? Use specific terms: "Nike Air Max 90" not "Nike shoes."

• Include size, color, material when applicable
• Etsy: Use long-tail keywords in tags ("boho macrame plant hanger" not "plant hanger")
• eBay: Fill in every Item Specifics field — eBay's search relies on them heavily
• Mercari: Keywords in the title matter most
• Depop: Hashtags in the description help with discovery

Descriptions That Convert

• Start with the most important details (brand, size, condition)
• Be honest about flaws — "small stain on left cuff, see photo 4" prevents returns and builds trust
• Include measurements for clothing (even if size is listed — sizes vary by brand)
• Mention what's included (original box, accessories, tags)
• Add context: "Retails for $120, selling for $45" justifies the price
• Keep it scannable — short paragraphs, not walls of text

Condition Descriptions

Be specific and honest. Instead of "good condition," say:

"Worn 3–4 times. Minor pilling on sleeves. No stains, holes, or odors. See photos 5–6 for close-ups."

Buyers appreciate honesty. Vague descriptions lead to returns and bad reviews. If the item is new with tags (NWT), say so prominently — it justifies higher pricing.

Platform-Specific Tips

• eBay: Item Specifics are crucial for search. Fill in EVERY field. Use the Terapeak research tool to see what titles successful sellers use.
• Etsy: Use all 13 tags. Each tag can be a multi-word phrase. Categories and attributes matter for search.
• Poshmark: Brand name in the title is critical — buyers search by brand. Use the Style Tags feature.
• Mercari: Keep descriptions concise. Mobile-first audience = shorter attention spans.
• Depop: Description style is casual. Use relevant hashtags. First 5 words of description show in search previews.

What NOT to Do

• Don't keyword-stuff — listing a Nike shirt as "Nike Adidas Puma" to game search gets you penalized
• Don't use ALL CAPS — looks spammy
• Don't leave the description empty
• Don't copy-paste manufacturer descriptions — duplicate content, looks lazy
• Don't make promises you can't keep — "ships same day" if you can't

Template You Can Use

Title: Brand + Item Type + Style/Model + Size + Color + Condition

Description: [Condition details]. [Measurements/specs]. [What's included]. [Retail price context if helpful]. [Shipping info].

Adapt the tone per platform — professional on eBay, casual on Depop, friendly on Poshmark.

Now price it right — run your numbers through FeePilot →