[The Ultimate Guide📸] 5 Golden Rules for Taking Photos That Sell on Mercari! A Must-See for Beginners✨
80% of whether an item sells is decided by the first photo!
Good morning!
This is Mercaku🌟
"I want to sell all the items I've listed...!"
If that's what you're thinking,
the first thing you need to master is,quite simply, photography📸
Because the first thing users look at
is the "photo," not the description.
No matter how good the item is, if the photo quality is low,
it won't even get clicked💦
In other words, it's no exaggeration to say that
80% of whether it sells is decided by the first photo😊
If your photos are bad, this happens...😱
📌 The worst-case scenario
It gets buried without being seen by anyone
The item doesn't sell
The time spent listing goes to waste
Zero revenue, motivation drops...
But don't worry✨
If you keep the "5 points for photos that sell" I'm introducing today in mind,
your sales after listing will change dramatically💪
🎯 5 Points for Taking Photos That Sell
① Shoot in bright conditions💡
Dark photos are fatal!
Set your room lighting tomaximum brightness.
The ideal isnatural light between 10 AM and 3 PMbut if you can't shoot during the day, make sure to use lighting effectively.
Point
Use 'White (Fluorescent)' lighting
'Warm' light makes things look yellowish, and 'Cool' light makes them look bluish, which is counterproductive
Bright photos are the absolute basic requirement for making products look attractive😊
② Convey size and texture📏
You can't hold the actual item online.
That's why you should include
photos that show the size and close-up photos that convey the texture.
📸 Example:
Photo of it being held in hand
Image of it being worn
Photo that conveys the fabric texture
It's important to keep in mind to take photos that help the buyer
visualize themselves actually using the item👍
③ Unify the overall color tone🎨
It confuses buyers, making them wonder, 'Wait, which one is the real color?'
This is a major cause of users leaving💦
It is not okay for the color tone to change from photo to photo due to the shooting environment or editing apps.
Make sure the color tone of all photos is consistent.
Photos with a sense of unity also increase trust in the product✨
④ Post 8 or more photos📊
It's proven by data👇
A. 3 images... Sales 867,240 yen (Sell-through rate 36.10%)
B. 5 images... Sales 924,822 yen (Sell-through rate 38.28%)
C. 8 images or more... Sales 968,540 yen (Sell-through rate 39.26%)
Just by posting 8 or more, you'll stand out from the competition!
Because other sellers cut corners, you can win by using "8 images"💪
The more photos you have, the better the buyer understands the product, which leads to peace of mind for them😊
5. Don't hide scratches or the condition of the item🔍
You might think, "Won't it not sell if I show the scratches?"
But that's not the case.
Mercari hasover 60 million usersand many of them will say, "I don't mind"👌
Conversely, if you hide scratches...
Complaints occur
Returns (you pay for shipping)
You get a "Poor" rating
This is the worst-case scenario💦
To make a bad rating less noticeable, you needover 100 transactions.
That's why "honest listing" from the start is the secret to selling✨
📱A smartphone is enough! No equipment needed
"Is it impossible without a DSLR?"
→ A smartphone is fine!
📷 12 megapixels or more is recommended
iPhone 6s / SE (1st generation) or later is fine
Earlier models (like the iPhone 6) have 8 megapixels, which might be a bit unreliable...
You don't need expensive equipment. What matters is your photography technique😊
Practical Tips: Techniques You Can Use Starting Today
How to Set Up Your Shooting Environment
Use a white wall or white cloth for the background
Tidy up so that unnecessary items don't appear in the shot
Be mindful of composition so the product is in the center
Variations in Shooting Angles
From the front (main photo)
From an angle (to create a sense of depth)
From the back (overall look)
Close-up (material and texture)
Usage image (wearing or installation example)
Points for Photo Editing
Increase the brightness slightly (to the extent that it's not too dark)
Adjust the contrast (to add definition)
Unify the color tone (use the same color tone for all photos)
Summary: 5 Golden Rules for Photos That Sell
✅ Things you can start practicing today
Shoot in bright conditions(natural light or white lighting)
Convey size and texture(e.g., photos holding the item)
Unify the color tone(same color balance for all photos)
Upload 8 or more photos(to stand out from the competition)
Show the condition honestly(prioritize transparency, including scratches)
If you've been worried that your items "aren't selling," firstimprove your photos📸
When your photos change, your sales, ratings, and motivation will change too🔥
Things you can do starting today
Try taking test shots of items you have on hand using these 5 points
Make it a habit to shoot during bright hours
Aim to take 8 photos from various angles
Commit to showing the honest condition of the item
Photos that sell aren't made in a day.
But just by being conscious of these 5 points,
your sales will definitely change💪
With that, have a wonderful Mercari life today📦
Thank you for reading until the end today!