this could be interesting for people in the marketplace or startint to selling their own poser products. what makes an ad good?

Here is one thing that is very important to me: Ads for hair and hair textures should show an extreme closeup. Otherwise, it is very difficult to tell how good the transmapping and detail really are. I have been disappointed in some purchases that look good in the ad, but rendered very poorly in closeup (and yes this is using very high quality Firefly settings).

From a design point of view, the most important thing IMO is clarity. Easy to read text and a well composed layout are the key elements to a professional looking ad.

And go for the "less is more" concept. In other words keep is simple and uncluttered.

Honesty. "No post work on these ads" - how many times have you seen this? Yet buy the product and it NEVER looks like the ads without hours of work in Paintshop. Allusions that the product contains more than it actually does. Unless you scroll to the bottom of the readme you don't know.

OMG I can relate to that. I've been drawn into an item by the ad banner/thumbnail and after spending 1/2 an hour reading images, fine print and links (readme), found that 99% of what you are seeing in the promo images aren't in the package. And some are so heavily post worked that you can't tell what's in the package and what isn't.

You elaborated on what I actually meant in my earlier post about "less is more" and keeping it simple.

I'd much rather see a bare bones image of what I'm thinking of buying than to be hit in the face of a heavily post worked image and then have to play detective to find out what in that image is actually "package".

Message edited on: 03/09/2006 06:03

Also, watch the file size of your images. If you use a long image with tons, dial up users (or a glitch in the site) may prevent the image from loading. It's always better to let your image speak for itself and provide explanation in the product description. People can read the text while they wait for the graphic to load. And like mrsparky and Acadia said- always use the product description to say what's included in your product... or what isn't. If you show your product surrounded by props and sets and other things, make sure customers know that they're only purchasing the character. Otherwise, you're just setting yourself up for complaints later. --John

i'd suggest showing all sides. except maybe the bottom. but make sure to show the sides and back. if it is a figure or prop. have one view of the item untextured. Show me the geometry. if it is for a specific figure, try to fit that into the name. put what it is in the name, calling something "summer fun" doesnt tell me if it is poses, the hair, the outfit, the character.... dont make me guess, and dont make me read the fine print to find out.

something that gets your customer's attention..;) It wouldn't hurt to put your name in the resulting item as well (that is, if you want credit for it when someone else uses it..;) sorry, just a pet peeve..;)

Cleavage! Well that's what I've heard, anyway... [snicker]

Using enough light to show your product, bad lighting is a real turn off. Makes me wonder, what does the item really look like, or maybe there's something wrong with it and it only looks good in the dark.