So you’ve got your artwork and you’re ready to list it, (Check out our article on how to mint your first gasless NFT) but now you’re having trouble writing a good description for your work.
A description is a short copy that explains what your NFT is, and why it’s worth the money to invest in.
But what is the purpose of a good description?
A great description is reflective of the soul of your NFT – what your passion is, what encapsulates the narrative of your piece, and the visual story you’re trying to convey to your audiences. Whatever your NFT is, the true purpose of a description is precisely in its name – to describe. It is information that tells potential collectors why your NFT is a product they should feel compelled to buy.
Let’s dive into some of the dos and don’ts of writing the best description for your listing.
DON’TS
- Don’t be generic
If you’re selling a pair of shoes on eBay, you wouldn’t just put “shoe” in the description box and call it a day. The same goes for NFTs. If you’ve minted something from a Youtube video, don’t just write “youtube video” in your description. Try to give your buyer more as to what the video is about.
- Don’t forget to include the terms
On the Mintable platform, there are several options you can check when you mint your item. You can attach a private file/unlockable content or transfer copyright when your buyer purchases your item. It is useful to write a short sentence about the terms of transfer for your buyers.
3. Don’t write long descriptions
In the age of the internet, people generally have shorter attention spans. This is where an extremely long description will not work in your favor. Buyers want to know very quickly what they’re getting themselves into, and whether this product is worth their investment.
It can be tempting to write every detail in the description, like how old you were when you started making art, or how you derived your style – things that are perhaps key to you as an artist. However, it is important to be discerning in the type of information you decide to put in. Try to think about what your buyer wants to know, rather than what you want to say. Make sure that the most important points you want to make are included within the first 2-3 lines. You can always give more details later.
DOs
- Paint a sensorial landscape of the NFT
To capture your buyers’ imagination, include sensorial words that engage the rich inner workings of their minds. Restaurants are especially good at this, the sensory words on a menu aren’t just there for a good read. It is there to stimulate the senses of the reader, and acts as a teaser for the dish that’s to come. Sensorial words like ‘bright’, ‘dazzling’, ‘warm’, ‘dark’ describing the various sounds, textures, colors, motions in your NFT all work to provide a prelude to the full experience of it.
- Capture attention with a story
Many creators make the mistake of neglecting the importance of a narrative in their descriptions. They simply write a one-liner that talks about their NFT, rather than describe it. As the classic saying goes in storytelling, ‘show, don’t tell’. Good salespeople tend to drive in the history or story quite enthusiastically when trying to make a sale. This is because the narrative creates demand, so it’s always good to think about what the story is behind your NFT, and try to write that into your description.
- Appeal to your buyers’ emotions
Use the imagination of your buyer to your advantage. Help them picture what it might be like to own your NFT. Phrases like “you hold the future of art in your hands”, “guaranteed to garner the envy of your friends” elicit desire. Emotions are not as intangible as they seem. If you can capture that in your description, it will help tempt potential buyers into purchasing.
Balance is key
As a general rule of thumb, be as seductive as possible when writing descriptions. The more descriptive you are, the more the buyer understands what they’re buying. But don’t go overboard and write too long of a description. Keep it short and sweet. The trick is to find the right balance between telling enough of a story to pique your buyer’s imagination, but not so much that it lacks mystery. Let your buyer know what perks come with your NFTs (if you have unlockable content, tell them what those are!). Tell stories with sensory words, and paint a picture that preludes the joy of owning your NFT – one that you, the creator, made with passion.
