How To Sell Items On Craigslist
Posting Successful Classified Ads Online Can Net Big Bucks
Craigslist is a free website where people can post just about anything, from personal ads to discussion forums to classified ads. Craigslist is used worldwide, but web surfers can click, view and post only in their respective region.
It can be a great way to earn extra cash by selling items people need that other no longer want. The site gets millions of page views a day, so here are some tips to separate one classified ad from all the others on Craigslist.
Use Clear, Clean WritingIt's common sense to many, but writing a messy, fragmented ad with bad grammar and spelling is a turn-off to many buyers. It can signal laziness and possibly sloppiness...and who wants to buy a used item from a slob? Also, writing in a way that signals education can enable the seller to ask for a higher price because the item will appear to have come from a good home where it has been taken care of.
- Write enough to adequately describe the item, but be wary of large blocks of text, which can scare off browsers
- Use correct spelling and grammar
- Make sentences short, concise and to the point
Post a PictureCountless ads describe supposedly "great" products, but without a picture, buyers won't believe it. Why would they email that person and ask for a picture, wait for it to come and then decide if they want to purchase the item when they can click to the next listing with a picture already posted? Craigslist denotes which listings have pictures; not having one can cause an ad to be completely ignored.
- Pictures show buyers exactly what they're getting
- Can eliminate discrepancies in seller's description of item's flaws to buyer's perception of them
- Take the time to upload at least one in-focus picture of the item
Include Accessible Contact InformationCraigslist anonymizes a seller's email address, so inquiries about items are sent to the seller's email even though the seller can't see the true address. Make sure to use an email address that can be checked easily and frequently. Potential buyers lose interest very easily if no one responds to their inquiries. Sellers can also post phone numbers directly in their ads if they wish to do so for more direct contact.
Don't Blow Off InquiriesEven if someone has contacted the seller and said they want to purchase an item, many transactions on the site never come to fruition. There are unscrupulous people who don't show up to get the item, or misunderstandings about pick up times and schedules. Sellers should always respond to people who inquire about the item after it has been claimed.
- Send a short email to other potential buyers telling them someone has claimed item
- Include in the email that if the transaction falls through, they can purchase the item
- A small step like this can lead to a future sale
When using online classified sites like Craigslist, it's important to remember to act like a businessperson. A strong, clean writeup, in-focus picture, appropriate contact information and politeness will make the transaction easy for potential buyers, which is the goal.
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