Guest Post
Craigslist Sellers
The 9 Secrets of Highly Successful Craigslist Sellers
Most of you have no doubt used craigslist seattle to find the most common motives. Either you’re looking for something (a home, used item or a job perhaps a potential partner) or you’ve got things to offer for sale or trade. Whatever the case, there are tricks and tips you can utilize to make the most out of this service.
In reality, an understanding of the basics can mean it the distinction between selling an item in hours (or perhaps hours) and then letting it sit within the archive for months before it is republished. Follow these steps, and you’ll see better results the next time you list something on Craigslist.
Take note that these are specific tips for getting sales results and not general Craigslist suggestions. Be cautious when meeting people, giving your personal details, and so forth. For these kinds of advice take a look at Craigslist’s safety and fraud information. You can also look over the extremely helpful Craigslist forums on your local site.
1. Repost to Keep Your Ad on Top
Wouldn’t it be great that you could click an icon and your advertisement from last week would rise into the top of the page today? Well, sorry, it’s not going to happen. Craigslist has taken measures to stop that. Most of the time, it’s meant to prevent spammers from flooding the website. However, there are some workarounds spammers can’t be bothered with and you ought to consider these options if you want to have your ad seen. The buyers don’t like having to browse through endless pages posts from the past If you put off waiting 30 days to post (the duration it takes for your advertisement to run out) it could take a long time sell it. If you haven’t had a response within a few days after posting, it’s most likely the right time to repost.
The following video will show the essential information you should be aware of, and there’s also an abbreviated guideline for each step below.
- Check to see if you have an active Craigslist account before you start posting advertisements. You don’t need one, but it makes life so much easier.
- Post your ad in the usual manner (following the steps below).
- The following day, log back in then click the ad you’d like to share and then open it in a new tab.
- Right-click to “edit this posting,” and then open it in another tab.
- Right click to the “category” you have your ad posted in, and start it in a new tab. (All the tabs enable the quick editing of back-and forth.)
- Click on”post”. Click on the “post” button to the far right and select the appropriate category and place.
- Return to the tab that contained your original advertisement, and cut and paste every section into the new blank template. When done, click continue.
- Enter the annoying captcha code.
- Now go back to your old advertisement (it should be in another tab) and then delete it.
- Your ad should now be reposted to the very top of the page.
2. ALWAYS Post an Image a GOOD Image
We’re visual creatures. If you are selling something, whether it’s a house, an old television or your own self in a personal advertisement put up an image. Most people prefer ads that contain images. When I’m trying to find something I’m looking for, I filter out the ads that don’t have pictures. My logic is that if the person isn’t posting pictures, there could exist a problem with their item. When you upload photos that show the product, make sure that they’re clear, good quality sharp color photos. Do not take a blurry, out-of-focus photo with your cell phone and call it to be a day. This is just going to irritate the buyer. They’ll get their money back.
3. Don’t Put a Question in Your Headline
If you’re putting up your job, personal advertisement, or perhaps some kind of service, it might be beneficial to you. People are attracted to questions when they’re appropriate. Questions are really effective for personal communications. But if you’re selling something tangible, like a house, automobile, or something you don’t want any more, I strongly suggest you keep the headline purely informative. Take a look at these headlines:
They are basically the same information. But the first one is a no-nonsense description. It’s like selling marketing , which makes me feel like a salesperson from a used car is trying to convince me to buy an old junker with a new paint job. Be clear, similar to every listing in a catalog that you purchase from Best Buy or Target. The same applies in the case of selling a house. It’s as simple as that not trying to appear clever. It will hurt you.
4. Be as Specific as You Can Be
Remember, you’re trying make a sale that people have to go out of their way to visit and purchase. Before they commit the time and the gas money to drive to your residence or place of work, they’ll want know as much as possible about your product. I’ve seen advertisements that had only one sentence written about them.
Yeah, great. If you can find an ad with photos of the bookcase along with dimensions, type of material, condition history, maker and location, well that is more enticing. It speaks volumes about the seller as well. One could hardly be bothered to advertise; the other one has accomplished a great job. This might not be an accurate reflection of who you really are or the state of the item you’re selling and on Craigslist first impressions are crucial.
5. Do Your Homework
Did you think that your homework was done. Craigslist is huge, and millions of items are advertised on it each year. If you’re thinking of selling your old furniture How do you ensure your offer is more appealing? It is best to spend time on Craigslist. Browse the listings, and see what similar sofas are selling for. Do you spot a sofa which has been featured on and off? What was missing? Why didn’t it do well? The price was too high? There are no pictures or bad images? You really need to dig. Once you get the lay of the land, you should be able write an effective advertising. But there’s another challenging part…
6. Make Sure the Price Is Right
Like most negotiations in life the one you are in is about compromise between your desires and the buyer is looking for. Buyers would like to pay as little as possible, and you’d like to receive the maximum amount you can. So post an item with the price you think is too high and you’ll receive no responses. If you post too low, you’ll lose your bargaining ability. Craigslist buyers will always try and knock some money off It’s a good idea to take that into consideration. The majority of the time, I select the price that is the most affordable I would be willing to accept and add 20-25% to the price. It’s not a good idea for everything (a automobile or home, for instance) however it’s an ideal guideline. Put up your sofa for $300 and then take no less than $225. Most likely, you’ll receive $300, and everyone’s satisfied. The most important thing to remember is that you should accept CASH only, preferably in 20 cent bills or less.
7. Pair Up Items That Go Together
It may sound simple, but a lot of people will mention a crib and an incline in separate posts. However, if someone is in search of one, they could likely require the other too. So pair them up. Offer a discount in exchange for taking both off your hands. If you’re looking to split themup, you could mention that as well. One ad can make two birds a day with just one post.
8. Be an Eager Beaver
I’m not the biggest fan of instant replies to phone calls or emails. However, as seller on Craigslist, you improve the chances of selling your merchandise by contacting or emailing people as soon as you are able to. The majority of sellers will send several emails to various sellers, and the first one to reply wins the sale. Make sure you’re the first and be polite and enthusiastic. If you’re planning to leave for an official trip or vacation and you want to advertise, do so when you return. If you’re responding to a flood of emails, use to use a texter to minimize wear and tear on your fingers.
9. Consider Trades
Bartering is still going strong, and it’s available on Craigslist. In these days, people have a lot of stuff they don’t need, as well as a lot of stuff they do. One man’s trash can be another person’s treasure, therefore should you find something that’s just as valuable as money, you should mention that as well.
By following these tips, you’ll get your items moving faster than sunscreen during an extreme heat wave. If you’ve got any excellent selling tips, please tell us about it. And before I leave, I’d like to add a final thought…
Be a Good Craigslister and Remove Items That Sold!
It’s happened to me countless times. I’ll look up something, discover exactly what I’m looking for, and send an email. Then I get a reply with the words, “Sorry, that sold.” Then, why is that the ad still up? It’s even more irritating that as the days pass you look for the similar item, and the ads are still in place! Do not litter Craigslist with old ads doesn’t help this invaluable community.
