2022 CRAIGSLIST AND FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE SELLING TIPS

You might want to sell some of your household items for a variety of reasons. It's possible that you bought a piece of furniture online that clashes with the style of your living room. Alternatively, perhaps you wish to upgrade your entertainment setup. Or perhaps you're decluttering, spring cleaning, or downsizing and are wondering how to make extra space. Whatever your motivations, you don't have to let the things you want to get rid of end up in storage or on the curb. You can make some money by selling them on a reliable third-party marketplace if they're in reasonable condition. Read on to discover our top-selling techniques for posting eye-catching advertising and making purchases safely on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.

SEVEN (7) DISTINCT WAYS EXIST TO MAKE MONEY ON FACEBOOK.

CRAIGSLIST AND THE MARKET PLACE.

The top listings on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace have a strategy that helps them gain traction and recognition. Selling on these sites requires more than just submitting a photo and negotiating a price. When learning how to sell on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, keep in mind these three principles: Price your items fairly, take clear, well-lit photos, and include as many relevant details as you can in your description.

PERFORM A PRODUCT ANALYSIS AND PRICING.

Do your research and appropriately price your items whether you're selling a high-end mid-century modern couch or a cheap table lamp. In addition to the original price from the manufacturer's website, check the cost of comparable goods on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, and other significant reseller sites (regardless of whether or not you initially purchased the item at full value). You will be able to profitably and competitively price your goods as a result. Create a spreadsheet and enter the information below:

ü  The bargain you discover online

ü  The most expensive price displayed online

ü  The suggested retail price for a brand-new item

Then you should think about the following:

Ø  This item was how recently? (When was it made, and has its value changed or increased since then?)

Ø  Is my item in any way damaged? If so, how severe or insignificant are the harms? How much is the aesthetics or function affected? Are there any excess or missing items, such as cords?

Depending on your answers to the aforementioned questions, you should set your offering price closer to the "low" range or "high" range you marked in your spreadsheet. Price items a little bit more than you want to sell them for; customers may haggle on Facebook Marketplace thanks to the "make offer" function. Consider charging a delivery fee and determining how far you are willing to travel if you don't mind making the delivery yourself.

PICK THE RIGHT PLATFORM     

Not every platform is suitable for every sort of product. Selling larger items, such as furniture, on Craigslist could be more profitable. Smaller items like clothing, jewelry, and collectibles, on the other hand, usually do better on Facebook Marketplace and eBay. It never hurts to advertise your product on other websites if you're not getting much traction on one.

TAKE INCISIVE, CAPTIVATING PICTURES

The quality of your photographs is the most crucial piece of Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace advice we can offer. Since both sites include photo streams of items for sale, your photographs must immediately grab the buyer's attention since they serve as their initial impression. Although you don't need to have a DSLR or employ a photographer, you should make sure that your photos are clear, well-lit, and in focus. A friend can help you take some pictures if the photos from your smartphone are distorted or fuzzy.

HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR PRODUCING VISUALLY STUNNING PHOTOS:

Ø  Put as much natural light as you can into your design.

Ø  Position your goods in front of a background that contains minimal to no clutter, such as a wall (you want the object for sale to be the center of attention)

Ø  Before using your product, clean it completely (wiping away any dust and fingerprints, giving any wood items a quick polish)

Ø  Snap photographs from various vantage points and distances (several close-ups and several full-body shots)

Remember that each Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace ad is limited to 10 photos, so be sure to include at least three different angles. If there are any defects, be honest and take close-up shots of them. If you want to go the extra mile, use your phone's "mark-up" function to create a text overlay describing the faults. Otherwise, just note in the description that "the last (three) images reveal slight imperfections/blemishes."

BE TRUTHFUL

The preceding comment about not publishing the original Pottery Barn or West Elm photos relates to this. Start with a real, current photograph if an object no longer appears that way.

Tell the buyer if there is a dog odor coming from the sofa or if a significant section of a dresser's leg is missing. Yes, it will discourage some people. But maybe that's better than them finding out you were lying when they got to your house.

CREATE AN INTRIGUING TITLE AND DESCRIPTION.

To prevent pointless back-and-forth with potential purchasers and to make your listing seem legitimate, take the time to create an intriguing headline and description. Take into account how shoppers might look for the goods before you write your title (and foresee a few things they might want to know). It simply needs to be understandable and educational; it doesn't need to be catchy, so don't worry if you're not a copy genius. Instead of saying "Kardiel Nordic Couch," try saying "Comfortable Black & Gray Kardiel Nordic Fusion Sofa, 83", LIKE NEW."

As much information as you can about the item, such as its condition, description, its features, and the best way for a potential buyer to contact you, should be included in the post's description. The objective can be accomplished in anywhere between two and six phrases, although often, brevity and simplicity are preferred. Not everything on this list needs to be done.

INSERT SEARCH TAGS

To help buyers find what they're searching for on Facebook Marketplace, you may list your items under a wide "category," but don't overlook the "search tags" option. When you tag your listings with relevant search phrases, your chances of reaching the right buyers will increase. If you're selling an antique credenza, for instance, think about including tags like "antique," "credenza," "wood," "vintage," etc.

INCREASING THE SALE SAFELY

Negotiating is necessary when selling on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace since many potential buyers may decide to ghost you or decline to make a fair offer. Once you've won the prospect's business, get their full name and phone number so you can arrange a pick-up or drop-off. Use a proxy email address and a free Google Voice number if you don't want to divulge your personal information.

You have a few options for establishing a safe meeting location. Consider bringing a friend along if you want to deliver the package personally. You can also exchange the item in a public space like a park. Prepare the item in your garage or driveway before the buyer arrives if they want to see you, and invite a friend along to help with the inspection and the transaction. Always meet during the day and only collect cash payments for your own protection. If you feel comfortable, PayPal or Venmo are feasible options—but only if you are paid upfront or immediately.

WHAT COMES NEXT

Congratulations, you just made a sale on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace! Once you've found a new home for your belongings, don't forget to remove the listing from the platform(s) it was posted on. If the buyer decided to back out for whatever reason and the item is still in your possession, there is no need to delete and republish your ad. Simply "refresh" it to increase visibility. Many potential buyers could already be lining up in your direct messages.

SUMMARY

I sincerely hope that you will be able to start selling on Facebook and Craigslist Marketplace thanks to this comprehensive instruction! Please provide your best advice in the comments if you've already found success on Facebook.