So as I am preparing to move from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, I turn to my favorite source of furniture, CraigsList.org (CL). Unlike past attempts to furnish my pad, this time I am living alone and need everything for my place. Jumping from ad to ad, I have come to one simple conclusion: the common man does not know how to write a useful FOR SALE ad. Being that I studied advertising and marketing, I would like to make some suggestions on the best way to write your future CL ads.
Sell your product in the title – no matter what the medium, you only have five seconds to grab the readers attention. The title is the best way to do this. Tell me what you are selling and try not to be cute. Example: “Ikea Queen Bed with Mattress Dark Brown Platform Slightly Used“. Now if you read this title, you know exactly what to expect. If I am looking for a platform bed, I’m going to look at this ad, but if I’m looking for a sleigh bed or Thomasville, I know to avoid this ad. This little title will save me the seconds it takes for me to click the ad and then click the back button. Over time, it’s going to save me hours.
Put in the actual price you willing to take – I realize that there are cheap people who see something for one dollar and will click you ad regardless of what you’re selling. But for people who are actually going to purchase your item, I want to know the price ASAP. CL has a space for the price, use it. Do not put the price in the title field, use the price field. If you are willing to take less (or more) add “obo” (or best offer).
Do not reinvent the wheel – if you are selling a product (new or used) and you didn’t make it yourself, you probably bought it from somewhere else. So when you are selling that used 27″ flat screen TV, do a Google search for the product name and number. What will you find? Only all the details about the product. Copy and paste the important details of the product into your ad. Now I (the buyer) will be able to see all the important specs of the product. How does this help? It will eliminate all the email questions people will be sending you. As the seller, this will save you a lot of hassle. Once again, only serious buyers will be contacting you.
Add a personal touch – after you have all the technical specs in the add, feel free to add a personal touch. If you loved your couch and paid three-times as much as you are selling it for, now is the time to tell me. You can also put in any special notices like “scuffed corner” or “missing pillows”. Some people think that adding faults to the ad will eliminate some buyers, and it will. But some people don’t care and are glad to know what is wrong with your product.
Pictures, pictures, pictures – most of the crappy CL ads are missing images. Please take a picture (at least two) of your item, from different angles, and post them to the ad. When you are taking your pics, turn on all the lights in the house or open all the blinds. I want to see the product and if your camera is a cell phone, this will help the picture a lot. CL offers an option for four photos, I recommend you use all four slots. If you happen to mention that there is a surface flaw in the product, try and take a picture of that too.
The goal of your CL ad is to sell your product. The easier you make it for me to find and fall in love with your item, the quicker and easier it will sell.
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