Getting the Most Out of Your Online Classified Ads
Whether you are posting on Craigslist, Backpage, The Penny Saver, or some other classified site there are several things you can do to get the most out of your free add.
First, most of these sites don't have a text limit.
If they do have a limit on how many characters you can use, it will be set very high.
So, start by opening your text editing software and writing a concise but thorough description of your item.
Think about all the questions you would ask if you were buying the item you have for sale.
Use descriptive language.
If there is a key piece of information that you don't have, tell the reader when you are likely to have those details.
Try to give exact measurements, and keep them consistent.
My site attracts international buyers, so many of the listings will show the equipment's dimensions in meters and feet.
However, all my listings are priced in U S dollars.
And once you have written a great description, be sure and save it for use in multiple postings.
After you write the perfect description, then you need to move on to adding photos.
Most of these sites will allow you to add anywhere from four to ten pictures of an item.
So, go through your pictures and pick out the best ones.
Then make sure they are saved into a proper format.
Most of these sites will only accept.
jpg or.
gif files for submission.
Most of these sites don't have limits on sizes or dimensions of photo attachments, but I suggest you limit your images to 640 by 480 pixcils.
You should use your photo editing program to compress the images.
The smaller the file size, the more quickly they will load should someone want to click on them from your ad.
If you don't have photos, or you feel like you don't have enough good ones; then be sure to mention that in your listing.
You have written a great description, and you have added your pictures; but did you add a link? Most all of us have websites or blogs.
If you don't have one of these, then I'm sure you are on Facebook, Myspace, LinkedIn, merchant circle, etc.
Posting a classified ad can be a great way to promote these.
And in most cases adding the link is so simple.
You just type the url into your text submission.
You have to include the whole address including the http:// for it to work.
I have managed to add as many as four url's to a single ad without getting it refused.
Another good use for this would be if you have stored your pictures on photo bucket or another photo upload site.
Or perhaps you want to direct potential buyers to a manufacturer's website.
I currently have a listing for some electric go-karts on my site where the owner wanted such a link.
Now, you have created a great ad, but have you publicised it? On most of these sites they will give you a link where you can see your listing.
I strongly advise copying this link.
The reason is you will need it to promote your listing.
You have to remember there are many classified sites and thousands of ads listed on them.
So, you should post the url on your social media sites along with a short statement saying see my item here.
If you belong to any public forum's where posting such an announcement is acceptable, then you would post a topic with your link there.
If you have people you regularly email, then tell them.
They may be able to forward the link and thus the ad to someone in their circle.
The more views the ad gets, the more likely it is that someone will see it that is in the market for your particular item.
First, most of these sites don't have a text limit.
If they do have a limit on how many characters you can use, it will be set very high.
So, start by opening your text editing software and writing a concise but thorough description of your item.
Think about all the questions you would ask if you were buying the item you have for sale.
Use descriptive language.
If there is a key piece of information that you don't have, tell the reader when you are likely to have those details.
Try to give exact measurements, and keep them consistent.
My site attracts international buyers, so many of the listings will show the equipment's dimensions in meters and feet.
However, all my listings are priced in U S dollars.
And once you have written a great description, be sure and save it for use in multiple postings.
After you write the perfect description, then you need to move on to adding photos.
Most of these sites will allow you to add anywhere from four to ten pictures of an item.
So, go through your pictures and pick out the best ones.
Then make sure they are saved into a proper format.
Most of these sites will only accept.
jpg or.
gif files for submission.
Most of these sites don't have limits on sizes or dimensions of photo attachments, but I suggest you limit your images to 640 by 480 pixcils.
You should use your photo editing program to compress the images.
The smaller the file size, the more quickly they will load should someone want to click on them from your ad.
If you don't have photos, or you feel like you don't have enough good ones; then be sure to mention that in your listing.
You have written a great description, and you have added your pictures; but did you add a link? Most all of us have websites or blogs.
If you don't have one of these, then I'm sure you are on Facebook, Myspace, LinkedIn, merchant circle, etc.
Posting a classified ad can be a great way to promote these.
And in most cases adding the link is so simple.
You just type the url into your text submission.
You have to include the whole address including the http:// for it to work.
I have managed to add as many as four url's to a single ad without getting it refused.
Another good use for this would be if you have stored your pictures on photo bucket or another photo upload site.
Or perhaps you want to direct potential buyers to a manufacturer's website.
I currently have a listing for some electric go-karts on my site where the owner wanted such a link.
Now, you have created a great ad, but have you publicised it? On most of these sites they will give you a link where you can see your listing.
I strongly advise copying this link.
The reason is you will need it to promote your listing.
You have to remember there are many classified sites and thousands of ads listed on them.
So, you should post the url on your social media sites along with a short statement saying see my item here.
If you belong to any public forum's where posting such an announcement is acceptable, then you would post a topic with your link there.
If you have people you regularly email, then tell them.
They may be able to forward the link and thus the ad to someone in their circle.
The more views the ad gets, the more likely it is that someone will see it that is in the market for your particular item.