Give yourself a pat on the back. We’ve made it to our 4th and final post in the “Live More With Less Series.” This week, I’ll be sharing 8 Tips to Make Money on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. I am very excited about this post. While de-cluttering can be stressful, being able to help people make money from items they no longer want is very rewarding.
I put together these tips from my own experience. First, I buy almost all furniture off of Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. This to the chagrin of my husband who has to pick them up. But I find such great deals! Weeks ago I got a $1400 pottery barn sectional for $275. It is an adorable Pottery Barn teen sectional (mint green) that fits perfectly in my sunroom. I wouldn’t be able to afford something like that brand new -plus – it was in excellent condition.
As for the selling part, I once made $200 off of a pair of bar stools I found in my apartment’s trash room. I’ll share exactly how I did that below.
There are people who have turned to sell items online into their full-time gigs. They either buy items on Craigslist or at garage sales and resell them for a higher price.
Others actually repaint items and then up the price. You’d be surprised how much more money you can make by painting it white and adding new hardware.
According to an article from 2016, almost 450 million people use Facebook Marketplace to buy and sell goods. That was two years ago, folks. Imagine how many more to do today. More than 60 million people use Craigslist every single month in the United States alone.
What that means for you is that there is a huge amount of people out there waiting to buy your stuff. Maybe even me.
BUT FIRST….
First, please read Are You Holding Onto Items Others Could Use? And then – How to Prevent Clutter from Sneaking Back In. They are critical to making sure you are in the right place to sell your items at all.
I haven’t bothered because Facebook Marketplace is so easy that I haven’t felt the need to. You can let me know in the comments if I am missing out on bigger deals.
But for now, let’s talk about how to make YOU money.
For the sake of this article, I am going to assume you already know how to take a photo and post it to either site. If not, here is a tutorial on how to actually post and sell on your phone. Craigslist is even easier to use.
Make Money on Facebook Marketplace + Craigslist
1.) Clean the Item.
I am surprised by how many posts read, “There is a small stain/spot that will clean right up!”
If it is so easy to clean – then clean it. Do not tell potential buyers about it. If it is something you cannot fix, okay I get it. But otherwise, do your best to dust, wash, or spot clean your item.
2.) Take a Decent Photo, Friend
Take your cue from Instagram. People like light and bright photos.
3.) Stage your Photo
I’ve gotten a lot of good deals because a seller took a crappy photo. Usually, so many other people have passed it on by they are much more willing to reduce their price.
4.) Take More Than One Photo
The buyer wants to feel like they are looking at it in person and able to examine it from all sides. Do the work for them. I’ve found that three photos work best.
5.) Stuff Your Post with Keywords
Some good keys words: like new, barely used, new with tags, excellent condition.
6.) Be Honest
Also, if the couch smells like a dog, or there is a huge chunk of a leg missing on a dresser, let the buyer know. Yes, it will scare some people away. But better then than they get to your house and are furious with you for lying.
7.) List Items Separately
Whenever I see people listing 5 or more items together that are not related, I know they have never bought anything from Craigslist. It is a pain for people to look through what you “might” have. This is not a garage sale. People are searching for specific items.
8.) Price Higher Than Willing to Sell
Like I already mentioned, people love to barter on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Let them barter! Price higher than you you’d accept so people can “bring you down” to where you are comfortable selling. That way you both feel like you got a good deal.
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Great tips girl!! My husband is a hobby “flipper” and goes thrifting/antiquing for goodies with his buddy and sometimes they strike GOLD! If they decide not to keep it for themselves they fix it or clean it up and resell on Craigslist! They don’t use Ebay either. We do use “Let Go” for household goods that we are trying to sell, like when we got a new tv we sold our old one there. But I personally don’t have much experience with selling. I have a GIANT box of clothes I’ve been meaning to put on Poshmark FOREVER though! I know a few gals that make big bucks on that App!
Maybe I will have to try Let Go! And Poshmark is awesome! You can make so much money!
Great advice! I love a good declutter. If I dont have time to list it all then I just take it to charity shops, but selling can make decent money if you do it right. So thanks for the tips.
If you’re in a time crunch charity shops are definitely a great option.
You know I had not considered this … I will have to look into the Facebook Marketplace. Thanks for the tips.
❥ tanvii.com
I am obsessed. haha
I always Love to make extra cash on Craigslist and craigslist has HOT traffic that’s achieve my goals. 🙂
These are great tips! I could use a little extra cash right now, so I am going to try these.
This post was perfect timing! I’m actually getting ready to sell some stuff and it seemed like an overwhelming task! Thanks for breaking it down 🙂
Good luck, Nicole!
I love this so much! De-cluttering and saving/making money are two of my obsessions! I haven’t thought to use Craigslist but I live in NYC and have an upcoming move so I might have to give it a shot!
Ooh I bet NYC Craigslist is awesome!
I’ve never sold anything on either site, but thanks for the tips. I will definitely keep these all in mind for any future sales.
-Lauren
These are such great tips! I’m a fan of buying and selling on sites like marketplace, offer up, etc. The one thing I realized was most helpful when selling my furniture is including the measurements. By the time people message to ask what they are, and wait for your response, they’ve moved on
Yes – that is a tip I should have included, too!
I’ve been looking for some tips for selling online. I really need to get on this and stop procrastinating. Thanks so much!
Love the idea of staging the photo. Even with a smaller item, people are buying a feeling. Seeing the item with all its possibilities will definitely up the ability to sell it quick and at a high price.
Indeed!
I need to start selling more on the Facebook Marketplace! My go to is always to donate to those who could use it but there are some items that I could sell, larger pieces, and not have to worry about transportation while also making someone else happy. This post inspired me to go through my house this weekend with my husband and see what we have to get out of the house! Cleaning is always a freeing experience 🙂
I love this, Rebecca! Best of luck. Plus, if you really want you could always donate a portion of the money made to your favorite charity.
There are some really good tips here. I often sell on ebay but never really think to sell on Facebook.
Great tips! I need to go through things and start selling what I don’t use or need!
Fantastic tips here! I just read another post about decluttering and this ties in so beautifully with that.
Since I’ve started working from home, I’ve realised just how much “stuff” we have that I need to get out of the house. And if we can make a little money off it…great!
I’ll be pinning this to refer back to when the time comes (hopefully next week)
Dani x
Awesome. Happy selling Dani! And yes, de-clutter and selling can go hand in hand 🙂
What photo tips that you have for those whose only camera is a cell phone?
The same as with a good camera. Good lighting (behind you), well centered, not too much space above or below the object, and staged!
Staging and taking multiple photos is SO important! Thanks for the tips.
Great Tips! I love the Market Place for selling items. It’s a great way to clean out and earn some cash. Photos are so important. Love your ideas.
Key words are “key!” I use these in my listings also. Thank you for posting all these tips! Wonderful ideas.
haha yes they are key!
GREAT TIPS! My husband always made me clean the items. I admit this was something I didn’t always do but it does so much and is just a kind gesture.
Smart guy! hahah
Really great tips! I haven’t tried selling anything online and haven’t really had much luck finding things on FB or Craigslist that I really wanted to purchase. I will keep my eyes open for good deals though because that couch sounds like found treasure!
Oh my gosh there are amazing deals out there. THe problem is the good ones often go very fast.
Great advice! And yes, price higher than willing to sell! So many folks try talking you down. When you allow them the opportunity to do that, they feel like they are getting a bargain and it becomes a win/win for both parties!
Yup! And it really can be a win-win for everyone.
wow these are great tips- i def didnt think to clean the items which DUH you want the best photos so they should be looking good ha! thanks for this!
I like these tips! I haven’t tried these marketplaces in a while because it can be intimidating. Need to declutter again before baby though!
Oh I feel like marketplace is SO easy. Definitely try again and I think you’ll be hooked!
SO spot on! I like your point about being honest too! I sell A LOT of my old stuff on ebay and if you aren’t honest you can actually lose out on the money! I always take photos of the damage super clearly (as well as pretty staged/cleaned cover photos) so I don’t get screwed down the line! I actually bought my wedding dress on ebay twice used!
haha I bought my wedidng dress on eBay too!
These are fabulous tips! You are so right about taking a good photo and making it look like something they could actually own.
Oh I am completely with you on this! I have made quite a bit of money selling on both facebook and Craig’s List. I have sold all my big ticket baby items, furniture and more!!! It’s so fantastic! I’m always looking for something to sell. I have a neat and tidy living space with some extra cash because of it!
Yay! So glad someone else is benefiting from it, too.
Such great tips, when I decide to sell certain items online, I have definitely learnt over time to apply these tips. It’s important to be mindful and take the extra steps with photography and how you sell your item online to get the best deal.
Great post and photos!
Such great advice. Ive been trying to up my picture taking, these tips will be helpful in my planning stage
Craigslist is a wonderful forum for buying and selling personal items. Love all the sage advice you’ve shared on this post. Now, I’m thinking, “Hmmm…what can I sell?” =). Cheers!! xo
I knew that Facebook got a marketplace, but I had no idea who it works or how you can use it.
It sound quite interesting and your pieces of advice are right on spot.
Great tips, these would work not only on facebook marketplace or craigslist but any other online selling platform! I sell on Etsy and these are definitely things I can use on there too!
Yes! They should definitely work for all platforms!
These are such fantastic suggestions! I think you’re spot on regarding quality pictures and having more than one photo/angle. It makes such a big difference!
Thank you for this! Excellent advice and you really make it seem simple. I’m going to pass this along to a friend that is looking to start this “side hustle”.
Yay! Thanks for sharing, Brynn.
This is GREAT advice!
Some amazing and interesting ways to make some extra cash. Some are completely new to me, will try them out. Thanks for sharing these tips.
I have ditched Craigslist for Facebook M. It is more user friendly and then listings are more reasonably priced. (not that eventually won’t change). And you have the added bonus of seeing who you are dealing with and thereby making it more safe.
Agreed on all those points!
Thanks for the terrific guide