Classifieds seem to have a great attraction for most people - even when they don’t actually want to buy anything. It’s all to do with wanting to know what the neighbours are up to. We just like to read them because we can see what’s happening in someone’s life. It might be that they are going to live overseas so have to sell all their stuff. Or if you see a whole lot of baby things for sale you can tell that their children have grown older. That’s why the smart person sells through classifieds and what better way to go online and do it?
Online classifieds are the ultimate selling tool, so whether you want to sell property, a car, other stuff or maybe you need a job, here are 101 ways to get what you want through online classifieds.
Using Classifieds Ads to Sell Your Home
1. Take great photos of the outside. Make sure you washed all the mould off the wall first.
2. Take photos of the back and front yards - but be sure the dog hasn’t left a whoopsy in the middle.
3. Take photos of the entrance - without those old socks and thongs littering the front door mat.
4. In fact you should buy a new mat and a new pot plant to make the photo look fab.
5. Buy some shrubs that are in flower and plant them before taking photos of the yard.
6. Take a movie of the inside rooms - but only when they are clean and tidy. Junior’s dirty undies will do nothing to sell your house.
7. Take some of the small furniture out of the room before photographing it to make it look less crowded - hence bigger.
8. Wash down the walls and make sure all pictures are straight.
9. Describe the property in positive terms.
10. Be honest - but if there’s a brothel right next door, don’t mention that. You are selling your house not that one.
11. Mention something good that is close to your house, such as park, golf club or other amenities. Some people will overlook faults in the home to be close to other things they like.
12. Even if it’s not all that close to the golf course/beach/clubs/mall mention how far they are in terms of driving time. Only 5 mins to golf club sounds better than 10 ks.
13. Draw up a floor plan of your home, photograph it and upload it to the website.
14. If you have too many photographs, provide a link to your own website with more photographs and descriptions.
15. Give more than one way for prospective buyers to contact you. Phone, mobile phone, email address all ensure that the buyer will get in touch one way or the other.
16. Provide address and clear, correct details of how to get there. People might want to take a look at the outside before contacting you.
17. Draw a clear map of how to get there and upload to website. But make sure it is correct.
18. Mention any obvious landmarks in your directions.
19. Price the property a little above what you really want, then allow your buyer to beat you down. That way he will feel like he got a bargain.
20. If the property has any good features - e.g. cathedral ceilings - be sure to mention them.
21. Don’t waste space with unnecessary wording such as “If you like it make a reasonable offer.” It’s obvious that’s what they will do anyway. You can use that sentence to tell them what else is good about your house.
22. Don’t repeat what you’ve written in other words. Make each sentence count. If you mention 3 bedrooms once, there is no need to do so again.
23. Make sure you photograph the home from the right angle. You don’t want to include a rickety shed or rusted tank in the photo - nor even a good tank. Show the home off to its best advantage and tell about the tank - it’s a good ‘green’ point.
24. Add a way in which the buyer can save money, such as ‘green’ light bulbs, insulation or even a sunny aspect that will save on heating.
25. Comment on the storage space. Everyone loves plenty of storage. If there isn’t much, point out corners or niches that would take a cupboard - or have it put in first.
Using Classifieds to Sell Your Car
26. When selling a vehicle then you should certainly take photos for the buyer to view. They should show the vehicle from front, back and sides.
27. Also photograph the interior.
28. Be sure to wash and polish the vehicle before the photo. You want it to look its best.
29. Clean and polish the interior too.
30. Polish the tyres with black polish to make the car look like new.
31. Make sure the tread is not worn out.
32. Park the vehicle against a contrasting background so it will show up better in the photo.
33. Make sure the dog, and that old bucket is out of the picture.
34. Likewise your washing should not be in the background.
35. Get creative and take the photo against a classy backdrop of forest, autumn leaves, rocks or similar. This is what they do for TV ads.
36. Add a sexy chick or guy to the photo. Or for a family car add something else appropriate.
37. Add props to the photo; a picnic basket for family - a surfboard for a single guy’s car.
38. If the vehicle is a caravan make sure the interior is clean and tidy, with nothing on either the sink or the mattresses, before photographing it.
39. If the vehicle needs minor repairs, have them done. It won’t cost you much and your reputation will stay intact ready for your next sale.
40. Mention whatever you have had done in the ad. as a good selling point.
41. Make sure you have a pink/green slip when necessary.
42. If possible sell with many months still on rego. Buyers really don’t want to have to register the vehicle just after they buy it.
43. If you are not selling the seat covers or other extras, then don’t photograph the vehicle with them still in place.
44. If the original seat covers look crappy, consider buying a pair of front seat covers and sell them with the vehicle. They need not be expensive ones.
45. Don’t waste your word limit by having the words ‘for sale’ or ‘I’m selling’ in the ad. It’s already in the for sale section isn’t it?
46. Give the model, age and mileage and make sure they are correct.
47. Use good grammar and correct spelling. People take you more seriously when you do.
48. Keep records of the car services and show them to buyers.
49. If the vehicle has been kept undercover, say so, especially if you live by the beach where rust could be a problem.
50. If it hasn’t been kept undercover, don’t mention that unless asked.
51. Always be honest when describing your vehicle. Age and condition will be obvious when it is inspected, anyway.
Using Classifieds When Looking For Work
52. When advertising for a job, list all your skills honestly. If you want a specific job, then advertise in that section. If not, then advertise in a broader section.
53. Think of some things you can do that you may not consider skills. You may get on really well with senior citizens, dogs or children. These skills can get you odd jobs.
54. If you include a photo of yourself, dress appropriately. A bikini is not suitable for a nanny, but if advertising for a surf watch job it could be.
55. Create a professional resume - if you can’t do it, pay someone else to. It won’t be in the classified, but you’ll need one eventually.
56. If listing a position available, state the minimum qualifications, hours and pay clearly.
57. If advertising your delivery service, show a pic of your vehicle so prospective users can tell if it will be big enough.
58. When advertising for a position, state clearly what you will not do. E.g. some people expect the baby-sitter to clean out their oven, wash the day’s dishes and vacuum the house when the baby goes to sleep.
59. When advertising a service using the word ‘we’ instead of ‘me’, even if there is only one of you. It will make your ad seem more professional. It may also prevent any monkey business.
60. Avoid using terms of endearment such as luv or my dear, as these can create a wrong impression of what you are offering.
61. Don’t use past tense such as “I was looking for a …job.” It raises a question in the reader’s mind, Are you still looking for it?
62. Use present tense. “I am looking for a (type of) job. I have these skills.”
63. Include a call to action. Call me on (ph. number).
64. Sound positive and upbeat, but don’t use slang. It does not sound professional or serious.
65. When looking for work, be wary and don’t get ripped off.
66. When advertising your work for hire, be clear about what you will do. If gardening, you may not want to hand-dig an extensive garden bed from lawn. If you mow and edge, you may or may not want to weed the garden.
67. Don’t offer services unless you can do them properly. People these days expect professional work done in a professional manner - even mowing the lawn needs to be done properly if you want work.
68. When advertising a position vacant, be clear about the hours, pay and what you expect to get accomplished.
69. Offer fair pay for fair work. Some farming jobs demand 12 hours a day, 7 days a week and pay peanuts. Is this fair?
70. Don’t expect the impossible. No one person can be fantastic at several jobs when they are under 20 years of age.
Using Classifieds to Sell Stuff
71. When selling your household stuff, make sure it actually works before you advertise it.
72. If selling whitegoods, try and include the original instruction book with it. Add make and model number.
73. Describe the goods correctly. Don’t call drawers shelves.
74. Measure height, length and depth of furniture correctly.
75. When photographing furniture, move all your other stuff away from it. Showing sofa and coffee table in front of the TV unit you want to sell detracts from it and adds confusion as to what is actually being offered.
76. Don’t waste your word count with a greeting. It may sound friendly, but it is unnecessary. You are selling, not making friends.
77. Add a free gift if bought before a certain date. E.g., add a free CD, to CD shelves.
78. Package small items together, rather than singly. E.g. a pack of two or four books.
79. Clothing can be sold as sets e.g. set of four t-shirts or set of t-shirt and jeans.
80. If selling in sets of pants and tops, make sure they are the same size.
81. Make sure clothing has no missing buttons or broken zips.
82. If you don’t want to add expensive freight to the cost, label the item as pick-up only. Buyers often prefer this option as it can save them money if they have their own pick-up vehicle.
83. If you are selling expensive stuff, be sure to have it insured for posting.
84. If the goods are damaged, say so and offer a lower price. People are still happy to get things like books with stained pages - as long as they know about it. Then they don’t feel ripped off.
85. When selling jewellery photograph it on a contrasting background. Black velvet is good. Avoid shiny cloth like satin.
86. Rings can be photographed on the finger so they show up better - but apply polish to the nails first.
87. Caps or hats can be photographed on a head, even one of those model dolls heads that kids love.
88. Include the actual length of necklaces, watches and bracelets. Some people have really thin or thick wrists.
89. Belts should be photographed on a model. You don’t have to include the rest of the body, though.
90. When advertising a garage sale, photograph at least some of the items. One photo is worth a thousand words.
91. Grouping items together for a photo is a good idea, then you can fit more in.
92. When photographing non-solid items like bicycles, have them against a solid background like a wall, rather than a garden. It sure helps with clarity.
93. State all sizes clearly and with clothing, add waist, chest and length measurements. This will give your buyer the assurance that the items really will fit.
94. For pants, state the inside and outside leg measurement plus the ankle width.
95. For coats measure across the back of the shoulder and from the base of the collar at the centre back down to the hemline.
96. Make sure all clothing is freshly washed and ironed before photographing it.
97. In some cases, the reasons for selling can be stated - e.g. moving or wrong size. This assures the buyer that there is nothing wrong with the item.
98. If the item is near new and in perfect condition, describe it as new without tags. New with tags for never worn clothing, and good condition are two other categories.
99. Some items can be listed in more than one category to attract a wider buying field. E.g. car accessories such as radio or speakers can also be listed in the ‘stuff’ category under audio.
100.Leave exclamation marks off your text. They are unprofessional and look ridiculous.
101. Don’t copy other ads. Make yours stand out with the use of creative and positive wording
