Facebook is a social media platform that’s mostly used for entertainment and communication. These days, however, aside from being a hub for those who wish to connect with others, the site is being used for selling things—similar to Craigslist. And this is done through Facebook Marketplace.
Marketplace is an avenue for people to sell, discover, and buy. It’s actually a convenient solution since you can filter results by price, location, and category. Well, if you’re thinking of selling through the social media giant’s version of Craigslist, you should consider the following tips:
Build Credibility through Your Profile
Marketplace is linked to your Facebook profile. This gives better sense of security to anyone who’s planning to buy from you. After all, they’ll be able to see your name, your photos, and even reviews for your offerings.
Keep in mind that it’s through your profile that you begin to build trust and credibility. And so, make sure that your profile picture is both clear and recent enough—and of course, it should be really be yours.
Make Your Ads Engaging and Detailed
Facebook Marketplace relies heavily on photos. It’s even safe to say that for most shoppers, decisions are made based on the images they see. Your product’s photos must be eye catching, well-lit and in focus.
It’s best if there is no clutter in the background. Take three or more photos of the product—ideally from different angles. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of Marketplace’s ten-pictures-per-listing limit.
By the way, always use your own photos. People want to see what your offerings actually look like. Using your own photos will give your listing a more authentic feel, and will keep you safe from being reported for misleading ads.
Despite being of utmost importance, however, quality photos aren’t the only thing you need to increase your sales. Do make it a point to properly present whatever it is you’re trying to sell, meaning you shouldn’t forget to include all the necessary details (e.g. model information, specifications, etc.).
Set the Right Price and Anticipate Negotiations
It’s a good idea to set your prices a bit high—but not too high. This lets you get the most value for your stuff. If you’re unsure of how much you should price your items, check the Marketplace and other classified advertisement websites for similar products.
Be open for negotiations. You’ll eventually realize how much people like to haggle, which is actually one of the key reasons why you shouldn’t set your prices low. They’ll do this through Marketplace’s Make Offer function or through private messaging.
Spend Time Organizing Your Items
List your items individually. Do not crowd them into one category—that will only create confusion and drive away potential buyers. Also, don’t forget to properly categorize your products. Do this carefully and don’t hesitate to spend hours just to finalize your listings.
Add Options for Delivery and Shipping
Whenever possible, include convenient options for delivery. Providing shipping will appeal to who don’t have the time or means to go to your place. Of course, it’s even more important to include these options for big or heavy items.
Don’t Forget That There Are Other Ways
Although selling through Facebook Marketplace is quite popular these days, and many budding entrepreneurs do find it profitable, you shouldn’t dismiss other ways of increasing your reach and sales.
Offering your products to local shops, particularly those that have established their credibility throughout the years, is still an excellent option. This way you’ll get a chance to be associated with trustworthy brands.
This is, of course, a more direct approach and will likely involve negotiations. Despite being more challenging than making a listing online, it’s something that will likely require less effort in the long run.
All in all, it’s become a must for entrepreneurs to tap into Facebook Marketplace—but forgetting about other ways of selling could prove to be a big mistake. As they say, don’t put all your eggs in one basket.