Introduction
I recently realized that I’ve sold over $220,000 in merchandise on Facebook Marketplace this year. So in this blog , I’m going to break down how you can make money on Facebook Marketplace as well. This is something you can do from anywhere in the world, get paid quickly, and if you get a little creative, you can start with a $0 investment. Let’s get into it.
What is Facebook Marketplace?
If you’ve never heard of Facebook Marketplace, it’s a subset of Facebook where you can buy and sell local goods in a variety of categories—everything from cars to books to meal prep. Anything you can own or create, you can buy and sell on Facebook Marketplace. The signup is super easy. If you already have a Facebook account, you can tap over to Marketplace and start browsing or listing items in your local area.
Why I Made the Switch to Facebook Marketplace
I used to sell items on eBay and Craigslist, but late last year I made the switch to Facebook Marketplace, and I haven’t looked back. Since then, it’s become one of my favorite and most lucrative side hustles. Anytime the rent comes due or I need to make some extra money, reselling items on Facebook has become the fastest way to put money in the palm of my hand.
Why Facebook Marketplace is a Writing Platform
While this is all about making money as a writer, I’ve come to look at Facebook Marketplace as a writing platform. The vast majority of communication on Facebook is handled via text—everything from the title to your listing descriptions and communicating with buyers via Messenger. It all comes down to written communication.
The Journey of Each Sale
I like to think of each sale the same way I do writing an article. You first need to capture the reader’s or buyer’s attention with a catchy headline. You then need to provide them with the information you promised in the headline. Finally, once you have created enough intrigue, you need to direct them to taking a specific action.
Finding Items to Sell
The only difference between writing and selling on Facebook Marketplace is that you need to actually exchange a physical item, which is impossible if you don’t have anything to sell. So here’s how to find items for cheap—or if you get a little creative, for free.
1. Sell Your Own Stuff
We all have extra stuff we either keep for too long or didn’t need in the first place. Often, we’ll look at the stuff as junk taking up space, but as the age-old expression goes, one person’s trash is another’s treasure. If you package your trash in the right way, you can present it as a valuable piece of treasure that people will want to buy.
2. Offer to Sell for Others
If you have anyone in your life with extra stuff to sell, offer to sell it for them. You can work out a commission structure, split the profits, or offer to take it off their hands for free.
3. Search for Free Stuff
If you don’t have anyone in your life to give you stuff to sell for free, you can find tons of free stuff on Facebook Marketplace itself. Simply search for the word “free” in the search bar, and you’ll find listings for free items in your local area.
4. Resell Items
Lastly, you can resell items, which, just like the stock market, involves buying low and selling high. If you’re a beginner, I wouldn’t recommend this method as you need to have knowledge of what sells and how much you should be paying. But if you have a little experience, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Amazon liquidation sales can be great places to find items for cheap and then resell.
Creating Attractive Listings
Once you have your items, it’s time to create an attractive listing.
- Take Great Pictures: Cleaning items before taking pictures will drastically drive up their value. A little water and a paper towel can do wonders to improve the appearance of your items and allow you to charge more for them.
- Craft a Clear and Concise Title: Your title should be clear, concise, and describe the item accurately.
- Accurate Description: Your listing should accurately state what you’re selling, why, and the next steps for buyers to actually buy it.
- Pricing: Price it a little higher than you will be willing to take because it’s common practice for buyers to haggle.
Engaging with Buyers
Once you’ve created an attractive listing, your inbox will likely be flooded with interested buyers. For starters, I respond to everyone who messages me—even if the item is already sold or I have someone coming to take a look. Even if they send a generic message like “Is this available?”, I believe it’s important to respond.
Handling Difficult Buyers
If a buyer is being rude or disrespectful, you are fully within your right to block them. This is something I’ve had to learn the hard way, but sometimes blocking someone is the best way to avoid a negative review.
Conclusion
I really hope these tips help you build an additional stream of income for yourself. For more blog on these types of side hustles, I’d love for you to please bookmark our side Thank you.