Craigslist Advertising Revealed

Discover Simple Strategies For Posting
Successful Ads On The Web (FREE!)

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Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................4
What Is Craigslist?........................................................................................................ 4
Brief History................................................................................................................... 5
How to Use “The List” to Make Money ....................................................7
How to Post ................................................................................................................... 7
Rules, Rules, Rules ..................................................................................................... 9
How To Compose A Winning Ad .............................................................................. 11
Craigslist Resources and More...............................................................14
Creating Stellar Ads.................................................................................................... 14
Frequently Asked Questions ..................................................................17
Conclusions ............................................................................................20

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Introduction
Have you heard of Craigslist.com? If not you could be
missing a FREE opportunity to post classified ads
throughout the nation.

Whether you are a seller interested in selling a one-time
product, a small business owner with many products or services to sell, or any
entrepreneur or marketer -- if you aren’t using Craigslist, you are missing a
valuable opportunity to drive hoards of traffic to your site.

Now you want to know, “What is Craigslist?” Haven’t you heard of it? Perhaps
you have, especially if you bought this guide!

For many, the ““List”” is a community website that uses Web 2.0 technology. This
website, like many others of its kind, focuses on providing users the ability to
build an online community. Serving more than twenty million users each month,
Craigslist.com is among the highest-ranking sites on the Web today.

What does this mean to you? And how can you use Craigslist to benefit you?

What Is Craigslist?
Most community forums provide a place for people to chat, get to know each
other, or share common interests. Craigslist is unique in that while it does offer a
forum, it is also a place where people can promote and sell. Craigslist allows
users to post classified ads to a community bulletin board. Most users can place
ads free, although there are charges for certain services in certain locations.

The board on Craigslist.com hosts millions of ads and has billions of visitors
every year. Sounds pretty exciting. As more and more people turn to the Web for
their purchases, the ““List”” is rapidly becoming one of the most important places
people bookmark.

Remember, most ads placed on Craigslist are free. Even when you do have to
pay for ads, usually you will pay far less than you would if you paid for an
advertisement in a local paper (or national one). And, more and more people are
using the Net to find what they need, whether they want to find a job, a new
home, a new car or anything else.

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Brief History

Every month, more than 5 billion people hit Craigslist.com for information about
products and services. Alexa.com reported in December of 2006 the site had 10
million unique viewers. That is a lot of publicity. Each day, more than 500,000
companies and individuals post job availabilities. Imagine, the biggest and best
place to find a job, and even post a resume!

There are community listings, real estate listings, even some erotic and
“massage” type services are listed. Founded in 1995 and incorporated in 1999,
Craigslist offered listings in just nine US cities. Since then, Craigslist has
expanded to include more than 450 cities across the globe.

The company became popular mainly by word-of-mouth as more and more
people started using the site to place their classified and other assorted ads. The
reason for its popularity? Ads are cheap and get a lot of exposure.

Why the name? Craig Newmark, entrepreneur, founded the site, without knowing
how large it would grow. His early designs were to simply create a classified
listing for local and regional events. Little did he know how fast his service would
grow.

One reason for its popularity now is its simplicity. Who wants to log online and
search paper after paper for job listings? Instead of posting a job in a local
market, advertisers can place their ads in a forum that reaches both a national
and international audience!

You can also search for items using a keyword search, greatly reducing the
amount of time spent sifting aimlessly through irrelevant information.

As with any popular site, Craigslist has had its fair share of controversy, including
opposition from some people opposed to the types of ads placed on the site.
Some local newspapers have expressed fears that people would no longer turn
to their local news listings for classified information, thereby reducing their
subscriber base. Such is technology however.

Craigslist now offers forums and message boards for its members. Among the
more popular forums on the “List” is the “Erotic” forum, (for users over age 18).
Craigslist allows just about anyone to post information about anything they have

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to offer. It is also heavily policed because of this to ensure ads are legitimate and
legal.

Despite the controversy, Craigslist.com has earned its reputation and status as a
leader in Web 2.0 sites, receiving many awards, including Best Local Website in
2003 according to a reader’s poll and the Best Community Site by multiple
agenciesi.

Now that you know a little about the site, let’s take some time finding out how you
can use Craigslist.com to make money. After all, that is why most people post
ads in the first place.

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How to Use “The List” to Make Money
Hopefully you can see the potential for making money by using Craigslist. Mostly,
it is free advertising. As long as you follow a few guidelines and rules set up by
the site, you can post classified ads relevant to almost 450 cities globally.

While some ads will cost you money, the rates are far less expensive than typical
paper adverts. You can use ads to gain valuable exposure with minimal time and
effort on your part. Most of the “paid for” ads on Craiglist are job listings, so
unless you are an employer, you should take advantage of all that the site offers
with no investment other than time. How often do you get a chance to present
ads free?

Better yet, how often do you file an ad to a site or paper offering more than 10
million unique visitors each year? Not bad for an advertising site. And, it all
begins with nothing more than a simple post.

How to Post
OK, so you want to post an ad on the “List”. Great! Now, how do you do it?

Posting on Craigslist is easy. First, go to the main page, and scroll up to the left-
hand corner where you will see a link to “Post to Classifieds.” Here is an
example:

7

Next, you will want to select the proper category to post your classified ad in.
Most people will search for advertisements by category, so be sure you put your
ad in the right category. And don’t worry too much if you don’t… you can always
change the category you originally selected.

You have a choice of posting categories, such as; “jobs”, “gigs”, “housing”, “items
for sale” and more. Posting your ad in the right place will maximize your potential
for exposure.

While it is helpful to have a registered account, especially if you plan to use the
site more than once, you do not need one to post your ad. However, it takes
about 5 minutes to set up an account, and it is free, so why not save yourself
some time next time you log in? Makes sense doesn’t it?

Now, when you register there are certain fields you have to fill out. These include
the “title” field and the “description” field. People do want to know what you are
offering after all, so a good description is essential. It helps to fill out the price
section, but you don’t have to. You may turn many otherwise interested parties
off by listing price. Of course the flip side is you can do the same by not posting
price.

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Tip
When you post an ad, Craigslist.com places it in chronological
order. So, the more recent posts get more attention because
visitors see them first naturally. Many times your ad will remain
listed for up to 30 days. However, if you want to gain maximum
exposure for your ad, you will want to post your ad often, so it rises
to the top of ads posted on the “List”.

You can also increase the odds of people searching for your
posts by using keywords to describe your posts.

Try adding popular keywords to your item description, so when
people search for items using key terms your ad is most likely to
pop up.

Pumped up? Great! Before you place your first ad, make sure you read over the
terms of use and rules. Why? If you don’t, you may post an ad and find Craigslist
bans your ad for life!

Now, wouldn’t that be bad? No sweat, the rules are easy to follow.

Rules, Rules, Rules
As with anything, Craigslist has its rules, regulations and limits. You need to
follow these carefully so your ad does not become accidentally banned from
placement on the board. If your violation is severe, the “List” will ban you from
posting in the future.

Now, how do you know what the rules are? First take your time and review the
site completely. Pages you want to review include the terms of use and the
general posting guidelines.

Check out:

http://www.craigslist.org/about/help/

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On this page you will find a detailed explanation of the “List’s” rules, regulations,
information about posting, reposting, publishing, buying blocks of posts and
more. If you scroll to the bottom you will also find a section on “harassment, legal
stuff, spam” which you should read carefully.

Here is a condensed version of some of the more common rules:

 Do not post the same item twice without first deleting the matching
material.
o If you plan to post in different cities or different categories, be sure
to remove old posts before placing new ones.

o If you want to place posts in several categories you will have to
rotate your posts. Some people get around this rule by posting ads
using different accounts and e-mail addresses. Just be aware if
someone discovers your actions, you may be reported and you will
lose your ad permanently.

 Make sure you post an item only one time in any given 48-hour
period. That is the exact timeframe the “List” tracks. You should always
give your ad a couple of days to circulate to determine its effectiveness.
see what the response to your ad is. Craigslist is also terrific way to test
multiple ads to see which one brings in the most traffic. However, if you
post the same ad before your 48-hour term ends, the ad will expire at the
end of the initial 48-hour period.

 Make sure you do not post ads with links to commercial or auction
websites. This is a no-no! It seems like the “List” would be a great place
to set up links to your products and services, right? Truthfully, the “List”
does not allow this type of advertising. Now, I am sure you are scratching
your head wondering, “How am I supposed to make money if I can’t link to
my site?” Good question. The answer is easy.

While this rule isn’t one community members check up on often, you want
to make sure you do things right to avoid penalty, especially if you are new
to the “List”. One way to get around this rule is to provide your e-mail
address. Interested parties can e-mail you, and then you can send them
the link to your commercial website. This is an excellent way to produce
leads without violating the lists rules or terms of use.

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Craigslist makes it easy for users to post. You can have people contact you by
phone or even by anonymous e-mail, where users click a link allowing them to
respond to your ad and their message is forwarded to the e-mail account you
appoint.

Here are some other unique features Craigslist has to offer consumers:

 You can use plain text or HTML to design your ad. Web addresses are
automatically converted to links to matter which format you use so be
careful.

 Feel free to add any photographs that will enhance your post.
Remember a picture is worth a thousand words.

 You can use free software programs to enhance your ad and improve
the odds someone reads it. Many companies have programs available
that convert craigslist HTML code into full-color images. We’ll talk more
about this in the FAQ section.

 You can access millions of users across the globe and in multiple
cities by placing a simple ad. No other paper offers you what craigslist
can, plain and simple. With more and more people surfing the Net, you
would be foolish not to try placing your ad on “the “List”.”

Now you know why you should create an ad. So, how do you do that?

How To Compose A Winning Ad
An ad is only as good as the words contained within the ad itself. If you don’t
write good copy, get someone to write it for you. You have a limited space to
work with here, so your job is to entice the potential buyer as quickly and
succinctly as possible. How do you do that?

There are many different ways. Here are some great steps for creating posts
simply and effectively:

First, compose an alluring post. It should adequately describe what it is
you have to offer, and why a potential buyer will benefit. Remember,
people want to know not only what you’re providing, but how it fills some
need they have. So tell them. Don’t use much fancy language or big
words. DO use urgent language, such as “Hurry” and “Act Now”. Great

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descriptions like, “Stunning” and “Amazing” work wonders. Be bold, be
brave. Consider this ad: “Diamond ring for sale 14k.” Now, this one:
“Stunning White Gold Brilliant Diamond Hand-Crafted 14k.” Which do you
like better?

Then, if you haven’t already, create an account, because you can’t
post your “post” without one. While you’re at it, review your post a few
times. Come up with at least one or two alternate posts that describe the
same item. If you find you don’t get a huge response when you post your
first post, you can try placing it in a different category or using one of your
alternate ads.

Next, look at other people’s posts that are similar to yours. What is
good about them? What makes your product or service different? Look at
high-ranking posts. What makes them successful? Is someone offering a
product or service similar to yours? If so, make note. Find out what makes
your product or service better and be sure to mention it. Do not bad-
mouth your competition, this could get you in trouble. Just do your job and
tell people why you are the best.

Now, review your post one more time and make sure it is up to snuff
with the other posts you reviewed. Ask people what they think. What
can you do better? Chances are high you will have a few opportunities to
modify your ad, so don’t be shy. Ask people what they think. It pays off.

Submit your post. File your post often, remember you can submit a post
as often as every two days (see next tip) but be sure when doing so to
delete old posts (again, following the rules here!).

Let your post sit at least 48-hours before checking in. Try not to be a
maniac about checking in. Millions of viewers get to see your post. If
someone out there is looking for what it is you have to offer, you will make
some headway. Checking your stats every five minutes will drive you
crazy. Relax! Go create some new ads for another product already.

Now, after a couple of days, go back to your account. If you want,
rerun your post (don’t forget to delete it first). That way, it goes to
the top of the “List” again. You can also edit your post before reposting
to make it fresh and new to see if the new post attracts better results or

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interest. If you want, you can also try reposting your original post in a
different category to see if you get more responses from customers.

You can repeat the steps above as many times as necessary to get the attention
of your prospective customers. Try using different ads for different products and
services. You can also post your ad in different categories to see which ad
categories your ad receives the most attention inproduce more results. Try using
different keywords in your ad when describing your product or the items you sell.
Most people search by keywords, so if you have really good ones, they will help
your ad pop up when people search. How do you know what hot keywords are?

There are dozens of resources on the Web. Check out:

http://inventory.overture.com/d/searchinventory/suggestion/

It’s a good starting point.

Now, let’s find a few other resources you may find handy…

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Craigslist Resources and More
Not what one might call a “shy” guy, Craig has promoted his site many ways,
including through his own blog. Find out what goes on in the mind of the creator,
just visit:

http://www.cnewmark.com

You’ll find a wealth of posts about the site and about life in general. It is, if
nothing else, entertaining.

Next, why not visit Mr. Newman’s other venture, Craigslist Foundation, located
at:

http://www.craigslistfoundation.org/

Started in 2000 by Craig Newmark and associates, this nonprofit organization
provides support for people in various communities. The goal of the site is to
provide knowledge and resources to nonprofit leaders throughout the world. Its
mission? “To empower and help people connect.” The Foundation achieves this
by providing resources to train and empower nonprofit leaders, by connecting
leaders with others working in their sector, and by providing support and
guidance to any interested.

Just as the original Craigslist worked to empower the community, the foundation
does the same, reaching out to next-generation leaders interested in changing
the way people do business.

Creating Stellar Ads
Earlier in this guide we talked about the many ways you can make your ads
stand out. If you still feel less than confident about your ability, don’t worry, there
are plenty of resources on the Web to get you through this process. You can
always conduct some Web searches to see what types of ads people run for the
kinds of products you sell.

You can also review sites offering tips and advice about writing good ads.

Here are a few links to check out:

http://www.greatnewspaperads.com/

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http://www.smalltownmarketing.com/greatads.html

http://www.e-comprofits.com/121.html

You can probably find a billion more on the Internet. If you are going to create a
simple, clean ad for a site like Craigslist.com, here is what you really need to
know:

1) Grab your reader’s attention. You do this with a great headline. Keep it
short, it’s an ad, not a sales page.

2) Capture their interest. What makes your ad interesting? Are you offering
an interesting product, and if so, why is it interesting?

3) Create a need and want in your audience’s mind. You want your target
audience to salivate over what it is you have to offer. Describe your
product or service strongly and succinctly and you will create desire. Even
if your audience doesn’t want what you are providing, a really good ad
may make them want it. For example, imagine you are browsing through
the grocery store. You are there to buy cereal, however, you notice a new
chocolate bar featured in the candy aisle. Your desire peaks, you buy the
chocolate. Your original purpose may have been to buy cereal, but any ad,
whether for chocolate or for a home, can create need in almost any
consumer when well presented.

4) Fill a need. If you can’t create a need, try to make sure you are filling an
existing need your potential customer has. Are they looking for a home?
Are you selling one? Do they need a job? Do you have one? You get the
picture.

5) Create a need and want in your audience’s mind. You want your target
audience to salivate over what it is you have to offer. Explain your offer
strongly and succinctly, and you will create desire. Even if your audience
doesn’t have a wish for what it is you offer, a really good ad may make
them want it. For example, imagine you are browsing through the grocery
store. You are there to buy cereal. However, you notice a new chocolate
bar featured in the candy isle. Your desire peaks, you buy the chocolate.
Your original purpose may have been to buy cereal, but any ad, whether

15

for chocolate or for a home, can create need in almost any consumer
when well presented.

6) Call your visitors to action. If you don’t ask for the sale, you will not get
it. This is the number one mistake people make, whether creating simple
copywriting ads or long sales letters. You have to ASK for the sale. So do
it.

7) Provide your visitor contact information. Don’t ask for the sale and
then forget to leave them a way to contact you. No matter how good your
ad, you won’t get a response that way!

Last, but not least, if you do get people to respond to your ad, make sure you
follow up with them quickly, within 24-hours if you can. The longer you wait, the
higher the chance they will turn to someone else to find what they need. There is
nothing worse than asking a question about a product for sale and not getting a
response in a timely matter.

You probably have a few more questions, so we’ll try to answer them next…

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Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you know the basics, you probably have a question or two about how it
all works. No problem, we are here to help. While you can find most of the
answers you need directly from Craigslist.com, we’ve compiled some answers to
some of the more common questions for your convenience. If you do not find
what you need, check out the help section or FAQ’s on Craigslist.

Q. How long will it take for my ad to post?

A. Generally it takes 15 minutes or less for ads to post when sent, provided they
follow the sites specifications. You can usually look for your ad in the category
you selected for it or by using keywords you appoint to your ad. If you have to
register, you’ll spend about 5 minutes total posting your ad. Pretty easy stuff here
folks.

Q. What is flagging and how do I prevent it?

A. Flagging is a tool moderators on the board use to identify posts that may be
inappropriate. If your post becomes flagged, you are not banned from posting
again, just be sure you double-check your post to make sure it complies with all
the rules and controls set up by craigslist. You are not officially “banned” unless
your post is blocked, and then there is no way you can re-post it. Sometimes
posts are flagged because users do not classify them correctly, other times
because they need review, and still other times because they contain restricted
content or constitute spam. So post with care!

Q. When I place a post, how long will it last?

A. It depends on the type of post you list and its location. There are many
different types of ads you can run on Craigslist. These include:

 Classified ads, which can last up to 45 days, or only 7 days if posted in
high-traffic cities including Boston, Chicago, LA, New York, Portland and a
few others.
 Resume ads, which usually post for between 30-45 days.
 Job ads, which like resume ads last for 30-45 days.
 Gig ads, again, post for 30-45 days.

17

You can even post events on Craigslist. These posts will usually stay online until
the day of your event or the day before your event. Classified ads usually post for
the shortest time because people sell their products or delete their ad to repost it
in a new category, or to keep it listed in the top ranks of craigslist.

Q. If I can’t post commercial ads, how do I advertise my services?

A. You may post classified ads for services if you post them under the title
“services offered.” There is no charge for doing this. You are not, however,
allowed to place commercial posts in other categories, and if you do they are
likely to be removed. There are subtle ways of getting around these rules, as
discussed previously. If you want to send people to your site where they can
review a comprehensive list of your services, you can structure your ad in a way
that does not directly market your services and encourages visitors to contact
you for a link to your site or more information.

Q. How can I become a Craigslist “power seller” much like an eBay power
seller?

A. The answer is simple. If you really want your ad to stand out, if you want to
make some killer money and promote your website legally, you will have to take
a few steps not outlined in the guide so far.

Many people primp up their ads using pictures and images. There is a tool you
can use however, to make your posts pop much better. If you are a webmaster
familiar with HTML coding, you probably don’t have to worry about making your
posts stand out. But, you can use the tools naturally provided to you to create a
winning ad.

If you are clueless when it comes to web design, check into software called the
“vFlyer” personal plan. Check it out:

http://www.vflyer.com/

This unique little tool allows you to create dynamic classified ads simply and
easily. You can use this tool to create eye-catching ads for Craigslist.com and
any other site you might post your ads on. The best part? All you have to do is
click a few buttons.

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Here is how it works, first you sign up for a plan. If you sign up for anything other
than the personal plan, it will cost you a little money, but remember, your listing
on craigslist is free, so it pays to spend a little money to make a lot of money.
Best of all, you can try it out and if you don’t like it, you’ll get your money back.
Try it out for a full 30-days! Risk Free!. Chances are you will sell your first product
or service long before you hit the 30-day mark, so vFlyer pays for itself.

Now you CAN sign up for the personal plan, and frankly I recommend it. It is free.
Try it out see what you think. You can create five ads. Now, what you do is
create your own flyer. VFlyer offers multiple templates you can choose from,
whether you sell office space, condos, boats, a car or any other item worthy of a
classy post.

Now, edit the information in the “flyer” as vFlyer calls its ads, by adding a title and
a description of the item you plan to sell. You will then copy and paste any
information craigslist gives you or the HTML code assigned to your ad when you
post it normally in HTML (do this first, so you have HTML code to post to vFlyer).

In case you are curious, we are not an affiliate. It is just a great tool you can use
to make your ads sizzle!

With VFlyer, you get a customized, handcrafted ad that is unique, eye-catching
and much more likely to grab attention than the ordinary posts you see on the
lists. Full color, custom imprinted images, just a click away. If you are only
posting a few items here and there, this is an ideal way to make your images
pop.

Q. Why can’t I just use the database craigslist offers for posting pics?

A. You can. However, keep in mind you have a choice of only four pictures when
using the default selection on craigslist. When you use software like vFlyer, you
have 15 photographs you can upload, custom photographs that will entice your
buyer much more than four. You can even create a slide show for them to view
your product.

Hope that helps! On to our final thoughts about the wonderful world that is
Craig’s “list.”

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Conclusions
Web 2.0 is changing the way consumers do business. There are many sites
using networking technology in exciting new ways. Craigslist.com started out as
a small site with a few ads for local consumers.

Today the site receives billions of hits yearly. Millions of people list their ads,
most of them free. You can join community forums, network with others and find
new and interesting ways to get people to visit your websites or buy your
products and services.

You can post your resume, look for jobs or buy a house. The best part? You
don’t have to spend hours and hours searching online. Craigslist hosts ads in
over 400 cities around the world.

If you want a cheap and innovative tool for promoting your business and making
more money, check it out now.

Go to:

http://www.craigslist.com

Warning
Make sure you go to: http://www.craigslist.com

Click the link or copy and paste it to your browser. Misspell the word, and you
may end in a place you never expected. Thanks! Don’t say we didn’t warn you,
because we did 

i
See craigslist fact sheet, from craigslist.org

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Thank you for reading this ebook!

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