Make Money Off Facebook Marketplace: Experts Share Tips for Selling
Facebook Marketplace launched in 2016 as a way for users to buy and sell items within their local communities, offering an alternative to sites like eBay and Craigslist. Nearly 10 years later, it still serves as a viable option for those interested in selling goods they no longer want or need.
“Facebook Marketplace is very easy to use, so it’s good even for beginners,” says Trae Bodge, smart shopping expert atTraeBodge.com. “It doesn’t take too much effort to post or sell, so there’s very little time wasted if you don’t end up selling the item.”
Luckily, there are several things you can do to not only boost your chances of a sale, but also regularly earn a profit. Keep reading to find out how to make money selling on Facebook Marketplace and see repeated success.
Know what items sell
Although there seems to be a little of everything listed on the platform these days, some items are more likely to sell than others.
- Home furniture: “Solid wood and brand name furniture tends to do very well, particularly if the re-seller can dress them up by adding a new coat of paint or sanding/polishing the item to bring out the item’s character,” shares Alex King, founder and chartered accountant atGeneration Money. “On the flip side, items like home furniture can take up significant storage space and be difficult to transport, so these factors should be taken into account before selling.”
- Electronic items: Last-generation Apple products like iPhone and iPads can be quite profitable when you re-sell them, adds King.
- Home exercise equipment: “Around the New Year and early summer when people are more motivated to exercise—prices can spike around these times and allow you to make a good profit,” he shares.
- Rare items:. “You may not find as many customers for a rare item, but the profitability will be worth it when you find the right buyer,” assures Bodge. “However, I would steer clear of selling anything precious on a public marketplace.” Instead, sell gold items on a platform like The Alloy Market or designers clothes to The Real Real.
Be savvy with photos when using Facebook Marketplace
The most important element of your Marketplace listing? The photos! “Sellers should lead the listing with the best photo of the item—ideally with good lighting and showing the item being used or in the position in which it will be used,” advises King. Photos should also be uncluttered and include any original packaging.
When possible, you should aim for 6-8 photos that show off the item from different angles and positions. This allows buyers to get a full picture.
Catch eyes with the right title
The most important element in a listing besides the photo? The title itself, which is what potential buyers will see when they come across your item for sale.
“If you’re selling a brand name item, make sure this is first in the title followed by any model or spec details,” says King. “Add in any important size/measurement details, too, and look at other successful listings to check for any other keywords that were included in titles.”
For the item description, you’ll want to include the following elements:
- Key features and specifications: This is particularly important when an item might come in other models or sizes.
- Any damage or blemishes if applicable: “This will help to mitigate any potential disputes/return requests over the item’s condition,” says King.
- Preferred payments methods and delivery/pickup details: If you’re only accepting cash and it’s a porch pickup for instance, potential buyers should know this up front. (Also smart: Mention any original packaging that will be included).
- Your location: Not only does it let buyers know how far they would have to travel to pick up the item, but it can affect search visibility too. “If you’re near a much bigger city, consider listing your location there as this could help boost views and sales, but only if it’s convenient for you to sell in this location,” adds King.
Be strategic about posting time
Something as important as the listing itself: the time it goes live on Marketplace. King says posting it around 6-8 p.m. (peak time) can help boost your reach. “Thursday to Sunday tends to also be the busiest days of the week with more visibility,” he adds.
If an item hasn’t sold right away, you’ll want to refresh the listing to increase your chances of a sale. Every 7-10 days, tweak the title and description, adding new keywords when possible.
Guarantee more searches on Facebook Marketplace
Search visibility is key to getting customers looking at your listing. What can help: Include keywords used in past successful sales of similar items. “Another small but important tip is to use correct spelling, so run your listing through a spell check service before posting,” suggests King. “Some buyers—and the algorithm—may be put off by incorrect spellings.”
A verified Marketplace profile (or at least one that’s very filled out) can also work to your benefit as the algorithm favors those profiles, he adds. Try and build up positive reviews and maintain a high seller rating, as well, for the same reason.
Ensure competitive pricing
One of the most common challenges people encounter when posting on Facebook Marketplace? Pricing! “I would suggest searching online for similar items to get a sense of a median price and go from there,” shares Bodge.
You should also consider any costs incurred on your end, such as packaging, photography and delivery/transport costs. “If these other costs aren’t taken into account it can mean that overall the item is not profitable, even if it sells above its base cost price,” adds King. The last thing you want to do is put in a lot of effort for an item that doesn’t earn you much money!
Pricing too high can cause your item to sit unsold, however. King suggests adding a buffer of around 10% to your price to account for any potential negotiations.
Be cautious when haggling
Even with a listing that has a fair price, you may encounter customers looking to negotiate. If you’re willing to engage with them, keep these things in mind:
- Let them make the offer first. “If they ask what the best price you can do is, counter by asking them to make an offer first,” says King. This keeps you from seeming desperate to sell the item—even if you are!
- Stand firm when necessary. It can be helpful to reference other items sold at your price point, or make it clear why yours is worth more (like if it’s in great condition).
- Consider the age of the listing. “In my opinion, you don’t want to bend on a price right when you’ve listed something, however, if the item has been on the market for a while with little or no bites, some flexibility is in order,” adds Bodge. If you don’t think you’re going to be able to sell it otherwise, it might be worth accepting their offer.
A red flag to watch out for? Sellers trying to negotiate odd terms. “Scammers will often ask for strange payment terms, like gift cards, or ask you to cover their payment and promise to reimburse you,” cautions Bodge.
Establish credibility for frequent sales
If you plan to sell on Marketplace on a long-term basis, you’ll need to focus on sourcing items. Building relationships with thrift stores or local auction houses can be beneficial, shares King, so you have a regular stream of inventory.
It can also be helpful to narrow down exactly what you want to sell. “It’s a good idea to focus on a particular niche with a few product categories that you know well or can learn about quickly,” he adds. “This way you can develop a reputation within this niche and on Marketplace so that people may return to you in future.”
Copyright 2024 A360 Media
This story was originally published January 4, 2025 at 2:30 PM