How to Craigslist Better: 37 Tips and Tutorials
April 18th, 2007
If you would like to view or place classified ads, forget about your local newspaper. Like so many things, classified ads have gone virtual, and you won’t find a better site for them than Craigslist.org. Craigslist is free to use by anyone, and, although Americans place most of the listings, the classifieds are for international use. Hugely expansive, the site can be a bit daunting to new users. Fear not, as the following tips, how-tos, and tutorials will assist you in your Craigslist exploration.
General Use of Craigslist
- Starting Out
Craigslist is massive, so you should know how it is set up before you dive in. All classifieds are divided by geographical region, then by the following categories — community, personals, housing, for sale, services, jobs, gigs, and resumes. Within each category are many subcategories, which will help to finely tune your searches. - Bookmark Your Area
Upon your first visit, Craigslist’s home page will automatically show you the listings for the San Francisco Bay Area. If there is a certain city/region you are interested in, go to your desired area, then bookmark. It will save you extra steps each time you visit the site. - Keeping Craigslist Clean
Craigslist relies on users to the keep it organized and honest. All users have the ability to flag each listing for removal from the site. A listing should be flagged if it contains prohibited content, if it is spam, or if the listing is miscategorized. - How To "Speak Craigslist"
Craigslist posts contain a lot of abbreviations and acronyms, which originate from classified ads in newspapers, where people are paying for space. Personal ads are particularly rife with abbreviations, using "W" for woman, "M" for man, etc. Regular use of the site will make you fluent in Craigslist-ese, or you could simple consult an online dictionary for anything that really stumps you. - Common Craigslist Scams
Unfortunately, the freedom that Craigslist allows users also gives criminals free range to target their prey. The most common scam that is affecting people on Craigslist is counterfeit check and money order fraud. If anyone offers you a check or money order from overseas, do not accept or engage in any kind of complicated "money wire" transaction. Also, beware of anyone offering some sort of guaranteed Craigslist buyer protection, as there is no such thing. - How To Report a Scam
If you have encountered some sort of fraud while using Craigslist’s services, the first thing you should do is flag any post associated with the criminal. Next, you should report the offense to the authorities. This may include your local police department, the Federal Trade Commission and/or the Internet Crime Complaint Center. - Enjoying the "Best of Craigslist"
Craigslist has a lot of great things to offer, but many posts will go unseen by users due to the size of the site. So, the nice people at Craigslist, Inc. have created an area called "best of craigslist". There, you will find all the most popular listings, as deemed by Craigslist users. Vote for your favorites by pressing "best of" on the top right-hand corner of an ad’s page. - Craigslist is for Adults Only
Craigslist is a very liberal site with a lot of adult content in certain areas. Although Craigslist prohibits explicitly pornographic posts, things do tend to sneak in here and there, particularly in the personals section. You may wish to bar your children from freely perusing the site for this reason. - Join the Craigslist Community
Craigslist isn’t just about classified ads; it is also an online community. There are many other areas to the site, such as the popular discussion forums. The forums are a great way to meet people of similar interests, as well as promote yourself or ask for help in regard to the site. - Share Your Craigslist Success Story
If you have enjoyed some great success by using Craigslist, the site wants to know about it. They now encourage users to report their success stories, as they would like to share the information with media outlets and other Craigslist users. - Use Caution With Craigslist "Hook Ups"
Craigslist has an extensive area dedicated to personal ads. While online social networking has become commonplace in recent years, you should always exact caution if meeting someone from Craigslist in person. The site even has a special warning for those looking online for casual sexual encounters.
Selling / Posting on Craigslist
- Fees for Posting Ads
Craigslist is largely regarded as a free site, although there are a few areas that charge for posting an ad. These include the following:- Posting one job in the San Francisco area: $75.
- Posting one job in the Boston, Los Angeles, New York City, San Diego, Seattle or Washington D.C. area: $25.
- Posting one brokered housing ad in the New York City area: $10.
- Register Before You Post
Registration with Craigslist is free of charge and mandatory if you wish to post any ads. Make sure you enter a valid email address, as you will sometimes need to confirm or edit your listings. Also, Craigslist will contact you if other users ever flag down your ads. - How To Post a Craigslist Ad
Posting your own ad is simple and free of cost in most cases. Ads that carry fees can easily be paid for with your favorite credit card. First, you should decide what city/region you want to list your ad under. From that area’s main page, click on "Post to Classifieds" in the top left-hand corner. The following screen will allow you to choose the most appropriate section for your listing. From there, you will be given categories within the section you choose. While you are making these decisions, Craigslist will be offering you guidelines and tips. Finally, you will be provided with a self-explanatory set of fields to create your ad with. You will be able to review your listing when you are finished and, upon posting, your ad will appear on the site within 15 minutes. - Use HTML to Your Advantage
While most people opt for plain text, HTML is allowed in the body of your post. HTML can allow you to change the font size or add a logo, both popular choices. For many people offering services or employment, this is the best way to stand out in a low-def environment. - Use Images to Enhance Your Ad
There are two ways to add an image to your Craigslist ad. One is through HTML in the body of your post. Also, Craigslist allows you to upload images to your ads in the housing, for sale and personals sections. Using images can greatly improve your chances of selling a product. - No Explicit Candids, Please
While sexy pictures are allowed on Craigslist personals, pornographic ones are not. The site is a big proponent of free speech on the Net, but quite strict about their pornography rule. - Carefully Word Your Title
Your title should be eloquent, yet self-explanatory. Don’t attempt to be too clever with the title or it might be so cryptic that people overlook it. Also, try to include relevant keywords, as many people use Craigslist’s search feature to narrow the listings. - Finding a Missed Connection
One of the most unique areas of the site is the missed connections subcategory within the personals. If you briefly met someone in your travels that you felt you had a romantic connection with, yet nothing came of it, find that person by posting here on Craigslist. While this could be considered borderline stalking by some, others will find it very romantic. - Offer Your Services as an Employee
Not only can you search for work in the jobs section of Craigslist, but you can also post an ad for your services. There is now a section devoted to user resumes, not unlike popular job listing sites Monster and CareerBuilder. - Craigslist Is Your Virtual Soapbox
Thanks to the popular “rants and raves” section of Craigslist, you can now sound off on any topic you want for an audience of millions. From political views to obscure personal issues, Craigslist users find this service to be cathartic. Impress people with your witticisms and you may end up on the “best of” list. - Be Honest and Polite
If you promise something in your title or ad that isn’t true, it will be flagged down quickly, so be honest. Also, be polite, particularly if you are posting a job listing. No one wants to work for a grouch. - Go Easy With the Caps Lock
Some people think that the best way for their post to stand out amongst others is to write it all in capital letters. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, Internet-savvy users often disregard such posts as the work of trolls or spammers.
Buying on Craigslist
-
Buy at Your Own Risk
Know that any and all transactions you make through Craigslist are done so at your own risk. Craigslist is not responsible if you get scammed by a seller nor do they offer any recourse if you do. - Craigslist: The Low-Def eBay
Don’t be fooled by Craigslist’s modest appearance; the people behind the site merely wish to shun any corporate image. You are just as likely to find something to buy on Craigslist as you are on eBay. The “for sale” section of the site may not be as pretty as eBay, but you won’t have to hassle with any bidding wars or hidden fees, either. All transactions are handled without a middleman. - Find Local Garage and Estate Sales
If you are an all-around bargain hunter, you should look for garage and estate sales in the "for sale" section. This list should be better than your local newspaper’s, as people can post easily and for free on Craigslist. Also, last minute sales will pop up on Craigslist, rather than in the newspaper. - Buying Real Estate
If you are in the market for real estate, then buying directly from the owner can be the best way to get a good deal. Craigslist is an excellent place to search for local real estate, particularly if you would rather not deal with a real estate agent. As with all transactions, however, do your homework before you commit to any agreement. - Paying in Person
Unlike eBay, where most transactions will be made through the mail, Craigslist purchases are often local and may require face-to-face contact between a buyer and seller. Both parties should be cautious when meeting someone from Craigslist in person. However, the buyer should be especially wary if carrying cash to the meeting place. Remember, most individual sellers won’t take American Express. - Official Craigslist Merchandise
While Craigslist prides itself on being almost non-profit, they do now offer Craigslist t-shirts. Some shirt designs are amusing and some are just straightforward advertisements for the site. Craigslist’s store also allows you to create your own t-shirt design.
Job Listings on Craigslist
-
Posting the Same Job Listing in Multiple Cities
Doing this is recognized by Craigslist as spam. The moment you attempt it, an automated message will inform you of this rule. However, if you are offering a telecommuting position, you will undoubtedly want more visibility on the site. You can work around Craigslist’s policy by changing the title and content of your post just enough to trick their filters. - Subscribe to Your Favorite Job Board
If you are actively seeking work in a certain category, you should subscribe to that job board’s RSS feed. The RSS button is located on the lower right-hand side of the page. If you are a freelancer, this should save you considerable time each day trying to get the jump on other jobseekers. - Search for Work Under "Gigs" Also
Although many positions offered in the gigs section are non-paying to low-paying, regular work can also arise on that board. Freelancers should always check both the jobs and the gigs board. - Beware of Fraudulent Employers
Craigslist users are susceptible to scams all over the site, but job postings can be the most damaging to a person. When applying for work, use caution with your personal information until you are certain the position is legitimate. While your name and email address will probably have to be shared right away, never offer your social security number unless you’ve researched your potential employer a bit more. Telecommuters appear to be most vulnerable to fraud. - Flagging Job Listings
Always flag any fraudulent listings right away, as they need to be removed from the site ASAP. Also, flag listings that are miscategorized. This includes listings in the jobs category that are offering zero compensation. Non-paying positions can be placed under "gigs", but not under "jobs". - Apply for Work Quickly
Positions advertised on Craigslist are often filled quickly, so apply for desired positions without delay. An RSS subscription will help you in this endeavor, as job boards are updated around the clock. - Find Telecommuting Positions
Craigslist is a great place to find telecommuting positions, as there is a simple search feature on the job board that narrows your results to just work that can be done from home. Since legitimate telecommuting positions are few and far between, this feature comes in handy for a lot of people. - Write a Strong Cover Letter
When applying for work on Craigslist, your success will really hinge on a strong cover letter, as you are competing with many other people. Try to write a clear, concise cover letter that doesn’t read like a template. Most cover letters sound the same, so be creative. However, try not to confuse "creative" with "unprofessional". Your freedom in that regard will depend on the job you are applying for.
Whether you are selling your car or looking for love, Craigslist will serve you well. It is catching on in every corner of the world, too, as the site is now visited by over 15 million people a month. Like eBay and other popular listing sites, surfing Craigslist can become very addictive. Fun, convenient and multi-purpose, you can easily use the site to its full potential with just a bit of practice.
Did you enjoy this article?